Thankfulness for mothers should be expressed all year long, and throughout our lifetime! We should not take life for granted, with unrealistic expectations and demands. We always need to remember what it took to accomplish us being able to enjoy life here on the earth. First of all, the Lord our Creator should be thanked & praised! He is the source of life. Our parents should be continually thanked and honored as well for their loving sacrifices in helping birth, nurture, and sustain our lives…
eve
Genesis 3:20 – And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the MOTHER of all living.
Genesis 2:21 – And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Special note: Jesus reinforces the sanctity of marriage, families, and motherhood.
Mark 10:6-9 – …from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Special note: Motherhood is a special gift of God, and part of His Sovereign plans. It should not be taken lightly. These days, with the major attack upon families by our enemy the devil, trying to destroy them and pull families apart – doing everything possible to help maintain relationship is well worth the fight!
THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN – PROVERBS 31
Proverbs 31:10-31 – Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 14 She buys imported foods brought by ship from distant ports. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her own hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic, a hard worker, 18 and watches for bargains. She works far into the night! 19-20 She sews for the poor and generously helps those in need. 21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for she has made warm clothes for all of them. 22 She also upholsters with finest tapestry; her own clothing is beautifully made—a purple gown of pure linen. 23 Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council chamber with the other civic leaders. 24 She makes belted linen garments to sell to the merchants. 25 She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. 26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says. 27 She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. 28 Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: 29“There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!” 30 Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. 31 Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.
HIGHLIGHTS
Proverbs 31:11,12,23 – SHE IS TRUSTWORTHY AND DEVOTED!
Proverbs 31:20 –SHE IS A GIVING PERSON!
Proverbs 31:13-19 – SHE IS A WOMAN OF DILIGENCE AND WISDOM!
Special note: There is a famous saying that goes like this: “Man works from sun to sun, but woman’s work is never done.”
Proverbs 31:15,21,27 – SHE IS DEPENDABLE!
Proverbs 31;28 – SHE IS BLESSED!
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN IS A WOMAN WHO whole-heartedly LOVES THE LORD!
passing faith from generation to generation
2 Timothy 1:5 – I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
2 Timothy 3:14, 15 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF MOTHERS
JOCHEBED
Israel’s deliverance from Egypt began with a woman named JOCHEBED, the MOTHER of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
RUTH
The story of King David actually begins way before he was born, with his great-grandmother Ruth (Ruth 4:13-17).
ESTHER
The miraculous preservation of the Jews in Persia is found in the story of a woman named Esther.
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist.
MARY
Our salvation in the Gospels begins with a young Jewish woman, a virgin named Mary.
Special note: Mary’s response to the angels message that she would give birth to a child conceived by the Holy Spirit was commendable & exemplary. The angel said, “With God nothing shall be impossible”. Mary’s responded with these faith-filled words “Be it unto me according to your Word” (Luke 1:30-38). May we also follow her good example, and faithfully respond to the Lord willingly and obediently as He speaks to us, trusting in His Sovereignty, power, and truth to perform what He has promised to do!
We honor and respect Mary, the mother of Jesus – she was an amazing woman, and blessed. However, we DON’T worship her or pray to her! Mary encouraged people to obey Jesus — “Whatever He says unto you, do it” (John 2:5)
STORIES OF GREAT CHRISTIANS
SUSANNA WESLEY
She was the mother of John and Charles Wesley – men who were mightily used by the Lord in ministry, evangelism & revivals. It is interesting to note that that John and Charles were the 15th & 18th of the 19 children born to Susanna Wesley.
Susanna Wesley is famous for being a faithful prayer warrior, in the midst of her busy life. Sometimes she would stop for a little time out – throw her apron up over head to pray, and the children all knew that it was not a time to disturb her.
The prayers of praying mothers are powerful!
Present day examples (there are many)…
A special tribute to several missionaries who have been a great blessing here…
Margret Messerer: Even though having 10 of her own children, along with numerous grand-children she was willing to come to the PI as well as go to other mission fields, laying down her life in service to the Lord, to help reach people with the gospel.
Colleen Jaquith: Mother of 6 children & 13 grand-children. A memorable number of years ago, when she already had 5 children, and was pregnant with her 6th (Teresa) at the time – almost due to give birth (mid-3rd Trimester), she lovingly came to the PI on her first mission trip here. (As you can well imagine, all the Filipino women loved her, and really doted on her :). For so many years, before, during, and since that time she has sacrificially & faithfully served the Lord in the U.S. & among the nations. She has been involved with extensive mission work here in the PI now for approximately 25 years! Her children bless her and her husband praises her! (Proverbs 31:28) What a great woman of God!
There are so many wives of pastors & mothers of preachers kids, that deserve honorary tribute— along with multitudes of other loving mothers all over the world!
There are Nurses and Doctors and Teachers & Faithful Housewives faithfully mothering children while also multi-tasking to assist others as well that are “unsung hero’s”….
Mother’s who are willing to cheerfully stay home and take care of their families, not seeking for fame and fortune, raising their families in the nurture & admonition of the Lord are to be saluted, and commended!
ONLY 1 MOTHER
Our world is full of mothers, but we have only one mother! Our own mother is very special. She should be — she must always be! There is no one like our mothers. And no one can take the place of our mothers.
PROVERBS 31:28
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
JESUS CARES FOR THE MOTHERS
Isaiah 40:11 – He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
MOTHERHOOD IS A JOYFUL HONOR
CONTINUE TO SERVE CHEERFULLY
Psalm 100:2 – Serve the Lord with gladness;
I Corinthians 9:7 – let each one give as he (she) purposes in his (her) heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Psalm 113:9 – He makes the barren woman to keep house (grants the barren woman a home), and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
The above picture is of some of the mothers at the gathering on Mother’s Day in Sn Luis, Tarlac City, PI
The above pictures are of some of the mothers at the gathering in Fairlane Subd on Mother’s Day, Tarlac City, PI
Special acknowledgement: Thanks to Evelyn Asuncion for assistance with the preparation of this message, and the sharing of it at our online Mother’s Day service…
