Mona and I got up bright and early to attend the Woman’s Ministry Workshop lead by Dr. Elaine Denman of TN. There was a good crowd and we secured seats close to the front so we would not miss anything. As the hostess welcomed us all to the event, announced the day’s agenda, speaker and topic I realized that I had the right speaker, but the wrong event. This was a one day ladies seminar not a two day workshop. However, we were there and it sounded good so we stayed. Dr. Denman’s topic was How Real Are You? Relationships, Encouragement, Authenticity, Love in a Fake Society. It was amazing! The scriptures were taken from Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 3:1, Ephesians 1:3-14 and Hebrews 10 – 11:1-15. She talked about how our 1st and primary goal in life is not to be successful, make lots of money, drive fancy cars, have a million Facebook friends or Tweet followers but to Serve and Glorify God by having a true and personal relationship with Him that is actively cultivated every minute of every day.
How do we do this? By prayerfully asking God to: (1) Bless me with every Spiritual (not worldly) blessing; (2) Chose me to be a holy and blameless instrument for His use; (3) Adopt me as a true daughter (or son) freely immersed in His Grace, Redeemed and Forgiven; (4) Chose me to Be a Praise of His Glory; and (5) To be included in Christ marked and sealed with the Blood of the Lamb in the Spirit of God. Those are some TALL PRAYERS! Dr. Denman illustrated how the Heros of the Old Testament showed these traits even in the midst if all their mistakes and imperfections. Hero’s like Abraham, Issac, Jacob, David, Soloman and Rehoaboam. They were able to accomplish all they did not because they were perfect, but due to their unwavering faith. It also showed that is was generational. A Mother with a strong devoted life of faith has a daughter who knows God but sees faith as more of an obligation than a choice. That daughter has a daughter who doesn’t see what all the fuss is about has not use for God. What happened? The Mother allowed her daughter to see her faith but didn’t instill in her the reason for her faith. Because if that, the daughter had nothing to give the granddaughter.
The blessings we receive from God are not for our benefit. They are to show His glory, grace and mercy in our lives. This will attract others to have Faith in God and want to serve Him because He is Good and Worthy to be served.
I could go on and on but I think that’s enough to get the meaning. The seminar lasted from 9 am to 3 pm with lunch provided. Many women renewed their commitment to Christ and some had questions about living a Christian life. It was a wonderful experience that left Mona and I strengthened and more committed to be beacons to draw others to Christ.