While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:46-50 NIV

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35 NIV

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:19-21 KJV

Book on Women in the Bible

Website on Women in the Bible

Christian Distinctives–Women in the Heart of God – Glen Miller’s study on Women in the Bible. Appears to be a Biblically sound study of women in the Bible and the “role” of women in the Bible. In additoion to the regular website view – it can be downoload (free) and printed as a 368 page pdf file.

The website also has a large number of other studies on this site (www.chirstian-thinktank.com).

Christian Distinctives–Women in the Heart of God

Book for Christian Women

Website For Christian Women

God’s Word for Women – The Mission of the website:

God is calling all women to assume the full scope of the role for which they were created. This website is designed to help women in their search to discover who God says they are.

God’s Word for Women desires:

…To provide a forum on the Internet to be used as an encouragement and a stimulus for women to gain assurance of their call and commission from the Lord

…To equip women with a knowledge of God’s Word as it relates to:

• their place in ministry
• their relationship to their husbands
• their place and function in their local assembly as well as the Body of Christ as a whole

…To be a catalyst for the release of women in the Body of Christ into their God-ordained ministries

…To encourage both men and women of God to re-examine traditional interpretation of scriptures that pertain to women.

God’s Word for Women

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Proverbs 1:8 KJV

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Proverbs 10:1 KJV

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Proverbs 15:20 KJV

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame. Proverbs 29:15 AMP

[What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him ] These are the sayings that King Lemuel of Massa was taught by his mother. Proverbs 31:1 CEV

Book on Women in the Bible

Website on Women in the Bible

Annie’s “What the Bible Says About Mothers” Page ~ A Cute Site – and Bible-based, includes scriptures on women and mothers in the Bible, holiday cards and Bible verses, computer help, graphics and more.

Annie’s “What the Bible Says About Mothers” Page

Book for Christian Women

Website For Christian Women

JustMoms.com is…

Just Moms offers online Bible Studies, a Prayer and Priase loop, a message board focused on various issues moms face, online shopping, and much more!

Just Moms is a FREE Christian Online Mothers Group where women, like myself, can receive and give advice needed to handle everyday experiences that comes with motherhood. There are two meanings behind the name Just Moms. The first is that it is a group “Just” for moms. The second meaning is that the moms here are striving to be holy and “Just” moms as God has called us to be. Just Moms is made up of mothers of all ages, locations, and denominations. JustMoms.com

So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Proverbs 6:29 KJV

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:2 NIV

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:13-14 KJV

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9 NIV

Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19 NIV

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; Proverbs 29:17 NIV

Book on Women in the Bible

Website on Women in the Bible

Article: Marriage Role in Biblical Balance – Marriage Role in Biblical Balance by Wendell E. Miller: God’s will is for Christians to esteem His entire Word, and to both understand it and obey it in biblical balance. However, all too often Christians fail either to understand biblical balance in marriage roles or to be willing to obey God.

God has given five basic principles for marriage that are to be obeyed, not because a husband or wife “feels like it,” and not because the other person “deserves it,” but because God commands obedience.

Practicing God’s five principles for marriage means obeying God, loving God, and trusting God whether or not it is easy or “feels good” … (Click below to read the entire article)

Marriage Role in Biblical Balance

Book for Christian Women

Website For Christian Women

Wives of Faith – … is Committed to Building and Maintaining Healthy Christian Marriages. Our mission is to help Christian wives become the wives that God has called them to be.

… is a community of Christian wives who want to go against what the culture and society says about marriage, and find out God’s design for marriage. The women of Wives of Faith pray for each other, listen, and support one another. We are in it together and want to grow in unity.

… and the entire Faith and Family Ministries are here to help you be all that God created you to be.

Wives of Faith features:

• Prayer Requests
• Spiritual Growth
• Monthly Challenge
• Monthly Newsletter
• Monthly Columns
• WOF Community
• Weekly Devotional

Wives of Faith

…Attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. Proverbs 5:1, 18-19 KJV

A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. Proverbs 9:13 KJV

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. Proverbs 11:6 KJV

As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. Proverbs 11:22 KJV

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 12:4 KJV

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 14:1 KJV

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Proverbs 21:19 KJV

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Proverbs 21:19 KJV

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 21:19 KJV

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:10, 30 KJV

Book on Women in the Bible

Website on Women in the Bible

Elizabeth Fletcher’s Women in the Bible website is very informative with and lengthy and detailed explanations of some of the women in the Bible. She has activities and focus questions, maps and some really fabulous pictures and artwork.

You should not pass this site up – especially the link to the Biblical Archaeology – the Jerusalem Temple.

Elizabeth Fletcher’s Women in the Bible

Book for Christian Women

Website For Christian Women

About.com – Christianity – Resources for Women – What can you say about – About.com – except there’s a ton of resources: devotionals, Bible verses, open letters, articles, websites, books, music, recipes, magazines, networks, ministries, spiritual growth aids, family aids, personal aids, advice articles and so much more with Christian women in mind.

About.com – Christianity – Resources for Women

It is fitting to start with this scripture. Over the next ten weeks we are presenting scriptures which serve as Biblical Lessons or God’s instruction to women. After that we start with the scriptures on the actual Biblical Women.

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31 KJV

Book on Women in the Bible

Website on Women in the Bible

Christian Answers – Women in the Bible – This website features 188 Women in the Bible including their names, the meaning of each name, scripture and an explanation of who they were and waht they did. It is very informative.

The Bible is an historic record of real people and places. Learn who’s who, their relationships, and the meaning of their names.

This encyclopedia is a continuing work in progress. More pages, cross-references, words, illustrations, updates and other improvements are continually being added. Christian Answers – Women in the Bible

God used the story of two well-known women in the Bible to demonstrate to us the type of relationship He wants with each of us.

You might remember that in one story Jesus was visiting the home of the two sisters when Martha came to Him to complain about her sister, Mary.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” <>Luke 10:38-42 NIV

When I read this passage of scripture I get the image of a house busy with people engaged in numerous conversations around the house. Martha is running about trying to figure out how everybody is going to get fed and coordinating the logistics of cooking for all the people.

Somewhere in a secluded corner the Lord Jesus Christ is calmly teaching a handful of people who are intently listening to His every word. Mary is sitting at His feet, very content and very settled.

Martha frantically rushes over to interrupt the intimate gathering. Everyone casually looks up at her as the Lord easily sets the record straight. Feeling compassion for Martha, He reassuringly says, “Martha, Martha … you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” After all, if Jesus could feed the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-39) and the 5,000 (Matthew 14:14-21), then certainly He could handle supper for a house full of people.

Sometimes we just forget how big our God is and we run around with what I call the “Martha Syndrome” trying to make everything just right when all we need to do is just Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)

Remember, Jesus told us to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV) That’s what Mary did. She sought Jesus first. This is what I call the “Mary Solution.”
But Martha was concerned about What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? (Matthew 6:31 KJV)

In another story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the two sisters had different reactions to the news that Jesus was coming to see them after their brother Lazarus had died. There are many lessons that Jesus prepared us to see in this whole scenario. Herein we focus on the differences between the two sisters’ approaches to Jesus before He brought Lazarus back to life.

¹⁷Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

¹⁸Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

¹⁹And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

²⁰Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the
house.

²¹Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

²²But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

²³Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

²⁴Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

²⁶And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

²⁷She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

²⁸And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

²⁹As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

³⁰Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

³¹The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

³²Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

³³When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

³⁴And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

³⁵Jesus wept.

³⁶Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

³⁷And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

³⁸Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

³⁹Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

⁴⁰Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:17-40 KJV

Mary Got Alone With God

In verse 20 we see the first difference between Martha and Mary when they heard that Jesus was coming. Martha took off to go find Jesus. The King James Bible (KJV) says Mary sat still. Others translations say she stayed at home (NIV) or remained sitting in the house (AMP). Mary had a purpose. The Bible does not say she was crying, weeping or anxious. She was waiting on Jesus just as she had done when Jesus visited her home in the earlier example from Luke 10.

We can assume that Mary was preparing her heart through prayer. Whereas Martha was running around – the same as she had done in Luke 10.

Martha was Impatient and Anxious

In verse 25 and 26 Jesus spoke to Martha but Martha did not really hear Him (v. 21-22). She was focused on what she had to say to Him. Martha talked at Jesus not to Him and after she had her say, she left Him. The consequence was that Martha missed what Jesus was conveying to her. Do we often do the same ourselves?

Jesus must have asked Martha for Mary because when Martha got back to the house she told Mary that The Master is come, and calleth for thee (v. 28).

Where Are We When God Calls?

Mary then went to see Jesus – at the right time. She went when He called her, once He is come (v. 28) or had come. She went without delay. She went when she was properly prepared because she had been praying and waiting. This is also part of the “Mary Solution,” sitting and waiting on Jesus, preparing our hearts and responding appropriately when He calls.

As Mary sat still in her house, the Jews who were there might have thought that Mary was focused on death, sorrow, weeping, despair (v. 31). But Mary was focused on Jesus. Had she been focused solely on her brother Lazarus’ death, she might have been full of unbelief and would not have been prepared to meet with Jesus.

Mary met Jesus in the same place as Martha (v. 30). She said the same thing as Martha (v. 21 and v. 32), “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” But Mary, unlike Martha, worshipped at His feet (v. 31) and consequently Mary got a different response. The difference was in their preparation and consequently in their approaches as well. Where we are and how we approach God makes a difference.

Both Mary and Martha were believers in the one true God. But, their walk was not the same. Mary was focused on the Savior because she had gotten quite and alone with Him. Mary met Jesus in the same place as she did when Jesus was in her home in Luke 10, at His feet! Therefore, Jesus was moved. He groaned in the spirit and was troubled (v. 33).

On the other hand, Martha had not spent the time in God’s presence. Martha, just as in Luke 10 was overcome by her feelings. Her faith was not at a high level.

Our unbelief can block God’s miracles in our lives. Even when Jesus was ready to raise Lazarus from the dead, Martha was filled with unbelief. She saw death. She said to Jesus, “…Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” This was the equivalent to Martha asking Jesus, “Why would you bother to open his grave. He’s dead. He stinks. Why go there, Lord?” Martha was not ready to see the glory of God. She was not ready for God’s miracle in her life.

But, again Jesus lovingly corrects the situation just as in Luke 10, when He says, “if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God” (v. 40).

Seven Points for Seeing God Move in Your Life

1. Wait on God by conditioning your heart (v20) through
   • Prayer and
   • Meditation on His Word
2. Wait on God’s Call (v28)
   • God called Mary
   • Unlike Martha who went ahead on her own
3. Wait for God’s Timing (v28)
   • God decided when Mary should come
   • In the meantime she was preparing herself
4. Listen for God’s Call (v25-27, 28-29)
   • God speaks to us personally
5. Don’t delay when God Calls (v29)
   • Move immediately
   • By being prepared
6. Keep Focus on Him (v31) – Not the problem, the situation or your feelings
7. Worship Him at His Feet (v32)

Are You a Martha?
Or
Are You a Mary … in your life with God?

Book on Women in the Bible

Website on Women in the Bible

Alabaster-Jars – Women in the Bible: This is one of the more authoritative websites that I have seen on Women in the Bible and (this week) it comes up first in the Yahoo search, third on Google and twelfth on MSN. They have over 200 women in the Bible listed with commentary and scriptures.
Alabaster-Jars – Women in the Bible

Book for Christian Women

Website For Christian Women

Christianity Today – Women: There is so much on the Christianity Today website for women and mothers that it is impossible to tell about all of it. There are features for women, parents, magazines, free newsletters, gripping stories and much, much more.

Additionally, Christianity Today gives rock-solid Christian guidance for parenting, family and relationships. There are devotionals, kid sections, movie reviews, leadership advise, church resources, missions and more. Don’t miss out on these Christian resources!
Christianity Today – Women