5 Ways Jesus Treats Women

A Hunger Games generation is rising up like a nation behind a novel heroine created by a woman, starring the Oscar winning, world’s highest paid actress.

The bow is drawn, the arrow has flown.

No longer quiet, they are no longer alone.

          #MeToo

How do we honor women?

My family encircles eight women. Over three and a half decades of love for a precious woman resulted in two priceless daughters, then three perfect granddaughters. Thankfully, I’m still blessed with two moms – one by birth, one by bliss. How do I love these four generations of women?

History’s leading man teaches me how. Jesus saves women. Jesus heals women. Jesus forgives women. Jesus redeems women. Simply put, Jesus is the greatest lover of women.

What does Jesus’ love for women look like? What would His younger sisters say? What can we learn from the idyllic Bridegroom? 

“Jesus, if you were me, how would you treat this woman right now?”

~ Jesus Personalizes Women

Early in Jesus’ mission, a grieving man begged Jesus to resurrect his daughter. Though she was dead, Jesus went to the young woman. En route, one woman uncloaked His power. Jesus stopped for her. Jesus engaged one non-Jewish, Greek woman. He afforded one woman the altar of her finest perfume. His disciples caught Him talking alone with one woman. After disbanding a murderous crowd, Jesus was the last man standing with one woman. Jesus was not just pro-women, but pro-woman.

~ Jesus Affirms Women

Jesus exclaimed one woman’s exemplary faith and another woman to illustrate diligence. Defying critical men, Jesus painted one woman’s action beautiful. He guaranteed one woman’s story would last generations. Jesus did not just call women, He called them by name. Jesus stopped and stooped for women, then raised them above the mayhem, the madness, the mundane and often, the men.

~ Jesus Listens to Women

Jesus let one woman berate Him for arriving after her brother’s death. One woman waylaid Jesus’ healing ministry…of another woman. In the mania, Jesus gave her audience to tell her whole, horrific twelve year story.

~ Jesus Defends Women

When women were property, Jesus confronted male contempt. He questioned men about bothering one woman. He defended, “Leave her alone!” Jesus is the Knight in shekinah armor.

~ Jesus Empowers Women

Jesus commissioned women as His first evangelists to tell His men He was back and never going down again. Without raising a sword or his voice, Jesus fended off a self-righteous mob hell-bent on killing a woman. After clearing the court and her unscathed, Jesus raised her to a new life leaving the defanged bedlam and defiled bed.

How can we say we follow Jesus if we don’t love women like Jesus who proved love by His life and death? His love powers our love for the woman from whom we came, the woman to whom we vowed, the woman we were blessed to parent and the son in birth or in-law we lead.

Imagine women hearing…

     “Your faith has rescued you; Go in peace.”

Heartbreaking #MeToo will encounter wholehearted #LoveYou.

What woman will you love today personalizing, affirming, hearing, defending or empowering her like a brother treats a sister, a Bridegroom treats his bride, a King treats his princess, a heavenly Father treats His daughter?

My Priceless Princesses

by Doug Webster

My Manifesto

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5 Things Jesus Did Most Never Knew

Most people know of Jesus. Few know Jesus. Fewer know Him well enough to know what He did that most overlook. Reflecting upon the unknown Jesus helps us know Him better. Who we are when no one is watching is more who we are than the who we are we want people to see.

5 Things Jesus did Most People Never Knew

~ Jesus Paid Taxes – He rendered accounts payable to Caesar and hooked the big fish to cover His taxes.

~ Jesus Cooked Breakfast – Post resurrection, what did the risen Savior do? Jesus served his best friends breakfast after a hard day’s night.

~ Jesus Obeyed His Parents – After His first and only runaway, Jesus went home and obeyed His father and mother. Arguably, it went well with Him.

~ Jesus Got Waylaid – Imagine being Jesus’ publicist. He wasn’t always on time, but He was never late. His pace was perpetually pained by people’s problems.

~ Jesus Did Nothing – Following a celebrated Baby Dedication then a few years in the EWPP – Egyptian Witness Protection Program, Jesus was a kid in Nazareth, handyman for Joseph & Sons, then likely a small business owner.

Jesus led an unimpressive existence for three decades.

For most of His life, Jesus was the guy next door who loved God and loved His neighbors. He was so common, when He became divinely uncommon, His neighbors said, “Isn’t that Joseph & Mary’s kid? Didn’t he make a well fitting yoke for our ox?”

What if following Jesus is as much what He did for His first 30 years as His last 3 years? True, the last 3 afford and activate us to become like Him, but were not His first 30 our more likely resemblance?

What might it look like for you in the next 7 days…or 30 years…to simply love God and love your neighbor? If on Tuesday you preach to 5000 people before you cater their lunch, praise God! But, we don’t have to be miraculous to be like Jesus.

Being an apprentice of Jesus means trusting His Father’s Kingdom for today and not worrying about tomorrow, even if today means paying bills, cooking, following an order, engaging interruptions or being okay going unnoticed.

Jesus gives dignity to daily life.

How a Jesus Apprenticeship Works

Apprentices spend time with the Master Jesus. We think about Him. By His Spirit, we start thinking more like Jesus. We develop ears to hear and eyes to see like Him. In turn, we turn, we act more like Jesus. We might walk on water. Or, we might simply serve a cup of cold water to a thirsty person.

Your Practice Plan

Which of the 5 ordinary Jesus acts will you practice today with a grateful heart and abandoned outcomes knowing you are like Jesus for 90% of His life?

by Doug Webster

My Manifesto

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5 Ways to Prove You Follow Money More Than Jesus

 

Money talks.

What does currency say to you?

Consider listening closely in light of Jesus’ statement,

“God & Money can not fit on the same throne.”

5 Talking Points to Prove who leads – Profit or Prophet.

1.) Financial Furnace – How angry do you get when you are overcharged or lose money? Anger is a torch illuminating a path to our kingdom’s throne.

2.) Pitiful Poor – The last time you saw a homeless man, did you talk with Jesus about him? Do we extend the kindness of Christ, if only a warm, “Hello! How are you today?” Now, picture a wealthy friend arriving in an expensive car to buy you a nice meal. Money affords preference.

3.) Their Success – Think of someone who makes more or inherited more money than you. Does it bother you, honestly? The ease to rejoice or impulse to envy the wealth of others speaks about what’s inside us.

4.) Break Down – Did your last car problem start the engine of habitual seeking Jesus for guidance or did it backfire financial worry? Was it an unsolicited invitation to walk with Him or did “the other shoe drop”?

5.) Gilded Generosity – “Am I generous?” can lead to rationalizations. Don’t ask, do the math. What percent of your income did you give away last year? A typical 2-4% is nice, not generous. This last talking point has a ledger full of rebuttals, “But…but…but…”

Money can be a direct path to our worship center. We choose treasures all day long. But spending money, like following Jesus, is rarely totally bankrupt or filthy rich. Simply following Jesus as His apprentice is an integration of His way of life, sometimes well, other times poorly, often in the same day. Obedience to Jesus is the vehicle of knowledge. Knowledge is the discovery of truth. Truth is the revelation of reality. Reality is the foundation for trust. You can trust what is real. Trust is the vehicle on the King’s highway between Jesus and money.

Four Investments to Profit from Following the Prophet  Jesus

~ “Measure Treasure” – Do I love God and my neighbor? Sure. Is my spent money a corroborating witness? Use emotional, experiential terms, not “housing” or “transportation” to prompt heartfelt answers.

“How much of my spending is on my comfort, my image, my appearance?”

~ “Mammon Mindset” – More math. Count how often in the next 48 hours money comes to mind. Then, think why you think what you think about money.

~ “Gratuitous Generosity” – Risk increasing your giving 1% monthly for 10 months. Generosity throws a coup on cash as king. In practicing this, you learn God’s got you covered.

~ “Internal Audit” – Drill deeper praying, “Jesus, why does money uncap anger, contempt, envy, worry, stinginess in me? Help me learn to trust and manage money in your Kingdom truth, “Don’t’ worry. Seek first the Kingdom of God and He’ll take care of you.”

Money talks. Jesus whispers. What we hear maps our buried treasure.

by Doug Webster

My Manifesto

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5 Resolutions of Jesus for a New Year

What will a “Happy” year look like for you? Finish this statement, “In this new year, I will…” Typically, New year resolutions have a 1 in 12 success rate.

How will this year be different? Consider the success of history’s greatest motivational speaker and life changing friend.

Five Resolutions of Jesus

Jesus resolved…

1.) …it was never about Him.

Jesus was not WIIFM driven. He obeyed with a whole heart – Thy Kingdom, not My Kingdom. His agenda was not His agenda.

2.) …to focus on the goal.

Jesus’ selfless purpose had a place. With Jerusalem as His destiny, He dialed His mental GPS, turned toward the holy city and resolutely pressed on, never lost along the way.

3.) …to not be sidetracked by critics.

Jesus did not let a conniving ruler derail Him. He vouched, “I am not stopping today or tomorrow and on the third day, I will reach my goal!” Come day three – Sunday – He delivered on His promise.

4.) …to persevere.

Resolutions only demand resolve when they get difficult. The agony of His purpose buckled Jesus. He yearned for another way. Willingly, He persevered courageously because it was never about His will, His way, His wants.

5.) …He was never alone.

When the skubala hit the palm fan, Jesus knew his friends would abandon discipleship. His unwavering resolve was fueled by truth – He was never alone. He knew first hand the words He taught, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

Your Resolution Will

How will this new year be different if you are mentored by One who fulfilled His resolution devoid of self-absorption, silent of detouring voices while full of focus, tenacity and collaboration?

Do you feel like you a floundering fish?

     Jesus offers significant purpose when you follow Him.

Do you struggle with delayed results?

     Jesus told his family when they, like us, were driven by their timing – His time was not their time. It is powerful to hear Jesus say, “For you, anytime will do.” Ouch! I often evaluate, “Is this His time or my time?”

Do you think you’re all alone?

     Think again. Literally, think again.

         You’re not alone.

The wisdom of history’s most productive, purposeful and prolific mentor will make you S.M.A.R.T.

S – Selfless for God’s Kingdom

M – Motivated by one purpose

A – Avoiding distracting voices

R – Resolved to hang in not walk out

T – Together, never alone

As you weigh this year’s resolutions, be it health, organize, live fuller, new hobby, save money, career, school, time or love God & your neighbor, find a life coach who was very good at accomplishing what He set out to do and become His Apprentice.

I highly recommend Jesus.

by Doug Webster

My Manifesto

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Jesus College – Mentoring Apprentices to Master Love

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