Julia's Forum
By: Julia
Prologue by Elijah
My wife has been with me every inch of the way, through all the trials, through all the heartaches, though all the loneliness, and she has also shared in the joy and the jubilation of learning from God, and I will tell you straight out, that I could not be where I am today were it not for her. She has so many times given me inspiration to write a wide variety of Biblical subjects; her insight and constructive criticism has been invaluable to me. She spends her days studying and thinking on God, plus keeping the house and all that goes with that. Folks, I say this in all sincerity and truth: there is not a woman on this earth that is wiser or knows God as well as she; there could not be, in my opinion, a more godly woman than she, or who could even could come close, and God will bear witness to that. I hope you will encourage her to write; you will be the richer for it.
_________________________
NOTICE
This site is for women only; men enter
at your own peril...
_______________________________
The Woman's Place
By: Julia
Running the Race by the Rules
This is from Hebrews 12.1:
'Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us.' (Heb.12.1)
The Scriptures in several places likens our walk with God to a race or a competition of some kind. In 2 Tim.2.5ff we read this:
1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier on service entanglesh himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.' (2 Tim.2.1-5)
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. In other words we must run the race according to the rules if we expect to receive a reward, or to be crowned.
In some areas God's people have strayed so far from the path that they do not even know that there are rules. It is ridiculous to imagine a world series game or an Olympic game played without rules or guidelines. It would be meaningless if each player on the field where playing by his own rules or possibly even making up the rules as he went along and yet this is basically what God's people are doing. Even in worldly competition the men have different rules than the women, because of the woman's natural limitations she cannot play by the same rules as a man. And so it is in the race we are running, striving to please God and to find a way to be of service to Him. He has set down the rules for women and for men, and we must keep our respective places in order for God to honor us. While we cannot alter the fact that in the flesh we are woman with our physical and emotional differences, in the spirit we are the same as a man and if we overcome and are victorious, we will be joint heirs with the man, but only if we run the race by the rules that God has set down for us as women. We are the weaker vessel, not inferior; we cannot help that God made us this way, but by the same token we are heirs together of the promise of life if we keep our place.
In 1 Sam.15 we read this:
17 And Samuel said, Though thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed thee king over Israel; 18 and the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst that which was evil in the sight of the LORD? 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God in Gilgal. 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim*. Because thou has rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.' (1 Sam.15.17ff) (* these are household gods as Catholics have)
Samuel tells Saul that rebellion against God is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...and thus, because he had done this thing, he was rejected from being king. This gives us a good picture of what God thinks of rebellion, and so we see the sad condition of churches, the home, and the nation because they do not follow God's rules, with women rebelling against men, wives against husbands, and children against parents.
I know that there are a lot of extenuating circumstances and our society is very complicated...nevertheless, the basic principals set forth in the Word of God are simple and they will never change, and when we get back to the Word, all of our problems can be worked out as we seek wisdom from God, and as we walk in the light He gives.
I think the best place to begin is with the wives because setting the home in order must be done before we can start on the congregation or the nation. Many of the problems in the church and the nation would be resolved anyway if the home were functioning properly. Getting families back together is of vital importance and the Elijah ministry that is coming is going to do just that:
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.' (Mal.5.5,6)
But let us begin now, you ladies who want to see what God wants you to do, and set our own homes in order to the best of our ability. Whether our husbands are seeking God or not, we have much that we can do, and even some promises to claim as to how we can win our husbands...
___________________
How to be a Godly Woman
In our day and age, the simplicity and the beauty of the woman's place has been almost totally lost. Women are going out of the home and are competing with men, but from the beginning when the Lord created Eve to be a 'helpmeet' for Adam, the woman's place was established and this principal has never been changed.
The false ideas and the pressures from the world makes a woman afraid and ashamed to even try to take her rightful place. But the Word of God sets forth a picture of a woman that is beautiful to behold. The idea that a woman who staying in the home and submitting to her husband, and cares for the children is a dull, weak simpleton...is not according to the Word of God.
What I am about to show you is quite contrary to the wisdom of men; it is only the woman who fears God and wants to be acceptable to Him that can lay hold on these things. We have to lay down our own ideas and standards and be willing to consider important what God considers important. If we will line ourselves up to the Word of God then we can be truly a woman of worth.
Here, from Proverbs 31.10ff:
10 A worthy woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life...
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And delivers girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom;
And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 Many daughters have done worthily,
But thou excell them all.
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates.
What I would like you to see is that she is not weak but by any means, and that her work is wonderfully rewarding.
Now I would like to take you to the New Testament and show you what is required of a godly woman. Begin here with 1 Pet.3.1ff:
1 In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; 2 beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; 4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not in fear any threatening thing.' (1 Pet.3.1-6)
This passage will show you how that even if your husband isn't obeying God that by your own conduct he can be won. This will require much faith on a woman's part because she will have to believe that, if she submits herself to her husband, as Sarah did to Abraham, God will deliver her just as He delivered Sarah.
Consider these texts also:
22 Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.' (Eph.5.22-24)
And this from 1 Corinthians:
3 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...9 for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man...' (1 Cor.11.3,9)
And this from Colossians:
18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord; 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord....' (Col.3.18-20)
Thus you see from these Scriptures that the order has been established by the Lord God Himself. When we refuse this order it only causes confusion in the home and in the congregation, which confusion we see all around us. The men have let go of their authority, the women have take over in whole or in part, and the children are rebelling against both parents. God's people need to get back to doing things God's way; the women to get in their proper places in order to bring families back together so they can serve God in an orderly fashion.
Much of the responsibility falls on the woman's shoulders because a man can't take his rightful place as the head unless his wife will take her God given place. This brings peace into the home and then they can work together as a family.
Now I would like to show you a passage of Scripture that is very widely misused by worldly carnal minded church women to try to annul the Scriptures I have given to you. They think they can use this one verse to do away with everything else God has said about how a woman should conduct herself in the home and in the congregation; here:
25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. 28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.' (Gal.3.25ff)
They are saying that we are now all one in Christ and so the other Scriptures regarding the woman's place have been done away...eliminated, as it were; now she can step out and do whatever she wants. However, God never gave the woman the authority to do a man's job...not in the flesh or in the spirit, and it is most unbecoming for a woman to try. Emotionally and physically we are suited to do just what the woman in Proverbs is doing.
Verse 28 above is saying that everyone who is serving Christ is an heir. We will be equal heirs with the man if we serve God in truth and in our proper place. 1 Pet.3.7 says even though we are the weaker vessel, we are heirs together of the promises of God. We can't help being the weaker vessel; we were created that way...God's doing not ours. However, in the Spirit we fight the same battles in order to overcome this world; therefore in the end we will be rewarded on an equal level if we contend by the rules set down in the Scriptures.
The next point to be considered is how a godly woman should conduct herself in the congregation and part of that is her manner of dress; consider:
9 In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with elaborate hair styles, and gold or pearls or costly clothing; 10 but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works. 11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. 12 But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived has fallen into transgression...' (1 Tim.2.9-14)
Then this:
'...As in all the churches of the saints, 34 let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. 35 And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.' (1 Cor.14.34,35)
This will commend us to God if we obey with the meek and quiet spirit, as Peter says:
1 In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; 2 beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of elaborate hair styles, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; 4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' (1 Pet.3.1ff)
This is truly a beautiful picture because it is not our outward appearance as fine clothes etc. While many women explain away the above passages written by Paul to Timothy and in Corinthians, saying it is just 'Paul's opinion because he hated women...', but Peter says the same thing...then Paul says, 'as also says the law.', and he is referring to Genesis 3.16b:
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.' (Gen.3.16)
Paul talks a lot about setting things in order because, as I said before, God is not a God of confusion. He tells the women how to conduct themselves and stresses that they take their proper place...older women, the younger women, and the women who serve in the congregation: all are given instructions even to what and who they can teach.
Finally, consider this:
1 But speak you the things which befit the sound doctrine: 2 that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: 3 that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; 4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed: 6 the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded: 7 in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, 8 sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us...' (Titus 2.1ff)
This explains thoroughly what the older women are to teach the younger women...and how they need such teaching and guidance these days. Without the standards set forth in the Scriptures young women are anchorless not knowing for sure what to do.
Right now, I would like to know where the older women are who are qualified to teach these principles to the young!
_____________
The following are Paul's views about women, which contradict so many who suppose he disliked and even hated women; see what you think.
13 And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.' (Acts 16.13ff)
Then this:
1 I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the congregation that is at Cenchreae: 2 that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self. 3 Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: 5 and salute the church that is in their house.' (Rom.16.1ff)
Then, on in verses 6, 13 and 15:
6 Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you...
13 Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine...
15 Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them...
It is so very clear that women were important in Paul's ministry and in the congregation, then here:
2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.' (Phil.4.2,3)
And here:
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day 4 longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.' (2 Tim.1.1-5)
And here:
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth...' (2 Jn.1ff)
How can anyone say that Paul was against women, when they were a very integral part of his work and it also shows how important women are in the congregations and that they are not second class citizens as some suppose...
_____________________________________
Wearing Pants
The following is in answer to a lady who asked me about wearing pants...
To begin with, I think it is important for a woman to understand that even though times and circumstances change, God's laws and rules to not. Because women are not willing, for the most part, to believe this, they are as Jesus said in Mt.5.13 and Luke 14..34:
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.' (Mt.5.13)
and,
34Salt therefore is good: but if even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out.' (Lk.14.34)
Then, there is this:
1In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.' (1 Pet.3.1-6)
Peter lays it out clearly how we are to be in subjection to our husbands, how we are to conduct ourselves in a chaste manner, and how we are to dress. These are the outward manifestations of our faith; then there is the meek and quiet spirit which, is in the sight of God, of great price.
So often women think to be meek and quiet is to be weak, well that is because they have never tried it! It is only by the grace of God that we can practice being meek and quiet and submissive.
I know, Susan, you said, for the most part you have been submissive to your husband, but now you will want to strive to go all the way. It is a daily struggle with our fleshly will but very rewarding when accomplished. Here:
9In like manner, that women adorn themselves in discrete apparel, with modesty and soberness; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works. Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived has fallen into transgression.' (1 Tim.2.9-14)
The instruction here begins with how a woman should dress, and this is especially important now when it is so common-place for women to expose themselves flagrantly and without shame. They seem to have no idea how demeaning their attire is.
It is so rare for women to wear dresses, that I am known by a good many locals as the, lady who wears skirts. They can't remember my name, you see, so that is the way I am identified. But if we are going to profess to be godly or a Christian we should dress according to the rules set down in the Scriptures.
Another very important aspect of our witness is our hair; here:
Here Paul explains the reason why a godly woman should have long hair. It is a symbol of her obedience to her place in the congregation, and also to her husband. This is another rule of Gods that Christian women refuse to obey for the most part. I hardly know a woman with long hair, especially women over 50 years of age.3But 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. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven. For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man: for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man: for this cause ought the woman to have authority on her head, because of the angels...15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given her for a covering.' (1 Cor.11.3ff)
It all goes back to the salt having lost its savor. When in a room with a group of women, it is impossible to tell who is a Christian and who is not. They all look the same, talk the same, behave the same. It is so saddening.
Here is a letter from one of our people...
________________
Amen