Daily Devotion

In the story of resurrection, many names are remembered—Peter, John the disciples. But the very first person to see the risen Christ and carry the news was a woman: Mary Magdalene. She wasn’t a casual bystander. She was a devoted follower. A faithful witness. Mary Magdalene had walked through the darkest valleys with Jesus. She had seen His suffering. She had stood by the cross when others fled. But that’s not where her story ends. On that quiet, early morning, when the stone was rolled away, Mary was there. “Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early… and saw that the stone had been removed.” — John 20:1 When others doubted she stayed. When others hid she sought. Then she encountered the risen Lord— not once but twice. “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’” — John 20:18 Mary’s courage and faith changed everything. She was not silent. She was the apostle to the apostles, entrusted with the most important message in history. What Does This Mean Today? Your faithfulness matters, even when the path is dark. Your devotion positions you for divine encounters. God uses the faithful to carry His hope into the world. Mary Magdalene reminds us that leadership in the Kingdom isn’t about titles. It’s about faithfulness, courage, and witness. To every woman walking a faithful path today: Keep following. Keep seeking. Keep believing. You might be the first to see what God is doing next. Your faithfulness is a ministry. Your witness changes lives. You are Mary Magdalene. You are sent. From my Hand book Her at the Cross Bro Kelvin Mulenga

Shepherds in His Image: Called and Ordained (Part V). “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1 You’ve Been Silent Long Enough There is a voice in you the world needs to hear. There is oil in your jar for this generation. There is fire in your bones, not meant to be hidden. What if you were born for such a time as this? Not tomorrow. Not when the crowd approves. Not when it’s easy— But now. A Wake-Up Call to Every Daughter This is not the time to dim your light. This is not the season to second-guess your calling. This is the hour to stand up, to speak, and to serve. God is not confused about your gender. He’s not wondering if women are qualified. He’s calling you—yes, you—by name. What If We’ve Been Apologizing for What Heaven Has Endorsed? There is no apology needed for the anointing. There is no shame in being chosen. There is no contradiction in being called and female. What if the resistance you feel isn’t rejection—it’s spiritual warfare? What if your “no” is delaying someone else’s miracle? What if silence is no longer an option? No More Waiting Rooms There are no waiting rooms in the kingdom of God—only sending rooms. “Go, and tell them…” — Matthew 28:10 That command wasn’t gender-locked. Mary Magdalene preached the first resurrection sermon. Deborah judged a nation with boldness. Esther changed the fate of her people. Nina Gunter didn’t wait. Carla Sunberg didn’t hold back. Why should you? Scriptures to Carry in Your Spirit Psalm 68:11 – “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the women that published it.” Proverbs 31:25 – “She is clothed with strength and dignity…” Micah 6:8 – “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly…” Esther 4:14 – “Who knows but that you have come… for such a time as this?” John 20:17 – “Go to my brothers and tell them…” Matthew 28:7 – “Go quickly and tell his disciples…” Luke 8:1-3 – Women supporting and serving in ministry. Philippians 4:3 – Women who labored in the gospel. Romans 16 – A list full of women co-laborers. Acts 21:9 – Philip’s daughters prophesied. You Don’t Need to Defend Your Calling—Just Obey It What if obedience is the only defense you need? What if all heaven is waiting on your yes? Let This Be Your Response: I will not be silenced. I will not sit down when God says stand. I will not hide when the Spirit says speak. Last What If What if God is not calling the next woman… But calling you—again? What if history has been waiting on your next step? Arise. Heaven is watching.

Shepherds in His Image: Called and Ordained (Part III) “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…” — Joel 2:28 Now Is Your Time Woman of God, you’ve waited long enough. You’ve second-guessed your calling. You’ve silenced your sermons. You’ve settled for less because others said you weren’t enough. But the Spirit is still calling. And the time is now. What If This Generation Is Waiting on You? What if the next revival needs your voice? What if the broken girl on the street needs your story? What if your obedience is the spark that lights a wildfire of holiness? You don’t need permission. You already have a calling. These women were not exceptions. They were examples. Nina Gunter. Carla Sunberg. And You. Nina Gunter stood before thousands and proclaimed the gospel with holy fire. Carla Sunberg leads with pastoral insight, global wisdom, and deep Wesleyan holiness. And now it’s your turn. Different culture, same calling. Different generation, same Spirit. What If You Don’t Rise? What if you stay hidden, even when the Spirit calls you out? What if someone’s salvation is on the other side of your “yes”? “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” — Romans 10:14 You were not meant to blend in. You were made to break through. To the Woman Reading This: You are not too late. You are not too young. You are not too loud, too soft, too anything. You are called. You are chosen. You are Spirit-filled and sent. Now is the time. Rise. What if today is the day you stop hiding? What if you preach with boldness, walk in purpose, and lead with courage? What if history remembers you as the woman who said yes to God? Woman of God, stand up. Speak out. Step forward. The harvest is ready. The Spirit has been poured out. Now is your time.

Shepherds in His Image: Called and Ordained (Part III) “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” — Isaiah 6:8 Woman of God, Hear This. You’ve been waiting— For confirmation. For open doors. For someone to say, “Now it’s your time.” But what if the One you’re waiting for… is waiting for you? What if heaven has already spoken, And God is simply waiting on your yes? What If You Are the Answer to Someone’s Prayer? There is a girl praying for a mentor. There is a man who needs to hear your testimony. There is a generation searching for truth— What if you are the voice God wants to use? Scriptures That Still Speak Today Joel 2:28-29 – Your daughters will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18 – Both men and women will speak God’s message. Romans 16:1 – Phoebe, a servant of the church. Romans 16:3 – Priscilla, a co-worker in Christ. Romans 16:7 – Junia, an apostle What If It’s Not About What You Can Do—But What God Can Do Through You? You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have a platform. You don’t need permission from people—only a word from God. Carla Sunberg didn’t wait for a title. Nina Gunter didn’t wait for approval. They stepped out when the Holy Spirit called—so can you. What If God Is Saying: “Daughter, Why Are You Waiting?” What if you’ve been saying “I’m not ready,” And God has been saying, “You’re already chosen.” What if your delay is delaying the breakthrough for others? What if the very thing you’re afraid of is the very thing God has anointed you for? A Holy Confrontation Woman of God, you are not disqualified. You are not too late. You are not invisible. God sees you. God called you. And heaven is waiting. Today’s Call Don’t wait for the perfect moment—move in obedience. Don’t wait to feel “worthy”—walk in faith. Don’t wait until it’s easy—step into your anointing. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” — Luke 1:45 Final What If What if this message is God’s way of saying, “Now, Daughter. Go.” You’ve waited long enough. God is not late. But neither are you. Say yes. Step out. Speak life. You are called. Now the only question left is: What are you waiting for?

This is a question many Christians still ask today. Can a woman be a pastor? Can she preach? Can she lead? The Church of the Nazarene’s answer is clear: Yes. Absolutely. “The Church of the Nazarene supports the right of women to use their God-given spiritual gifts within the church…” — Manual, Paragraph 501 Women are not second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God. They are called, gifted and commissioned—just like men. The Biblical Foundation for Women in Leadership The Manual isn’t making a modern political statement. It’s grounded in Scripture and the redemptive work of Christ. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come…” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Through Jesus, we are made new. And in His redeemed Body, we don’t divide people by race, status, or gender. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile… male nor female… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:28 The Church of the Nazarene recognizes that some passages (like 1 Timothy 2:11–12 or 1 Corinthians 14:33–34) have been interpreted to limit women in ministry. But these must be understood in light of the whole of Scripture. Because: Joel 2:28–29 says sons and daughters will prophesy. Acts 2:17–18 shows the Holy Spirit poured out on all. Romans 16 mentions women like Phoebe (a deacon), Priscilla (a teacher), and Junia (among the apostles). Philippians 4:2–3 calls two women Paul’s coworkers in the gospel. These are not exceptions. They are part of the Spirit’s plan. The Church of the Nazarene recognizes that when God calls someone, we don’t say no based on their gender. The Manual states: “Interpreting [Paul’s] passages as limiting the role of women in ministry presents serious conflicts with Scripture…” — Manual, Paragraph 501 It also says that restricting women violates the character of God—especially as seen in Jesus. Jesus welcomed women. He taught them, ministered with them, appeared to them first after the resurrection. He elevated them. And so do we. What Does This Mean Today? Women can serve as elders and deacons. Women can be pastors, preachers, superintendents, even General Superintendents. Women can lead, teach, and shepherd, just like men — as God leads them. We do not promote women in leadership because of social pressure. We do it because we believe: God calls whom He wills. And we say yes to His call — no matter the gender. So to every woman reading this: If God has called you, If the Spirit has gifted you, If the Church has affirmed you — Go forward. Lead. Preach. Serve. You are not alone. You are not less. You are sent.