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Subject: Women of God: Women of Value
Date: Februay 8, 2000
Becoming a Woman of Value
A Woman of God has self-esteem. The first ingredient to good self-esteem is knowing "I am valuable". The woman of
God knows she is valuable and has worth because Jesus Christ is in her life. She has committed her life to living in His presence.
1. What are some areas in your life that make you believe you are valuable?
2. What are some things you wish would happen in your life to make you more valuable?
3. According to Matthew 10:29-31, what does Jesus say about His love for you?
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Barb: Lord we welcome you and ask that your Holy Spirit will direct our conversation and our thoughts.
Barb: Tonight we are talking about becoming women of value.
Barb: Our first question is "What are some of the areas in your life that make you believe you are valuable?
Karen: It's easy to think that my sense of value comes from who I am and what I all accomplish - especially in a spiritual sense.
Barb: Anything else?
Karen: Now ... I know in my head that my value is in Christ, but I often have a hard time taking that knowledge into my heart
****** SSchenk has entered the room ******
Karen: Hi SSchenk
Barb: We know that if we are Christians that we are children of the king but often we base our value on the world's standards
SSchenk: hi
Karen: We are discussing Being Women of Value
Karen: What makes you feel value?
Karen: Aside from Christ, I get a lot of value from relationships
Barb: It's also easy to base our value on how we were raised, a parent's input into our lives can be very influential.
Karen: Somehow the negative influences seem to have the strongest impact. Isn't that sad?
Zelda: I know that I am valuable because God created me but there are things in my life that are like bonus feelings of valuableness. like my kids/husband
Karen: When our focus is on God ... who is value, honor and truth - we know we are created in His image to ascribe value to you, His woman.
Barb: What are some things you wish would happen in your life to make you feel more valuable?
Karen: Sometimes I feel like Peter when he walked on the water .... I focus on Christ and am not sinking ... but then I look at the water and it quickly changes my perspective
Barb: Often we are too influenced by circumstances.
Karen: My sense of value can be like that ... I know it is in Christ, but other things and influences affect that.
Zelda: There are times when I seem to hit a lull in my service to God and then I don't feel so valuable
Karen: I think Moses must have felt that way too
Barb: It is important to remember that the truest thing about us is what God says about us.
Karen: The service we do for God is about worship and obedience.... and I think when we hit a quiet time - God still wants worship and obedience.
****** Denise has entered the room ******
Barb: God is changeless and that is comforting to know, because in His eyes our value never changes or wavers.
Karen: Hi Denise
Denise: Hi Karen
Karen: We are discussing what things we wish would happen in our life to make us feel more valuable - as women of God
Barb: According to Matthew 10: 29 - 31 what does Jesus say about His love for us?
Karen: ..."Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Karen: So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.
Karen: I personally find those verses so incredible!
Barb: Wow is that value!
Karen: Do I really believe that in my heart on a day - to - day basis?
Barb: Remember also the verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son
Barb: "Do we live to belive these things?
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Karen: Do any of you feel that God's love for us is sometimes different than what we feel in our hearts?
****** Denise has entered the room ******
****** Denise has left the room ******
Karen: Denise - are you getting kicked out
Barb: Denise are you having trouble?
Karen: We sometimes have a timing out problem. Try coming back in.
Karen: Nancy & Naomi - are you still in the room?
Barb: Cchrist's love to us is value, we must live to believe this.
Barb: In the Bible how did Jesus value women?
Karen: The Woman at the Well is a wonderful story of God's attitude toward women
Karen: Any other ideas?
Barb: Often Jewish women were talked to by Jesus, and this was not a normal occurance.
Barb: Also look at all the time He spent with Mary and Martha, his friends.
SSchenk: just as equal as men. Not a lower class.
Karen: Jesus' estimation of women's value came directly from the heart of God. As you answer the following questions, think about the uniqueness of Jesus' attitude toward women.
Barb: Very true.
Karen: SSchenk ... interesting how cultures have had differing perspectives on that.
Karen: It is easy to believe that my value comes from what I do. I can become a human "doing", not a human "being". We become like Martha, Mary's sister.
Barb: How do you think value compares to contentment?
Karen: Mary had incredible contentment
Barb: She accepted herself as Christ accepted her
Karen: She had that sense of being in the presence of someone who valued her. Jesus became a priority in her life. how do you think Mary's priorities affected people around her?
Zelda: Knowing my value lies in Gods acceptance of me brings me contentment
Karen: I think Martha shows some of that --- people thought she was lazy.
Karen: So ... when people are content in doing what God wants .... others may not necessarily understand .. or they may misread it entirely.
Zelda: Absolutely, had a week like that myself!
Barb: Do you want to explain a littel?
Zelda: I was in a place where I had to choose between following God or man.. I chose God
Karen: Was it looked down on?
Barb: Others read it how?
Zelda: I think that had it come from someone else it would have been taken alittle more seriously
Barb: Be choosing God you are honoring Him and that is the right choice.
Karen: I wouldn't be surprised if that is what Mary experienced
Zelda: Sometimes when you follow God it may appear to be selfish but believe me it was very difficult
Karen: Unfortunately I think I would have been more like Martha ... and annoyed at my sister in that circumstance
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Karen: It usually is
Barb: If we listen to the Holy Spirit and move on HIs prompting we are following the right path.
Karen: Hi Joanne
Barb: Hi Joanne.
Zelda: Thank-you!!!
Karen: We are discussing making tough choices
Karen: Following God ... or pleasing man
joanne103: hi Tim had to type some letters for work so that was why I could not get on early
Karen: Zelda ... when we are obedient we know we are doing the right thing - and for that we commend you!
Barb: We know that the Lord always blesses when we follow Him.
Karen: There is a lot of misunderstanding in living the Christian life.
Karen: Doing things God's way is usually not the most popular ... even amongst believers
Barb: Our only audience should be the Lord.
Barb: What mental of emotional barriers hinder you from viewing you the way that God views you?
Karen: The desire for acceptance
Karen: I think in every way ... I (me) get in the way of viewing myself the way God views me.
Barb: Thoughts of comparing ourselves to others, and looking for value in their eyes.
Karen: It is incredible how much other's thoughts of us can matter
Barb: Do you think this is more of a problem for women than men?
Zelda: Helloooooo,anybody there?
Karen: Definitely
joanne103: yes I think that it is
Karen: Zelda did you get timed out
Zelda: Helloooo, anybody there???
Karen: HI
joanne103: Hi
Karen: Just exit and come back in
Barb: Hi
Zelda: Hello
Karen: Hi - are you getting kicked out?
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Barb: Some have problems , I encourage you to type and that sometimes stops the problems of timing out.
Karen: Women are so emotionally wired
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joanne103: I agree.
Karen: We lose perspective quickly.
Barb: Zelda, I have had these problems before, I encourage you to type and that sometimes cure the timing out problem.
Zelda: I think I timed out. Where are we?
Karen: It doesn't take much to get us off track when we focus on our emotions
Zelda: And women are soooo emotional
Barb: Talking about women feeling that they compare themselves to others more than men.
Karen: I think that is why it is critical to keep ourselves stable in Christ - it really helps us stay balanced
Barb: The abiding principle talked about in John chapter 15 is so true, what else is required?
Zelda: I often feel like I need to compete but I am thankful that Christ gives me his truth to balance me out
Karen: Sometimes I feel I am in charge of my own life ... then I allow Christ to be and before I know it I'm back in charge again
Karen: The only thing is confessing and then asking Christ to be on the throne of my life again.
Karen: My value and focus becomes Christ when He is on the throne of my life.
Barb: Where do we get that power to stay abiding with Him?
Zelda: It is a moment by moment struggle
Karen: Spiritual breathing - any of you familiar with that term?
Zelda: Yes!
Barb: It sometimes seems that way but with the help of the Holy Spirit we have the power!
joanne103: Karen Eric says hi.
Karen: Hi
Barb: How do we know the Holy Spirit is in our lives?
Karen: By Faith
joanne103: Well I am going to go. I am very tired and need to rest
Karen: Thanks for coming
Barb: We must also remember that Christ commanded us to be filled with the Spirit, it's not an option.
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Zelda: I hear HIM and feel HIS prescence, and HE was promised to us by Christ
Karen: Right ...
Barb: What roles does the Holy Spirit play in our lives?
Karen: If I am on the throne of my life (making my own choices and often even with a sinful heart) I need to confess that so Christ can resume the throne
Zelda: Thanks for chatting...I need to go now!
Karen: Thanks Zelda for coming ... your input was great
Barb: Thanks for joining us Zelda!
****** Zelda has left the room ******
Barb: The role of the Holy Spirit...
Karen: 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
Barb: He convicts us of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement. John 16:8 tells us this.
Karen: Spiritual breathing is confessing (breathing out) the sin and taking in the good (breathing in) the Holy Spirit.
Barb: The Holy Spirit also teaches and councils us.
Karen: There are some days I feel I am almost hyper-ventilating.... I want to take over control of my life so much.... but then when I give up and finally let God be on the throne ... it is so incredible.
Barb: We have to live moment by moment, breathing out sin and breathiong in the Holy Spirit's control
Karen: So ... if my heart has sin in it... it obviously affects my sense of value (for myself and others)
Barb: The Holy Spirit also is the person that gives us spiritual gifts that empower us and give us value.
Karen: There is so much focus in the churches today of working in our area of spiritual giftedness.
Barb: Often we ignore or park the gifts and get sidetracked.
Karen: It removes so much of the false guilt.
Karen: Are any of your churches focusing on this?
SSchenk: yes.
Karen: Have you done a study of your gifts?
Barb: Yes, our churches regularly holds the classes and uses the "Network "system.
Karen: Ours is starting that as well.
Karen: What a concept - to have people working in their area of gifts
Barb: That is the perfect way that God designed the body to work.
Karen: To live a spirit filled life, have a sense of value in Christ and operate in our giftedness sounds like the ingredients for quite a spiritual life.
Barb: Yes - sounds close to Heaven!
Barb: We often need reminders to keep us going.
Karen: Sometimes we get in the way of that ... but ultimately I think God doesn't want us to feel guilt, but to focus on Him.
Karen: I'm learning so much that my spiritual life has very little to do with me but everything to do with God.
Barb: That needs to remain our focus, always - God not me.
Karen: My focus being on God and my value being in God would make a BIG difference in how I see myself.
Barb: That needs to remain our focus, always - God not me.
Karen: To know I have value --- because God loves me and sees me as valuable.
****** Barb has entered the room ******
Karen: To know I belong -- because I sit in the heavenlies with Christ, in God.
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Karen: To know I am competent --- because the Holy Spirit gifted me with a talent and empowers me to develop it.
Karen: (Barb timed out ... she will come right back).
****** Barb has entered the room ******
Karen: Nancy and Naomi ... have you been observing - or are you timed out?
Barb: I am back in now, sorry about that - problems again.
Barb: So after all this discussion why is our need for Christ a vital part of our self esteem and feeling of value?
Karen: In a living relationship with the Holy Spirit - you will discover incredible power in being a woman of God?
Karen: Belonging in God's hand is an emotionally healthy state of being
Karen: We are so privileged to have this relationship with God.
Karen: Christ's love gives us value. He does not force Himself on us....that is so awesome
Barb: When we realize who we are in Christ - fearfully and wonderfully made, and if we believe that, we will have that feeling of value.
Barb: God made us to commune with Him, that is an awesome thing, it shows His incredible love for us.
Barb: Also God doesn'make junk!
Karen: For me - I think of Peter walking on the water so much. It's amazing what we are capable of when our focus is on Christ.
Karen: I think visually ... and that works for me.
Barb: I think also we miss out on so much of what God has for us because our focus is in the wrong place.
Karen: This has been a very interesting topic to discuss.
Barb: This has been a great discussion and reminder of who we are in Christ.
Karen: Thanks for joining us ...
Barb: Thank you all for joining us, and thank you Lord for directing our thoughts!
Barb: Good night everyone.
Karen: Good night
SSchenk: goodnight
