Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Ephesians 2:5&6 "5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: By GRACE Ye Are Saved Mercy is from God, we don't deserve it, we cannot earn it, it's a GIFT from God. It's GRACE. We are RESCUED, we have salvation in heaven and we have GRACE in this life. "made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" IN SPITE of our sins. IN SPITE of our wanting to do things our own way. IN SPITE of all our betrayal. GOD LOVES US! In this letter, Paul illustrates that we all had relationships with lifestyles that gratified our wild desires. What we are experiencing in our culture is nothing new. People have always argued that their desires are God-given. People will say; "That's how God made me." But, that's NOT we learn when studying GOD'S WORD. Paul reminds us that we were sinners before. The...

Ephesians 2:3&4 "3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us," We are on our way to learn about GRACE in our FAITH WORDS series. We have returned to the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians. Paul covers a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. He is challenging believers to live up to their heavenly calling. He reminded us that we all were sinners before. The culture of the world has always taught, "If it feels good do it." This is the way of the world. This tells us to gratify our desires. Following this idea will lead to death in our sins. In today's verses Paul futher illustrates his point; "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the min...

Ephesians 2:1&2 "1 And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" This week, we will study GRACE in our FAITH WORDS series. We are learning more about our beliefs as we look into the meaning of the words we use. Last week was TRUST, and we read about the founding father, Abram! We are inspired by his TRUST becoming actions that form the foundation of our beliefs.  Today, we turn to the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians. Paul covers a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. He is challenging believers to live up to their heavenly calling. In today's verses we read a reminder that we all were sinners before; "And you hath He quickened, who WERE DEAD in trespasses and sins; Wherein in TIME PAST ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the princ...

James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." What is your "body of work?" We trust and grow in God's plan. Trust becomes action. Even the devil believes in God, but he doesn't TRUST God. It's our actions that define us. On the sea of Galilee, it was Peter's TRUST in Jesus that got him to step out of the boat and walk on water! Briefly, he walked on water like Jesus. But, then he sank when he looked at what was happening. Maybe, he doubted. People can do amazing things when they TRUST in GOD. Pray and rely on GOD.  From our study this week; the one thing Abram got right was TRUSTING GOD. He was 75 years old when he left his hometown. With his wife Sarai and extended family. They were a rag-tag group of people who looked like they were unlikely to survive, much less become a great nation that would give rise to the Savior of the world!!! But that is what GOD did with them in spite of the many mistakes Ab...

Genesis 12:5 "And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came." The one thing Abram got right was TRUSTING GOD. He was 75 years old when he left his mother's basement! Setting out to make his way in the world. At that time, Abram, Sarai, and family were just a rag-tag group of people setting out on their own. It would have looked like they were unlikely to survive, much less become a great nation that would give rise to the Savior of the world!!! But, that is what GOD did with them in spite of the many mistakes Abram and Sarai make along the way. Today, we read about their destination, Canaan, about three-hundred miles from Haran, their hometown. The Canaanites were descended from Noah’s grandson Canaan, the son of Ham (Genesis 9:18). They are second cousins to Abram and his fami...

Genesis 12:4 "So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran." People TRUSTING GOD is our focus in Genesis. GOD told Abram to "GET OUT." Abram has to TRUST that leaving everything he knows is the right thing to do. If we read Abram's story, we see an example of a person GROWING in TRUST and obedience. GOD promises that Abram will bless the WORLD! For thousands of years, these words were just a promise. They were not fulfilled until Jesus's birth. AND, when these words were spoken, Abram, Sarai, and family were just a rag tag group of people setting out on their own. It would have looked like they were unlikely to survive, much less become a great nation that would give rise to the Savior of the world!!! AND on top of that, Abram was no spring chicken! Today's verse; "So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram w...

Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." People TRUSTING GOD is our focus in Genesis. GOD is telling Abram to leave his father’s house and country. GOD'S command is definitive with "GET OUT." Abram has to TRUST that leaving everything he knows is the right thing to do. He is demonstrating true obedience. More important than Abram’s TRUST is God’s promises. God says; "I WILL" two times. It's all GOD'S doing. Abram will go on to become the father of the believing! (Galatians 3:7) If we read Abram's story, we see an example of a person GROWING in TRUST and obedience. In today's verse, we read God's promise to make Abram LEGENDARY! "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall ALL FAMILIES of the earth be BLESSED." We can take this verse for granted. We read it and say, of course, i...

Genesis 12:2 "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:" This week, we are studying TRUST, people TRUSTING GOD. We are in Genesis, where GOD is telling Abram to leave his father’s house and country. Their relationship has broken because they were idolaters, and Abram was worshipping the one true God. GOD'S command is definitive with "GET OUT." Yet, it's also vague in that the destination is not mentioned. Abram has to TRUST that leaving everything he knows is the right thing to do. He is demonstrating true obedience by being content with his orders just for the present. It takes TRUST to NOT have knowledge beyond the next step.  In today's verse we see GOD'S promises to Abram for the future; "And I WILL make of thee a great nation, and I WILL bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:" As we study these FAITH WORDS it becomes clear that it...

Genesis 12:1 "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:" We are studying "FAITH WORDS." Last week, we studied SIN with the verses concerning Cain murdering his brother Abel. This SIN and all SIN begins with someone choosing their own way over GOD'S. This week, we will study TRUST. You would think the issue would be GOD TRUSTING people. But, nope, we are studying people TRUSTING GOD.  Many verses instruct us to TRUST GOD and not people. It can be easy to be afraid of the harm and suffering people can cause us. If we get carried away with this fear, we will find ourselves involved in SIN. We need to learn God’s promises. GOD will protect us from the plans and evil intentions of wicked people. Whoever they are... Today, we return to Genesis, where GOD is telling Abram to leave his father’s house. Their relationship has broken because they were idolaters, a...

Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Last week, we began our new study series called "FAITH WORDS." We will study classic words used by Christians to communicate very specific ideas and concepts. Often, people are careless with how they use words. Sometimes, Christians speak in ways to get along with the culture. Words have meaning, Christians need to say what we mean and get our ideas into the secular world. Last week, we studied SIN with the verses concerning Cain murdering his brother Abel. As shocking as the FIRST murder was, the root cause was Cain NOT wanting to follow GOD'S plan. This is an outstanding example of SIN and its origin. Because all SIN begins with someone choosing their own way over GOD'S.   This week, we will study TRUST. If we could be a casual outside observer of this discussion, we would naturally assume that we would look into HOW on earth does GOD TRUST people??? B...

Genesis 4:16 "And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden." The FIRST murder was shocking! Cain did NOT want to follow GOD'S plan and did NOT like seeing his brother succeed by GOD'S plan. In today's verse we get an idea of Cain's fate. Moving Cain “east of Eden” suggests that he was removed further from the garden than Adam and Eve were. Cain left God’s presence, and he lived the rest of his life alienated from God. His fate was to live the life of an outsider. As a "fugitive and a vagabond." The word "Nod," in Hebrew, means “wanderer, exile, or fugitive.” Some Bible scholars believe that Nod is not an actual place; rather, it's symbolic for Cain not having a place to call home. It was Cain's choice to live outside the presence of God. This is the way it is for all of us when we choose to SIN. We are separating ourselves from GOD. We will lose all sense of belonging and identif...

Genesis 4:14&15 "14 Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him." Abel's murder was shocking! It is the first murder. It is VERY, very bad. And, as bad as it was; know the GREAT crime, the crime of crimes was his disobedience to the divine will of GOD. This is the SIN that caused all his other SINS.  As we talked about yesterday; WE are all LIKE Cain. GOD has cautioned us not to SIN. And, we have more information than Cain did. We have the Ten Commandments and the Holy Bible. We know SIN will tempt us and prey upon us. We know that we are bound to our SIN like a marriage. And, LIKE Cain, we insist on doing t...

Genesis 4:11-13 "11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear." Here's the thing, WE are all LIKE Cain. GOD has cautioned us not to SIN. And, we have more information than Cain did. We have the Ten Commandments and the Holy Bible. We know SIN will tempt us and prey upon us. We know that we are bound to our SIN like a marriage. And, LIKE Cain, we insist on doing things our own way. And, LIKE Cain, when we face the consequences of our actions, we say; "My punishment is greater than I can bear."

Genesis 4:8-10 "8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground." Did you know that GOD cautioned Cain to not kill his brother? It's there in yesterday's verses, God teaches Cain valuable lessons. "if thou doest not well, SIN lieth at the door." In the original Hebrew, the word for "lieth" has the connotation predator crouching, ready to pounce on its prey. The next few words remind us of God's declaration of Eve's punishment after eating the forbidden fruit. While there comes considerable baggage with this metaphor. It is a very VIVID picture of the sinner becoming wedded to their SIN. SIN is having a hold on the sinner.  We t...

Genesis 4:6&7 "6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." This week's FAITH WORD is SIN. Classically, SIN is defined as the voluntary departure of a rule prescribed by God. Or, any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Today, SIN is given a softer meaning like "missing the target." You know, like shooting for the bullseye, and you don't hit it. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit we miss the mark every day. Another modern definition of SIN is "brokenness." We are too quick to break our relationship with God. We fight with each other and break those relationships. We can call it whatever we want. When it comes down to it; it's that little three letter word tha...

Genesis 4:3-5 "3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." This week, we have begun our new series titled "FAITH WORDS." In this series, we will study classic words used by Christians to communicate very specific ideas and concepts. This week, we are studying a three letter word that the world absolutely hates... SIN. Nobody wants to use this little word nowadays. Even though we are all VERY familiar with it. We are all guilty of SIN, and we know it. SIN started with Adam and Eve. They ate the forbidden fruit. Soon after, they began having children. Their children followed in their footsteps. In today's verses, we learn about the inciting incident. Bo...

Genesis 4:1&2 "1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." As we studied last week, it would be great if Christians took measures to reclaim the term "FAITH." We can all be MORE careful with how we speak. As the president of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison says; "The less we speak like Christians, the less we are Christians."  With this in mind, we will begin our new series titled "FAITH WORDS." In this series, we will study classic words used by Christians to communicate very specific ideas and concepts. Words have meaning. Today, people are careless with how they use words. Christians often speak in ways to get along with the culture. Christians need to say what we mean and get our ideas out into the secular world. This week, we will stu...

Matthew 12:36&37 "36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Words have meaning. What we say and how we say things make a difference. Today, people are careless with how they use words. Christians often speak in ways to get along with the culture.  For 400 years, no one said the phrase "Christian Faith." This phrase was first used by St. Augustin. He should have known not to say it this way. Implying that there are other faiths. As time went by, more and more theologians began using the term and then began using "faith" with other religions. Even applying "faith" to other disciplines. In Augustin's time, there was very little known about other religions. Theologians very generously applied the Christian concept of faith to other religions. They did not stop to consider the c...

Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." This week, we are studying a podcast interview of Dr. Alvin J. Schmidt. Author of the book "Faith Misused." This book is the culmination of his lifetime of work. He carefully researched this book for nearly twenty years. He documents the history and use of the word FAITH. How it's specific to Christianity. Faith is an innovation of Jesus and His Disciples. It's not indigenous to any other religion. Only three other scholars have picked up this fact. Dr. Schmidt details it all in his book "Faith Misused." Biblical ignorance is pronounced in our world today. In the culture and in the church. We need to start by using Holy Scriptures to define FAITH. Paul used "The Faith" or "The Way" when writing about the early Church. Modern translations have dropped the definite article; "The." Maki...

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Evidence NOT seen??? Don't take this verse the wrong way. The Apostles again and again stress that they are eyewitnesses. They saw the evidence. And, Thomas looked and touched. This book of the New Testament was written to Hebrew Christians, they all knew Jesus rose from the dead. "The substance of things hoped for" is the resurrection. FAITH is prompted by what we see, hear and feel. Our grasp on what FAITH is has slipped. We have gone with the flow of the culture. We need to say; "Jesus rose from the dead." Because we know it. It's not our belief, it's a fact! In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter eleven, when John the Baptizer has questions, about Jesus being the Messiah, Jesus points to His actions. Tells them what they have SEEN and HEARD Him do as proof of who He is. People had experience with Jesus performing miracles. There was only one conclusio...

Matthew 11:3-5 3 And said unto him, Art thou He that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do HEAR and SEE: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." It is not explicitly declared in the Holy Scriptures that "pistis" is exclusive to Christians. So, people have MISSED it. We should not use FAITH to describe other religions or non religious things. Yet, we do it all the time. The word Faith is used loosely today.  Christianity is based on eyewitness accounts. Knowledge of events that happed at a particular time and in a specific place. What the Apostles SAW and HEARD is what they wrote about. In the book of Acts, chapter four, the Apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection. The resurrection gives validity to our FAITH. We need to say; "Jesus rose from the...

Ephesians 4:4-6 "4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, ONE FAITH, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The Greek word for FAITH is "pistis." The Greeks used "pistis" to refer to trust and reliability. The Greeks had no religious connotation for "pistis." Christian's trust and reliance on Jesus is what became know was FAITH. It is not explicitly declared in the Holy Scriptures that "pistis" is exclusive to Christians. So, people have MISSED it. We should not use FAITH to describe other religions or non religious things. Yet, we do it all the time. The word Faith is used loosely today. Like; People of Faith, shape of faith, fleeing faith, faith leaders, voodoo faith, and many more. Its also used in plural making if synonymous with religion; Asian Faiths, African faiths, many faiths, organized faiths, and many more. A ...

Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." The word "Christian" is in the New Testament only three times. Some called Christianity "The Way." Or sometimes "The believing ones." Or, as we read in today's verse "the HOUSEHOLD of FAITH." The New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek word for FAITH is "pistis." The Greeks used "pistis" to refer to trust and reliability. The Greeks had no religious connotation for "pistis."  Culture hides things from the people living in it. The early Christians believed in Jesus Christ and it made them different from their pagan neighbors. Their trust and reliance on Jesus is what became know was FAITH. It is not explicitly declared in the Holy Scriptures that "pistis" is exclusive to Christians. So, people have MISSED it. We should not use FAITH to describe other reli...

James 2:18&19 "18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." STRONG words from the brother of Jesus.  Obviously, it's a great point; the Devil knows the truth about God, but he does not worship God or follow God's plan. All the difference is your belief and FAITH expressed in your actions. It's what we learned in our study of Women of Faith in the Holy Bible. In the months we studied great and inspiring women, we saw that it was not only their beliefs it was them acting on their FAITH.  As James teaches us; believing certain things is not enough, our FAITH has to affect the way we live our lives. We need to trust God, follow His plan, and worship and glorify His Holy Name. This week, we are going to study how important and unique our FAITH is. Jesus's incarnation changed...

Titus 2:3-5 "3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Our FAITH in Jesus Christ should produce the qualities and virtues we read about in Holy Scriptures. If it does not; people will see no value in FAITH. This week we studied the widow who gave her last two mites to the temple. She was acting out her FAITH and trusting GOD to provide for her. She is a outstanding example for all of us! Teaching us how to give to GOD even when we may not feel like it.  This concludes our study of Women of Faith in the Holy Bible. We didn't get to them all. The women we did study were wonderful examples to us. Their FAITH is incredible and worthy of our study and admirati...

Mark 12:44 "For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." "their abundance" is contrasted with "her want," or poverty. They gave FROM what they did not need. They are not going to miss what they gave as their offerings. The widow gave ALL that she had to live on. She gave all her money to God and trusted He would take care of her! God is pleased with giving. He is even MORE pleased with GREAT FAITH like this widow has demonstrated. Jesus knows this situation from every perspective. It is probable that this widow lost her home to one of the scribes! AND! She keeps on giving more to the Temple!!! Jesus noticed the widows offering and pointed it out to His Disciples. The thing that Jesus teaches about money is to control it and not let it control you. The tithe is a great place to start. It's like training wheels for a bicycle. You get used to giving, and pretty soon, you're giving...

Mark 12:43 "And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:" Jesus knows this situation from every perspective. It is probable that this widow lost her home to one of the scribes! AND! She keeps on giving more to the Temple!!! Her two little mites made very little noise in the trumpet shaped collection box. The scribes MUCH that was cast in sounded like a Las Vegas slot machine paying out.  Jesus noticed the widows offering and points it out to His Disciples. Money is important, Jesus often teaches about it. We need money to pay for things. If we let it; money worries consumes us and controls us. The tithe began in the Old Testament to support the priest. They established worship and the Temple. Even today, we need to be able to pay for our church. It takes a lot of giving to support a pastor and his family. It can be done. It can be a success. But, it ta...

Mark 12:42 "And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing." Jesus is in the temple teaching a HARD LESSON about the SCRIBES. They were the “Bible Scholars” of the day. Their responsibility was preserving and teaching the WORD of GOD. But they DID NOT. Having shared sharp words, Jesus looks around His surroundings and notices another way to further illustrate His lesson. This part of the Temple, by the treasury, had a large trumpet-shaped vessel that stood near the entrance for receiving offerings. The attendees would cast their gifts, primarily copper and bronze coins, into this trumpet. The coins would make a considerable clatter in the trumpet and still more clinking noise as they fell into a pile. This might have sounded like a Las Vegas slot machine paying out. Especially when the "rich CAST in MUCH." In stark contrast, today's verse; "And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in TWO MITES, which make a ...

Mark 12:41 "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much." Jesus is in the temple teaching a HARD LESSON to His Disciples and it's a message that many need to hear today! These "scribes" were VERY BAD men. Jesus does not mince His words; "...these shall receive GREATER DAMNATION." They will receive a worse judgment and a worse condemnation than others!  The SCRIBES were the “Bible Scholars” of the day. Their responsibility was preserving, and teaching the WORD of GOD. But, they DID NOT. Jesus is warning His Disciples of the SCRIBES. The scribes were men of leisure, who watched while OTHERS WORKED. They demanded recognition from others, and they wanted others to treat them like holy men. They claimed the perks of status and privilege. They placed themselves above others. They used flattery and manipulation to swindle big gifts from people who could not afford them. ...

Mark 12:38-40 "38 And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation." Dun dun duuun! (The three-chord musical phrase used to indicate a moment of suspense.) "...these shall receive GREATER DAMNATION." Jesus's words we don't often hear from the pulpit. These are very serious words and scary words. Jesus is teaching His Disciples a critical lesson. The SCRIBES were the “Bible Scholars” of the day. Their responsibility was preserving, and teaching the WORD of GOD. But, they DID NOT. Jesus is warning His Disciples of the SCRIBES.  Beware of the scribes, "...which love to go in long clothing." They like to dress in fancy clothes. They were men of leisure, who watched while OTHERS ...

Philippians 2:3-5 "3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" We are entering our last week of focusing on Women of Faith in the Holy Bible! This has been a rewarding study. The women in the Holy Scriptures are awesome! Our FAITH is nowhere without the wonderful women who exercised their influence over the generations. Last week Priscilla, before that Lydia, and the faithful woman of Canaan, and Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Johanna, and Suzanna, Rebekah, Naomi, Ruth, the poor woman caught in adultery, sisters Mary and Martha, Hagar, the Samaritan woman at the well, Hannah, Esther, Jairus's daughter, Sarah, and of course the very FIRST woman; Eve! And, there are more! They all inspire us to ...