Women of Reformation - Argula von Grumbach

A "walking bible", Argula von Grumbach was the first woman who publicly campaigned for the Reformation in 1523. A significant and memorable act from Argula was her challenging the faculty of the University of Ingolstadt on the teaching of the Bible.

On a day in the late summer of 1523, a young woman courageously takes hold of quill and paper in her study. With determination, she writes a letter to the faculty of the University of Ingolstadt. Her name is Argula von Grumbach, aged 31, of noble descent, educated, mother of four. Her bold action, with which she wanted to support a follower of Luther, who had got into trouble, did not remain without consequences. Argula von Grumbach makes history as the first female Protestant lay theologian.

With a letter, a single woman challenges the whole faculty of the university of Ingolstadt: Argula von Grumbach requested that the professors ought to enter a public dispute with her about the exegesis of the Holy Scripture. While they rubbed their eyes when faced with this audacity, the sender knows exactly what she wants: to contribute theological arguments to the case of the young follower of Luther, Arsacius Seehofer, and ultimately to the cause of the Reformation itself. She confidently ends her letter with the words: "I  have not written women's gossip to you, but the word of God, as a member of the church."

God gave His people the courage to carry out His Will at appropriate time, and Argula von Grumbach is certainly an instrument of God in this monumental times.

Taken from: http://www.luther2017.de/en/18681/argula-von-grumbach-i-have-not-written-womens-gossip-you

Enrich Your Life

Our Hope to an Enriched Life

John 10:7. Why did Jesus come to earth? He came to give us an abundant life. Without him there is no hope of an enriched life. He is the only door that leads to God's blessings. This is exclusively provided by the Salvation of God. There is no way we can work towards an abundant life unless through Jesus Christ.

"All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them."John 10:8. Who are the thrives and robbers of our life now? Those that pulled your life away from Jesus and our faith. Your work, your friends, anyone and anything that casted doubt in your faith. We may do well in this world, we will still fail in God's eye.

What then, is an enriched life? It is a life of spiritual growth. John 10:9 " I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Surrender our lives to Jesus and find the door to an enriched life.

Our Responsibility to an Enriched Life.

John 10:9 "...shall go in and out.." Labour in the work of the Lord and feed on the Word of God as the pasture of our life. With that we can have spiritual growth and endless opportunities in God's kingdom. This is the process of sanctification that gives us an abundant life gradually and naturally in God.

Start the day with God, and ask Him for power and strength for the day. The quiet time is the most important part of the day, start your life with this.

Enrich your life and be accountable for it.

Unholy Division

1 Corinthian 1:10-17

A little leaven can corrupt the church and divide the church.

Paul beseeched the people of the Corinthian Church, the brethren of The Lord Jesus Christ. They were backsliding at that time, hindered by sin and pride. External elements can further add to the the division. Division in the church is destructive, bring people down and tear us away from The Lord and His Word.

Perfect 100% unity in the church is possible. We have the perfect reference point, our Lord Jesus Christ, so long as we have the mind of Christ and be Christ like, and be perfectly joint together in the same mind, same doctrine. We can have the same doctrine so long as we prevent foreign thinking from influencing us. Grow in the truth of God and we will think like Christ and the same doctrine with the rest of the brethren.

There were contentions in the church where people fought and debated among themselves. Debates are outward appearances for people with the gift of the gab, with the purpose of winning the argument. Such arguments are unhealthy. Personal pride needs to be taken out of all argument in search of the truth in doctrine, then the arguments will be holy and God centred.

When Apostle Paul preached the Word of God, he preached in Spirit and truth, not because Paul was eloquent in his speech. Do we follow Christ or the speaker just because he spoke so well? Paul's ministry was to preach simply and truthfully Christ and salvation. When he preach, the people see The Lord Jesus Christ and hear the good news, not Paul himself.

Submit to the church and His Word and we will have unity.