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The following message entitled THE WOMAN ISSUE is a study for those who truly desire to examine what Scripture says on a very controversial subject: the role of women in the Church. This would make a great bible study or forward the message to church leadership. We will be using The Law of Scriptural Interpretation: every Scripture must be interpreted in light of other Scriptures on the same subject; it must harmonize with all other verses used as we compare spiritual with spiritual, (1 Cor.2:13). Ready? Here we go!
I'm often asked my perspective on the role of women in the Church. My response? I think women should be silent...unfortunately, God does not seem to agree with me (Note to self: Serve God, but NOT as a consultant).
Many denominations forbid women to teach, preach, or even testify to the grace of God in their lives. Some groups may let women teach other women, but there remain legions of Jesus-loving women who feel a fire burning within themselves to share their relationship with God with anyone who will listen. Yet they are silenced by their denomination's interpretation of the Scriptures, or by their manmade traditions.
Let's take a look at the two verses typically addressed to support the interpretation that women are to be silent, 1 Corinthians 14:34-36; 1 Timothy 2:11,12. Paul was not expressing his own opinion in these two verses. Whose commands did he say he was expressing?
See 1 Corinthians 14:37,38. Was Paul a sexist, as some say? After all, he never married (1 Corinthians 7:25-40). He advises celibacy because of v. 26, the persecution of the church atthe time. Also, being single gives one the freedom to devote oneself entirely to God.
See Hebrews 13:4, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-10. If Paul was the President of the He-Man-Woman-Hater's Club, or was an advocate that all ministers be celibates, he would have said so.
See Romans 16:1,2. Note the word "servant," from the Greek, diakonos...deacon or deaconess, in English. Paul instructed the men and women in Rome to ASSIST her in her work.
See Romans 16:3,4. Priscilla is mentioned BEFORE her husband, something not typically done in Middle Eastern culture. Read v.6 about Mary, also a hard-working "servant" (deaconess).
See Romans 16:12, these two girls served the Body, too.
See Romans 16:13...referring to an important woman, or a hard-working servant to the Body?
In Ephesians 5:21-33, Paul illustrates how marriage illustrates the Church. The Body of Christ being a lovely young woman, a living organism, not an organization, to be structured and departmentalized. This Bride is awaiting the day she can look into the loving eyes of her Bridegroom's precious face, the Lord Jesus. He describes the Body, with its many parts, every one of them necessary for the good of the whole.
See Colossians 3:19...does this sound like a sexist Woman-hater?
When we read 1 Corinthians 11:13, at first glance, it sure looks like the Scripture intends for men to be "over' women. Looks like it. But when we read 1 Corinthians 11:3, we see plainly that a man is head of but ONE woman, his wife! (Sorry, ladies, God's plan, not mine! Read on...we're about to discuss submission. I assure you, you'll like it. God has only your best interests at heart).
See Ephesians 5:21. Here the Church is admonished to submit to one another. The Church gets hung up on v.22, "wives, submit to your own husbands" and v.23, "the husband being head of the wife, as Christ is Head of the Church." We fellas tend to skim over v.25, however, the part about "giving ourselves up (dying)" for her. Gulp! Dying? Literally, if necessary. Most men would bravely say that they would lay down their lives for their lady. Ok, guys, you'll die for her. Will you LIVE for her, too, laying aside the things that mean most to you for the sake of your marriage? See, marriage is a conscious decision to put to death "self." No more "I, Me, or Mine." You're ONE flesh now. "You," singular, are now "you," plural. By "submission," does the Scripture imply that we should lord over each other, or get along, in love?
See 1 Corinthians 11:3 in comparison to Phil 2:5-9. As Jesus did, it is an act of WILL to take a subordinate position for the good of the whole. A lesson for the Church: Submission = POWER! When we read Ephesians 2:4-6, we see that Jesus is not UNDER the Father...He's at His right hand, EQUAL!
See John 17:21. Jesus prayed that the Church would be "one." Do you see how the anti-woman interpretation BINDS instead of loosens the female segment of the Church? In John 8:32, Jesus declared, "And they shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Religion, literally interpreted means "a return to bondage." Yes, it's the traditions of man that make the Word of God of no effect (Mark 7:13).
See Galatians 3:28 and 1 John 3:2. No male or female? All of us referred to as 'sons' (translates as children, even adopted children). Are male children any more significant than females? Even in 1 Peter 3:6, though we see that Sarah obeyed Abraham, did she not have a right to speak her mind? Of course she did. She wasn't his slave. Read Genesis 16:5,6. Did Sarai (Sarah) get her way? Yes.In fact, Chapters 16-21 are an account of their disagreement. And her husband gave in! In fact, in Genesis 21:10-12, God actually told Abe to listen to his wife.
See 1 Samuel 1. Hannah spoke her mind, too.
See 1 Samuel 25:32,33 and see how Abigail reasons with King David. You go, girls!
See Ephesians 5:24. Read the phrase "in everything?" Christians, let's resist the temptation to take an isolated text to build a doctrine. If what a spouse commands you to do is a sin, don't do it (James 4:17)! We must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Filter that which is questionable through the Scriptures.
For those who are looking for a reason to leave their spouse, read 1 Corinthians 7:15 in relation to1 Peter 3:1-7. The ball seems to fall in the court of the one who considers themselves more spiritual to "win the soul" (mind, will, emotions) of the other by their godliness. The Greek word for submit is hupotasso, to submit oneself to another. Willfully!
In 1 Cor 16:16 and Ephesians 5:21,22, the disciples were encouraged to submit to one another. Submission does NOT equal slavery. They should try to please each other as much as possible, avoid disputes, contentions, divisions. Better to love than to be right.
See 1 Corinthians 14:34-36. In Greek, there's only one word for "man", none for husbands. Same with "woman." One word; none for wife. Verse 34 is not referring to ALL women, just wives. See verse 35. "Let the wives keep silent in the assemblies...let them ask their husbands at home..."
See 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Paul is referring only to wives, referring to learning and asking questions (1 Cor 14:35;1 Tim 2:11). The Greek word to be used is gyne, meaning "wife," not "woman."
See 1 Corinthians 11:5. Was Paul so illogical as to tell girls they could pray or prophesy in the 11th Chapter but tell them to be quiet in the 14th?
See Acts 2:16-18 in relation to Joel 2:28. Sons AND daughters, it says!
See Acts 1:13,14. It refers to 120 PEOPLE in the upper room. Verse 14 specifically states that they ALL joined together, "along with the women" constantly in prayer. Upper room? It may as well have referred to aliving room, an auditorium...anywhere, including your next Christian assembly!
See Acts 10. Peter went to the house of Cornelius, upon the Lord's instructions (v.19-20). Cornelius had been told by an angel to send for Peter (v. 4-6). Verse 24 says Cornelius 'had called together his relatives and close friends.' Do you suppose there were any females among his friends and family, too? Of course! The Holy Spirit showed up, Peter preached, and the whole crowd was water baptized, women, too. Sounds like quite a church service!
See Luke 1:39-42 and notice how Elizabeth prophesied. Mary does the same in v. 46-55. Also in Luke, read Chapter 2:36-38 about Anna, a prophetess.
See Acts 18:26. Some would say, "Well, ok...maybe a woman can teach ONE man but no more than one!" Really? That's like saying it's OK to steal one dollar, but not ten! Read Acts 18:26 again the three were gathered in His name! Two guys, one girl. They were BEING the Church, and not a stained glass window or padded pew in sight.
See Psalms 68:11. The Hebrew word translated "company" is feminine...it means "women." Guess what, guysthe first to go tell about the resurrected Jesus? A woman evangelist (John 20:18)!
See 1 Corinthians 11:3-16. Wear a veil? Is it binding everywhere for all time? Paul does not say it's irreverent or displeasing to God for a woman's head to be uncovered. If he had, there'd be no escape from this command and, ladies, you'd have to cover up. When we read 1 Corinthians 11:3-7, we can see the cultural propriety as to why men take their hats OFF in our culture when entering a church. It's cultural manners, not scriptural command, and we do this inside any public building. Well, we used to. Jewish men COVER their heads in synogogue. Muslims take off shoes. "Tradition!" The veil, or covering, referred to in these verses refers to the acknowledging of someone visibly present, a man's 'head.' The women didn't dishonor God by not covering her head, but her husband who was visibly present. The veil symbolized subjection. It's why brides wear veils still today, even in our culture. So, in short, it's: 1. not irreverant 2. not displeasing to God 3. the custom of the day, wise to abide by such for harmony's sake 4. Paul's appeal to naturalness in hair-style (maybe he liked long hair?)
See 1 Timothy 2:9,10 and 1 Peter 3:1-5 in light of today's fashions. Fashion has a greater power than modesty. This basic principle is involved: don't spend so much time on OUTWARD appearance...it's your spirit-condition that matters! Don't give the appearance of evil or cause another's mind to wander into the gutter. Mature Christians can show their maturity by not condemning those who do not know better; set a godly example-don't heap rules upon new disciples. A famous evangelist once said, "that first glance is 'free'after that, we're accountable." Folks, don't cause a brother or sister to stumble just because you think you look great in that certain outfit.
See Deuteronomy 22:5. Basically, a woman should be feminine whether in slacks or a dress. The bible doesn't specify. Again, stay away from traditions that bind to rulesrather than to a relationship to God.
In closing, don't let tradition or legalism get in the way of loving one another. Fact is, our focus is so much on maintaining order (crowd control) within the four walls of a "church," we are inclined to forget that WE are the Church. Friends, we're human BEings, not human DOings. Let's BE the church; it's NOT something you "do." Frankly, all too often, we settle for appearing to be good "rule-followers" and prefer that all new converts give that same impression in our churches as an inadequate replacement for true discipleship. We can, and must, do better.
There you go, ladies. Thou art loosed! Now, let's all get busy about our Father's business!
Need pastoral counseling and prayer? Write or IM me at team1min@aol.com
Every blessing!
Michael
A servant of God
t.e.a.m. ministries
A Message of Discipleship & Encouragement to the Body of Christ
P.O. Box 633
Stephenville, Texas 76401
[http://www.planetaryministry.org] BLOG: http://journals.aol.com/team1min/YourTownforJesus/
Pastor Michael has been broadcasting his eMail messages of Discipleship and encouragement to Christians of all denominations since 1999. These messages are literally reaching millions each week and the messages are being re-posted on other Christian sites,used as Bible studies for groups, and are being used by those in ministry as a preaching guide.
Obstacles are sometimes hard to overcome; they can cause people to quit trying, or they can cause people to develop more determination than ever. We see a clear picture of this in Mark 2:4. “And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.” (Mark 2:4)
There was an obstacle. A friend was sick, unable to walk and needed the healing touch of the Lord. Yet because of the throngs of people it seemed to be impossible to reach Him. Immediately the friends tried to find a way to reach the Lord no matter what they had to do. Finally, they climbed up on the rooftop, removed some of the tiles, and lowered their friend down to where Jesus was to receive from Him a healing touch.
Sometimes it takes determination and fervency in our requests for help of any kind from the Lord. These men, acting on their faith that Jesus would heal their friend, withstood every barrier and acted on their faith.
Probably in an attempt to gain entrance into the house, they were ridiculed (this man had been lame since birth), pushed out of the way by others anxious to receive His touch. They may even have been told to leave, that there was no way for them to get their friend on the stretcher inside. Yet, they withstood the opposition and persevered.
When you need a touch from the Lord, do you seek Him and soon give up when you are unable to “reach” Him? Or , are you fervent in your prayer? The Bible tells us in James 5:16 that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We may be called upon to persevere against all opposition from the enemy. We cannot cower down in the face of opposition to our prayers. We have to have an attitude to prevail against all odds. The Christian walk was never meant to be one of weakness. In fact, we’re taught in Ephesians 6:10 to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” We are in a war; we’ve been given the armor to wear and weapons with which to fight. To run in retreat would be to surrender to the enemy.
The next time you pray and feel the opposition from the enemy, remember that you are a prevailer. You are an overcomer. You are equipped to push through opposition. Stand firm and don’t give up when the hindrances to prayer begin to bombard your mind. Remember that Jesus was right there for the lame man all the time. He was in his midst. He never moved. The lame man and his friends had to push through the opposition to reach Him.
Jesus is always there to hear our prayer, to meet our needs, to give us that healing touch that we so desperately need. Press into Him until you “reach” Him.
Father, so many times I begin to pray and my mind becomes muddled with things that I need to be doing, with problems I am facing, with business that needs tended to. Therein is my opposition. Help me, Lord, become that one You call an “effectual, fervent prayer” so that I won’t succumb to the enemy’s temptation to disregard prayer for things that distract me. Lord, my heart’s desire is to please You. Help me to persevere and stand firm when I am hindered during my time with You. I thank You, Lord, that You are always in my midst. Help me to remember that it is I who must move closer to You day after day, in every way. Amen.
© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved
![Letter from an Unknown Woman [VHS]](/21GYPK23YXLSL500.jpg)
"By the time you read this letter, I may be dead," reads aging bon vivant Louis Jourdan from a letter found in his tiny hotel room. With tousled hair and a tux tired from yet another night of meaningless flirtation, he's startled by these opening lines and suspends his preparations to flee a duel in order to read the history of a love affair that he can't remember. For the rest of the film we're transported to the life of Joan Fontaine's awkward young Viennese woman, who has been hopelessly enthralled by the dashing pianist ever since adolescence. For a moment she was his lover, the emotional pinnacle of her life but for the philandering rogue simply another fling in a blur of women passing through his bedroom. This was Max Ophüls's first personal project in Hollywood, and he injects this exquisitely stylish romantic melodrama (based on a novel by Stefan Zweig) with his continental sensibility. Both lush and restrained, the endlessly moving camera tracks, cranes, and circles around the characters while maintaining a measured distance. Fontaine delivers one of the best performances of her career, vulnerable and yearning without lapsing into sentimentality--and ultimately showing a hidden strength as she risks all for one more moment with the love of her life. Jourdan is genial and callow, an empty figure faced with the meaningless of his life and shamed with self-discovery. It's a sensibility more European than American, right down the empty gesture that concludes this sad melodrama. --Sean AxmakerPrice: $9.98
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PROOF OF DISCIPLESHIP.
There is no better way than being fruitful, however, according to Christ's own words, to prove that we are his disciples. It is not enough to live a good life. Those who subscribe to other religions and cults which deny the deity of our lord often live exemplary lives. An atheist can memorize prayers and wear a pious fa?ade (False-showing and feeling deep respect for God) and do everything that the average Christian does as has been dramatically demonstrated in certain countries where Christianity is discouraged or banned and informers have infiltrated into positions of leadership in the church for the purpose of spying.
It is here that we discern a vast difference between the church of the New Testament and the church today. The book of the acts of the apostle tells the thrilling story of what God did through those first generation Christians as they went door to door sharing their faith and, constrained (moving at a high speed) by the love of Christ, often in the face of death and martyrdom, went everywhere, as the apostle Paul said, telling everyone about Christ. This is seldom the experience of the twentieth century Christians.
In his preface to the young church in action, j.b. Phillips writes, 'no one can read this book [Acts] without being convinced that there is someone here at work besides mere human beings. Perhaps because of their very simplicity, perhaps because of their readiness
1. to believe,
2. to obey,
3. to give
4. to suffer
5. and if need to die,
The spirit of God found what surely, he must always be seeking- a fellowship of men and women so united in love and faith that he can work with them and through them with a minimum of hindrance. Consequently, it is a matter of sober historical fact that never before has any small body of ordinary people so moved the world that their enemies could say, with tears of rage in their eyes, that these men ' have turned the world upside down!' Christians of that first century, filled with the spirit, constrained by the love of God, took the good news of God's love and forgiveness in Christ to the entire then known world.
INFLUENCE OF SPIRITUAL CHRISTIANS
Why was that first century church able to make an impact for God upon a wicked roman empire? The only logical explanation is that the church was composed largely of spiritual Christians, men and women filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. They knew that before they could experience fellowship with God and be used of him, to help fulfill His purpose in the world and build His kingdom, they need to be filled with His Holy Spirit. And before they could be filled with His Holy Spirit, they need to be willing to be forgiven and cleansed of their sins.
MORAL DETERGENTS.
Many people are trying all kinds of moral detergents, but the
Stains and blotches are all part of their nature.
1. Moral reform,
2. Social adjustments,
3. Therapeutic psychology,
4. Sensitivity seminars
all these have failed to produce a 'new person' the only hope for sinful man is a supernatural cleansing and only Jesus Christ through his death on the cross, makes it possible for us to be forgiven. This cleansed life can be experienced only by God's power, not by our own will power. The living Christ dwelling within us makes the difference.
The Psalmist king David understood the need for cleansing and forgiveness of sin. Listen to his heartwarming prayer, (Psalms 51:1-19)
1. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
2. and cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my transgressions;
4. and my sin is ever before me,
5. Create in me a clean heart, Oh God,
6. and renew a right spirit within me,
7. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,
8. and uphold me with Thy free spirit.
9. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways
10. and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Cleansing from our sins is a prerequisite (initial requirement) for the abundant and fruitful life to which Christ has called us.
THE GREAT CHALLENGE
Today we live in the most desperate hour of human history. The whole world is in a state of crisis and chaos. No one word. So characterizes the mood of our day as the word 'revolution' revolution in every facet (the world's most important requirement) of society and every country of the world,
1. politically,
2. socially,
3. economically,
4. even religiously:
The entire world is filled with fear, anxiety and frustration.
Human solutions without number have been proposed yet the crisis becomes increasingly worse. Thus, through the process of elimination, men are beginning to turn back to God.
The opportunity for presenting the claims of Christ is greater today than at any previous time in recorded history. The spirit of God has created an unprecedented hunger in the hearts of multitudes of the earth. What an exciting hour to be alive to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Both students and adults are turning to Christ in ever increasing numbers. Even so, this great harvest is being accomplished by a relatively few Christians.(this is why the Lord wants you to learn and start teaching other, He told me that time is running out)
The vast majority of Christian's still live in defeated and sterility. The average layman and many pastors seldom, if ever introduced another person to Christ. What has happened to the Christians of our generation? Former president Woodrow Wilson said, (our nation was born a Christian nation established on Christian principles)
THE GREAT PROBLEM.
(Even today, more than half of our nation's population of more than 200 million people professes to be Christians. More than 78% of a large cross-section interviewed recently said that they believe in God. Yet our attitudes and actions prove that our nation has become materialistic nation - morally and spiritually decadent) (In Kenya out of 32million we say 80% are Christians). Many Christians have become more a part of the problems in the society than a part of the solution. Non-Christians see little or no difference in the quality of life between themselves and the average Christian.
EXAMPLE: a Christian friend, a pillar of his church once confided, Said, 'I used to encourage my neighbor to go with me to church. He always refused but I persisted. One day he said to me, George, don't pester me anymore about going to your church. Obviously it hasn't done you any good. I see nothing about your life that is any different from mine. We live basically the same kind of lives. In short I do not want your religion and I don't want to hear anymore about it. 'Many young people have left the church because they feel that their parents and other adults are hypocrites, professing something with their lips that do not demonstrate in their lives.
WRONG WAY.
Matthew 5; 43-48. 7: 1-23.
Yet, I have found, as I have had the privilege of speaking to hundreds of Christians around the world in many lands, that the average defeated frustrated fruitless Christian is not happy with his spiritual condition. He would like to change but he does not know what to do. This kind of person does not need to be rebuked or criticized and condemned. He needs to be loved and helped.
EXAMPLE: some time ago when I was driving through Mexico in a strange city, I made a wrong turn. I found myself driving against traffic on a one way street. The people on the sidewalk started telling me I was going in the wrong direction. But I had already realized this in the split second after I had turned. My problem was not to determine whether or not I was going the wrong direction. It was how to get turned around! I soon succeeded in changing my direction through the help of a friendly policeman and I went on my way rejoicing, driving with the traffic.
So it is in the Christian life. One does not need to be told that he is an hypocrite or that his life is not honoring to our Lord if he is a defeated Christian. He needs to understand the nature of his problem and how to find a solution to it. This is what exactly the word of God does to us.
This Message was Delivered by Evangelist Elizabeth Saidimu AT DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY ON 31/05/09 to the group called "The Church."
The Church meets every Sunday afternoon from 2.30pm at Daystar University - Valley Road Nairobi - Room 9. You are welcome to join us.
Please Support Our Group by Joining http://www.wowkenya.org. That is ALL we request you do. We earn when you log into this site as a member. The proceeds will go towards supporting our Church activities.
If you are interested in attracting a Christian man, you need to become a Proverbs 31 woman. The Book of Proverbs is in the Old Testament portion of the Bible and offers common sense advice and words of wisdom from King Solomon who is considered by the Bible as the wisest man of all time.
The Book of Proverbs lists the qualities of a fine woman in the thirty first chapter of the book; this is why women are encouraged to become a Proverbs 31 woman if they want to attract a Christian man into their life.
King Solomon writes that an excellent woman is worth more than fine jewels. She is a woman whom her husband can trust. The book also says that the husband will not have lack of gain. In other words the excellent woman does not spend money frivolously.
The book says that she works with her hands in delight. In Bible days this meant that the excellent woman would take care of her home, make clothes for the family, and keep an orderly house. Today, the excellent woman will of course keep an orderly home, but she might also have her own source of income. This might be in the form of a part time job or a home based business.
The woman who would attract a Christian man would not aspire to be so involved in an compassing career that it would interfere with the needs of her household. She should be industrious and be able to earn money, but her focus needs to be on her home and family.
The Book of Proverbs says that the excellent woman rises when it is still night and prepares food for the family. The Christian man is not attracted to a woman who stays up partying all night and sleeps until noon. The book says that the excellent woman considers a field and buys it, and plants a vineyard.
In Bible days, women would actually purchase land and plant a crop. Today this could mean that a woman should be thoughtful with the purchases she makes. If she merely buys items of little value, she is not investing her money wisely. She should be a bargain hunter and understand the value of money and not simply buy a lot of pairs of shoes using her credit card; such a woman is not found attractive by the Christian man.
The Book of Proverbs says that the excellent woman extends her hand to the needy. This means the Christian man appreciates the woman who thinks of others and not only of herself. If you want to attract a Christian man, let him know about your volunteer service at the local homeless shelter.
The book says that strength and dignity is her clothing. If you want to attract a Christian man, you need to be honest and have good self esteem. The excellent woman smiles at the future the Book of Proverbs states. If you want to attract a Christian man, you need to have a positive outlook towards life.
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Writing has to be the loneliest profession. The late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, may have argued that point. He once said, "the Presidency is the loneliest job in the world . " I can't imagine anything lonelier than writing.
When I write, I feel isolated and lonely. I am aware that I am unable to write when there are people in the same room. I am distracted from any worthy or creative ideas. I feel a need to be alone. I admire writers that can write with little distraction. The best ideas I have to write about, find me in the worst circumstances, like soaking in a bath or showering. I sometimes dream about having a waterproof chalkboard in my bathroom. I feel I am unable to capture that moment again. I forget where my creative momentum left off, as I dry off from a shower. That is only one example of many.
The most comfortable place I write best, is on my bed with my laptop computer. I go all the way in comfort. My bed has the best props imaginable. I place a wedged TV pillow behind my back, I place my laptop on an adjustable lap tray, so I can achieve the proper incline to easily peck at my keyboard. I make sure I have plenty of bottled water by my side. I have the telephone close by my side. I can chose to ignore it or answer it. I supply myself with a pen and pad, in case my computer lags or People who become Christians and are filled with the Spirit OFTEN assume God can and does move through the women in a church as well as the men. Typically, it isn't until some older Christian grabs them and starts telling them that "women can't do this" and "women can't do that" -- pointing to an apparently clear Scripture, that they start restricting women in ministry in the church.
Let me lay out a perspective that may appeal to your spirit.
To most Believers (especially new Believers who haven't been taught old customs) the verse that seems most natural (in a supernatural way!) about the ministry of women is found in Galatians where Paul says,
Gal. 3.26-28 -- Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Christian newbies will read this and oddly enough will tend to think that men and women in the Body of Christ are spiritually equal. In other words -- There's a person up front of the congregation, who is declaring the Word of the Lord in the Spirit... Is it a man? Is it a woman? Is it a Jew or Greek, slave or free? Who cares? The only real question is, is it the Spirit of God?
In a sense, it's almost repulsive to claim that the Spirit of the Lord can't flow through a person in ministry to the Body, because she is a woman. It's such a repulsive idea, there'd have to be very clear instruction in the Scriptures to support that exclusive viewpoint.
"But," many men claim, "there are Scriptures that teach the submission of women -- in marriage and in ministry!" Actually, there's just one. Our key verse is found in the letter to Timothy:
1 Tim 2.11-14 -- But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Right off let me point out that this verse is peculiar in the history of doctrine. Most teachings that are broadly accepted by the Church are found in a number of places throughout Scripture -- traditionally, at least three -- places which clarify and confirm that teaching. In other words, if this teaching (that of women not teaching) were found in several places in the Word, these verses could be compared and we'd have a lot more clarity on it.
But this verse stands alone in its apparently misogynist admonition. Curiously, what gives it so much weight isn't that other Scriptures "back it up", but that this one, lone verse is backed up by our culture!
In fact, "culture" is the true key to making sense of this verse. So let's consider the cultural framework in which Paul wrote this admonition.
Paul was writing to Timothy in Ephesus, 2,000 years ago. Ephesus was the world center of paganism at that time, ruled over (in the spiritual realm and in popular worship) by the mother goddess, Artimus (whom the Romans called "Diana" as in, "great is Diana of the Ephesians!" in Acts 19.) This is the same "Diana" whose temple housed thousands of religious prostitutes because they believed that indiscriminate and frequent sexual acts brought fertility and prosperity into the land.
In Ephesus, this cultic, fertility religion dominated the society including its temple life and business activities. Not only did the Ephesians lift up a female goddess into the highest place of worship there, but they taught that women were the true spiritual leaders -- not men. In fact, Ephesian Jews who were bringing out the first teachings of Gnosticism already considered "Eve" to be the true "hero" of the Creation account since she was the one who received True Knowledge and Illumination from the Serpent -- who was superior to God. This embryonic Gnostic teaching fit hand-in-glove with the prevailing, cultural belief that women were the only true spiritual teachers.
Into this mass of cultic confusion, Paul brought the Truth of the Gospel. The fact that Paul preached salvation through a "man" (Jesus) in and of itself insulted the female dominated spiritual teachers of Ephesus! When he wrote to Timothy, instead of focusing mostly on the daily conduct of the people of God in that city as he did in most of his other church letters, instead he focused strongly on the need for Timothy to resist false teachers and their false "spiritually enlightened" teachings. That was the greater problem faced in Ephesus.
1 Tim 1.3 -- As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any teaching different than mine.
Or here...
1 Tim 6.20 -- Timothy -- Guard and keep the deposit entrusted to you! Turn away from godless chatter, with its vain and empty phrases, and the subtleties and contradictions in what is falsely called, "knowledge" and "spiritual illumination".
Actually, by taking the stand that he did, Paul also came into a place of violent opposition to his own culture and that of the Pharisees (of which he had been a part) when in 1 Tim 2.11 he said, "Let women learn... The Rabbis and Pharisees in Paul's day had FORBIDDEN WOMEN TO BE TAUGHT SPIRITUAL TRUTH. Women were deliberately excluded from instruction in the Scriptures (Torah) and the study of the things of God. If a woman so much as touched a scroll of the Torah, it had to be burned as unclean! The mere fact that Paul said about women, "Teach them.." in itself had to be shocking!
Jewish women in Ephesus were not taught about spiritual things, and Gentile women were taught the powerful false teachings related to their goddess -- including superiority over men as well as worship of the Serpent as the origin of all Wisdom.
When women -- either Jewish or Gentile -- became Believers, they were at a serious disadvantage in respect to men. The typical method of teaching in those days was a question-and-answer format -- whether in pagan assemblies, Christian churches or Jewish synagogues. In these generally heated debates -- as ideas were tossed back and forth in debate and confusion could pile up on confusion -- these women who had little or no knowledge of Scripture were seriously limited. (In fact, in 1 Cor 14, Paul tried to reduce some of the noisy confusion in Christian assemblies by telling wives to be quiet and wait till they got home to ask their husbands for clarification.)
Both 1 Tim 1.4 and 6.20 speak of these characteristic debates in which Paul says to Timothy to "guard the spiritual Truth which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose the Christian faith". And Paul went so far as to demand of Timothy that he "order certain people to stop teaching false doctrine and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These myths and genealogies raise a lot of questions rather than promoting God's plan, which centers in faith."
Think of the spiritual climate at Ephesus: Women, who were new Believers, had either NO understanding of spiritual things or were steeped in "goddess teachings"... they were sitting in the midst of the newly planted Christian churches... and Paul said the women needed to be "in silence". It already begins to make more sense to understand that the fantastically popular and false teachings about Artimus were endemic in Ephesus, and the open discussion and debate of Christian services were the wrong place for women trained in Artimus worship to be allowed to try and dominate the spiritual teachings.
Actually, there's another serious problem with the "just shut-up" interpretation. The word "silence" doesn't carry the same meaning in today's culture as it did in ancient times.
In fact, "silence" is a good word to show how quickly you and I can make a wrong guess as to the meaning of a word in the Bible. After all, if women are to "keep silent", wouldn't you think that means they have to keep their mouths shut? But the Greek word used for "silence" (hesuchia) is the same word used in 1 Tim 2.2 in which we're told to pray continually "for kings, and for all that are in authority; so that we may lead a quiet [hesuchia] and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
The word hesuchia (according to Strong's Dictionary) describes the life of "someone who stays at home doing his own work" and doesn't meddle in the lives of others." In 1 Tim 2.2, it would obviously be wrong to say it means the kind of "silence" that we usually talking about -- you know, "pray for kings, and for all that are in authority; so that we may all shut up and live in peace..."? It doesn't make any sense.
But when you apply the correct meaning in 1 Tim 2.12, it makes perfect sense that Paul would tell women to participate in the meetings "quietly", not "meddling" with the teachings that Paul had given them about the Gospel, Jesus Christ, etc.
"I do not permit a woman to teach"... In the spiritual atmosphere of Ephesus, women (especially women) needed to sit quietly and learn. And Ephesian women needed especially to not be allowed to "usurp authority" over the men who were teaching -- attempting to perpetuate the cultic teachings of female, spiritual authority and thereby taking control of the young, Ephesian church. What Paul is saying here to the Ephesian Believers, in light of the extraordinarily difficult circumstances facing this Asian church, was that women (steeped in these false teachings) needed to just be quiet, sit and learn from the men. Remember: Paul doesn't tell women this anywhere else. It is a word of instruction for Ephesus
"Usurp authority" is also interesting. It's the word authenteo (Strong's again) which literally means "one who acts on his own authority, autocratic; an absolute master."
This phrase, "usurp authority" doesn't refer to a woman -- what, preaching on Sunday? Prophesying? Ministering in a Word of Wisdom or interpreting a tongue? "Usurp authority" means (following the teaching of the Ephesian "goddess" cultus) that such a woman tries to take over the church -- "exercising absolute control and mastery". This, of course, would be exactly in line with what the priestesses of Artimus would try and do!
By the way -- When people are reading this passage and go from "not usurp authority" to "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression", it just seems really weird. Exactly why does Paul launch into this peculiar argument from Genesis -- an argument he uses here and only here?
It's because the incipient Gnostic teachings -- which fit so well with the Artimus cultus -- taught that Adam was the one who was totally deceived and Eve (by means of listening to the serpent) became the Source of True Spiritual Wisdom and Knowledge!
So, in light of this teaching at Ephesus, Paul says, basically, "NO! Adam was formed first, then Eve, and it was Eve who was deceived!"
Overall, after taking into consideration these cultural issues surrounding these instructions to the Ephesian Believers, the case for male-dominated ministry in the Body of Christ is weak. In a sense, you could say these particular instructions would still apply today to any culture in which women were trained to take over a place of absolute spiritual leadership and teach the doctrine of demons. In such a case -- they need to learn quietly and humbly receive instruction according to the truth!
But this is simply NOT the case in most of the Body of Christ today. In fact, the male-dominated perspective doesn't really fit well with other passages in the New Testament. Some that come right off the top of my head include (a) Acts 16.7 which mentions the apostle "Junias" (which in that day is a typically female name); (b) Gal 2 where there is no "slave nor free" or "male nor female" in Christ; and (c) where the well-known preacher Apollos "spoke and taught the things of the Lord diligently, knowing only the baptism of John. And Aquila [man] and Priscilla [woman heard him, and they took him and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly". (That last one is powerful -- since Jews believed women shouldn't be taught spiritual truth, yet it was the husband/wife and man/woman team of Aquila and Priscilla who corrected Apollos theologically!)
Anyway -- when culture is taken into consideration -- there's just too much uncertainty about the 1 Tim 2 text for me to simply "accept" the teaching of our culture in restricting women from full and free ministry in the Church. It'd be different if there were other verses -- numerous and clear -- to that purpose, but there aren't.
So, do I have any problem with women preachers? I have to admit, there's a whole lotta preachers I have trouble with -- but they're mostly men!
And do I have a problem with a woman prophesying in the congregation? Well -- if Paul finds it acceptable (see 1 Cor 11.5!), then my only issue is testing the Word as to whether it's from the Lord or not.
And that has nothing to do with gender. Just Spirit.
"KingdomScribes" is a ministry led by Emil and Michele Swift. Their website can be found at KingdomScribes.net/
The Swifts have been called by God to minister together uniquely to the Body of Christ and share a revelatory teaching ministry - gifted in the Spirit to teach mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven in a simple, direct fashion. Emil and Michele are "Kingdom Scribes" whose hearts are to raise every Believer into living and ministering in the power of the Spirit and the Word as "scribes of the Kingdom". A passion to engage the hearts, souls and spirits of their listeners has led the Swifts into a teaching style characterized by its lack of religion, rituals and church jargon. They minister in words easily understood by those to whom they speak.
You are probably seeking a single Christian woman to date. You are probably asking yourself how I can find a Christian woman. There are several ways you can go about finding that perfect match. None of the ways we will discuss involves you sitting in front of the TV all night.
Write it Down - You need to write down the qualities and personality that you are looking for in another person. You need to know what type of person you are seeking before you start.
Compatibility - Understand what is realistic when looking for a person to date. If you are an average looking guy and you are seeking a super model type woman that may be unrealistic. I am a positive person so I do not want to discourage you but understand who is going to date you.
Online Dating - You are looking for a single Christian woman that you are compatible with. How do you get started? Online dating sites really help in matching you up to people based on compatibility. This would be a great place to start and its not as scary as trying to meet someone in public.
A Friend, Family and Church - Utilizing friends, family and church members would be another great way to get set up on a date. Many people find their true love connection using someone they know to set them up.
You need to get outside your comfort zone to find that special women in your life. The perfect woman is not going to just show up on your door step. You have to get out there and put some work into it.
Now is the best time to start meeting Christian singles so sign up for free at Christians Find Love. That someone special is online looking for you today so stop by http://www.ChristiansFindLove.com to sign up.
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When I woke up this morning I was greeted with weariness and I quickly recited this scripture out loud
Galatians 6:9 (New International Version) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
I have found that if I speak in faith and call those things that are not as though they were, speak God’s word to my situation versus allowing my situation to dictate my response or feelings; I emerge stronger and more rooted in my faith. Yes, this morning my flesh wanted to smack the snooze button on my alarm clock and my body was pleading for another half hour of sleep but I chose to state positive, faith-filled declarations over my morning. I ensured that I guarded my gates: I focused on ensuring that my mouth spoke praises and declarations of faith, my ears listened to praise and worship to usher my spirit into one of thanksgiving and my eyes turned away from the never ending list of what must be done in any given day. No, I am not saying that I am one who functions without schedule but I do seek to have my one on one time with my Heavenly Father.
Later this evening my husband received a phone call that he would be heading back to work. My husband works in an industry where he is away from home 28-58 days at a time and is home for 10-14 days. Tonight he was given a half hour to pack and say his goodbyes before traveling to the job site. He has been working in this field for nearly three years now-yet when he’s given short notice it’s tough. I count my blessings that he is employed in his field allowing me the opportunity to be a stay at home mom with our son and also pursue my educational goals. However my heart still yearns for him to be home. I once again had to choose faith-filled words and thoughts speaking the word over my husband asking God to lift his heart, guide his steps, give him wisdom and discernment, prosper his hands and send him back home swiftly and safely. Before he drove off this evening, we both recited out loud Galatian 6:9 (New International Version) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
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Men and women are created in the glory of God. We are made in His image and after His likeness. All of us, no exceptions; so whether we feel like it or not, whether we believe in God or not, we are still created for His glory. Yet we don't all live our lives for the purpose we were created for, do we? So many women throughout history have lived lives seeking selfish gain, and sought to bring glory and honor only to themselves. The carnage of our selfish lives is recorded in history. The power that women possess is unprecedented. Take a quick walk through the bible and see what I mean.
Through God's power, Rachel birthed a child as an old woman with her husband Abraham. Her womb was barren and she was too old to have children, yet she birthed a nation. Rahab played a major role in helping the Israelites defeat Jericho in the land of Canaan. Ruth, who was a Moabite, was so faithful of a friend that though she was a foreigner to the Israelite people she actually became the great grandmother of King David. Esther became queen of Persia while her people were in captivity! She was so powerful that when a decree was made against the Jews that they should all be killed, Esther was able to empower them to defend themselves against their oppressors. It was through Mary that our Lord and Savior was birthed into the world from heaven. It was Mary of Magdalene that attended to Jesus needs, helped in ministry, and was the first to see Jesus after He rose from the grave. Women are powerful.
All of these women were regulators. They rose above the sin condition of their time and birthed, saved, delivered, established, and developed the nation of God's people. They stood tall against the present darkness of the enemy's rule and fought for the truth of God's authority. So many countless others, recorded in the bible an untold, have regulated the agenda of hell and conquered the kingdoms of the devil to the glory of God. This is what we are called to be; Regulators.
It's a shame that the world is currently a place of darkness. When Adam sinned, the enemy to up rulership over the world. Of course, God is still Lord of all but if you want to know why sin, crime, and destruction are so common among us it's because we forfeited our position of power to the devil when we sinned. "In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2) The enemy took over through humanity's sin and he established his kingdom upon the earth and that system is what we are still under.
Yet God has all power and has already taken the sting of death away from the devil and we now have the power to walk above this present darkness and worldly system through faith in Jesus Christ. This means that in Jesus we have the power to reject temptations, bad habits, lust in our flesh, compromise, and mental bondages. We can walk on top of the devil's system and be conquerors over the enemy and the world in our life. When Jesus enters our life He fills us with light, life, and talents with which He wants us to use to glorify Him and win other people to Him.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-14, 16
God calls us to emulate our salvation through our very lifestyle. There should be something distinctively different about the lifestyle of the Christian than that of a non-believer. This is why it's not good for Christians to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or consume other worldly pleasures simply because we can do it so long as we don't over-indulge. Sure you may be able to have a casual drink and not get drunk, but that alcoholic who needs God will see you and see no difference between his lifestyle and yours. (Read Romans 14: 14-17) The world should see a difference in the homes of Christians. It hurts to know that the divorce rate is so high even among Christians. Non-believers can't be inspired by Christians who don't have peace, love, and joy in their homes.
We can't get caught up into gossip, bound by addictions, or harbor bitterness within our hearts. We have to allow the power of God to work in and through us to live differently than other people. We have a higher calling and a holy mission as Christians. This has got to saturate everything from what we believe in our heart to the way we walk out our lives. When we operate in godly love we testify of God's presence more than just protesting it. Giving a lonely person a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on shows godly love. Giving someone with a broken down car on the side of the road a helping hand shows God's love. When people are rejected by society and we speak to them about the solution God gives to their problems we become a great witness.
Our light must shine through our works. Just like all of these women I mentioned to the godly women of today, Jesus wants to use you to combat hell and establish His kingdom in the earth.
This has to be your focus, your mission, and your motivation to get out of bed each morning. Jesus answered the present needs of people. When the crowd of 5,000 were hungry, He fed them before He spoke to them. Jesus healed people. This was significant because during the first century, sickness and disease was rampant. His healing ministry made Him extremely relevant to the present needs of the people. Yet still His greatest work was redeeming man back to God through the sinless death of the Son of God. He was birthed in obscurity yet changed the entire world past, present, and future. He was a regulator. Like a thermostat, He set the tone, He set the temperature, He set the pace for humanity to walk in. And He said that the works He did weren't anything compared to the works we can do!
He said that we were the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The only reason the earth isn't consumed in sin and totally self destructed is because of us. We are the only reason God doesn't spew the world out of His mouth and send fire down on the whole earth. God told Abraham that if he could just find 50 righteous men in Sodom He would let the place survive. Abraham couldn't and God burned the whole place down: men, women, and children. The women of God must represent God completely. Each one of you has a crucial role in the plan of God.
We have to commit the work of our hands to God, if you want to be world changers. We need more Christian business women, more Christian politicians, more Christian artists, and more Christian educators. The devil is working fiercely through non-believing professionals to expand his reach and influence. Look at all the garbage that comes out of Hollywood, the media, the school system, the government, and private groups. We all know of the present moves that people are making to eliminate God from everything, legalize gay/lesbian marriages, and demean human life through abortion.
This is war! Godly women can change public policies, kill the seductive spirit portrayed through music, movies, and advertisement, and defend the biblical definition of a holy marriage. Let the work of our hands testify to who we serve and what we believe. We don't have to just say it or wear Jesus tee shirts, we can change the world if we just roll up our sleeves and start fighting the fight of faith. We must let God's glory be seen through the integrity and excellence with which we do our business and serve in our vocation.
We Christians are called to be regulators. We must rule and subdue the earth. We have the authority to kill the works of the enemy through Jesus. We must bring kingdom order to a chaotic world. Defend the work of God. Hold true to His high standards in a world that has now morale, value, or righteousness. Wherever we go and whatever we do, we must be regulators. God's trumpet has sounded, the curse of sin has been broken, the Angel of God sends out a war cry. Stand! We can't get caught up into the things of the world but we must challenge the world's system to rise to God's standard by the way we live, work, and treat other people. We have to be about winning souls to Jesus. We should be about our Father's business as a young Jesus said He was. We are the defenders of the faith. We are the fishers of men. We are the agents of God sent to change the world and tell the message of Jesus salvation. We can deliver a world of slaves like Moses did or establish God's kingdom like David did. We have the power within us. We...are...Regulators!
Sister in Christ, you are regulators, and we men need your ministry. You see the effect of what great women did in the bible as well as the destruction that corrupt women did. You have the power to be a Regulator of this day.
Anthony Obey is the owner of GMA Publishing providing book publishing and marketing services to Writers, Pastors, Leaders, and Speakers. At http://www.GMApublishing.com you can also sign up for Book Coaching and receive FREE E-Tips on Writing, Publishing, and Marketing your book. Anthony Obey has launched a highly demanded Christian Women's Book series called Refined by Fire. To learn more about this landmark book series go to http://www.RefinedbyFireWomen.com
It's 6:05 pm and the phone rings. Your wife notices her husband's office number and thinks, "Great, another late dinner, he hasn't even left yet. With traffic, he'll be another 35 minutes." Those thoughts impact her tone when she says, "Hello," and soon her husband is wondering why he even bothered to call. This classic discussion portrays two major differences in the way men and women think that negatively impacts marriages all across the country. Neither husband nor wife fully understands the conflict, but with a few small changes on the wife's part, a significant impact could be made in the relationship.
What most married women in America fail to realize is that their husbands consider providing for their families their top priority - regardless of whether or not their wife works. In a recent Decision Analyst survey, 78% of men said that even if their wife earned enough to support the family, they still felt a compulsion to provide. Anecdotal comments indicated that men felt confused and frustrated by their wives' communications, as well. Wanting new carpet, a new car, a remodeled kitchen, etc., but expecting their husbands not to work long hours was frustrating for the men. Many felt that they worked so much because they loved their wives and wanted to provide for their families. Some 71% of husbands said the responsibility to provide was always or often on their minds. Only 3% never thought about providing for their families as being the reason they worked.
So if the majority of husbands are working to demonstrate love and are feeling responsible to provide, whether their wives work or not, what then, should wives be doing to encourage and support them? Instead of thinking that husbands care more about work than them, wives should be finding ways to encourage and appreciate their husbands. According to the study, 61% of men feel unappreciated at work - while wives cannot impact how their husbands feel at work, they should be making them feel appreciated and welcomed at home - especially since in the man's mind, his efforts are primarily for his family. Following are some of three of the excellent ideas that wives have implemented in Daughters of Sarah(TM) to facilitate a more harmonious relationship with their husbands.
Tip 1: Avoid Panic by Being Prepared
Corinna starts dinner early in the day in an effort to avoid the "It's 4:00pm - What's for Dinner Panic." She plans her menu for the week on Sunday afternoon and runs to the grocery on Sunday night so each weeknight she's prepared with dinner options. She gives her kids a snack so they aren't famished by dinner time. She puts on some calming music and sets her husband's newspaper by his chair. Just a few minutes of preparations and the environment in the home is calm and welcoming for her husband's return.
Tip 2: Save the List for Later
Diane noticed a huge change in her husband's demeanor when she stopped unloading all the troubles of the day upon him when he came through the door. Instead of inundating him with the list of who hit whom, and who had to be where by when, and, "Honey, you need to help junior with his math;" she stopped whatever she was doing, gave him a welcome home kiss and hug, and then left him alone to sit down and read his newspaper. After dinner they discussed the items of the day and Diane found her husband much more interested and eager to respond when she created an environment for him to "detox" from his day.
Tip 3: Be the Welcoming Committee
Carol's husband said that after he had spent 10-12 hours at work and 20-30 minutes fighting traffic, he often felt like he was returning from the battle field. One of the biggest changes he noticed in their marriage was when Carol started paying attention to his coming in the door each day. "When you're exhausted and stressed out, it's nice to have someone acknowledge your return. It may sound corny, but when the soldiers return from battle and they're greeted, it means a lot. It (the way she greets me) makes me feel important and like what I've been doing all day matters."
Bottom Line: Want your husband to be home more? Create an environment he can't wait to enter into!
Want more help? Sign up for our free marriage tips online! Find out how hundreds of families have been changed for the better through Daughters of Sarah(TM) and The Respect Dare(TM). For more information on how to do what works and improve or save your marriage, visit us at http://www.DaughtersOnline.org
Nina Roesner is the Executive Director of Greater Impact Ministries, Inc., a non-profit corporation that delivers life changing training for wives, leaders and speakers. She has seen hundreds of lives turned around by women learning the language of respect and applying the principles taught in Daughters of Sarah, a 12 week course that creates greater connections with God, spouses and our strengths. For more information, visit http://www.DaughtersOnline.org
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In today's lifestyle there are several reasons why women are either single by choice, single again or widowed at a young age. Many of these women are struggling to live a Christian life and they have the forces of the world beating them down daily. Economics make up a large portion of problems for single parents. Loneliness is faced daily. Work obligations enter into the lives of the parent and the children and there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Then there is the ever problem of living a life where God calls for purity in our life in all areas.
The single life gives us a unique time and opportunity to work on our own personal self, develop a variety of relationships and a variety of ways that we can serve in the church. However, single women particularly, face a "stigma" in the church. Since "people will be people"; this will likely never change. Single women must constantly take care of their behavior, their dress, their associations and every word that is spoken from their mouth if they are to live a separated life and maintain respectability. God's word tells us that a good reputation is worth more than fine jewels. It is priceless yet it is constant maintenance and dedication to achieve.
Many churches offer their own single groups for Sunday School and fellowship. The success of these groups in accomplishing the job of ministering and discipleship of the single woman is often the success or failure of a godly leader. Often it is difficult to find such a leader, due to the complications and time that a singles ministry requires. Ideally a good group is headed by an older married couple who stand together in responsibility of the singles.
Christian women must often stand alone in the church, maintaining a reputation of a godly life. "Dating around", friendships with married men and not having a quiet spirit can be deadly to the reputation of a single Christian woman.
Our culture often puts the single Christian woman in the fire. However, single or married, we all have the same heavenly Father, the same offer of salvation and the same love from Jesus.
The dedication of ourselves to children and family, if they are in a woman's life is a wonderful basic. The dedication of a Christian woman to a ministry for God will fulfill and sustain as He is molding the woman's life for the future.
Any friendship or dating relationship must be viewed as a possible potential mate and special care must be taken to slowly build and nurture it. Both parties must first have their eyes on the Lord and die to self as far as temptations or the desire to move ahead too quickly.
There are many challenges and victories to the life of a single Christian woman. The opportunity for growth can reach mountain-top peak level or it can bring you into a valley so deep you are tempted to just follow the world and give it up. A godly life is worth the struggle and will be the example for your children as they struggle in a broken family. It is a matter of giving and trusting in God to deliver you up to that mountain-top where the rewards will be worth it.
Suzan Gauthier
http://www.christianwomensissues.com
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She [Esther] sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Esther 4:4
Mordecai refused to bow down to a false god and now the Israelites were in danger of the king’s unjust wrath. So, Mordecai was in mourning for his people. As a Jew, he went through the ceremony of ripping his clothes and trading them for sackcloth and ashes. Esther sent him clothes so he would stop mourning, but he refused them. So what?, you might ask.
Esther would end up offering salvation, she would put her own life on the line to save her people. But Mordecai was too busy wallowing in his “life is unfair” mode to see that at first. That in itself is a lesson.
Has there been a time that you have done what was right, only to have everything else go wrong? How did you cry out to God? Did you question why your faithfulness had not be rewarded? Why calamity came, or hard times, or divorce or death banged on your door anyway no matter how hard and long you prayed and did the right thing?
A friend sent me an email quote – God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. True enough. But keeping with that theme, during the passage He also provides a flight attendant who brings snacks and drinks, and if needed, an oxygen mask and flotation device. He provides the pilot to steer through the rough weather. But often we are not in the mindset to accept these gifts of mercy.We are concentrating so hard on the rough weather, we forget these other things are there. We stay in our sackcloth and refuse the new clothes.
If you are in a tough spot, keep an eye out for the caring and faitnful Esthers in your life. Accept what they are offering as a gift from God working through them. It may not be the big answer, but a small comfort to let you know God has heard your prayers.
It’s okay to receive what they offer. One day you may need to be an Esther to them.
The flaws are easily forgiven in this beautiful version of Louisa May Alcott's novel. A stirring look at life in New England during the Civil War, Little Women is a triumph for all involved. We follow one family as they split into the world, ending up with the most independent, the outspoken Jo (Winona Ryder). This time around, the dramatics and conclusions fall into place a little too well, instead of finding life's little accidents along the way. Everyone now looks a bit too cute and oh, so nice. As the matron, Marmee, Susan Sarandon kicks the film into a modern tone, creating a movie alive with a great feminine sprit. Kirsten Dunst (Interview with the Vampire) has another showy role. The young ensemble cast cannot be faulted, with Ryder beginning the movie in a role akin to light comedy and crescendoing to a triumphant end worthy of an Oscar. --Doug ThomasPrice: $14.94
When we think in terms of freedom, thoughts of the freedom found in escaping traditional legal and moral chains that bound us, may understandably invade our minds. I suppose it is to be expected because women have always exerted strength in declaring their rights.
One of the earliest accounts of women boldly seeking fairness is found in the book of Numbers. In the ancient near east women had no property rights. If a father died leaving no sons, his daughters did not inherit what he left. The first women to declare their rights on the death of their father were the five daughters of Zelophead. They boldly marched before Moses and the congregation and stated their case publicly. In order to be fair in the settling of the daughters' case, Moses went before God; a God of justice.
It is interesting to note that Moses did not tell the women about their "role" as women or give his opinion according to the customs of their day. Before passing judgment, he consulted God. If men through the years had followed Moses' example of going to God before passing judgment on what women should or should not be allowed to do, women would not have to struggle so desperately to obtain what is legally and morally right and what, we are destined to procure anyway.
Moses went before God and when he returned, he returned with a new law stating that if a man without sons dies, his inheritance passes to his daughters (Numbers 27:8).
The daughters of Zelophead had filed one of the earliest reported lawsuits on record. It is my understanding that it has been declared one of the oldest decided cases that is still cited as an authority. In the American Bar Association Journal, February, 1924, there appears an article by Henry Clark in which the decision of the daughters of Zelophead is quoted. So, women through the ages have stood to declare their rights.
But what I am here suggesting is that securing justice and winning rights is not freedom. Freedom, in the context of the Christian faith, is the power to become what God intended for us to become. And it is only when we understand the fundamental nature of our life as rooted in God, do we begin to comprehend the true character of our opportunities and responsibilities as Christian women. Having recognized our creaturely status, we begin to see our life both in its true nature and in its proper perspective. It is God's high purpose which gives meaning to our lives. This and only this, saves us from any sense of triviality or insignificance. There always has been and always will be a divine plan which gathers up our lives within its mighty sweep.
The role of women of Faith is to receive this plan and obey God rather than man. We must so live that our conduct will not belie our convictions. A Christian life is a faithful life and a faithful Christian life is a liberated life.
You see, when we accept our dependence upon God and relinquish ourselves entirely to Him - He brings us into a relationship with Himself in which all things impossible miraculously become all things possible. What we could never do for ourselves is done for us by God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
One of my favorite Scriptures is Matthew's account of the Syro-Phoenician woman. This woman exemplified profound awareness and understanding. She understood the actuality of both her station in life and her circumstance. She realized without distortion who she was and what she was. She knew she was among the despised Gentiles. She knew that she was hated and looked down upon by the Jews. But, unlike far too many women today, her perception of reality did not lock her into actuality. In other words, her view of her life was not a static one; her concept of reality included possibility. Freedom, in the Christian sense includes possibility.
This Canaanite woman of faith knew herself, she understood her circumstances; she had all the data concerning her situation clearly in mind. But, she also believed in possibility with God and she bequeaths to us the certainty of the impossible becoming possible through Jesus Christ.
Impossibilities become possibilities when we know who we are and who God is. When we exercise faith in the possibilities of what God can do, we are enabled, like the Canaanite woman, to make a proper assessment of ourselves in relation to others.
There are many of us who are not "ourselves." In a sense, we are the "theyselves." Instead of living our own lives according to God's will and God's purpose, we permit the multitude of "others" to tell us how things ought to be. In lieu of being still and listening to the voice of God, we allow others to dictate to us what is best for us. We obey man rather than God.
Now do not misunderstand me. God does speak to us through His children. But even then, we must go to God in prayer seeking His guidance and advice validation, if you will.
The Syro-Phoenician refused to let anyone, even men, prevent her from reaching her goal. She believed in possibilities and acted upon it. Had she listened to the disciples, she would have given up her plight and meekly returned home. You remember the disciples told Jesus to send her away, she's disturbing, she's a nuisance, she's making a spectacle of herself. Her countrymen no doubt warned her not to have anything to do with the Jew (Jesus); Jews and Gentiles cannot get along. But this woman had a faith that could not be shaken. God had a plan for her life. She received His plan and driven by an inner compulsion, relentless perseverance and steadfast faith, she was able to witness God's healing power through her daughter.
If we as Christian women realize our own insufficiency and see that neither our own worth nor our efforts can win us an enduring future, yet trusts in God and cast ourselves upon His resources, then our relationship with God is what it ought to be. It opens the way for wholly new possibilities in the freedom of the Holy Spirit.
When all is said and done, Christian women ultimately recognize that human life is intrinsically related to the creative Power who is its source and who gives it meaning. The source of our lives is in God, and the proper perspective for appreciating our nature is provided by His eternal purpose. The primary aim and function of faith is to gain a new standing with God and to enjoy the freedom found in it.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington invite you to visit AMEN Ministries. It offers a wealth of resources and services. We welcome your feedback.
Stress is finally being viewed as an area to give attention to. Many times as women we are in denial and feel that we have a grip on stress and are managing well, however, there are ways to become aware of whether or not you are susceptible to stress.
I use a list of questions and statements as an assessment for individuals to gage where they are with regard to stress. For example I might ask you some of the following questions;
Do you experience unidentified pain in your shoulders, neck or back? Have you experienced loss in the last year (i.e. loss of a loved one, job etc.)? Do you find it easy to take time for yourself at least once or twice per week? Do you tend to be moody or irritable?
These are just some of the questions I use in assessing my clients stress level or to increase their awareness of their susceptibility to stress.
One area that can affect or increase our stress level is being negative or having a negative attitude, which can be as a result of negative thinking. In the bible we find the verse "As a man thinketh so is he." So it would stand to reason that the way we think affects our lives and thereby our attitude.
Look at your life now and think about some of the thoughts that may have influenced the way you live today.
One key in my book The dynamic power of focus is to surround yourself with the positives. It's so easy to become enveloped with the negatives, whether it's negative friends, a negative environment or negative thoughts and you guessed it, a negative attitude.
Begin to focus on positive things. Begin to see the positive side of your circumstances. Instead of seeing your situation as a problem, think of what you have learned from your situation.
I have heard individuals refer to Mondays as bad days and I decided that I wasn't going to focus on that side of things, instead I was going to see it as a good day. Why? Because I am here, Father God woke me up and I'm alive.....so it's a good day!
I sent this to a few of my family and friends and it changed their whole outlook on Mondays. You can do this with your life. Begin to see things in a new light.
Change your attitude, reduce your stress. Reduce your stress, live longer and enjoy new business, career and personal accomplishments in life. Remember nobody wants to be around a person with a negative attitude for too long. Attract friends and new business with your new attitude and reduced stress.
What one thing can you use from this article before you hit the pillow tonight? Pick one area and focus on that area for the week. Make a note of your progress at week's end.
You can live a stressed-less life with a positive attitude.
(c) 2008 Robin Tramble
And now I invite you to maximize what you have learned thus far by accessing my new report "Stress reduction and the powers of a positive attitude." - http://www.robintramble.com/stressreductionpositive.html
Robin Tramble is your empowering Mentor/Trainer/Coach. Get connected today and realize some of your dreams and desires in under one year.
This gift basket is actually a reusable planter! It comes filled with yummy treats, including a dark chocolate cross, a writing journal featuring Psalm 105:3 on the cover, and a daily devotional book titled Serenity for the Soul...101 Thoughts to Savor.Price: $99.95
Depending on your perspective, The Contender can be praised and damned for the same reasons. A political thriller with an insider's view, it's deadly earnest in its defense of truth, justice, and the American way, but writer-director (and former film critic) Rod Lurie resorts to the same manipulation that his film purports to condemn. But with political savvy, a timely idea (a female vice president), and a cast of first-rate actors, this high-office chess game is unabashedly entertaining. You can argue with Lurie's tactics, but you can't fault his patriotic passion.In a role written especially for her, Joan Allen is outstanding (if a bit too saintly) as the Republican-turned-Democrat senator who is chosen by the president (Jeff Bridges) to fill a vice presidential vacancy. Bridges is a cagey chief executive, seemingly aloof as he gleefully challenges the White House's 24-hour kitchen staff but more than a match for the embittered and unscrupulous congressman (Gary Oldman) who plots to destroy Allen's character with seemingly dark secrets from her past.
As a gender-switching response to the Lewinsky scandal, The Contender asks potent questions with its impassioned plea for integrity in public service. That makes this a film well worth defending, and the stellar cast (which includes Christian Slater and William Petersen) triumphs over most of the plot's hokey machinations. The ideas are more compelling than their execution, however, and although Lurie's climactic revelation is a vast improvement over the reckless cheat of his previous film Deterrence, it still threatens to tarnish the gloss of an otherwise fascinating film. --Jeff Shannon
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**Note
What I write in this part might be controversial to many people these days, even to people in the Church, but please bear with me.
**
**Side note:
I believe the Bible is 100% correct and inspired by God. The Bible is very reliable. For example, the earliest New Testament copy we have was written around 130 AD, although it was originally written around 60 AD, giving it a time span of 100 years. There are about 14,000 copies of it. (The original 'first written new testaments' did not survive) Looking at all of those 14,000 copies, they are 99.5% accurate to themselves. Usually, there are only some words, which are or aren't there, although sometimes sentences are added.
**
Seems very accurate, don't you think? The next reliable old books are the ones by Homer, writer of "the Iliad" and "The Odyssey". They were written around 850 BC, we don't know when the earliest copies were written, and therefore don't know the time span it was written. But, there are 653 copies, and those copies are 95% accurate to each other. Scholars write that Homer's books are extremely reliable. How much more reliable is the Bible?
Okay, you might believe me now when I say the Bible is reliable, but you might not believe me when I say it was inspired by God. You might even say the Bible is nonsense.
Unfortunately, I cannot stop you form believing that, and hopefully God can change your heart, but...
...If we are on the same page there, then in the Bible Paul writes in Ephesians 5:22, 28-31. "Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wife as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church... For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shal1 be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh".
But wait, you might ask: What does this have to do with dating Christian women? Paul is writing here about marriage.
True, Paul is writing about marriage here, BUT when the dating period is going on, women naturally want someone to lead them. Women hate being the ones making the decisions and making the calls on things.
Don't believe me? Setup a night with a woman, and make her make all the decisions, because it will make here happy that she has control, right?
Wrong, she will run from you, way faster than you can stop her!
Women want you to take the lead, and this includes during the dating process.
So, how do you lead a girl, the right way?
Paul sets it up in Ephesians pretty clearly...
**note
If the passage looks very controversial, especially in today standards, it is! This was not written to follow the ways of man, but instead the ways of God! God's ways are far better than our own, even if they do not look it at the time. He has a purpose and plan to every thing he does.
Think our way is better, or not that bad?
Look around at all the relationships around you. You will probably find countless divorces, and failed relationships. This is people trying to do it their own way, without the help of God running their life!
**
After many years of not knowing how to actually date Christian women, I am much more certain in what is God's design in the dating process between men and women. I am excited to share with what I have found, through life experiences, and learned through reading on the topic.
Learn About Dating Christian Women
