Empowered Women: A Divine Calling to Nurture

Devotional

Day 1: The Unmatched Will and Anointing of a Mother

God has placed a unique and powerful will within women, especially mothers, to raise up, protect, and nurture those entrusted to their care. This will is not just a personality trait but a divine ordination and anointing, equipping women to do what no one else will do, to stand in the gap, and to build up when the world seeks to tear down. Whether biological, adoptive, or spiritual, every woman called to raise someone up carries this God-given strength, and even in seasons of weariness, the Holy Spirit empowers and sustains her for the task. [01:05:15]

1 Kings 1:28-30 (ESV)
Then King David answered, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. And the king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ even so will I do this day.”

Reflection: Who in your life has God called you to raise up, encourage, or protect, and how can you step into that calling with renewed faith and boldness today?

Day 2: The Power of Persistent, Desperate Prayer

There is a holy desperation that rises up in the hearts of those who know they are called to more, a willingness to pray bold, even “ugly” prayers when no one else will. Like Hannah, who poured out her soul before God in anguish and faith, refusing to be content with less than God’s promise, we are invited to pray with persistence and passion, believing that God hears and answers the cries of a surrendered heart. [01:11:17]

1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV)
She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to pray with greater desperation and faith, refusing to settle for less than God’s best?

Day 3: Overcoming Shame and Claiming God’s Promises

Even when the past is marked by pain, shame, or regret, God’s grace empowers us to rise above it and fight for the promises spoken over our lives and our children. Bathsheba’s story reminds us that our history does not disqualify us from God’s purpose; instead, He can use our willingness to act in faith—even at great personal risk—to secure blessing and destiny for the next generation. [01:18:10]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Is there a place where shame or regret is holding you back from contending for God’s promises? What step can you take today to move forward in faith?

Day 4: Faithfulness in the Face of Loneliness or Opposition

When no one else will stand, a mother’s faith can change the course of a life. Like Eunice and Lois, who raised Timothy in faith even when his father was not a believer, God honors the faithfulness of those who choose to build up, teach, and nurture in the Lord, even if they must do it alone. Your faith and perseverance are not in vain; they plant seeds of genuine faith that will bear fruit for generations. [01:34:41]

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Reflection: If you feel alone in your spiritual journey or in raising others in faith, how can you trust God to multiply your efforts and bring lasting impact?

Day 5: The Call to Spiritual Motherhood and Building Up Others

You do not have to be a biological mother to be anointed to raise someone up. God calls and equips women to be spiritual mothers, mentors, and encouragers, building up those around them in a world that seeks to tear down. When you say yes to God’s call to nurture, disciple, and love others, you become part of His redemptive work, and your influence can change lives in ways you may never fully see this side of heaven. [01:32:42]

Isaiah 54:1-2 (ESV)
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.”

Reflection: Who is God inviting you to encourage, mentor, or “raise up” in this season, and what practical step can you take to invest in them today?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day to honor and celebrate the women in our lives—mothers, grandmothers, spiritual mothers, and every woman called by God to raise someone up. There is a unique, God-given will and anointing in women that empowers them to do what no one else will. From the very beginning, God placed in women a strength and determination that is unmatched, a will that rises up in the face of adversity, shame, and even impossibility. This is not just about biological motherhood; it is about the calling to nurture, protect, and build up others, whether they are children, friends, or even peers.

We see this will in the stories of women throughout Scripture. Hannah, desperate and barren, prayed with such fervor that she appeared drunk, refusing to accept her situation and pressing into God until He answered. Jochebed, Moses’ mother, defied the king’s edict and risked everything to save her son, building an ark and placing him in the river, trusting God for his future. Bathsheba, often remembered for her shame, refused to let her past define her or her son’s destiny; she boldly approached King David to secure Solomon’s rightful place. Mary, the mother of Jesus, stood by her son even at the cross, enduring public shame and heartbreak, yet never abandoning him. Eunice, Timothy’s mother, raised her son in faith even when her husband did not believe, passing down a legacy of genuine faith that shaped a leader in the early church.

This will, this anointing, is not limited by biology or circumstance. God calls and equips women to raise up, to intercede, to protect, and to stand in the gap when no one else will. In a world that often tears down, God has ordained women to build up. The impact of a praying, believing, and determined woman is immeasurable—many of us are here today because of such a woman in our lives. When no one else will, she will. This is the gift and calling of God on the women among us, and today we honor and bless that calling.

Key Takeaways

1. The God-Given Will of Women: God has placed a unique and powerful will within women, a strength that is ignited when they are called to raise up others. This will is not just for biological mothers but for every woman entrusted with the responsibility to nurture, protect, and build. It is a divine anointing that enables women to do what others cannot or will not, especially in the face of adversity. [64:31]
2. Overcoming Shame and the Past: The story of Bathsheba reminds us that our past, no matter how marked by shame or failure, does not disqualify us from God’s promises or our calling. When we refuse to let the enemy steal what God has spoken over us, we can secure a future for those we love that is greater than our history. God redeems and uses even the most broken stories for His glory. [75:14]
3. The Power of Persistent Intercession: Hannah’s example shows the transformative power of persistent, even desperate, prayer. When we are willing to press into God beyond what is comfortable or socially acceptable, we open the door for miracles. True intercession may look undignified, but it is often the birthplace of breakthrough and legacy. [69:43]
4. Standing Alone in Faith: Eunice’s life demonstrates that even when we stand alone—when spouses, family, or culture do not support us—God honors the faith and determination of those who choose to raise others in His ways. The legacy of faith can begin with one person’s decision to believe and act, regardless of the support or opposition around them. [84:22]
5. The Anointing to Build Up in a Tearing Down World: In a culture that often seeks to tear down, God has ordained women to be builders—of people, families, and faith. This calling is not limited to raising children but extends to mentoring, encouraging, and lifting up anyone God places in our path. The world desperately needs women who will step into this anointing and raise up what others would let fall. [86:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:56] - Opening Song: Praise and Testimony
[07:15] - Shout of Victory and Worship
[12:26] - The Bonfire Story: Keeping the Flame Alive
[18:20] - Surrender and Making Room for God
[24:34] - Prayer for a Fresh Wind of the Spirit
[31:44] - Seeking a Fresh Touch from God
[34:01] - God’s Desire for Our Ongoing Need
[38:04] - God’s Grace for Our Repeated Failures
[47:47] - Honoring Mothers and the Gift of Church
[56:22] - Bathsheba: A Mother’s Will and Anointing
[67:37] - Hannah, Jochebed, and the Will to Protect
[74:04] - Bathsheba’s Redemption and Boldness
[78:44] - Mary at the Cross: Faithful Presence
[82:25] - Eunice: Faith When Standing Alone
[86:31] - The Ordination to Raise Up
[91:07] - When No One Else Will, She Will
[103:13] - Prayer and Blessing Over All Women
[108:18] - Closing Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 1:11-31 — (Bathsheba secures Solomon’s place as king)

2. 1 Samuel 1:9-20
(Hannah’s desperate prayer and God’s answer)

3. 2 Timothy 1:5
(“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”)

Observation Questions

In 1 Kings 1, what specific actions did Bathsheba take to secure Solomon’s future, and what risks did she face in doing so?
According to 1 Samuel 1, how did Hannah’s approach to prayer set her apart from others in the temple?
In 2 Timothy 1:5, what does Paul highlight about Timothy’s faith, and where did that faith originate?
The sermon mentions several women who acted with determination and faith. What are some examples given of women who stood in the gap when no one else would?

Interpretation Questions

What does Bathsheba’s story teach about overcoming shame and not letting the past define your future or your children’s future?
How does Hannah’s persistent and even “undignified” prayer challenge our ideas about what real intercession looks like?
Why do you think Paul specifically mentions Timothy’s mother and grandmother as the source of his faith, rather than his father? What does this say about spiritual influence in families?
The sermon says, “When nobody else will, she will.” What does this phrase mean in the context of the stories shared, and how does it reflect God’s calling on women?

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that the will and anointing to nurture and build up is not limited to biological mothers. Who in your life has played a “spiritual mother” role for you, and how did that impact you?
Bathsheba refused to let her past or shame stop her from fighting for her son’s future. Is there an area in your life where you feel disqualified by your past? What would it look like to step forward in faith anyway?
Hannah’s desperate prayer was the birthplace of a miracle. Is there something or someone you need to pray for with that kind of persistence, even if it feels uncomfortable or “undignified”?
Eunice raised Timothy in faith even when her husband did not believe. Have you ever felt alone in your faith journey or in raising up others? How did you respond, or how do you wish you had responded?
The sermon said, “In a world that often tears down, God has ordained women to build up.” What is one specific way you can encourage or build up someone this week—whether it’s a child, friend, or peer?
The pastor shared about spiritual mothers stepping in when no man was available. Is there someone in your life who needs you to “stand in the gap” for them right now? What is one step you can take to do that?
For the men: The sermon challenged men to recognize and honor the unique will and anointing God has placed in women. What is one way you can support, encourage, or thank the women in your life for the ways they have “stood in the gap”?

Sermon Clips

There's something about moms that God has ordained from the beginning of creation. I believe I believe it was there in Eve. I believe it was there immediately when God created the helpmate for man. I believe immediately he puts something in her that I that we call will that is so strong. [01:00:07]

But I believe it goes even further than that. I believe that God the moment he takes a woman and he gives her the responsibility of raising something up. When he gives the woman the responsibility of raising someone up, building someone up, building something up. [01:03:54]

God has given you a calling. Man, you need to hear this as well because the same thing is true. When God gives you a calling, he gives you an anointing for the calling. And there's something in moms. There's something in women. It's not just biological. [01:04:57]

If you feel like lost in the fight, if you feel weary today, no matter where you're at in life, no matter how things are going, there is something, the will inside of you, the Holy Ghost has put it there. The anointing in your life is there for the purpose of you raising something up in the fear and admonition of God. [01:04:56]

The story of Hannah is a story of a barren mom, a barren woman rather, who who desired more than anything to have children. As I said, she had a sister uh she she she had a her husband had another wife who be who bore him many children. [01:08:51]

She got so desperate before God that she play she prayed to the point where when when the priest walks in to the temple to see her, he sees her praying in this this crazy prayer. She must have looked just crazy because the scripture really doesn't lay it out. [01:09:59]

Has anybody ever gotten to the place of desperation where you understand that nobody can do it? A doctor can't do it. The finances won't I don't have the finances to do it. I can't buy it. Nobody else can do this for me. The only way I'm going to get this done is a miracle. [01:10:14]

This mother's will kicked in and said, "I'm not willing to give up this child. I'm not willing to let this child be killed. I didn't come today to preach this type of this type of message. But as I'm saying it out of my mouth, I didn't even come with this in my mind, but as I'm saying it out of my mouth, the enemy in this hour, in this day is trying to get women to kill children, trying to tell us to not do this anymore. [01:12:51]

She probably had very little choice in the matter when a king was telling her what to do, when a king was summoning her. But nonetheless, it didn't change how people would look at her in society. As I said to you, nobody's preaching Mother's Day messages about Basheba. It's like that stigma still even sticks throughout the sands of time. [01:14:57]

And this woman who probably walked around in shame. She probably minded her place all the time. She probably was a woman of few words. Something rose up in her. A will rose up in her that said, "Listen, I will do whatever it takes. Even if it costs me my own life, I'm going to go and I if you could understand the scenario here, if there's another king that's being anointed as king, anything that you are doing can be seen as treason to the new king. [01:17:47]

One thing that all these women have in common is that when nobody else would, she will. When nobody else will, she will. When nobody else will, mom will? When nobody else will, my mom will. I can guarantee you. I could tell my mom the most outlandish thing that I wanted. [01:25:06]

The thing the thing that's so powerful about that is that all around us are things being torn down. Everything in the world today is it seems like it's pointing the enemy is trying to tear down trying to tear down trying to speak curses over trying to break down. And a woman's ordination is to raise something up. [01:26:40]

I believe there's some Hannah's in this room that will face the shame of praying prayers, the the potential the potential embarrassment of praying prayers. Listen, we live in a society today where it's taboo to get out of your seat and walk to an altar and pray. Nobody wants to be the one that's looked at for going down to the altar and pray. [01:27:36]

I want to tell you today that it takes a woman of God with a will from God, with an ordination to raise something up to build an ark and save your child. When the enemy is saying, "Kill it." When the enemy is saying, "Let somebody else deal with it." When the enemy is saying, "Let me raise it. Let me show it what to do. Let me show your children what to do. [01:28:54]

There's a faith, a genuine faith on the inside of you that was in your grandmom. It was in your mother and now I know it's in you. It should have been in your granddad and it should have been in your father, but it wasn't. You had a mama who was willing to bring you to church and live in genuine faith anyway, even when nobody else would. [01:34:39]

I can tell you that while I can't relate to those things, I certainly have reaped the benefits of those things. There's not a person, man, woman, boy, or girl, in this room who hasn't reaped the benefits of a God-fearing woman, of a God-fearing woman with an ordination to raise someone up. [01:36:40]

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