Writings from the Global Office

Empowering Lives with Purpose

MIRACLES

The word “miracle” is often tossed around in the Christian world, yet many of us may not have a grasp on what miracles are or what we believe about them. And yet, we have all been in a place where we are waiting and longing for a miracle from God.

Miracles showcase God’s power and help us to believe in Him. Our eyes can behold all kinds of miracles if we are open to see them. Some miracles are evident in the supernatural acts of creation; others go against the laws of nature (like when Jesus walked on water, see Matthew 14). Some involve healings and even divine power over death (see John 11), and others demonstrate God’s control over plant and animal life (as in Balaam’s donkey, see Numbers 22). There have even been miracles over material things (such as the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, see Matthew 14). These are just a few examples that we can read about in God’s Word, and there are countless other miracles happening all around us today.

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me." (Jeremiah 32:27, NCV)

You may be asking God for a miracle today.

When we cannot see our way ahead, we can trust God. Our Lord can handle the vast mountains, oceans, and storms that appear to block our way. All over the Bible, there are miraculous stories, defined by the extraordinary measure of God’s revelation to us, reminding us that God does not depend on the elements of nature or man’s abilities to do the impossible. God can do anything.

When we are at a place in our lives where it seems everything we have is about to run out, we can trust the Lord for everything we need. Draw closer to the One who loves you and understands you most.

When things don’t make sense to us, we may start to see miraculous things begin to happen if we seek the Lord’s wisdom through the Bible and godly counsel. James 1:5 (TPT) says, If anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom. And He will give it! This is a truth from God’s Word - a promise that He won’t hold back from you.

“No word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37, NIV)

When you seek God’s presence and request Him to intervene in your situation, you will see miracles happen. The God of miracles we read about in the Bible is the same God who loves you and called you to be His own. The God who raised the dead to life and made a donkey speak is the same God who has the ability and POWER over all creation to work a miracle for you! Pray. Believe by faith. Seek HIS wisdom. Wait on God. Miracles do happen!

Kimberly Hobbs

Founder and Executive Director

kimberly@womenworldleaders.com

Biblical Profiles

MICHAL

Like many women in biblical times, Michal is known mainly for her relationships and, in her case, for her status as a royal. But as we look at Michal’s life, we can learn much from her actions and her attitude. Born the daughter of the infamous King Saul – the first king of Israel who ruled for 42 years, Michal was also the sister of Jonathan and later married David, who became the greatest king of Israel and became known as a man after God’s own heart.

Princess Michal’s life became intertwined with her future husband when David killed Goliath, the giant Philistine, in the name of the Lord. The royal family welcomed David into their home, where he developed an unbreakable friendship with Michal’s brother, Prince Jonathan (in today’s terms, a bromance), and came to know Princess Michal, who fell in love with this strong, successful warrior whom the citizens throughout the land lauded.

Michal’s father, King Saul, threatened by David’s popularity and all-around success, offered David his daughter Michal’s hand in marriage in exchange for 100 Philistine foreskins – thinking that surely David’s attempt to fulfill his part of the strange bargain would end in his own death. But David succeeded and earned Michal’s hand in marriage.

This must have thrilled the princess – to have this widely admired warrior literally fight for her hand. Saul, however, afraid because he saw that the Lord was with David and that Michal loved him, ordered his troops to stake out the home of his own daughter and kill David. Michal found out about the plan and stepped up to the plate. She lowered David from a window, crafted a dummy to make it look like David was lying in bed, and stood firm as the soldiers and King Saul entered her home to kill David. From her actions, we see that Michal was a strong and courageous woman who was full of wit and deceit. And although she used those qualities to save her much-admired husband, we cannot disregard the fact that she was also conniving, disrespectful, and disloyal to her father and her King.

This event turned Michal’s life upside down. She was ordered to marry another man, and David fled for his life, which didn’t stop him from adding to his list of wives and concubines.

The trail of Michal goes quiet in the Bible until we read, years later, that her life was upended for a second time after David was anointed King of Judah. It was then that David ordered Michal be returned to him. Michal was sent to David, and in an outward show of the tragedy of her life, Michal’s second husband followed her, weeping, until he was forcefully told to, “Go back home!”

Later, we see her bitterness when David arrived home celebrating a victory and dancing before the Lord wearing a linen ephod - a priestly garment rather than a royal garment. Scripture says Michal “despised him in her heart.” Michal laid out her full venom on David in the conversation that followed. She, like her father, had become jealous of David’s relationship with God, and she relished the dignity, honor, and esteem that she felt her role as a royal should have afforded her.

While there is no doubt that Michal lived a life full of disastrous turns and that she was wronged time and again, we can learn much from her life – or more accurately, from her response to her life.

Michal allowed herself to become bitter over all life handed her. She failed to give her grievances to God and turn to Him for protection, provision, and love. It is a fact of life that people WILL let us down – even those who claim loyalty to us and who love the Lord will not always treat us as we would like to be treated. When Michal faced unfair treatment – a LOT of unfair treatment – she lied and schemed, was disrespectful, became bitter, and never turned to God for assistance, but instead despised those who honored the Lord.

Although born a princess, married to a man she loved and admired (at least at first), and full of courage and wit, Michal did not allow God to direct her reactions, and her bitterness made the bad situations she found herself in worse.

We will all face difficult situations and unfair treatment in this life. The key to dealing with those situations is to go to God, ask for His guidance, and trust His provi- sion. We are not always responsible for what happens to us or for the situations we must contend with, but we are responsible for our actions and attitudes as we walk through this life. If you know David’s full story, you know that he was far from perfect, but he continually returned to God, trusted Him, and gave Him the glory. That’s why we can say that David was a man after God’s own heart.

Decide today to follow God no matter what circumstance you may find yourself in – and follow David’s lead instead of Michal’s: seek to be a woman after God’s own heart!

Michal’s full story can be read in 1 Samuel 14 - 2 Samuel 6.

Julie Jenkins

Teaching and Curriculum Leader

julie@womenworldleaders.com

Jesus at the Center of Our Lives

WHEN GOD ESTABLISHES YOUR STEPS

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

I walk barefoot along the beach - remembering where my feet have been.

Feet that wandered - finding their way down the narrow path.

Feet that turned back to the Father - taking the first step to follow Jesus.

Feet that walked away from a life of sin - standing firm in the faith.

Feet that have forged through the wilderness – leading me to forgiveness.

Feet that have fled from fighting, fear, and frustration - finding freedom, fulfillment, and a future.

Feet that have learned not to run too far ahead, but to walk beside Him as He leads - discovering that sometimes the next step is taking a step back or standing still.

Feet that have taken me far from home and brought me back to familiar ground - walking down the aisle and in and out of hospital rooms.

Feet that are willing to walk in someone else’s shoes - willing to go anywhere and do anything the Lord calls.

Feet whose steps are sustained by the Spirit – taking me further than I could’ve gone on my own.

Feet who move one step closer to Heaven - laying a crown down at my Savior’s feet:

The feet washed with tears and covered with perfume by a sinful woman - leaving a saved woman.

The feet that brought Good News – nailed to a cross, that my feet might walk to His.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 NIV

Lauren Elizabeth Dean