Women of the Bible: Joanna

I often think of the Lord as the ultimate recycler. He wastes nothing—not our heartache, our choices or our years of wandering. He transforms broken people, relationships and situations into something new. And He takes what was meant for evil and uses it for good

Joanna’s story is proof.

It begins with her being under enemy influence while living large on enemy support. (more…)

Women of the Bible: Naaman’s Servant Girl

For years, a little girl lived and thrived in the care of her Israeli parents, who taught her the word of God. But then the Arameans came. They abducted her, ripping her away from her family and the only home she had ever known.

She became a slave in a foreign land. Her master: an Aramean army commander.

Had she seen her parents (more…)

Women of the Bible: Rahab the Prostitute

Imagine you’re a woman of ill repute living among a people you know in your heart are doomed. It’s likely your story will end right there.

But for Rahab, a resident of Jericho, that’s not the end of her story. It’s just the beginning. Hers is a story of faith and redemption.

A Defining Moment

With Moses gone, God had given Joshua the job (more…)

Women of the Bible: The Syrophoenician Woman

A desperate mother of a suffering child will stop at nothing to get help. She’ll seek out every expert, go any distance, and make every sacrifice to ensure her child is once again well and whole. Such a mother is singleminded and relentless. She remains a powerful and persistent force until someone finally attends to her plea for help.

That’s the story (more…)

Women of the Bible: Pontius Pilate’s Wife

You may not realize it, but you’re faced with a decision that will define your life. Everyone around you is screaming for you to do something you know isn’t the right thing. You want peace, though you realize it comes at a high price.

But one person, one whose opinion should carry significant weight, begs you to ignore the crowds and act (more…)