Thirsting for God

I truly enjoyed the author Betty Miller’s words, she truly inspired me to learn and understand what she feels about the influence of the Bible in America. If you are interested to learn something about her Christian articles. Go and check on www.thebible.com

Blessings!!!

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT…

THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE OF THE BIBLE IN AMERICA?

by Betty Miller

Psalm 33:12:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Everything good that we have been blessed with in our society here in the U.S.A., comes directly or indirectly, from God’s grace and the Bible’s influence. You may think this a bold statement to make but I am prepared to defend it. One of the things that I am sure that grieves the heart of God, is the fact that instead of people being grateful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon mankind, many blame Him and His followers for the problems in the world.

In our society it seems popular to criticize Christians and blame them for things that really are not their fault. They are even lumped in the same category with cults and weird sects. People should realize there are things that are said and done in the name of Christianity that are not Christian at all. The Bible even warns us of people like that who actually hurt the cause of Christ.  In this article when I speak of Christian or Christianity, I am referring to the true believer and the true followers of Christ.

Many people do not realize what the Bible and Christian influence has accomplished for the betterment of our lives, especially here in the United States. They walk around enjoying the good life with its abundance here in free America, without understanding they owe it all to a book they have been taught by many to despise — the Bible. Even some countries who have embraced false religions are blessed in aspects of their societies where they are practicing scriptural principles. The keeping of God’s Word always brings blessing.

It is a well-known fact that our founding fathers in the USA were, for the most part, godly men who took the Bible’s principles to construct our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Any unbiased historian knows that the Bible has had a much greater influence in the shaping of the foundation of this nation than is being currently taught in our schools. Let us look at some of these influences that we could lose if we fail to acknowledge God and bring Him back in the national life.

THE BIBLE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES

The United States has laws on the books that enforce punishment on those who would assault and rape women, those who would murder, those who would steal and lie. You may be surprised to know that the source of these laws came directly from the Bible and were given for the protection of society. Many of them can be found in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy.

Other examples of laws taken directly from the Bible are our laws regarding bankruptcy, laws in our courts that demand witnesses to a crime before one can be convicted, and laws that demand just weights for commerce. Many of the past laws, like our child labor laws protected children from being exploited. Even our government Child Protection Agency was created to keep children from abuse. Although this agency goes to the extreme at times and shields a rebellious child that is lying, its original intent was to protect children from parental abuse. Our civil laws were established to keep order in our society, and because our founding fathers were Christians, they created a structure that was based on moral laws taken from the Bible.

Most of the original laws that our judicial system upheld were taken directly from the Bible. (Many of these down through the years have now been altered or abandoned to our determent as a nation. In fact, scripture says we would live in such a day. (Daniel 7:25: “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”)

Our present-day judicial system has now drifted away from its original intent of protecting the innocent and unjustly accused, while convicting the wicked so they will not harm others. Today, it is being exploited by many lawyers, as well as people who want to use the legal system for personal gain beyond what would be a fair settlement. They are seeking outlandish judgments that in the end all the people will pay for. Through unfair settlements in these kinds of suits, the lawyers are the ones most rewarded. Protection of the innocent, in many cases, has been overruled while criminals are not justly dealt with. Quick punishment for the guilty has been abandoned, as court appeals and delays stretch into costly and lengthy trials that last for years at the public’s expense. We need to return to Biblical principles and once again shape our laws accordingly, if we desire to see justice in our land. 2 Samuel 23:3, “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”

THE BIBLE AND ITS EFFECT ON BENEVOLENT PRACTICES IN SOCIETY

Historically, when true Christianity came to any region, those who were practicing Christ’s commands would began to reach out to help the poor, the oppressed, the sick, and needy. Most of our present day hospitals, charity centers, orphanages and rescue missions were all founded by Christians in keeping with the Biblical commands of Christ to demonstrate His love to a needy world. God has always been interested in helping the weak, the feeble and afflicted. Ungodly societies destroy their weak, helpless and burdensome members.

We are praying for all nations that practice abortion because this practice does not show the love of God toward babies. Rather, it is an unloving act that is adversely affecting all of society. Men and women are hardening their hearts to the idea of protecting the sanctity of a human life. Regardless of what those who believe in abortion rights claim, most abortions are not done to protect the mother’s life or some other so-called valid reason, but, rather to allow the mother and father to escape their responsibility of caring for the little life they had a part in creating. Most abortions are done out of pure selfishness. The mother and father simply do not want a child to interfere with their plans. The Bible teaches we are to overcome selfishness, not encourage it. We need to reverse the law in our land that allows abortions so freely, as the soul of our nation has accepted a practice that we will all regret. The consequences of murder is “a life for a life” and this will mean the loss of much life in our nation unless we repent.

Numbers 35:33:  “So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.”

In regard to abortion, another thing the U.S. is facing, is the fact that our nation’s workforce is hitting middle age. Along with this comes the threat of a long-term labor shortage. When abortion first became legalized no one foresaw this problem. Because people are living longer (Our current average life span in the U.S.A. is 76 years according to recent statistics), the senior population will need to be supported by younger workers in the social security program. Where will these workers come from? Since we have now murdered  over 10,000,000 of our potential new workers, we are left with an enormous shortage of younger workers. Baby Boomers are turning 50 at a rate of 11,000 people per day.¹ Their impending departure from the labor pool is creating a shortage of workers leaving not enough younger workers to fill their place. Eleven percent fewer Americans were born from 1966 to 1985 than those born in the two decades after World War II. Because of lower birth rates, coupled with job expansion, employers will have no choice but to fill their payrolls with those over 60 who are willing to continue to work. If our nation ever needed to reverse a law that is destroying us it is the law that is allowing abortions.

Other nations like China, who limit their population expansion through abortion are also running into problems.  Because each family is only allowed one child, many parents are electing to keep their sons while destroying their daughters, so they will have a male heir. The population in China is now out of balance with more men than women. Where will Chinese men be able to find a female mate for marriage? This could create severe problems in the social structure of a nation that could lead to rape, jealousy, etc. For an in-depth look into abortion click here: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ABORTION?

CHRISTIANITY’S INFLUENCE IN EDUCATION

Contrary to popular opinion, Christians are not anti-education. The Bible instructs us to teach our children. The real issue is not eliminating education, but rather seeing that the information being taught is accurate and is not against the Word of God. Most of our well known universities, such as Harvard, Princeton and Yale, were founded by Christians.  In fact, the first 126 colleges and universities in the U.S.A. were built for the glory of Jesus and the advancement of the gospel.² Christians took the Bible seriously when the Word of God commanded them to teach and train their children in the way of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

How sad it is now that our laws now forbid Christian students to pray publicly in the classrooms of our schools. Instead, violence stalks the halls of our education centers and children are murdering in the classrooms. Each law that eliminates God and His influence from our society, allows evil to fill its place. Disallowing public prayer in our schools  is another law that needs to be reversed.

HOW THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIANITY HAS INFLUENCED THE FAMILY UNIT

The Bible is very supportive of the family unit as God created the first family. The family unit in America was the strongest when the national life of the nation upheld laws and principles that protected it. As the judicial system relaxed divorce laws with no-contest rulings, divorce increased. When our society became tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle, the family unit took another downward spiral. (Notice, I said tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle, not the homosexual. God loves the homosexual and wants to change them and give them a normal life. However, He hates the sin of homosexuality as it is destroying many lives and families.)  When laws are established that encourage sin, then the fruit of that sin brings confusion to society. Laws in our nation that are trying to gain acceptance for gays to marry will further escalate destruction to the family. For more information on homosexuality click here: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY?

The Lord desires for the family unit to once again thrive with the husband as the head of the family who loves and nurtures his wife and children. Christian homes that are in God’s order will produce happy and loving families. Many cultures throughout history made women mere chattels or property of the man. When Jesus came, He truly liberated women to be restored to their proper place in a marriage. The Biblical model for marriage is a partnership between a husband and wife, where both parties love and respect each other.  Cultures and societies without the Bible’s influence usually repress and use the women and even the children.

However, our culture has, in many ways, swung in the opposite direction with many women dominating and lording over the man and trying to rule him. Many women in the United States do not have a submissive attitude toward their husbands, but rather, want to do their own thing. Many women in our nation have abandoned their husbands and children for the excitement of the marketplace. Being in this arena has further divided the home and left a whole generation of children without their mothers or fathers. It is not always wrong for women to be in the workplace, but generally it is better for the mother to be at home with the children when they are young. Children no longer are being mentored by their parents, but by daycare workers, baby sitters, humanistic school teachers, and the wicked influences of the media that have brainwashed them with the evil ideas of the day. The Bible is just old-fashioned enough to advise parents to teach and raise their children. (We realize 50% of homes in America are single parent homes and some of these never wanted to be in that situation. In those cases, they must make the best of the situation they are in and pray for the Lord to help them.)

Ephesians 5:21-25:  “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 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 saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

For more information on true submission in marriage click here: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SUBMISSION IN MARRIAGE?

r homes are being battered from many different sources. Pornography is another area where our laws need tightening and enforcing. Our nation also has laws on the books against this evil. However, we have allowed evil to prevail in the name of freedom. Without a Christian influence against this kind of evil, more women and children will be exploited, and lust will destroy the intimacy of our marriages. Keeping the commandments of the Bible is all that stands between us and this flood of evil. Those who produce pornography for greed and those who want their lustful and sinful desires satisfied are responsible for this evil remaining in our nation. Click here for more information on: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT PORNOGRAPHY?

It is only the “salt and light” of Christianity that keeps us from total destruction. Again, Christianity’s effect on the family unit is demonstrated as people follow the Lord’s plan for a happy marriage with the husband loving and caring for his wife as the Lord cares for His bride, the church.

THE BIBLE’S INFLUENCE IN THE MARKETPLACE

If you have a day off during the week you can attribute it to the influence of Christianity. The Bible lists as one of the Ten Commandments, the keeping of the Sabbath rest.

Exodus 20:8-11: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Nations that do not allow their people a day off during the week for rest, end up working their people and their animals to death. They have shorter life spans in nations who do not observe the Sabbath rest.

Other influences of Christianity and the Word of God in the marketplace are the establishment of just and fair wages, the negotiating of honest deals and production of quality products. For a detailed look at how a Christian business should be run you can go to this link: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT BUSINESS?

CHRISTIANITY’S INFLUENCE ON ANIMAL RIGHTS AND ECOLOGY

The Bible gives us guidelines in the handling of the earth’s resources and Christians are taught in the Word of God to manage them properly. The scriptures are not silent in regard to these things.  Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

We can also see from the scripture’s below that the Bible teaches ecology by allowing the mother bird to go if you eat the eggs she has lain.

Deuteronomy 22:6-7: “If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: 7 But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.”

Caring hearts will take care of the animals and the land. The Bible even instructed man to allow the land that crops were raised on to rest every seventh year. Our crops are suffering from depleted vitality because we do not heed this admonition today.  Farmers should rotate their crops so that every portion of their land could rest every seven years. Exodus 23:10-11: “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: 11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; … In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.”

For more information about animal abuse, click here: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ANIMAL ABUSE?

THE BIBLE’S INFLUENCE IN THE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF SOCIETY

When the Bible’s influence is strong in a society, it will affect all aspects of that culture in a positive way.  The opposite is also true — when a society turns its back on God, it will begin to reflect evil in its cultural choices. We see this today as we watch our young and old people embrace things that are totally unbiblical. How we dress, what we eat, what music we listen to, and what we choose for entertainment, are all reflections of how strongly or weakly we embrace the Word of God. Rebellious, anti-Christ music has become firmly established in our society today in spite of the dangerous influence it has had on our young people. This music has encouraged lust, sex, suicide, rebellion against authority, etc. Even physically, it has damaged the hearing of a whole generation of young people who listen to loud music and live bands constantly. There are those who are deaf or going deaf from this exposure.

Many of our young people today don’t realize how unbecoming, and in some cases even vulgar, the latest clothing trends and fads appear on them. They look strange with their body piercings, tattoos, and extreme oversized baggy clothes that show their underwear. Others wear extremely tight shorts and other revealing clothes with nude portions of their bodies showing. Our culture has stamped its approval because so many young people have embraced these things. Older people have embraced many of the same things. They think it is the trendy thing to do. However, Praise God, we do have a remnant of young people who are seeking to be like Jesus as their motto is “What Would Jesus Do?”  What would He do? I personally can’t picture Jesus with nose rings, tattoos, underwear showing, and His hair dyed purple. Praise God for the young people who are taking a stand against the ungodly trends of our society. We are regressing in our culture when we watch our youth defile their bodies and express themselves in ways that are unbecoming as Christians.

We could address many more cultural trends and traditions that do not glorify God or are against the Word of God. However, at this time, we will address only one more; the tradition of Halloween. (Click here for more information on WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HALLOWEEN.) The celebration of this holiday has its roots in witchcraft. Although this holiday is an Satanic celebration, the influence of Christianity in our nation has established the celebration of some true “holy-days.” Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter are all Christian celebrations that we enjoy even if some people celebrate them in the wrong way.

KEEPING GOD’S LAWS IN THE EARTH BLESSINGS TO MANKIND

People that come against true Christianity don’t realize they are coming against the very influences that make life pleasant in this earth. (Please note that everyone who claims to be a Christian may not truly be one, as many come in Christ’s name but are not keeping His commandments.) The laws and commandments that God gives us to live by are given to us so that we might live a good life in this earth. The keeping of these laws do not get us to heaven; only faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ will do that. However, the keeping of God’s laws brings harmony to the earth. If we are a true Christian we will be striving to keep the rules of the Bible to please God.  All men want to be free, but many mistakenly think that keeping God’s laws will bring them into bondage, when the exact opposite is true. The Bible says in John 8:31-32, ”Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The Bible teaches responsibility. Laws establish people’s rights. However, many of our laws are now being changed to establish individual rights, while infringing upon the rights of the whole. We must pray for this to cease or we will all soon lose our true freedoms. We must also stand against the sin of tolerating every evil  in the name of allowing that person the freedom to do things that do not agree with God’s Word. Freedom has its responsibilities and guidelines. Those are defined by the Bible. We must get back to the one standard of God’s Word and the worship of the one true God named in that Word. It is only by keeping God’s laws that we as people in all societies will be truly free and enjoy the blessings of God in the earth.

Psalm 67:1: “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.”

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End Notes:

¹Orange County Register,  Arizona Republic Newspaper Article (March 3, 1999)

² The Bible and Civilization, D. James Kennedy, Ph.D., Coral Ridge Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Betty Miller has written several books on other topics as well. To view titles or purchase those books click here: http://store.bible.com/

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PREAMBLES TO STATE CONSTITUTIONS BASED ON THE BIBLE’S INFLUENCE

In prayer, we encourage you to declare these over the your states and the states of this union.

ALABAMA 1901: We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama.

ARIZONA 1912: We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

ARKANSAS 1874 : We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own forms of government, for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CALIFORNIA 1879: We, the people of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.

COLORADO 1876: We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government; establish justice; insure tranquility; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity; do ordain and establish this Constitution for the “State of Colorado.”

CONNECTICUT 1818: The people of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government, do, in order more effectual to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors, hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of civil government.

DELAWARE 1897: Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and in general of obtaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another; and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for the due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them; and therefore all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness; and they may for this end, as circumstances require, from time to time after their Constitution of governments.

FLORIDA 1887: We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its blessings and to form a more perfect government, insuring domestic tranquility, maintaining public order, and guaranteeing equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

GEORGIA 1887: To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we, the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

IDAHO 1890: We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.

ILLINOIS 1870: We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations in order to form a more perfect government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.

INDIANA 1851: To the end that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated: We, the people of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.

IOWA 1857: We, the people of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows:

KANSAS 1863: We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the State of Kansas, with the following boundaries, to wit:

KENTUCKY 1891: We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

LOUISIANA 1974: We, the people of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy, and desiring to protect individual rights to life, liberty, and property; afford opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; assure equality of rights; promote the health, safety, education, and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and justice to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.

MAINE 1820 and 1876: We, the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for our mutual defense, promote our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and imploring His aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of Maine, and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same.

MARYLAND 1867: We, the people of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:

MASSACHUSETTS 1790: We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence, or surprise, of entering into an original, explicit and solemn compact with each other; and for forming a new Constitution of civil government, for ourselves and posterity; and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain, and establish the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

MICHIGAN 1909: We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

MINNESOTA 1857: We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

MISSISSIPPI 1890: We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

MISSOURI 1945: We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the State.

MONTANA 1889: We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a State government, do in accordance with the provisions of the enabling act of Congress, approve the twenty second of February AD 1889, ordain and establish this Constitution.

NEBRASKA 1875: We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

NEVADA 1864: We, the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect government, do establish this Constitution.

NEW HAMPSHIRE 1784: Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and reason, morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles, will give the best and greatest security to government, and will lay, in the hearts of men, the strongest obligations to due subjection; and the knowledge of these is most likely to be propagated through society by the institutions of the public worship of the Deity.

NEW JERSEY 1947: We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hat so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

NEW MEXICO 1912: We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a State government, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

NEW YORK 1895: We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution.

NORTH CAROLINA 1876: We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of these blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.

NORTH DAKOTA 1889: We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

OHIO 1851: We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.

OKLAHOMA 1907: Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

OREGON 1859: We, the people of the State of Oregon, to the end that justice be established, order maintained, and liberty perpetuated, do ordain this Constitution.

PENNSYLVANIA 1874: W, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

RHODE ISLAND 1843: We, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations do ordain and establish this Constitution of Governments.

SOUTH CAROLINA 1895: We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.

SOUTH DAKOTA 1889: We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties, in order to form a more perfect and independent government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of South Dakota.

TENNESSEE 1870: That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right, be compelled to attend, erect, or support any

TEXAS 1876: Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

UTAH 1895: Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

VERMONT 1793: That all men have a natural and unalienable right, to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own consciences and understandings as in their opinion shall be regulated by the word of God: and that no man ought to or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or support any place of worship, or maintain any minister, contrary to the dictates of his conscience, nor can any man be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of his religious sentiments, or peculiar mode of religious worship; and that no authority can or ought to be vested in, or assumed by, any power whatever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the rights of conscience, in the free exercise of religious worship. Nevertheless, every sect or denomination of Christians ought to observe the Sabbath or Lord’s day, and keep up some sort of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agreeable to the revealed will of God.

VIRGINIA 1902: That religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other.

WASHINGTON 1889 We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

WEST VIRGINIA ( ): Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of west Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the State of West Virginia for the common welfare, freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity.

WISCONSIN 1848: We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, forms a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this Constitution.

WYOMING 1889: We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

This preamble does not include Alaska or Hawaii.

[Editor’s note: This preamble was proposed by House Joint Resolution No. 8, Acts, Regular Session,

1959 p 659: submitted by Acts, Regular Session, 1960, c. 4: and ratified November 8, 1950.]

” Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed”—“Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is God who knows what you have done; He will judge your actions” From NLT

***arrogance***- a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims. From AOL dictionary.

Very interesting to see that powerful verse because I have seen many who are very proud of being themselves. Instead of their true and humble actions.  Our hearts will be pounded when we enter into His House in His Judgment’s Day. Wow!

Very challenging day to be judged.

When you get a blessing from Lord, make sure to not be proud of having His blessing nor be arrogant. Be grateful and thankful for what He gave you to be who you are when you became a real Christian and devoted to His Son Jesus. Also keep thanking Him for what He has done to you. Do your humble actions by what He needs and requests you when you are devoted to Him seriously.

Be very serious to do it. I do the same way.

I thought to share with you all from what the author Betty Miller. I copied and pasted her article issue….Enjoy!

Knowing God’s Wisdom is the Key to the Overcoming Life: Overcoming-Time Wasters
By Betty Miller
In our high-tech age, we are bombarded from every quarter to give our attention to something. Everyone has a message or a product they are promoting, and many of them are good and beneficial to humanity. However, one of the things I found myself praying about over the year-end holidays was for the Lord to show me my priorities, as I only have so much time and energy. I want to stay focused on the things the Lord feels are the most important things for me to accomplish at this particular time in my life.

What led me to pray this prayer was that my husband and I took a short sabbatical between Christmas and New Year’s this year and I faced the dilemma as to what I should do with this time. My “Things To Do” list was quite lengthy and included personal, business and ministry projects that were all screaming for my attention. Since I wear a number of hats, (as I am sure many of you also do), it is not always easy to know which thing is the most important for me to do at any particular time.

I found the list of priorities in the Bible:

Mark 12:30-31: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

The Lord has my heart, soul and mind, as that commitment was made long ago; but how can I love Him more with all of my strength? As Christians, we must all give an account of how we spend our time and energy, as well as our money. According to the above verse, God comes first above all others, which means I need to first give Him my time in prayer, meditation and the reading of the Word. As I do this, He will lead me by the Spirit as to what I am to do daily, and I will then know how to love others properly. This also means that I must give him the first-fruits of my money, since money represents the energy and time we spend in labor (our strength).

Bud and I spent time seeking Him diligently, and the thing the Lord put on my heart to do during this time was to finish the edits for the daily devotional, “God’s Wisdom for Daily Living” that has been in progress for the last two years. We had hoped to have it done in the Fall; however, other battles had to be fought and overcome to bring us to the place of being able to find the time to complete it. Apparently, the Lord feels it is now time to share these writings with a larger audience. Thank you for praying for us as we approach the “finish line.”

The Lord spoke to my heart that as I gave my time to complete this book and share it with the body of Christ, He would then give back to me the time and help to get the other things in my life done. He is so good; as during this time, He also furnished four other people to help in the editing process and others to help with all the additional things it takes to get a book in print. We are self-publishing this book with a “print-on-demand” publisher, which allows us to pay for small batches at a time. Since we were unable to come up with the needed funds to do a hardback edition, we are going to launch with a paperback version instead, with the other goal still before us. The book should be in print by the middle of January 2008.

I started these devotionals back in 2004 and posted them daily on the Bible.com website. I received a commission from God to pen these devotionals. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done; yet, the easiest. The hardest, as I had to yield to the discipline of daily devoting two hours to these writings for the period of 365 days. Yet, it was also the easiest, as the Holy Spirit met me in my writing studio each evening. As I sat down to read the scripture for that day’s writing (with not a clue as to where that scripture would lead me in my composition), God would grace me to pen the wisdom that is contained in the book of Proverbs. The words would just begin to flow, as the gift of writing that He bestowed upon me settled softly in my heart. I knew that the knowledge and wisdom I was gleaning from this book within the Holy Scriptures was not just for me, but for the extended family of God, as well.

The “Thoughts for the Day” sometimes took the form of a teaching, a sermon, a devotional meditation, or a testimony. At times, I felt as if I penned things that were from the very heart of God Himself. I felt a gratitude and a need to pray at the end of each page I would write, so I thought I should include those prayers as well. The Holy Spirit inspired me to pray simple prayers from my heart that expressed my own need of change, as well as asking for the world around me to be changed.

The writing of this book changed my life because of the treasure of wisdom I discovered in the book of Proverbs. The real treasure is knowing and loving Jesus, for He is ultimate Wisdom. If you decide to read this devotional, and you find just one gem that touches you and brings you into a closer relationship with Him, then my labor of love will bring me great joy. I will meet you daily through these postings, or through this new book as you read it; but I also expect we shall have that Unseen Visitor with us, as this daily devotional book was His idea.

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men”

All of us as Christians are still struggling with that verse, because we are not perfect to fall into our temptation except Jesus. Jesus was unique though he is right now because he came to our earth to save our sins.

When we became God’s representatives or children to have a pure religion having a special relationship with Him, Satan is very angry though working out on how to offend and attack us. We get our frustration easily, however, we must to learn how to defend ourselves as God’s children against the Satan. I know it is truly not very easy to do, but keep your strength and faith fighting against who is still attacking us. If it happens to you, make sure to pray and memorize that special verse to stay away from what the Satan tries to you. Otherwise, you can go to keep yourself busy doing your errands. Instead of being lazy, for instance, sitting on the couch without doing anything. It may cause you to feel strange and think something with an insecurity.

Memorize that special verse it will help you all if you are hungry to be with Lord all the time with a true heart. Instead of half hearted or cold heart.

Keep your strength!

CFF

“Jesus said unto him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me”

What amazing to keep this very special verse in my heart and my mind as well, because I have been through during my hardest struggles for a while, and somehow I was called as led go to the bathroom where I could able to keep a quiet time having my relationship with Lord. I had that special with Him for almost three hours. I truly thank my friend whom I spoke last night by the phone, needing her support and advice. In fact Lord did answer my friend’s prayers, what incredible!!!!

I cried because I realized more than I did that Jesus is UNIQUE the way with his Truth, and nobody could do like Jesus. He is so amazing! I don’t know how much I can or describe my excitement over Jesus!!!

When you all have your own struggle, go and spend reading and having a conversation with Him in a very quiet place without a disturbance.  God will show you what He has wanted and waited on you seriously to get back to where you have spent with Him.

Blessings!!!

CFF

I just thought to share with you all. I copied and pasted so that you all can read what the author Betty Miller wrote.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT…

WOMEN IN MINISTRY?

By Betty Miller

Do women have a place in ministry? If so, to what extent? Is there scriptural basis for a woman to be in any position of authority in the church? What does the Bible really say about this issue? To understand God’s intentions, we must go back to the very beginning of creation to see His original purpose for both man and woman.

MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).

“Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created” (Genesis 5:2).

It is interesting to note that God called both male and female, “Adam” in the day they were created. Adam means “man.” Adam and Eve were created with God-ordained differences from each other, but together they made a full “man,” or a complete picture of God Himself. There was perfection in their union. Their differences were not a source of discord or inequality, but a beautiful compliment to each other. Together, God gave them the task of overseeing and ruling His creation

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28).

Notice that God gave the above commission to them both. There is no hint that there was anything but equal authority between man and woman as they existed in a sinless state. What changed things? In the next few chapters of Genesis, we find that sin entered the heart of Adam and Eve. The result was a temporary curse placed upon both man and woman, which would affect the whole earth.

Genesis 3:14-19: “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 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. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

This curse has affected all aspects of creation, from the ground itself (infested with weeds and thorns) to human relationships. (I say temporary, because in Christ this curse is removed, as we shall see later on).

When Eve ate the forbidden fruit and enticed Adam to sin with her, one of the consequences for women was the loss of equality with men, as men were to rule over women, instead of men and women ruling together. She would now be “ruled by her husband.” However, when Jesus came as sinless Man and died as the Messiah on the cross for us, all things were restored positionally. In actuality, the restoration of man (men and women) began to take place at that very moment.

Though the complete cleansing of the curse has not yet been manifested on the earth, the day is coming when it will be so. Or to put it another way, all those who receive Jesus as Savior receive restoration as Sons of God, but not all of us walk in that restoration–yet. Through Jesus, the curse upon women has been lifted. Women no longer have to receive pain in childbirth nor are they inferior to man with him ruling over them. Women can now be restored to their original place and plan that God had for all His “sons.” Although we do not see all things restored at this time, “legally” in the spiritual realm, they already have been.

Adam was the head of the first race of mankind; and Jesus is the head of the last race, the adopted children of God. God only sees two races–the Adamic race (all natural-born mankind) and His children through Jesus (all those born of the spirit).

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:21-22).

Once we are born into the kingdom of God, we become new creatures in Christ. In the Spirit, we find there is “neither male nor female,” just as there are no race distinctions nor class separations. The Lord looks on the hearts of His new creatures and therefore does not discriminate when He offers His love and privileges. Women are not excluded from any of God’s promises nor callings merely because of their sex.

Galatians 3:28: “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.”

GOD’S MASCULINE AND FEMININE TRAITS

As we stated above, the command to have dominion over and subdue the earth was given to both Adam and Eve. They were both to rule and reign over the Lord’s creation. The very act of subduing something requires authority, aggressiveness and leadership, as well as humility, tenderness, patience, and the ability to respect the intrinsic value of what we are ruling. Most of all, it requires love.

Within God’s own nature we find these same qualities. Both men and women are to become like Him as we are conformed to His image. Since this is true, there are times that under the unction of the Holy Spirit a woman should assert herself boldly. (This assertion, however, should not necessarily be toward others, but rather toward the enemy, Satan!) For men and women to become overcomers they must have this boldness and authority over the devil. God still desires that His people rule and reign with Him. His intention is to qualify us for that position, whether we be male or female. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6).

Even though “kings” is a masculine term, this is the ultimate destination He desires for all of His people. The Lord often uses both male and female terms to refer to both sexes. Women are to live in the “hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4). Both men and women in the church are referred to as “the bride of Christ.” God has both a masculine and feminine nature. The mother heart of Jesus was evident as he prayed over Jerusalem.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37).

Submission is considered to be a feminine trait. However, Jesus submitted to the cross under the direction of the Father. If we walk in the Spirit, we too will possess both the masculine aggressiveness and feminine submissiveness of God.

Both submissiveness and aggressiveness are God-given strengths. Yet, both can be perverted, so that we become submissive and aggressive in the wrong ways, with the wrong attitudes. Because these qualities are so misused and misunderstood by the world, they have become distasteful and despised. If aggression is frowned upon, submission is viewed in an even more negative light in western culture. We equate submission with weakness and lack of spirit. Nothing could be further from the truth. There was never a human being more submitted to God than Jesus Christ– yet never was there one as completely resistant to the system of the world! It took extraordinary submissiveness and aggression for Jesus to overcome the world. For the Christian, whether we are male or female, He is our model. We are to possess His qualities and use them according to the needs around us.

WOMEN AS MINISTERS

How does all of this lead up to women ministers? Perhaps you are thinking that although we have laid a biblical foundation for “neither male nor female” in Christ, certain verses in the New Testament still seem to ban women from ministry positions in the church. Let’s examine these verses for the true interpretation.

“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” (1 Corinthians 14:34).

“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).

In these verses, Paul cannot be addressing women who were in the ministry, but rather those in the congregation who were out of order. How do we know this? We have many such proofs, many from Paul himself. Here is a partial list of women who were all in influential positions of leadership in the early church.

Pheobe (Romans 16:1-2): This woman was a deaconess of the church in Cenchrea, who was beloved of Paul and many other Christians for the help she gave to them. She filled an important position of leadership. It would be a difficult stretch of the imagination to say that this woman fulfilled her duties without ever speaking in the church!

Priscilla (Acts 18:26): Priscilla and her husband Aquila are often mentioned with great respect by Paul. Together they were pastors of a church in Ephesus, and were responsible for teaching the full gospel to Apollos. We are informed that they both taught Apollos, and pastored the church together. In fact, Priscilla is sometimes listed ahead of Aquila when their names come up. This has led some to speculate that of the two, she was the primary teacher and her husband oversaw the ministry. At any rate, we see here a woman in a very prominent position of teaching and pastoring. (Other references to Priscilla and Aquila are Acts 18:2, 18; Romans 16:3, and I Corinthians 16:19).

Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3): Here we see reference to two women who were “true yokefellow” and who labored with Paul in the advancement of the gospel.

Junia (Romans 16:7): In this verse we see Paul sending greetings to Andronicus and Junia, his “fellow-prisoners” who are of note among the apostles. Junia is a woman’s name. In some modern translations, an “s” has been added (Junias) because the translators were so sure a woman could not be an apostle, that they assumed a copyist has accidentally dropped the “s.” However the proper male ending would have been “ius,” not “ias.” No church commentator earlier than the Middle Ages questioned that Junia was both a woman and an apostle.

Though there were other women throughout the Bible in positions of leadership, such as prophetesses, evangelists, judges, leaders, etc., the above references should be enough to establish that women were indeed a vital and normal part of church leadership. Paul expected women to speak in the church, or else why would he have given the following directive? It would have been useless to give directions for women who were speaking in the church, if they were never allowed to do so.

1 Corinthians 11:5, “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”

Furthermore, if Paul believed that all women should never teach or speak in church, why does he commend many women who did just that?

With all this in mind, what then do we make of the troubling verses that command women to be silent in the churches? First of all, we must interpret those verses in light of what we have just established–that there were women in leadership positions of the church. Obviously, Paul is not writing to them. He is must be addressing another issue entirely–the women who were loud and unruly during the service, causing disorder and confusion..

When he wrote the Corinthians, he was dealing with a church that was very disorderly in their services. Much of the letter was spent correcting excesses and abuses. Some of these pertained to women in particular and some were to the entire church. Paul is not being prejudiced against women when he instructs the Corinthian women to keep silence. In the early church the seating arrangement was quite different from our modern day churches. Men were seated on one side of the church while the women and children were seated on the opposite side. This is still practiced in many cultures today.

The women of Christ’s day were generally uneducated and usually only the men were privileged with an education. Due to this situation, when the church met the women were tempted to shout across the room and ask their husbands the meaning of whatever was being taught. This disturbed the service. Paul was simply saying during the service, “Women, keep your children quiet and you be quiet, and if you have anything to ask your husbands, wait until you get home.” Because of the new equality that Christianity brought to women, it could be that some of them were taking their freedom too far, to the point of being obnoxious.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he gave him a similar directive. Again, it is important to understand the context in which the letter was written. In I Timothy, a careful reader becomes aware that many severe heresies and false teachings that were being dealt with. We can draw a conclusion here that many of the proponents and victims of the false teachings were women. Timothy pastored in Ephesus, and it has been suggested that goddess worship might have played a large part in Paul dealing so severely with the women. Ephesus was a primary center of the worship of Diana or Artemis. The heresies being taught might have suggested that women were authoritative over men and had higher access to spiritual knowledge than men did.

Regardless of the particulars, in both cases we can see that Paul is dealing with specific incidents in specific churches for very particular reasons.

We must understand that many of Paul’s epistles dealt with local problems and his commandments are not meant to be taken as “commandments” across the board for all situations. Rather, we are to seek the Lord for the basic principal that needs to be incorporated in our churches. Because of Old Testament precedents that had already been set, apparently it never occurred to Paul to re-establish the case for women in ministry. Why would he need to? The early church took it as a matter of course that Jesus would call and ordain anyone He chose–and that settled it! As a matter of fact, the Bible mentions a prophetess who was in the Temple when Jesus was brought there as a baby. Her name was Anna (Luke 2:25-35), and she was one of two people who recognized Jesus as the Messiah because of her sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s writings are sometimes misunderstood today because we do not know all the details that led him to write as he did. We must rely on the Holy Spirit, and the rest of the testimony of Scripture to interpret how we are to apply these things to our everyday lives. Scripture should always be compared with other Scripture and the context taken into consideration. Even in Paul’s day, there were those who tried to twist the meaning his words.

“…His (Paul’s) letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do other Scriptures, to their own destruction” ( 2 Peter 3:16).

It is a fair conclusion that the testimony of the bulk of Scripture, church history and God’s anointing upon them, all speak plainly for women being able to fulfill all positions of the five-fold offices of apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist and teacher.

MINISTERING TODAY

It has always been a strange doctrine that will allow women to go to foreign mission fields and teach heathen men, but will not allow the “heathen” men at home to be taught by the same women! It makes absolutely no sense to think that a female who is learned in the Scriptures cannot teach a male who is unlearned. Additionally, it is acceptable for many women to teach Sunday School to children, and for mothers to teach their sons. Where do we draw the line and say to the women that can no longer teach a male once they reach a certain age? This may seem like a ridiculous scenario, yet there are those in the church who teach along these lines.

Those that are dogmatic in excluding women from the ministries of God usually are not walking in the Spirit, as they see women after the flesh (viewing her sex), not after the Spirit (seeing her heart and calling). The Lord admonishes us in His Word that we are not to look at one another with regard to our sex, race, class or culture, but rather we are to see one another through spiritual eyes.

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:16-20).

God wants to use any person who will yield to His Spirit, regardless of that person’s sex or capabilities. Those who are a new creature in Christ have His capabilities.

Our problem is that we must see there are rules for the fleshly, or earthly man, and there are rules for the spiritual man. Then, we must discern when to apply the appropriate Scripture. We are admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15 to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY

The Lord gave the church gifts of His choosing in the form of men and women who would lead the church into perfection (Ephesians 4:8-12).

It is the Lord who calls men and women to His ministry. He does not call special people, but the call goes out to “whosoever will.” First, we are called to salvation; then as we walk in obedience to Him, He calls for us to be baptized in His Holy Spirit. As we continue to obey and follow Him, He then may choose us to serve Him in a full-time ministry. He chooses people for the ministry out of those who have walked in obedience to His other calls. He desires that all follow, but can only choose those who are obedient. These men and women who have answered the call are set in the ministry by Jesus Himself. Man’s ordination does not qualify them, but the ordination of God does. Men will recognize those who are truly called by Him. They will even recognize women who are called of God as God empowers them with His anointing and power which cannot be denied.

God has used many modern day women in His service as well as women spoken of in the Bible. Madame Guyon, Catherine Booth, Jessie Penn-Lewis, Aimee Semple McPherson, Corrie Ten Boom and Kathryn Kuhlman are only a few of the women on the list of great five-fold ministry gifts to the church. What are those gifts and that ministry? “And His gifts were (varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us,) some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11, Amplified Bible.).

When this Scripture says, “appointed and gave men to us,” it does not mean just the male sex. The same man whom God created in the beginning which included male and female is the one referred to here. These “men” are both male and female and they have a responsibility to bring others into the maturity that they possess.

Ephesians 4 continues, “His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God; that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood….the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection — the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him” (Ephesians 4:12-13, Amplified Bible.).

The Lord has lofty intentions for His men and women and desires that they come into perfection and maturity even as Christ walked in that perfection. The Lord sends those whom He chooses to bring about this maturing and perfecting. If we have been raised in a traditional church, the idea of coming into perfection may sound impossible–even heretical! However, it is clearly a Biblical precedent and until we understand it we will not be able to understand God’s full intention for His body. The separation of laity and clergy is not God’s plan for His people. All that are called to salvation are called to a full-time ministry in the Lord. This does not mean that all should leave their secular occupations, but all should devote their lives to the Lord and be as committed and active in witnessing, learning and growing in God as the leadership.

The leadership that God raises up is those men and women whom He trains for His work in the kingdom. Women have been limited in traditional churches to certain positions that men would give them, but the Lord is restoring His full five-fold ministry in these last days to prepare the body of Christ for His return.

FURTHER QUESTIONS

If Jesus wanted women to minister, how come all His disciples were men? This question is actually raised from a misunderstanding of the word “disciple.” Jesus had many women disciples. These include, Mary and Martha (John 11:1-4, and many other references as well. Mary and Martha, along with their brother Lazarus were among Jesus’ closest friends). In addition, Jesus had many other women followers as well.

Luke 8:1-3, “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”

For the sake of brevity, I will not include other lists of names of women who followed Him. However the Scripture makes it clear there were many of them.

In another incident, Jesus motions to the crowds that followed him and said, “Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).

In John 4:1-42, we see that it is a Samaritan woman who leads a large population of her community to Jesus.

Why didn’t Jesus choose any women to be among His twelve original apostles? Jesus could not choose women to be among the twelve because it would not be wisdom for men and women to be travelling about together when many of them were single. Also, the twelve apostles fulfilled the “type and shadow” of the twelve patriarchs, so they had to be equal to men (Revelation 21:12, 14). However, this doesn’t mean that he does not anoint women to fill an apostolic role today, as we already established in the case of Junia.

Jesus showed a great deal of respect for women–and children as well. In the culture of Jesus’ day, these were often deemed “lower class” so to speak, and not worth paying serious attention to. However, Jesus repeatedly broke this unspoken rule. Because His actions were so unusual, those closest to Him were often surprised and annoyed.

WOMAN, THOU ART LOOSED!

We pray that this teaching will encourage many women, who might otherwise relegate themselves to the “back burner” to instead step forward into the full calling of God upon their lives. Likewise, we pray that men who have been taught against letting women minister will see the truth of the fullness of God’s plan. No matter who we are in the Lord, we will be held responsible for how we treated others and how we either hindered or helped the cause of Christ on Earth. Those in leadership especially need to heed this warning with reverent fear. Just because we have believed something our whole life, or because our denomination or culture teaches us so, doesn’t mean it is correct. If you have a problem with seeing women in the pulpit, or in any position of leadership, we pray that you will prayerfully seek the Lord with an open heart on this issue.

In conclusion, let us read the following promise from the prophet Joel. This prophesy was initially fulfilled at Pentecost, and as we draw closer to the End, we can expect to see it fulfilled in even greater measures.

Acts 2:17-21, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”