HER BELIEF IN GOD MOTIVATED MEN
When I lived in Buffalo, NY, I bemoaned the cost of $141 million dollars to build a Federal Court House. Youth centers were short on money and many kids were turning to crime. Deborah in the Bible used to judge under palm trees. The YWAP/Holy Cross Youth Center In the basement of an old Catholic Church served as a meeting point for kids from all over the city. The rules were simple, no cussing, no trash talking and respect the ladies.
Youngsters are always pushing the boundaries of rules. A young lady was being antagonized by some guys in the game room. I walked into the room just as she lost her cool and dropped the "F-bomb." As soon as she saw me, I could see instant tears well up in her eyes. She knew the penalty for cussing was being kicked out of the you center for the rest of the day. She made a move to collect her belongings with the intention of leaving.
I was cut to the heart and immediately thought of Jesus talking to the woman who was going to be stoned by a group of hypocritical men. I asked her to step into the study area where some younger children were working on homework. I said she could stay if she agreed to help them. I also asked her to read about Deborah in the Bible. We talked about how Deborah was a leader when men were slacking off. From that day forward I called that young lady Deborah. Her friends thought I didn't know her name, but we just smiled. She learned a lesson on leadership and was given a new name.
Under the leadership of Deborah, an army of 10,000 men were encouraged go up against their enemies. Jabin was the King of Canaan and the commander of his army was Sisera. The King's army was soundly defeated and Sisera the general was killed by another gritty woman, Jael. After that thee was peace in the land for forty years. Thank God for gritty women!
DAY SEVEN WORD
A Wife of Noble CharacterWho can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm[b] clothes.
She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT
DAY SEVEN PRAYER
Thank You God for relationships between men and women. You created women to be leaders in many ways. Thank You for the times You've put Your hands on women's hearts to lead when men were slacking. Help us all to respect each other as Christ loved the church. Amen.
DAY SEVEN DEEP THOUGHTS
The Palm of Deborah Pillars of Leadership
- Be still and know God.
- Be strong and courageous.
- Ask God for wisdom.
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
- Lead people by being with the people.
- Guide people with truth, accountability and sincerity.
- Be humble and give grace.