Our Part in the Body

Hello sisters! 

Hope each of you are strong in Christ, casting off the flesh, putting on the armour of light, and striving on, fighting this fight of faith. I'm blessed with another day to come back here and share a few things to edify. And the Lord is faithful to bring things to me, from His Word, each day because I couldn't do it without Him or all He has done in my life of course. 

I know I've shared on this before how we all are different in the body of Christ and we don't all try to be the same. Yes the same in doctrine and our beliefs because we have the Word and Spirit and we are to be joined in unity in those things and in the same judgments. 

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10

But in the other areas of who we are, what we do, how we do them, as long as nothing is sin, it is a good thing to all be doing our different parts. We have to not compare ourselves to someone who we think might be more 'useful' in God's kingdom or more 'in favour with God' or something like that. If we aren't being faithful in what we have and are being lazy in the body then yes we should feel ashamed and do what we can to overcome that but apart from that the Lord made us who we are and we really should just want to be His humble workers in whatever job we have and do it well! Not to say we can't learn and grow into what we have been given or called to do but we're not to be comparing ourselves one to the other. 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Romans 12:3-5

More about being sober minded about it all there too. We know from Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 2 that we women are told to be sober. So much about that isn't there? It makes me also think of being on guard lest we fall or thinking we are something when we are not. Those would be pride but instead we need to be wise and knowing the truth, striving on lest we fall or believe in vain. Goes along with working out our salvation with fear and trembling because there are so many around who say they've 'got salvation' guaranteed right now and forever...even though they haven't lived to their end yet. That's where we know we have to endure till the end to be saved! 

So we know every member of the body has different gifts. But all are to love. Obviously we know love is an action. God sending Christ was an act of love to the world. We are to have great love between the saints. How is that love shown if we just say we love and no fruit or actions follow? It would be a lie. Of course it is a bit different being all scattered and not all gathering in one place in a physical sense but we have other options today to show love...true godly love like 1 Corinthians 13 talks about. The love that isn't self seeking, is not prideful, but looks out for and cares for others. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

That's pretty serious if we don't have love!

What are some ways a woman can serve the body? Obviously, not being in positions of leadership, we have limited roles in it but that doesn't mean there's isn't much to do and we just sit around and be idle, no! Quite the opposite. 

We see in love that it's all connected with loving God and keeping His commandments in truth. 

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1 John 5:2-3

So looking at scripture we can see some parts that women have in the body...and what some of them did. 

*We see women with Jesus and His disciples feeding and looking after their physical needs with their material possessions. (Luke 8:3)

*We see women suffering persecution and imprisonment for Christ by the hands of Saul. (Acts 8:3)

*We see Dorcas sewing for the poor and being full of good works. (Acts 9)

*We see Lydia showing hospitality to the apostles and disciples (Acts 16)

*We see Priscilla with Aquila, as a couple, mentioned often in being active as workers in the body. 

*We see Paul commending the hard work of sisters labouring among the saints. (Romans 16)

*We see women laboring with Paul in the gospel. (Philippians 4)

*We see that a woman (widow) was commended for washing the saint's feet, and being diligent in every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10) 

*We see the older women are to be teaching the younger women. (Titus 2)

*We see there are women who are the faithful wives of the elders/leaders. No doubt they had a good part in being responsible for the leading men having well behaved houses in looking after and guiding the children. (1 Timothy 3)

*We see women potentially winning unbelieving/disobedient husbands without a word. (1 Peter 3)

*We see women are to be respectfully silent when the body is gathered and men are teaching and sharing in spiritual matters. (1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 2)

*We see women are to respect their husbands and ask them questions. (1 Corinthians 14)

*We see a woman is to have a meek and quiet spirit which is true adornment of the heart and not have external adornment on her clothing or by wearing jewelry or makeup. (1 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 2)

*We see a woman is to cover her head and hair (her glory), being under authority of the men, and because of the angels. (1 Corinthians 11)

So that's some of the ones that came to mind though of course there are many more. I just started writing on this this morning so I don't necessarily work over it all thoroughly but it's just to encourage us sisters as to our roles in the body and you can think of other things too. Being scattered shining all over the world means we may be connected via technology but we can all do the best we can to show true love in actions through that. And we can pray one for another, help bear burdens across the miles, share scriptures and encouraging words, be aware for those who might be struggling, and such like. 

We know the two greatest commands are to love God and others so all we do should come from that and our motives pure. 

So I think I will leave it there sisters! It would be interesting to see if all of us sisters were given a title to write some encouragement on or a women's teaching subject, all the different words and things we would share! We are all different but are to be united in His body and functioning as one in love and care for one another. 

Lord willing I shall be back tomorrow! Hold fast to the truth sisters! 

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:20-21

Love in Christ,

Sister Michaela

You can find the gospel explained here. 

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Silence, Feminism, and God's Blessings

Good day ladies, 

I have a few different simple things to post here for you today. I hope they bless and edify you. 

A sister shared this scripture with me this morning. 

"Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him ? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me."

Job 40:1-7

And I thought how sometimes we just need to be silent and ponder things before the Lord. Reminds me of this one also... 

"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."

Ecclesiastes 5:2

And this one... 

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

Isaiah 55:6-11

Pondering God's high and holy ways has a way of making one silent. 

It certainly goes along with how we should be as godly women having meek and quiet spirits.

It's not popular in this wicked age where behind many sins is this feminism. What is feminism? I'm not going to give a definition but just say to think what Eve did.

"Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"

Genesis 3:11

Yes she had, though she tried to blame others. 

Any woman who steps out and goes against the order of God is a feminist or has feminist ways. Just looking at history when feminism really became more widespread in our western cultures we see it affected clothing as well as the position women had had in the home and many other things of course, MANY things. Women removed their head coverings and the dresses got shorter and shorter until they turned into pants, then shorts and now worse. It's totally out of control what has little by little crept in from when in general people had more sense of decency. It's easy to see this world is plunging into total chaos and corruption.  

So,

...a woman is a feminist if she does not cover her head (1 Corinthians 11).

...and if she does not dress biblical (1 Timothy 2;). 

...or if she usurps authority over men/her husband (1 Timothy 2, Ephesians 5:22).

Those are just a few areas of rebellion for women. 

-----

I thought you might like to see a glimpse into my sewing shop. I'm blessed whenever I get an order no matter how small it is. Sadly biblical dress for women is not popular...so I don't get much business but that's OK. It's not okay that people who claim Christ don't dress biblical but I understand there are only few women wanting to dress biblical in these last days...so I never expect big business anyway. 

Here I am sending out a headcovering. And the gospel good news goes along too. I was blessed to be able to get some gospel cards printed (from someone offering business card printing on eBay). It's just a simple way we women can be prepared to share the good news and have resources to point seekers to for further investigation.

I am very blessed to have a trusted brother in the Lord to point people to if they need or want any further help in spiritual things. Because of God's headship order, where He has men to be spiritual leaders, I don't go into teaching deep theology as that would be feminism and not obeying God's commands. So I don't take my privilege lightly and I am learning and growing into being a labourer in the gospel...just as Paul had women labouring in the gospel with him. And in the past I would have had the wrong mindset and false idea that people should "go to a church" if they wanted help. Now I know that is a deadly error and I have a biblical option now to point any seekers to a godly brother for guidance and teaching. I'm blessed in that.  

I'm blessed in so many ways really. Mostly of course because I can be a new creation by the Spirit and know the truth. And I have good food and clothing and so much more to be thankful for. I'm content in what the Father has blessed me with. 

Here's a blessing of more juicy plums...

Also speaking of blessings, I am so blessed to know and see how the true body of Christ should work. I see the love for God and His holy ways, the love for each other, and how God's ways are so much higher than our own. It all makes the false system of man's "church" stand out more as being so corrupt. 

As Paul said about Timothy... 

"For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."

Philippians 2:20-21

And it's no different today...only to be worse except when you meet truly godly saints who seek the things of God first which leads to a life of service to others.  

All things will be put right one day. Good will be rewarded and the Lord's saints safe with Him. Evil shall be punished and workers of iniquity cast away. We pray that people repent before then. 

Go forth to your work in peace, godly sisters. Love to you in the Lord from me. 

If any of you ladies are in sin, I pray you work hard on focusing on that until you have overcome...lest you perish in them and be lost. Don't perish! 

See the gospel to eternal life here...and test yourself to it. 

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Leaving All in God's Hands

This is a general post with a reminder and encouragement to trust in our God and to be content in our place as godly women.

First I believe our focus should be on making sure our own life is fully biblical...and getting to work if it is not. This will involve studying God's Word for what the Lord has for us to do and getting strong in that so we are not carried away when the enemy plants seeds of doubt. As an example, think of Christ using scripture to overcome the evil temptation of satan in the wilderness. 

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" 

(Ephesians 4:14-15)

But I want to say that in so many situations in life women think we should step in and take control of situations that we should stay out of. Or perhaps we want to "help" in such situations but in so doing we are stepping outside of God's order for women...and not minding our own business in many cases as well.

This is no doubt a lack of trust in the Lord especially if we know better. 

Certainly women think they can take things into their own hands and it will prosper. I have learned it will not...because it isn't the right way. I do believe God can use us for His purposes no doubt but only when we are walking in line with His Will from His Word. And only He can make any good come out of our past mistakes. Praise God when we know better and for godly women who want to obey God in all things. 

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
(Romans 6:1-2)

I have had experience in doing what seems to be right at the time but only turns out to be wrong in the end. I'm sure we all have but I do know I want to make sure to be doing the will of the Lord and striving to grow in that. 

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
(Proverbs 14:12)

God is greater than us. We are to love Him first and others second so if we see a situation where we think we have to step in or teach and lead either through ignorance or rebellion then we no longer love God first. We are perhaps committing idolatry I suppose as the person we might be trying to help might get our "help" but we ourselves are disobedient to our Lord's commands. It shall not prosper...and the Lord is not glorified. 

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
(Luke 9:23)

Yes us godly women are to shine our lights by being obedient to the Father in all He has commanded us to do which includes giving an answer for the hope we have in Christ. 

For sure we ought to have a meek and quiet spirit and not usurp authority from the men. But at the same time I am striving to be a strong woman of God who is not pushed around because I don't know what His Word says or by not being willing to obey it. 

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

(Proverbs 28:1)

May we be Christ's living witnesses to His power and of His wonderful gospel to eternal life. See that here.

And our lives of truth might be what a seeker is looking for and will be drawn to. The world is full of bad examples...may we be shining lights of purity and truth for our Lord, watching and waiting for His return that we may be found faithful as His women.

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." 

(Luke 12:35-37)

At the end of the day, things are not in our hands...the Lord is in control of His own world and so may we mind our own business and let the Lord work in the hearts of men and women around us.

It's about letting go and letting God direct people and situations for His own glory. Godly women step back and let God and the men lead and guide and direct. Yes we can and should do our part and study to find what that is but may we be content and joyous to be created as women and the role we have in that.

Our God whom we serve is fully able to control all things. May we who are striving to be godly obedient women rest and trust and have faith in Him, leaving all in His hands. 

 

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Being a Godly Woman in a Feminist World

As I am striving to be a godly woman in all areas and in learning many things, I see more clearly how far society (and with it Christianity as it is linked to the world) has fallen in this area; the area of who a woman is and how she should live because of that. As a born again believer made a new creation by the Spirit, I can see from studying God's Word what God wants from women. And the Lord gives me desire and power to obey it. Praise God for telling us so we don't have to be confused or not know the answers!

Looking in Genesis, we see first why God even created woman. God Himself created woman from the man and for the man. 

 

We all know well how that it was the woman who was tempted and first fell into sin by disobedience to God's clear command. Paul writes "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (1 Timothy 2:13-14)

We can learn much from this fact as to how a godly woman is to be because of what Eve had done and how God had created her for Adam, to be his helper and not the other way around.

And so it is to this day, though the world seems to think the opposite in many cases. It ought not to be so among God's daughters who know better and have the Holy Spirit. And if a woman is a true believer she will diligently study and consider these facts and strive hard to put them into practice for the glory of God. 

Yes, in Christ, both man and woman are equal spiritually for salvation etc as in Galatians 3:28 but certainly not in her place in the body of Christ nor in the physical how God Himself created her.

We see God telling Eve how things would now be with her after she had disobeyed Him. "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." (Genesis 3:16)

In 1 Corinthians 11, we further read the order God has set in place for man and woman. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. " (3)

Simple enough; God, Christ, man, then woman. (And because of this order, women are also to cover their heads as further commanded in that chapter).

Moving on. In Paul's writings we see the command for women to be silent in the gathering of the believers. This is because man is to be the head and the spiritual leaders and teachers as it has been from the beginning.

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." 

(1 Corinthians 14:34-36)

The truth is God's Word is clear on this so we ought to take it very seriously indeed. I understand most women do not want to hear it and what it fully means to them but I trust that all claiming Christ would obey their Creator in this and all things.

Furthermore, we see this verse. "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

Again very clear there.

And for women with husbands we see submission and respect is commanded by God in many places of which these are a few.

"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;" (1 Peter 3:1)

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body." (Ephesians 5:22-23)

All believers are to be submitted to God and His commands of course. So also ought a married woman to submit to her husband in all things (except sin of course).

So this is all very interconnected right from the first woman in the world and so it is today as there are no commands that say God changed this to allow for women to rule and have authority over men as is happening all over today. Nor is there any place in scripture that says women can teach in the body of Christ (except older women ARE to teach younger women in the areas mentioned in Titus 2).
 

So how to put in practice and live daily in this role God has for women? 

There is much more to this than I can possibly share here for now but if you are a woman claiming to have been born again by the true gospel (see that here) then examine your life to see how you are going at this and pray that the Lord would help you to see where you are falling short and repent.

As a personal testimony, I knew women church leaders were wrong but I had a wrong view of what the body of Christ actually is so now that effects my beliefs and actions in this subject as I have learned about the true body of believers. But it doesn't only affect how we women relate to brothers in the body but also to all men even in the world to whom we ought to be quiet and reserved around.

I am still young and learning many things out of God's Word. And although written by Apostle Paul to young Timothy, this verse "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12), comes to mind and is still appropriate perhaps, as I certainly am striving to be an example of the believers in all these areas. I don't want to bring reproach on Christ's worthy name, nor blaspheme the Word of God as it says in Titus 2 how we women can do that if we don't obey. "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:4-5)

 

I am learning how to respond in each situation that I face and being careful with my words and remembering that silence could be the way to go rather than words in some cases. Not to say a godly woman ought to be silent and allow others to push her around into sin etc. No, she ought to be strong and bold for the truth of God and not swayed into sin. This requires that she is well studied in the Word and is ready to give an answer if necessary though not using her knowledge and understanding of scripture to teach men but to live holy and to be pleasing to her God. If you think more before you speak and ask yourself what your motive is for wanting to say something then you will not regret saying something wrong. 

Feminism (basically a woman being out of her God created place) is nothing but sin seen right from the beginning in Eve. A woman striving to be godly will be constantly examining her life for any traces of that and if she finds any will repent and forsake it. Only when a woman wants to be disobedient to God first of all and to His ordained male headship would she want to usurp authority from the men. 

 
Yes women pastors and leaders in the church are obviously sinful from the Word. But there are many other subtle ways just as the serpent was subtle in his enticement of Eve that there can be feminism today. 

Having said all this, it does not mean that a woman of God is not being active in the body of Christ. She just has to do it in the right way as God commands of her. We see Paul praising many godly sisters for their faithful service of helping and ministering among the believers and in that was support of those men labouring in preaching the gospel. 

 

I hope and plan to write more on this and similar subjects in time as the Lord leads...and in His will. ^"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." (James 4:15)

 

Yes we live in a mixed up, deceived world full of sin and darkness...but a woman who is the Lord's can find the truth of who God created her to be. She can be a shining light of God's pure and holy ways in a crooked generation. She submits to God's ways for women. She doesn't compromise if scorned by the world. She delights to be who God says she is and where God says she should be. This is how she will be a godly woman in a feminist world. 

As in this verse below, may we women fear God. And that would be obeying His place for women and not doing what we in our flesh might want to do. Is there not a verse that says they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh? Yes that would include feminism I am sure. And the more we strive and mature in this day by day, we will be glorifying our Lord until He takes us home if we endure. 

Love in Christ...to all sisters in Christ striving to be obedient in this and all other areas.

...from a daughter of God

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