I AM WOMAN HEAR ME SUBMIT

The role of women in American culture is drastically different than Biblical times. Have we ignored scriptures that state women are subserviant to men, that they are the weaker vessel? Was that just meant for the Jewish culture of that time? If part of the Bible is relevant for us today and part of it isn't, how do we know which is relevant and which isn't? This place of women in the kingdom of God is an issue that has been glossed over, excused, ignored, and taken to extremes both ways.

Women have become leaders over men, become teachers over men, even in our churches. Women are seen as humans just as capable as men. Women fight along side of men in our military. On the other hand, in Eastern cultures, especially in the Middle East, we see women degraded and treated lower than dogs. What does the Bible have to say about the role of women and what is God's perfect plan for role of women in this world?

Here are some scriptures that speak to this relevant issue. I would love to hear what others have to say about women and what their role should be in our society.

All Bible quotes from the ESV:

"And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man." Genesis 2:22

"A woman shal not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woma's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 22:5

"And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman." Ruth 3:11

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

"For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage." Romans 7:2

"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3

"Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?" 1 Corinthians 11:13

"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness." 1 Timothy 2:11

"the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church." 1 Corinthians 14:34,35

"For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands." 1 Peter 3:5

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit." Joel 2:28,29

I am woman. Hear me give praises to the Lord God Almighty and hear me speak words of love to my husband and to all living things that God has made. I am woman.

BOOK REVIEW PART 2

The authors of this book spent another chapter elaborating more specifically about distinguishing characteristics of the three religious perspectives. I will summarize them here in alphabetical order:

A.  CHRISIANITY
1. Believes God rules the universe.
2. Believes God rules in the realm of mankind.
3. Believes God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
4. Believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that it can be applied quite directly to our lives.
5. Rejects any traditions of men negating the power of God.
6. Believes the Holy Spirit is joined to believers spirit and divine anointing flows out through the heart of the believer.
7. Believes in revelation knowledge rather than rationalism.

NEW AGE MOVEMENT
1. Believes the Evocative  Other rules the universe.
2. Believes man creates his own destiny.
3. Believes God is a force to be use for man's own desires.
4. Believes the Bible is simply a book.
5. Believes man can be empowered by connecting to the Evocative Other.
6. Believes the force of the universe is present in everything.
7. Believes there is a wisdom man can receive from "the force."


PHARISEEISM
1. Believes God rules the universe.
2. Believes satan rules in the realm of mankind.
3. Believes God's power is quite limited in the Church age.
4. Believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, however, most of it doesn't apply directly to our lives.
5. Teaches many traditions of men limiting God's power in this dispensation.
6. Believes Christ lives in the heart of the believer, but ignores or rejects the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Believes God gave man a mind and he is supposed to use it (rationalism).

BOOK REVIEW: 3 PERSPECTIVES

Part of the work involved in writing a book is reading the works of others who have explored the subject of which you are interested in learning more about so that you are more informed and have references for your book.

Am I Being Deceived is a book I am currently reading and I am so "blown away" by what I have read so far that I am compelled to share some of the ideas and perspectives of the authors Mark and Patti Virkler. I may be writing several blogs based on this book because the content is crucially relevant for Christians now.

The basic gist of the book is a comparison between true Christianity, Phariseeism, and the New Age movement. A brief description of the three is presented in the introductory chapter of the book and goes something like this:

PHARISEEISM: (p. XV) The Bible without the Spirit
1. Claiming to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

2. Not expecting any feelings because that is emotionalism.

3. Never expect to hear God's voice because we now have the Bible. 

4. No expectation of His vision, because dreams and visions were for the older Bible times and not for today.

5. No expectation of the anointing power of God because "the age of miracles has passed."

THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT: (p. XVII) The Spirit without the Bible

1. Rejects the Bible as the inerrant Word of God.

2. No absolute truth -- truth is relative

3.  Whatever is experienced in the spirit world dictates to be true is true and is god.

TRUE CHRISTIANITY: (p.XVIII) The Spirit and the Bible

1.  Seek a genuine personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

2.  God still speaks and moves in His power as He did from the beginning of time. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) "For I, the Lord, do not change; ...." Malachi 3:6 (ESV)

3. The Holy Spirit is God. We are to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit ("When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, but whatever He hears He will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." John 16:13 ESV) and be filled with the Holy Spirit ("And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18 ESV)

4. The Bible is the true, inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God. ("All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17 ESV)

There is enough truth embedded in false doctrine and philosophies that it becomes believable. If a person is not grounded in the Word of God and walking in the Holy Spirit, he is in extreme danger of being deceived, believing lies.


Phariseeism: Bible without the Spirit
New Age Movement: Spirit without the Bible
True Christianity: Spirit and the Bible

Two of these religious philosophies will take you to hell. One will take you to eternal life.

A BORROWED POEM

I snagged this from a blog I stumbled on. It is full of emotion, sadness and hope. Credit given to the author at the end.

As I sit in silence wondering why

Everyone's left me here to cry

I'm filled with so much deep emotion

Not knowing what caused so much commotion

Everything happens so very fast

But something is here that will surely last

Words that have been sorely spoken

Too many times a heart been broken

Deep within the walls of home

I find myself very much alone

For things must change, I'm at wits end

Slowly crying without a friend

For deep within the walls of home

I find myself very much alone

I love my children but they can't see

How very much they're a part of me

I carry with me their love at heart

For my children are the most important part

Of my life each day as I go on

Remembering what's come and gone

My children are so very dear

But as I think I shed a tear

For they do not know what lies ahead

They only know what's in their head

They only see from within their eyes

They only hear despite my cries

What they want to hear

And it's not clear

We try to plan and guide them through

With the best that we know how to do

But somehow that's just not enough

For life can be so very tough

Tough to keep up with all the rest

Tough to do our very best

Tough to strive and play the part

Tough to keep within the heart

The bond of family as it should be

Strong and loving for all to see

But I am saddened because today

That bond of family has led astray

Parents and children fighting each other

Sister to sister, brother to brother

To think that we are doing our best

But our hearts never seem to get any rest

Constantly worrying what will come next

In a time that's too short and very complex

I worry for the family

I worry what will become of me

I worry that time's slipping by

I'm saddened when the children cry

Because we need to change our ways

And be more loving with each new day

We need to be small kindred souls

Within a world of deep, dark holes

Renew your faith, please do it now

For God is here to show you how

Please take his hand and walk the mile

For his generous love and rewarding smile

He will guide you through life's deepest trials

He'll carry you through your many denials

Acknowledge that God's there for you

Please speak his Word and love him too.

Written by: Alleluiabelle (N.C.)

Summer 1997

LEARN THE 90/10 PRINCIPLE

REPOST: INSPIRING WORDS FROM GOD

MY DEAREST ONE

You may not know Me, but I know everything about you. Psalms 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all of your ways. Psalms 139:3






Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31






For you are made in My image. Genesis 1:27






In Me you live and move and have your being. Act 17:28






I knew you before you were conceived! Jeremiah 1:4-5






I chose YOU when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12






You were not a mistake, for all your days were written in my book. Psalms 139:15-16






I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26






You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 149:13






I knitted you together in your mothers womb. Psalm 138:13






And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:16






So now you know...how much I love you!


Posted by Crystal Mary at Thursday, April 15, 2010

IMPORTANT THINGS

The importance of Spiritual matters can be likened to the flow of blood in the body. The arteries are the primary and foremost carriers of the blood, the most critical. Spiritually, God reconciling man to Himself through His son Jesus Christ is the critical issue. Too many times we get caught up in debating and pursuading of small issues that, left alone, would correct themselves. Focusing on doctrines, theological philosophies, and Biblical viewpoints is like focusing on a capillaries, spending energy and time debating about them, while the person has a punctured artery and is bleeding to death.

 

We are called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not win over converts to our way of thinking.

 

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:17,18 (NIV)

 

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumsision, but a new creation," Galatians 6:14,15 (ESV)

A CRY OUT TO GOD

Early this morning I was reading this blog and was impressed to share it with other on my blog. The author's blog page address is hyperlinked at the bottom. Please read it, but more important listen to the true cry out to God then the cry out to others.

My Cry


"Father I just want to stop for a minute & say I love You. I just want to thank You for being patient with me; for giving me another chance. You've always been there for me."

I would be selfish beyond recovery if I were to sit here in my little Christian corner & enjoy Christ for myself.

I know what it feels like to want more...
I know how it feels to realise that no friend, parent, loved one, gift or amount of money can satisfy the soul 100%. Even as a Christian I've had my days [correction: months] of feeling hopeless. I've questioned God...just like you might have. My friends could tell you that I've made enough mistakes to last... for a while & well, like yourself, I think I've had my fair share of pain. I've been on the road of confusion and loneliness many a times. But at the end of it all, (or maybe I should say "in the midst of it all") GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL. I just want to say that again... GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL no matter what your circumstnces look like or no matter what your emotions tell you. Friends, no one is more faithful than He is. Trust me, no one loves you like He does. All that you've ever wanted lies in His touch. His embrace can heal your heart. His voice can enlighten your darkness. His BLOOD can save you. =)

I know you've heard this before but GOD IS PERFECT. He isn't like us. He doesn't know what it is to mess up & I can't help but find comfort in that. This life isn't perfect and so pain will be inevitable but what if you did not have to endure it on your own? Don't you want to understand the freedom there is when we cast our burdens on Him? If your burden is not light, give it to God. I really mean give Him EVERYTHING and He will give you comfort.
Give God a chance. Please. He's given us many. Break down those walls of doubt, fear, pride and skepticism that prevent you from running to the One who loved you first. Give Him a chance to have your whole life this time. Don't ever think that things are too bad for God to handle. Just tell Him that you need Him and that you are His and have faith that He will take you on a new journey.

If you've never given your life to Christ or if you've only given Him a part of your life, then join me in taking a stance. Choose to dedicate or re-dedicate your life to the only Saviour. If there's a part of you that is not completely fulfilled, if there's a part of you that still desires something more from life, then that means there's a part of you that knows you should draw closer to Christ.

Salvation was not made available to us because Christ randomly felt like leaving His throne to experience the 'thrill' of crucifixion on Earth.
HE DID IT FOR YOU.
He was not forced. He CHOSE to do it for YOU.
God- the king of the world; the creator of Heaven- became flesh [FOR YOU]
He subjected Himself to every kind of pain possible [FOR YOU]
He allowed sinners to ridicule Him and de-crown Him [FOR YOU]
He allowed men to spit on Him and abuse Him [FOR YOU]
He allowed a crown of THORNS to be placed on His royal head and His sides to be pierced [YUP...that would be FOR YOU as well]
He endured the pain and the humiliation [just because HE WANTS YOU]
Yes, it's unbelievable but it's true!
Don't believe me?
I bet you've never wondered then why He did not call it off, why He did not cry "You've taken this too far. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!" ?
You see, He knew all along that you'd be worth it.
God became like an insect in His OWN company [for OUR SAKE].

He is waiting...God is waiting on you to come to Him, to receive His gift ( and if you've already received it, then to enjoy His gift). He's waiting on you to get closer to Him.

I can picture Him glancing at those nail-pierced hands daily, with no regret in His heart and only love in His eyes, as He whispers to an angel "It was worth it. You see, I'm just waiting on this one to realise that I am MORE THAN ENOUGH."

Posted by ~* Souled Out *~ at 10:32 PM
Labels: crucifixion, easter, salvation, testimony


http://desperate4christ.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-cry.html

PSYCHOLOGY IS . . . . . . . . . .

In the modern Christian culture I am still very much aware that the role of a psychologist is seen, by some, as as equal to or worse than the roles of false prophets, sorcerers, spiritists, mediums, necromancers, etc. And we are aware of how God views those types of practices:



Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. Jeremiah 14:14

"I will set my face against the person who turns to meduims and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." Leviticus 20:6

I understand that the field of psychology had humanistic beginnings that excluded the things of God. However, when the Lord chooses to enter into an entity by His Holy Spirit it is changed and becomes useful for the Master.

The psychology that I practice, like many of my collegues, would not be recognizable to the fathers of psychology nor to people of today who still hang on to the idea that psychology is "of the devil."

In my bios, that explains my areas of expertise and practice, I am listed as a Christian Psychologist and a Psychologist the takes a Biblical and Christian approach to mental and emotional healing.

I cannot begin to count the times, on a daily basis, that the Lord opens opportunities by the Holy Spirit to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lead people to the Lord. I actually have patients who bring their Bibles and we study the Word of God together and pray about the issues that are of concern to them. There have been countless times when the Holy Spirit just took over and the patient would say, "God is here." Many times my days work is more like spending the day in fellowship with His people who are wounded and need encouragment and like being in His presence because He cares about people who are hurting.

I am humbled and blessed to be able to reach people who so desparately need to just be pointed in the direction of the Lord. To let them know He is the answer to their problem.

Being healthy includes mind, soul, body, and spirit. No one, except a few groups, think anything of visiting their Primary Care Physician with a physical malady. People have maladies of emotions and mentality as well. The mind and the spirit can become as ill as the body can.

As a psychologist, I specialize in the mind and spirit as opposed to the physician who specializes in the body.

A few years ago I was ostracized from working at my church of 10 years for volunteering to take attenance at a support group for grief recovery. I was accused of trying to bring the philosophies of Freud and other evil practices into the church. It was a very large church and these people had not even met me. They just knew I was a licensed psychologist. That's all it took. My intent was to be of service to the King of Kings. Subsequently, I volunteered for the nursery and sang hymns to infants and toddlers.

Regardless of the remaining stigma of psychology, the Lord is my basis of "orientation" and I follow Biblical principles to guide the course of treatment. I fully believe that God is the God of the emotionally and mentally troubled as much as those who are suffering in any other way. Jesus is the great physician. I always pray for wisdom and to be merely an open vessel through which He can touch people who need Him.

I often refer to the scripture in Matthew where Jesus was seen by the Scribes and Pharisees eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. They criticized and questioned Him for engaging in this activity, which to them, was "of the devil." Notice here, these were not lepers, lame, or blind that Jesus was with, these were people who were in need of God, whose sins were ruling their lives. Jesus calmly and confidently replied to the Scribes and Pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:12)

I am interested in knowing the opinions of others about psychologists and/or perspectives on my philosophy of what a Christian psychologist is. I've already been told on numerous occasians that my career and field of practice is of the devil, so no one is going to hurt my feelings. Feel free to speak what is on your mind. God bless you all.