I love that we are starting this series together the week of Easter. The perfect place to start our journey of becoming empowered women is to begin with the truth of Jesus dying on the cross and raising from the dead 3 days later, defeating death. This event is the greatest source of power in all of history. And because of the choice we have to believe and live this truth out in our lives as mothers and wives, that same great source of power is directly at our fingertips.

When we look at this idea of becoming a strong woman, we first need to build a firm foundation on which to stand. For those of us who claim Christ to be the ruler of our hearts, the truth of God’s Word is a really easy answer for us to give as this solid ground to stand on. But friend, do you really believe that that Word of God has the power you need to become the strong woman that God desires you to be? Is it alive and active in you?

Is God’s Word the sole source of your truth?

Mary was a woman who believed in the power of God’s Word; it was her sole source of truth. It didn’t matter that God had been silent for 400 years – she knew the promises that the Scriptures proclaimed. Not only did she know them, but she believed them. And that belief was put to the test when this young, teenage girl got the shock of a lifetime – an angel of the Lord stood before her, sharing with her that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah, and that she would call him “Jesus.” Now because of Mary’s upbringing, she knew that the Messiah was coming. But never in a million years did she think that he would be born to her! But here was her moment of truth: would she believe in God’s sovereignty and power?

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” And that was that.

Mary believed. Mary trusted in truth. And that truth became her strength.

Now it isn’t everyday that an angel of the Lord appears to us women. But what can we learn from Mary’s story? We can learn that when we know and believe in the Word of God and that His promises will be enough for us, no matter the circumstances we face.

Because we know these truths, girl friends…

That if we confess our sins that he is faithful and just and he will forgive our sins and purify us from anything that is sinful or corrupt (1 John 1:9).

That God goes before us and is always with us; he will never leave or abandon us. Because of this we don’t have to be afraid or discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8).

That his glorious riches will strengthen us with the Spirit’s power Who lives within us (Ephesians 3:16).

That God commands us to be strong and courageous! We don’t need to be afraid because He will be with us wherever we go or whatever we do (Joshua 1:9).

That when our soul is weary and troubled, that he will strengthen us according to his Word (Psalm 119:28, emphasis mine).

Did you see that there? According to his Word. His Word gives us the strength we need to be empowered women, friends. So the real question I want to ask you is this: where are you going for your source of strength? If your first answer isn’t the Word of God, your strength will fade. It’s not a matter of if…it’s a matter of when.

Now some of you reading this are already followers of Jesus. You may be wondering why I’m asking you something that seems so elementary to the Christian faith. But ladies, it’s a legitimate question. Are you reading your Bible consistently? When problems or insecurities arise are you searching God’s Word for your answer? When you do find the answer you need in the Bible are you clinging to it with everything you have? If your answers are wavering, you will not become the strong woman you desire to be. Period.

I also know that there are some of you reading this who are still on the fence – is Jesus really enough for me? Is a relationship with God actually going to give me what I’m longing for? So many of us have talked back and forth and you have asked me these hard questions. And at the end of our conversations, I’ve told each of you the same thing – the choice is absolutely up to you, but the gift of salvation is absolutely free. And when you do decide to say “yes” to a God Who longs for a relationship with you, the Bible is the perfect place to start seeking truth. And when we find his truth, his strength becomes our own, and with the strength of Christ in you, a new confidence will build inside your soul. And that’s what we are talking about next week.

So this weekend, I would encourage you to pick up your Bible. Don’t have one? Google works great until you can get your hands on a hard copy 🙂 Turn to Romans chapter 5, verses 1-11, but really focus in on verse 8. Celebrate what God did so many years ago by sending Jesus to take the penalty for our sins and be reminded of the strength that lives in you because of your decision to follow him.

Don’t forget his sacrifice. Be reminded. Be encouraged. Let this be your sole source of truth and be empowered by it.

The same God who lives inside of you lives inside of me. And I can’t wait to see how he continues to move in each of our hearts as we learn how to make his power our own.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:1-11