Bible Study

Even today, some church leaders tell Christian women that God wants them to stay at home. But what does the Bible really say?

In the small town of Berryville, in northwest Arkansas, members of the board at First Baptist Church voted in February 1997 to close their church-run day-care center. They made the abrupt decision not because the facility was too expensive to operate or because they didn't have enough children enrolled. The official reason, as stated in a letter that was mailed to parents, was that church leaders felt their day-care center was encouraging women to work outside the home.

"God intended for the home to be the center of a mother's world," the letter from First Baptist stated, adding that working moms "neglect their children, damage their marriages and set a bad example." First Baptist's day-care center board, under the direction of the pastor, also noted in their letter that families should learn to get by on the husband's single income."

We know that Jesus Christ is the revelation of all God is. But our ability to activate the life of Christ within us determines the level of victory we experience.

Author Anne Graham Lotz noted the powerful correlation between the way we view Christ the living Word and the way we approach the written Word of God. In Vision of His Glory, Lotz wrote: "[God] considers our reception or rejection of the Bible to be reception or rejection of Himself. Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is so identified with it, it is His Name!"

The Scriptures include countless references to angels in both the Old and the New Testaments. This should convince us that God does not stand far off from His people when we need His intervention. Often, He sends angels to comfort, instruct and encourage us with a word, a song or a touch.

Because we don't always embrace the reality of angelic comfort, these encounters can go unnoticed. But we never face desperate circumstances alone.

Oppression in many different forms can attempt to overtake the life of the Christian. Whether it's sickness, emotional struggles or family concerns, at those times, the tendency is to search for a place of safety--a stronghold.

However, finding security anywhere other than in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will eventually lead to bondage. A stronghold will ultimately become a prison. But God's objective for us is the freedom to walk in the Spirit and be conformed to the image of Christ in every way.

ABRAHAM FACED HIS ULTIMATE CHALLENGE OF OBEDIENCE ON MOUNT MORIAH. HE TRUSTED GOD AND SURRENDERED. UNAWARE OF WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE.

As the sun rose in the east, elusive early morning shadows played about the rugged crown of Mount Moriah. It was now just a day's journey away.

Abraham searched its dim outline for understanding as sand shifted beneath his feet. The words of Jehovah echoed again and again through his mind. They caused the old man's heart to pound.

SHE WASN'T PROUD OF HER PAST, BUT A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH A STRANGER AT A PUBLIC WELL CHANGED HER PERSPECTIVE ON EVERYTHING.

Many of us are familiar with the story of the woman at the well, the Samaritan outcast whom Jesus encountered outside the city of Sychar (see John 4:1-42). Throughout our lives, we may have heard her mentioned in various anecdotes on God's grace.

A closer look at this story, however, reveals a detailed account of God's plan to restore broken lives and symbolically, the bride. There are four stages to this process described in John 4: (1) the invitation to accept living water; (2) embracing the past; (3) establishing a relationship through worship; and (4) being released for ministry.

In the days of Jesus' earthly ministry, He confronted men's religious traditions and challenged their long-held distorted beliefs regarding the status of women.

Men and women in the church have made some progress toward a more balanced view of gender roles. However, there is still a great deal of fear and confusion associated with the topic.

Freedom for women to serve God with their gifts is liberating to men rather than threatening. Women desire to utilize these gifts for His glory, and it is wasteful and disobedient not to permit them the opportunity to do so.

FOR CENTURIES, A PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM OF CONTROL HAS KEPT WOMEN IN SPIRITUAL CAPTIVITY THROUGH DISTORTION OF THE SCRIPTURES. IT'S TIME TO DEBUNK THE MYTHS.

We live in the 21st century, but if we're honest we have to admit that in some ways the church is still in the Dark Ages--especially when we look at the way we treat women.

Even though the Scriptures never portray women as secondary to men, our male-dominated religious system still promotes a warped view of female inferiority. Women are tired of this, and as a man, so am I--because such demeaning attitudes don't reflect God's heart.

TODAY, THROUGH REVIVAL, WOMEN ARE RECLAIMING THEIR DIVINE DESTINY AND SEEING THEIR LOST INNOCENCE RESTORED.

At this moment in revival history, God is raising up women into roles of leadership and service that we never dreamed possible. We are like racehorse fillies straining at the starting gate, beating our hooves, waiting for the door to fly open and the race to begin. We're just chomping at the bit to start doing the work of the ministry God has called us to do!

But before that gate can open and the release can come--before we can embrace our destiny as ministers in Christ--we must embrace the Lord's original intention for us as women.

MANY OF US THINK THAT GOD SENDS ANGELS ONLY TO CERTAIN PEOPLE AND ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS. BUT ANGELS HAVE A MINISTRY TO ALL THE SAINTS.

Have you ever wondered about the part angels play in your daily life? Many Christians believe God sends them only to "special" people, such as those with large ministries, or on "special" occasions, such as when a person is in danger. The truth is that angels have a ministry to all the saints of God--including you and me--to strengthen, comfort and help us in our ministries.

Throughout the Bible--Old and New Testaments--there are accounts of the involvement of angels in the lives of God's people. In fact, angel appearances were so common among the early Christians that it was easier for Jesus' disciples to believe that Peter's angel was knocking at the door of the place where they were praying than that Peter had been released from prison! (See Acts 12:12-17.) Here are just a few examples of angelic activity recorded in Scripture:

Prophets and those who are sensitive to the currents of the Spirit of God are calling this a new era in the church in which women of strength and anointing will arise and step into the roles God has ordained for them.

Women after God's heart, "spiritual mothers," will not be hindered by anything in this hour. Rather, they will stand poised, fearlessly awaiting God's direction and enabling to accomplish His work.

Under the old covenant, the anointing oil had one exclusive purpose. In a symbolic act of consecration, it was poured out on prophets, priests and kings and on the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and all the individual utensils that were employed in the worship of God.

It was compounded according to strict instructions, and although its ingredients were earthly, everything about it was rich in sacred symbolism. Any vessel thus anointed was set apart for a holy purpose and calling unto the Lord.

MANY PEOPLE TODAY CAN'T EVEN LIST THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. WE MUST TEACH YOUNGER BELIEVERS THAT GOD'S MORAL LAWS ARE AS IMPORTANT TODAY AS THEY WERE WHEN GOD GAVE THEM TO MOSES.

I was deeply grieved to learn that no one he interviewed could quote any of God's laws. The ones who tried were way off base.

For centuries the church has come under the influence of cultural norms whereby women have been held to second-class status. There has been gross misunderstanding of the role of women in society and the church and a marked refusal on the part of many to acknowledge our accomplishments. God is holding His church to a higher standard than the world's. He is calling for us to embrace the giftings of women and to appreciate the place they occupy in the heart and mind of God.