Jesus said, "He that believes in me, as the scriptures had said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water" John 7:38Building Strong Families, Churches, and Communities.
The
A Woman's Touch
All through the ages the woman's role in this world has been down-played, misunderstood and taken for granted. Opinions vary from a "child-breeder" to a "sex toy" and house maid. Society taught men and women that women should prepare themselves to be sexy, alluring,bear children, and be very seductive in order to appeal to the man's lustful and egotistical desires.If done well, she could reap the benefits of being a wife or a favorite "call girl". In many religiouscircles, a woman may be seen as a domesticated person, raising children, cleaning the house,washing the clothes, and cooking the meals. In other words, she is the servant of her husband.Many men seem to think that a woman was created for the sole pleasure of a man, and wasmade sub-servant as a punishment for causing the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden.First of all, in order to clarify what the role of a woman is, let us examine the scriptures to seewhat was God's intended purpose for creating women. God created Eve and made her equal toAdam so that she could be a capable helper to him. A woman's touch is also vital to the moldingand shaping of our leaders of tomorrow. A woman's God-given touch should not be taken lightlyor misunderstood for only sexual overtones. Her important role makes her a prime target for the devil to pursue, in order to establish his influence and hinder God's good will for mankind.
Ephesians 5:25-27 reads;
25 Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,27 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. She needs to be enlightened, equipped and protected so that she could fulfill her calling.
Genesis 1:26-2826 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 2:18-24
18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable (equal) to him.21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
The scripture above showed clearly that after God created Adam and Eve, He gave Adam specific jobs to do. He told him to name all the animals and have dominion over every living thing. He blessed them both and told them to be fruitful and multiply. Eve and Yevette cannot multiply neither can Adam and Steve. God knew that Adam would be overwhelmed and lonely. God made Adam a helper that was equal to him, to assist him with the tasks that were assigned to him. She was more than a child bearer. She added a special touch to Adam... She completed him. They became one. It was God's intention that the man and his wife work together in one accord, with one goal and one mind, along with God.Many men in the past viewed women mainly as sex objects and child bearers. As a matter of fact, it was viewed as a curse if a woman could not bear children. If a wife could not bear children, her handmaid became the bearer, and more wives were added until the man reached his desired number of children.(Genesis 16:2; Genesis chapters 29-35)
In Genesis chapter 3, we read where the devil used skills of deception to destroy the unity between God, Adam, and Eve. This fracture initiated the fall of mankind. The curse of sin was not dispensed and felt until Adam, the Head, accepted the fruit from Eve and ate it. Men, need to be focused, strong and courageous. Godly women will not take advantage of the weaknesses of men to cause them to stumble. When the man stumbles, the establishment falls apart, thus, affecting the women also. In other words, women, please do not hurt yourselves. Do whatever is necessary to protect your husbands and your family.
Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.The story did not end there. Jesus Christ came to this earth to restore us back to God. He came to restore the relationship between husband and wife so that they could work together again in unity fulfilling the work of God. But we know that Satan is still actively working against that relationship.(John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8)
Romans 5:8, 19
8 But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us... 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
For many years after Eden, women have been ostracized by religious men because Eve initiated the act of disobedience, but God showed the need for the touch of women throughout the bible by using them repeatedly in crisis situations. He used women like Rahab (Joshua chaps 1 thru 6), Esther (Esther 1-9), Mary (Luke 1:26-30), Rahab (Joshua 2), Deborah (Judges 5), Anna (Luke 2:36-38), woman at the well (John 4), Lydia (Acts 16:13-15) and many other women very effectively. The woman at the well took the gospel to the city of Samaria. The women were the first to proclaim the resurrection message, and Mary Magdalene was the first to see and speak with the resurrected Jesus (Mark 16). Even in these latter times God is still using women effectively to add that specially needed touch to this world. God is no respecter of persons. Jesus has restored the relationship between God, men and women, therefore, we all need to respect each other's position and purpose.
1 Corinthians 11:3 Luke 2:36-38
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Even though an employee may be more qualified than the boss, the boss is still the boss, and he/she has to be respected. God never intended for man to put woman in a box with a key to control her. The blame game (Eve first sinned) was used all through the years effectively to where the Apostle Paul repeatedly struggled with the Jewish believers who wanted to maintain certain laws, ordinances, and customs in the church to subdue the women. We were never Jews who happened to get converted, and then tried to blend their beliefs with Christianity. We do not have to adopt their customs in order to make certain scriptures apply to us. (1 Corinthians 11:16)
Galatians 3:27-29
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Luke 2:35-37
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
The Virtuous Woman
Today, many women are led to believe that God has a 'real' man waiting somewhere for them. A man who will set them up in a big house with lots of money to get whatever they want, and they do not have to work for it. Only a few men are able to grant their women that kind of luxury. Society has set them up to believe this lie until many women live up to the lifestyle of satisfying a man's fleshly desires, or dis-respecting men who could not offer them a flamboyant lifestyle. Solomon saw her differently. He saw the liberated woman as priceless and a person of great wisdom. The question is, what is a virtuous women? This is a woman of moral integrity and right judgment of character. King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, explained who she is in Proverbs 31. I am sure that he learned a lot after having 300 wives.
Proverbs 12:4 - An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 21:19 - It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman
Proverbs 27:15 - A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike
Proverbs 14:1 - Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish pulls it down with her hands
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “ Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
This woman worked very hard with her own hands and was not self-centered. She had a vision of what she wanted for her household, and worked tirelessly to make it happen. She desired to make her husband contented and created and maintained the right atmosphere in her home for her children. She was very intelligent, patient, time-conscious, industrious, multifaceted, very productive and was always engaged in making sure that her household was respected by the community. Most of all she feared God. In today's world, we could say that she had a good job to help her husband make these things happen. She did not make it the man's problem, but their responsibility. Such is the woman's God-given touch.Remember, the husband is the head of the home and not the pastor or the marriage counselor. If he does not know God, she must do her best to model true Christianity. (1 Peter 3:1) Christian women should not marry an unsaved man with the intention or hope of him being saved, nor should she because he is a "good man".
The bible said in 2 Corinthians 6: 14-16:
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And whatcommunion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Satan? Or what part has a believer with anunbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “ I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Ephesians 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Philippians 2:5-7
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
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Women are also vital to the church. If it were not for the women, many churches would not exist. Women make up the larger percentage of the congregation and they are faithful and dependable. Thank God for them. God has given them that special touch to make things happen. Like Jesus, even though He was equal with God, He remained submissive to authority if God.
Our mission is to also encourage spiritual growth, personal development and leadership among women in the body of Christ; and to contribute to the general welfare of the home, church, community and the world.
Joel 2: 28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
According to this prophecy, on the day of Pentecost, God poured out His Holy Spirit on both men and women, giving them the gifts of the spirit which included the 5-fold ministry. This means that women would preach, teach and prophesy in church. He would not tell them to be silent in the church and with the same breadth tell them cover their heads if they prophesy or pray in the church. As I had mentioned before, Paul was addressing specific groups of Jewish Christians who still embraced certain customs and traditions. The Muslims still follow some of these Old Testament customs and traditions.We must remember Paul's statement about how he won souls for Christ. We must be careful that when we read the scriptures we should not judge people based on our interpretations, customs, traditions, language meanings, reasonings and seasons. Women today are not subject to those customs and traditions of old.
2 Peter 1:20 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
In the scripture below, Paul explain why he made some recommendations in the churches. It seems as if he was trying to maintain peace among the Jewish brethren, so that the teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ could be heard. Gentiles do not have to live by Jewish customs, laws and traditions. We should only apply Godly wisdom to everything we do to avoid unnecessary controversy. (1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 14:34).
No one should be controlled by "one liners" from the Bible.
1 Corinthians 11:16 - But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
1 Corinthians 9: 19-23
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
1 Timothy 2:8-9
9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
1 Peter 3:1-7
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Titus 2:3-5
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed..
Christian Disciple