While observing the outpouring of sorrow for the death of Princess Di on Friday, I then watched the announcement that Mother Teresa had also passed away, and immediately (as I was watching television) the Spirit of God spoke to my heart. I clearly heard Him say that both Mother Teresa and Princess Diana were known internationally for their love and care for suffering children, and for their good works. The impact of this word was strong on me - I was walking around my house prophesying to myself - He continued with these impressions: He no longer wants the love and care for widows and orphans and the suffering to be reserved to a few whose names are internationally known or to just women already in leadership. Just as we've heard Him say "this is no longer the age of one-man shows", this is also no longer the age of "one-woman" shows. The women of God will once again be known for kindness and good works all over the globe, including various prominent outreaches, not just "one woman" ministries - but teams of two, three, four or more, women working together.

I noticed that the two women were fifty years apart in age, young and old. The Lord God is seeking out an international congregation of women, both young and old, from both generations in the Church, to be known for their good works, for acts of kindness to the suffering and the poor. He longs for women in the Body of Christ in the world to receive media attention and is calling for noble women to be known again for good works, as in days of old, and as we see in the gospels. I remembered Jesus raising a woman from the dead who was known for her good works, and I believe another similar story is recorded in Acts. There is more significance to the reference of good works in these accounts than initially meets the eye. A widow was not to be put on the widow's list unless she was also known for her good works and having washed the feet of the saints (servanthood to other believers). Faith without works is dead, St. Paul declared.

Teresa carried the title of Mother,--- Diana, that of Princess. God will raise up many more mothers and many more princesses. The Spirit is saying that you are all--- both mothers and princesses at the same time. Diana went in to AND came out of royalty, Mother Teresa regularly came before royalty. The Lord is saying that many of you, like Diana, have "lived next door" to royalty, have "grown up around it", and God is calling you to marry into it and become women of nobility. It's no longer acceptable to stand on the sidelines and watch royalty in the kingdom, it's time to marry into it, to buy into the idea that YOU are called to royalty and nobility in the Kingdom of God. "Christ has made us kings and princes" - and queens and princesses! He promised to pour out His Spirit on the young and the old, the men and the women ALIKE!

God is pouring out the spirit of Lydia - the maker of purple cloth - the symbol of royalty. It's time, ladies, to dress in royal purple, to take positions in the kingdom. There is nothing to apologize for - we too must be the "people's princess"-es! Lydia took the apostles to the place of prayer - we must continue to make places of prayer for the family of God to meet and pray.

Women will continue to rise up from despair and poverty, be crowned with purpose and ministry, and be acknowledged in high places (both spiritually and in the natural). Recognizing and walking in your nobility, your high calling, in Christ is the first step to releasing the gifts God has given you to touch the world.

FOR YOUNG MOTHERS, ITS STARTS AT HOME

For you young moms, it starts at home - command honor and respect from your children, not only for the father that is in your home, but for yourself - it is your calling to stand tall, stand firm, and nurture authority and respect. For you single moms, command the honor and respect from your children, of both father and mother, for yourself! Home is the training and proving ground for the outside ministries that will flow out of it.

EXHORTATION

When is the last time I invited a neighbor over to develop a relationship, specifically for the purpose of showing God's love to them? Am I staying aware of needs of people around me? My fellow sisters in the Lord, is God calling you to a benefactor's ministry? Has God given you a dream you have not seen fulfilled? - are you called to spearhead a home for women in transition, for children with no place to go, unwed mothers, or perform volunteer work in a local hospital or shelter? There are so many ways to be "His hands extended". If you want to see your potential, read Proverbs 31 again. She bought and sold property, planted a vineyard, sold goods to local merchants, took care of her own household and the poor. Lord, expand Your word to us, make us truly women of good works. I see more purposeful non-profit organizations as extensions of local congregations meeting these needs. Lord, open our eyes to the needs of the suffering as we remember the devotion of Mother Teresa and Princess Diana.

Men, get ready to bless and release your women to greater outreach and ministry. Share the work. Brothers, don't hold your sisters back, as long as they honor teaching and authority and, if married, honor their spouses and leadership, prepare and release them! The Harvest is waiting for these precious female laborers!

Side note: I was, at the same time, depressed about the weight gain I have personally experienced in the last year (the first time I've experienced abnormal weight gain outside of pregnancy), determined to let God teach me to eat smaller amounts and more nutritionally.

SUCCESS IN THE NATURAL AND THE SPIRITUAL---BY ADJUSTMENT OF PRIOIRITIES

He said to me, "look around you and see the number of women, both young and old, who have become fat in the natural in the last three years (God never minces words with me - don't worry, I can take it...) , and I say to you that you are ALSO fat in the spiritual and I have made you fat for good works - as you give yourselves to serving the Body of Christ, to acts of kindness and ministry to the suffering and the poor, you will achieve success both in the natural and in the spiritual. I did not feed you with green pastures in this Renewal for you to only grow fat in your hearts, but to be women known for good works, to be an extension of the Body of Christ. As you feed and nurture My lambs and My sheep, you will become slender again and need to come to me frequently to feast on My presence, My word, My abiding love for you. But do not become fat again, continue to give away what I have given to you - and your beauty will be evident to all." The sense I had, because I already feel that my life is about as busy and active as it can get, that what God wants of me is not MORE, but rather an adjustment of priorities, to make room for whatever this word will mean for me.

Of course, I did not receive this as condemnation from the Lord for my physical weight gain, and neither should any of you. He simply used it as a prophetic illustration. No doubt, I will continue to struggle in the natural until I get a "grip" on the one-day-at-a-time solutions.

Hearing His voice,
Nola Smith