Truth For Thursday

Today we will review Chapter 5 : "Womanly Dominion In The New Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

Chanski gives us four examples of women who took dominion in the New Testament. This week we will look at the fourth, Priscilla.

Paul writes in the book of Romans, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house." Romans 6:3-5

Notice that Priscilla's name is listed before her husband's. Her name is also listed before her husband's in Acts 18:18: "So then Paul remained there a good while. Then he took leave of the breathren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him."

Chanski writes, "Why this repeated sequential priority of the wife Priscilla before her husband Aquila?" Jacob Kapp writes:"The fact that Priscilla's name it mentioned several times before that of her husband has called forth a number of conjectures. The best explanation seems to be that she was the stronger character." (page 93).

In Acts 18:24-28 we read about an encounter with a man named Apollos. It seems that Apollos needed to be explained the things of the Lord more accurately. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and did this. Chanski writes "It seems quite clear that the wife-before-the-husband name order intimates that it was Priscilla who took the verbal lead in sharpening Apollos' sword." (page 94).

"This Priscilla is a wonderful and amazing woman. The Apostle Paul, who instructs women to "keep silent in the churches (1 Corinthians 14:34), and to "be subject to your own husbands" (Ephesians 5:22). commendable recognizes her rich deposit of grace, wisdom and gift by granting her priority treatment over her husband in the Romans 16 parade of the saints" (Chanski, page 94).

Priscilla was a woman of dominion who subdued and ruled in her feminine sphere of influence (Chanski, page 95). How can woman today do the same?

Truth for Thursday

Today we will review Chapter 5 : "Womanly Dominion In The New Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

Chanski gives us four examples of women who took dominion in the New Testament. This week we will look at the third, Phoebe.

In Romans 16, Paul describes Phoebe as a servant in the church and that she had been a helper to many, himself included. "She was probably the courier carrying Paul's epistle to the Romans, traveling from Corinth to Rome" (Chanski, page 90). Based on her background, being named after a pagan moon godess, it is almost certain that she was an idolater, who had been adopted into the family of God. Now converted she was a mighty servant in the kingdom of God. She provided lodging, hospitality, and used her wealth to extend the kingdom (Chanski, page 90).

Paul did not descibe Phoebe as a leader, elder, or overseer. Instead he describes her as a "servant of the church. "This term identifies her as "helper", "attendent", "one who waits on tables". Was this term used by the apostle as an expression of chauvinistic degradaton toward this precious female saint? To the contrary, this term was selected to give Phoebe the ultimate commendation!" (Chanski, page 92).

Chanski writes, "Dear ladies, beware of worldly feminism and its perversions which brazenly shout into the doors and windows of the modern church that biblical church order is abusive to women and that any restictions from leadership are demeaning" (page 92). Let's serve the church like Phoebe!

Truth for Thursday

Today we will review Chapter 5 : "Womanly Dominion In The New Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

Chanski gives us four examples of women who took dominion in the New Testament. This week we will look at the second, Mary, the Sister of Martha.

We read in Luke 10:38-42 that there were two sisters Mary and Martha. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. While He was there Mary was seated at Jesus' feet, listening to His Words. Martha was too distracted with all the preparations and seemed frustrated at the fact that she was doing all the work by herself and her sister wasn't helping. Can any of you relate? I know I can. Martha says to Jesus, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me" (verse 40). "And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her' (verse 41)."

Mary chose the one thing necessary. While there were things around the house that needed to be done, she did not let those things take her away from spending time at the Lord's feet. "In the crucial area of keeping her heart, Mary refused to permit her environment to dominate her; instead, she chose to dominate her environment. She manhandled her schedule in such a way as to make time with the Lord Jesus a non-negotiable priority" (Chanski, page 87). Now that is a woman of dominion for sure!

What are some ways you can dominate your environment in order to make your time with the Lord Jesus a non-negotiable priority?

Truth for Thursday

Today we will review Chapter 5 : "Womanly Dominion In The New Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

Chanski gives us four examples of women who took dominion in the New Testament. This week we will look at the first, Mary, the Lord's Biological Mother.

Mary was given the challenge of being a young unwed girl. She was visited by the angel Gabriel who told her she would bear a Son, Jesus. How did she respond? By saying, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

"This is womanly dominion. Mary, faced with an intimidating legion of fears, difficulties, unknown dangers, and challenges, subdues them under her feet. She expressly resolves to take her stand at her assigned post as a bond servant of the Lord. 'Lord, it's not about what seems good to me, is a delight to my eyes, and is desirable to make me happy. It's about my living according to Your word.'" (Chanski, page 85).

Mary lived by the verse "My Father, not as I will, but Thy will be done." Matthew 26:39-41
Whatever challenges we are facing today... let us subdue them under our feet, seeking to live according to God's Word and His will!

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: "CHILDREN NEED TO GET EXPOSED TO THE REAL WORLD SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN TO FUNCTION IN IT."

THE TRUTH: "AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD."

As parents, do we want to raise children who merely learn how to function in this world? Or do we want to raise children who will shine as lights in the darkness and transform this world for Christ? Children learn from what they are exposed to. Young children are very impressionable. How can we expect them to act differently from that which we immerse them in?

If we have our children around ungodly influences for a majority of the week, should we expect to see different behavior and character traits than that which they are around so often? Do we think that they are okay because they were in church on Sunday? If you are dressed in white clothes and jump into a mud puddle does the puddle turn white? No, the opposite is true. The white clothes get muddy.

I find it fascinating that parents are amazed at the behavior of their children when they don't monitor who they are spending their time with. They say "I don't know where they learned that from; it sure wasn't from me." I know...here comes the arguement. Many say we must teach our children to be witnesses by allowing them to be around those who don't know Christ. I think you must equip your child to be strong enough in the faith so that they can truly stand for what they believe in. I am not saying that they should not be allowed to play with friends who are not from Christian families. I do believe however they will become like who they most spend their time with and as parents we must build a foundation based on God's Word.

Psalm 101 says in verse 3:
"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart form me; I will not know wickedness."

Romans 16 verse 19:
"but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil."

Do we want to raise children who fit in with the world or who are going to turn the world upside down for Christ? How do we raise children to withstand the secular culture rather than become part of it?

"Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Psalm 92:13-15

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

Who and what are you fearing? Are you fearing what your children will say when you tell them they can't wear certain things just because everyone is wearing it? Are you fearing your friends and family because they will think you are crazy for not allowing your children to go see certain movies? Are you afraid of standing out because all of your neighbors send their kids to the local public school and you want to teach your kids at home? May we fear God and stand for what is true and right.

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: "MY HUSBAND IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE ME"

THE TRUTH: "And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18

"After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." John 13:5

Many times women are frustrated because they think that their husbands aren't helping them enough. I have heard Christian women demand that their husbands share the household responsibilities such as dishes and laundry even when their husbands are working outside of the home and they are not. Others boss their husbands around, expecting them to do the same things as they do. Some don't say anything but become resentful when their husband doesn't pitch in with the household chores. I am not trying to say that it is wrong for husbands to help with these things. If a husband desires to serve his wife in this way, that is great. If you are being a helper to your husband by working outside of the home, then maybe you both share the household chores.

Unfortunately women have been fooled into believing that their husbands were designed to be their helpers. As we can see in Genesis 2:18, the opposite is true. The women was created to be a helper to the man. When we accept our God given role as the helper we can experience peace and contentment in our roles. When we start dispising the role we were given, we will find ourselves becoming bitter and resentful. Which would you prefer?

In John 13:5, we see just one example of Jesus' serving others. Let us follow His example by seeking to serve others before ourselves. Next time we are doing dishes, or picking up dirty socks let us remember it is an opportunity to serve others. When our husbands are sitting on the couch relaxing and we are still cleaning up after dinner, instead of being resentful, thank God for a family to serve. When your husband chooses to serve you, appreciate it and enjoy. But don't act as if it is something that is owed to you. Accept it as a token of his love for you.

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: "I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO EVERYTHING I'M SUPPOSED TO DO"

THE TRUTH: "There is time in every day to do every thing that God wants me to do." (Nancy Leigh Demoss)

"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered her and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." John 17:4

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

In John 17:4 we see that Jesus did all that the Father had given Him to do. He did not do all that the disciples had wanted Him to do or what everyone else wanted Him to do. Are we doing what the Father has given us to do? When we are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed with all that we have to do could it be that some of those things are not what He would have us to do? Even though those things may be good things, are they taking away from the better things? In Luke 10:38-42 we see that Martha was serving (a good thing) while Mary was listening to Jesus (a better thing).

When we try to do too many things, something ends up suffering. For some of us it is difficult to say no when asked to serve. I once heard a wise older woman say that when she is asked to do something she responds "I will have to get back to you". Then she prays and talks to her husband about it before making a decision.

What good is it if a woman is serving in every ministry at church, but doesn't have time to care for her home and cook nutritious meals for her family? Her family is going to suffer because she is spreading herself too thin. There are different seasons of life and each woman's priorities are going to change. We need to pray for discernment to know what it is that God would have us to do.

For those of us who are married, we can talk to our husbands about what is important to them as well. Maybe we are spending extra time doing something that we think they like and really it is something that doesn't matter to them. For example, I mentioned to my husband that maybe I should look into milling my own flour. I said it half jokingly because I wouldn't have a clue where to start. He laughed and thought that was an outragous idea. He is so happy with an occasional freshly baked bread and the fact that I try to bake from scratch rather than use premade mixes. I was listening to what other women do and thinking that I should be doing it too. When the truth is for me, it would not be wise to do at this time.

Okay, so time for me to apply what I am writing about. I am sitting here blogging and my daughter is up. So I need to get to the better thing of making breakfast for my family. Pray with me for discernment, that we would know what it is our Heavenly Father would have us to do at this season of life.

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: I CANNOT WALK IN CONSISTENT VICTORY OVER SIN

THE TRUTH:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14

"...knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Romans 6:6

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

As children of God we don't have to sin. We are set free from the bondage of sin through Christ. We can experience victory over sin through God's grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Isn't that good news?

Many times we struggle with the same sin over and over. Even though as believers we desire to obey God, our flesh continues to wage war against the Spirit of God living within us. Each time we choose to obey our flesh, we are setting up sin habit in our lives. Every time we sin in that area, it becomes "easier" for our flesh to continue repeating that sin. We are making a habit of it and we become a slave to that sin. We may do pretty well for a while, but then we find ourselves falling back into that same sin.

Let us not fool ourselves into thinking we are okay if we don't struggle with what some consider big sins like adultery, stealing, murder, etc. What about a sharp tongue, holding grudges, or lack of submission to our husbands? These are sins as well. As Christians, we do not have to obey our flesh. We can choose to yield to The Spirit of God. Don't believe the lie that you can never be free from that sinful habit. Satan would love for you to believe that and keep you in bondage. Run to Christ, determine in your heart to do what is right regardless of how you feel. Walk in the Spirit. Seek to put on love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:20).

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

So many times our minds are filled with untruths. We may not even be aware of it, but somewhere along the way these untruths creep in. Maybe from a friend, a TV show, a magazine, or from ourselves. What we are thinking about will influence the way we live our lives. My pastor often shares about how people learn how to recognize counterfeit money. Do they study the counterfeit money? No! They study the real money. Often times as Christians we spend too much time focusing on the counterfeit instead of God's truth. My husband reminded me of this supporting verse found in Psalm 119:104 "Through your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way."

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: GOD SHOULD FIX MY PROBLEMS

THE TRUTH:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working in us a far more exceding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17

"...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perserverance, character, and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

"But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Are you feeling overwhelmed with your problems? Frustrated that God hasn't fixed them as you would like? Wishing your life was easier and even comparing it to others? Turn your eyes upon Jesus my friends. Trust that He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Believe that He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Seek to glorify Him in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).