Empowered Women: Rising to God-Given Potential

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Divine Identity

Understanding who you are in Christ is foundational to living a life of purpose and fulfillment. Your identity is not shaped by past mistakes or the opinions of others but by the truth of what God declares about you. This understanding empowers you to rise above challenges and live out your God-given potential. Embracing your identity in Christ means recognizing that you are loved, chosen, and equipped for every good work. It is a call to step out of the shadows of doubt and into the light of your divine calling. [28:22]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: What negative labels or past mistakes have you allowed to define you? How can you replace these with the truth of your identity in Christ today?

Day 2: Faith and Submission Open Doors

The stories of Esther and Ruth highlight the transformative power of faith and submission. Esther's obedience to Mordecai and Ruth's loyalty to Naomi were pivotal in their journeys to fulfilling their destinies. Submission to God and wise counsel can lead to unimaginable opportunities and blessings. It is through faith and a willingness to submit to God's plan that we find the courage to step into our purpose, trusting that He will guide us every step of the way. [39:44]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to submit to God's will? What step can you take today to trust Him more fully?

Day 3: Redemption from the Past

Rahab's story is a powerful testament to the fact that no past is too dark for God's redemption. Her transformation from a life of sin to a place in Jesus' lineage shows that embracing God's forgiveness allows us to break free from the chains of our past. Moving forward in faith, we can step into a future filled with hope and purpose. God's grace is sufficient to cover all our past mistakes, and His love invites us to a new beginning. [59:57]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What past mistake or regret do you need to release to God? How can you embrace His forgiveness and move forward in faith today?

Day 4: Integrity in the Workplace

The Hebrew midwives exemplify the importance of maintaining integrity and fearing God in our professional lives. Their courage to do what was right, despite the risks, resulted in God's favor and blessings. Integrity in the workplace means making choices that honor God, even when it is difficult. It is about being faithful in the small things and trusting that God sees and rewards our faithfulness. [01:02:24]

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your professional life where you are tempted to compromise your integrity? How can you choose to honor God in your work today?

Day 5: Trusting God Through Life's Seasons

Life is full of seasons, each requiring different priorities and focus. Whether it is focusing on family, career, or personal growth, trusting God to guide you through each season ensures that you are fulfilling your purpose in His timing. Embracing the unique challenges and opportunities of each season allows you to grow and emerge stronger in your faith. Trust that God is with you in every season, equipping you with the grace and strength needed to navigate life's journey. [01:39:13]

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV)

Reflection: What season of life are you currently in, and what is God teaching you through it? How can you trust Him more deeply in this season?

Sermon Summary

In today's session, we explored the theme "Girl, Emerge," focusing on the journey of rising up, breaking free, and stepping into the fullness of our God-given potential. We began by defining what it means to emerge, which involves coming into view, becoming manifest, and rising from obscurity to influence. This is a call for all women to step out of the shadows and into the light of their purpose and calling.

We examined the lives of several biblical women who exemplified this journey. Esther, an orphan who became a queen, used her position not for personal gain but to save her people, demonstrating the power of submission, courage, and faith. Ruth, a widow who chose to follow the God of Israel, emerged from her past of loss and despair to become an ancestor of Jesus, showing us the importance of faith and loyalty. Rahab, a prostitute, believed in the God of Israel and was saved, illustrating that our past does not define our future. The Hebrew midwives, who feared God more than Pharaoh, showed us the importance of integrity and courage in our professional lives.

These stories teach us that emerging involves overcoming wrong thinking, wrong living, and wrong treatment. It requires embracing our identity in Christ, being rooted in truth, and trusting God to guide us through each season of life. We are reminded that our journey is unique, and while we may face challenges, God equips us with the grace and strength to overcome them.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Your Identity in Christ: Understanding who you are in Christ is crucial. Your identity is not defined by your past mistakes or the opinions of others but by what God says about you. This truth empowers you to rise above challenges and live out your purpose. [28:22]
2. The Power of Faith and Submission: Esther and Ruth's stories highlight the importance of faith and submission. Esther's obedience to Mordecai and Ruth's loyalty to Naomi led them to their destinies. Submission to God and wise counsel can open doors to unimaginable opportunities. [39:44]
3. Overcoming Past and Trauma: Rahab's transformation from a life of sin to a place in Jesus' lineage shows that no past is too dark for God's redemption. Embracing God's forgiveness and moving forward in faith allows us to break free from the chains of our past. [59:57]
4. Integrity in Professional Life: The Hebrew midwives teach us the importance of fearing God and maintaining integrity in our careers. Their courage to do what was right, despite the risks, resulted in God's favor and blessings. [62:24]
5. Navigating Life's Seasons: Life is full of seasons, and each one requires different priorities. Whether it's focusing on family or career, trusting God to guide you through each season ensures that you are fulfilling your purpose in His timing. [99:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction and Icebreaker
[08:04] - The Gist: Social Media and Visibility
[21:09] - Introduction of Guest Speaker
[23:14] - Reverend Tony's Introduction
[27:00] - Prayer and Introduction to "Girl, Emerge"
[28:22] - Definition of Emerge
[34:20] - Esther: Rising from Orphan to Queen
[47:14] - Ruth: From Widowhood to Redemption
[55:07] - Rahab: Faith and Redemption
[61:23] - Hebrew Midwives: Integrity and Courage
[71:25] - Embracing Identity in Christ
[81:46] - Women in Jesus' Ministry
[83:23] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
[84:13] - Q&A Session
[108:48] - Closing Prayers and Announcements

Sermon Clips

"Esther was an orphan girl. Here was an orphaned girl. I lost my mother, I lost my father as a young child, but thank God she had her cousin or Uncle who took her in and raised her well. So what did she have to Rise Up from? First of all, she had to Rise Up from being an orphan. She had to Rise Up from loss. I am talking to women here as long as so long as you're alive, life has happened to you in one capacity or the other. Loss happens, life happens." [00:35:47]

"Ruth had to break free from widowhood, from disappointment. She was not only widowed, she was also childless, so maybe there were fertility issues before her husband died. She had no child. So you're already dealing with infertility, then the man dies on you. So life happens. I said she had to break free from disappointment, she had to break free from the despair, she had to break free from trauma." [00:47:31]

"Rahab was a prostitute. She was the one that in the world of living on the wall of Jericho, the two spies sent out by Joshua before they took Jericho go check out Jericho and she is the one that took the two spies in. So we see her, what did she come out from? What did she rise up out of? Well, she look, look at what she, look at her, let's hear what she heard about." [00:54:56]

"Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the Royal Palace, and the King loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the Royal crown on her head and declared her Queen instead of Vashti. To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther's honor for all his Nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone." [00:38:49]

"Ruth replied, 'Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us.' When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more." [00:49:55]

"Rahab said, 'I know the Lord has given you this land. We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in Terror, for we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. We know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite Kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear.'" [00:56:50]

"Esther was willing to die. Nobody could approach the king unless you were invited. If you dared to approach the king Uninvited and he did not Point his scepter towards you, you would be immediately killed. She literally took her life into her hands because remember, this is not a man with one wife. This is a man with a harem. She hadn't even seen him in 30 days." [00:43:58]

"Ruth rose up in faith to embrace the God that she had seen her mother-in-law worship, that she had seen her father-in-law worship, that her husband also worshiped. She was a Moabite, but she was not a Jew, but she had seen these people, the God that they had introduced her to, and said, 'I'm not going back to my God, the gods of my people. I'm not going back to those pagan gods.'" [00:51:56]

"Rahab testified, 'For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. I have heard, I have heard the word of the Lord. I have heard what God has done, and I testify that your God is God.' She already made a confession of Faith. She had already made a confession of faith. God, you are the true God. God, you are the Living God." [00:57:56]

"Esther rose up, she broke free from her past, from the deprivation of being an orphan, and she broke free from the limitations of her fears, the limitations of what if I die, what if the king doesn't Point his scepter towards me, what if I die. She broke free from thinking only about herself and only about her needs and only about me, me, me. Many of us need to break free from ourselves." [00:46:28]

"Ruth was able to step out in faith, follow Naomi back to Israel, and guess who she marries? She marries the richest man in the community. So what does the Bible tell us in Job 23 verse 10? Job 23 verse 10, and I'm reading from the HCSB translation because I just like the way he reads this verse. Job 23:10, 'Yet he knows the way I have taken. When he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.'" [00:52:56]

"Rahab emerged from her past. Some of us here need to emerge from our past. I did wrong, I did wrong, I sinned, I should never have slept with that guy, I should never have done that, I got pregnant out of wedlock, I should never have aborted that child, I should never have done this. What have you done? We need to emerge from our sin, from our failure, from our past, whatever it is you did, whatever that sin is." [00:59:10]

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