For who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)
I was talking to my sister in Christ about marital abuse. It was such a deep conversation due to us either being or having someone we know that have been abused by their husbands. It took me back to my abusive marriage that almost destroyed me. We were speaking about one of our sisters’ daughter who is in her twenties, with everything going for her, but married a controlling and to our suspicion, an abusive man. He will not allow her to even go to a women’s conference to Long Island with the Co-Pastor and the rest of her sisters. I became so upset when hearing it and all I could think of, “Lord, if it was my daughter…”
Both of us started thinking about what we would do if our daughters were in the same situation. What would we say? How would we react and would it be as far as inflicting bodily harm? We didn’t know, but I knew that deep down, I would probably end up hurting him, physically, due to my own experiences with marital abuse.
I can remember, after our nights of partying, my husband, at the time, would find some reason to hurt me physically, spiritually and mentally. His intent was entirely evil induced by drugs, alcohol, and insecurities.
I remember the day when it happened. He started shouting obscenities at me because I wouldn’t do what he wanted me to do and that was to go and sell my body for drugs. I was tired of “the life” and wanted out. I even wanted out of the marriage. He pushed me on the couch, but what he didn’t know was that I had a knife hidden underneath the cushions. I fell backward, and as I started to get up, I discreetly reached underneath the cushion, pulled out the knife and with the opposite hand I reached around his neck, as if to hug him and with the other hand, that held the knife, stabbed him in the back. I was tired of being his punching bag. As he fell to the floor, I remember saying, “You will never put your hands on me again!” This was a drastic move, but in my mind, it was all I can do, and I wasn’t saved then.
Why did it take me so long to leave? Why did it take me so long to stand up for myself? I’ll tell you why, because I loved him and tried everything to make the marriage work. I wanted my marriage to be the first and only marriage. I didn’t want to be a part of the divorce rate statistics. Eventually, enough was enough.
Women, we must realize that God made us with purpose. We are the help meet (Genesis 2:20). When God made Eve, he created her with the ability to carry life. In the Hebrew, the name, Eve (chawwāh), means life (Genesis 3:20). We are much a part of the original plan as man. We are not second class citizens nor is our worth less than man.
I heard a man say that women aren’t interested in prophecy. How do you know? Did you ask or did you come to this conclusion because of how you see women? Women are just as significant in prophecy as well as in God’s plan. Consider, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, Deborah, who ruled Israel for 12 years. Deborah had political authority and it was said that she governed with a mother’s heart and a soldier’s strength. God also used women to prophecy or bring a message.
I am reminded of a wise mother who was teaching her son about finding a virtuous woman. The word virtuous from its original tongue means wealth. The wealth is that she cares for not only her family, but for others. She is resourceful and a noble woman of excellence. I read that this woman does not work to get rich, but to give to her family and to the poor. Her husband is appreciative of her and she brings him no shame. She compliments him, which assists in bringing him status in the community. She is a woman of wisdom, and many speak well of her.
King Lemuel’s mother reminded him not to give his strength to women. In those days, it was not uncommon for kings to have harems or sexually indulge with many women. She reminded him that this destroys men. These types of women destroy nations and kings. She also warned not to give into strong drink or become intoxicated. Lemuel’s mother was a virtuous woman, herself.
In my study, I found out that Lemuel means, belonging to God. So, women, make sure that the man you want to spend the rest of your life with is a God fearing, bible believing, gentleman, raised by a virtuous mother, and most important, he belongs to God.
Posted by Sharon Harmon 
Bernie Wheater
Valerie Goodhew
Allen Russell
Sharon Harmon
Prayer, Preperation and His Presence
May 21, 2011And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… Ephesians 4:12
Today was an experience of the movement of God and the working of the Holy Spirit. It was the first time that I attended the Full Proof Evangelist Fellowship at the East Ave Inn. I remember praying to the Lord this morning if He would have me to go. While I waited, I continued to stay in prayer and offer myself to Him. I wanted to be careful to follow His leading, then it dawned on me, I got up at 5:00 am and started my devotional and communion with God, at 8:00 I began to get dressed so that I could be out the door by 8:30.
There were only a handful of us, but a few more came a little later. It was beautiful. Those who were there were ordained to be there. These were the hearts that God needed to use and prepare for the work that He had for each of us further in the day. The most memorable part of the evening was spending the last hour in a circle praying. There wasn’t an order, just whatever the Lord would have us to pray, we did. The presence of God was truly in the midst of the few. I knew that I would be transformed by what I experienced in that room. I truly thank the Lord for Dominic and Steve, who are truly after God’s own heart.
We weren’t there with our own agendas, but were there being about the Father’s business in hopes of applying the instructions from the information given and allowing God to equip us for the work ahead. Things that cause division and debates are frivolous, prideful and arrogant and some quite presumptuous. It is time to lay aside those things that divide us and concern ourselves with the souls that are crying out to be
saved. It’s not about prophesy, it’s not about what version of the bible I am reading, it’s not about numbers; how many people came out, but about the lost soul that is still wandering aimlessly, searching and thirsting for living water. It’s about Jesus.
Later on in the day, I went to my home church where the Spirit of the Lord is, to take part in the Youth Praise Service. One of the praise dancers said to me, “Sister Harmon? Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach? I have to dance tonight and I’m, I’m, well uh, um…” Then I said, “Nervous?” She said “Yeah!” I said, “Your right where you need to be; let the Lord use you.” And He did!!! This dancer began to weep while praising and worshipping God in the dance. Everyone was moved by the Spirit. Then there was little Shantel who testified about God saying, “God is a Healer!” Again, tears began to flood the place from the movement of God. Lives are being changed by the presence of God and the teaching of His word.
God has shown me that I don’t have to try to direct His plan or take on assignments that He has not given me, but to be a willing vessel and show up to be used by Him.