The Role of the Woman

Have you ever studied the book of Titus? Done more than a read through of it? If not, I highly recommend this tiny but powerful book of doctrine. At our church here recently we took a 6 weeks and broke the scripture down, verse by verse, and it was very edifying for our spiritual growth. If you would like to hear my pastor teach the book of Titus you can do so here.

But before he taught the entire congregation about the instruction Paul had for Titus, those of us ladies in the Women's ministry were blessed to have him instruct us on the portion of scripture that was specifically laid out for women in the church.

Titus 2:3-5

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

I love this portion from our study: "These traits were in strong contrast with the immoral behavior of the pagan society from which many of them came and in which they still lived." Additionally, the scriptures above are for ALL Christian women: married, single, widowed, older or younger.

I have wanted to share this portion of scripture for some time, and in fact have found myself drawn back to these verses many times since we did this study of scripture back in early September. The day and age we find ourselves in is very confusing, depressing, and highly immoral. Very much like the church in Crete that Titus was pastor over. 

So let's break down the four characteristics for a godly woman as listed in verse 3:

• Reverent in behavior

rev·er·ent /ˈrev(ə)rənt/

adjective
feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
Similar: respectful, reverential,  worshipping,  worshipful,  adoring,  loving,  admiring,  devoted,  devout,  dutiful,  awed,  deferential, submissive, humble, meek 

Two verses to cross reference: Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

• Not slanderers (malicious gossips)

slan·der /ˈslandər/

noun LAW

the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Similar: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination

verb

make false and damaging statements about (someone).

Similar: defame

James 3: 5-6 is about the tongue, and verse 6 tells us the ultimate source of the fires kindled by the tongue:

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. (New American Standard Bible 1995)

Do not dismiss your words or tone ladies. Our tongues can be used as a tool of Satan which is why Paul felt the need to address this serious issue.

• Not given to much wine

 The original language suggests addiction, with some Bible versions referring to slaves to drink.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 states:

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. - New American Standard Bible 1995

The gist of words are if you as a believer can abstain from something and it helps another believer, then do it! 

Romans 14: 15-21 gives a loving response if drinking alcohol offends another believer:

15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. - New American Standard Bible 1995

I summed it up in study as such - "If it offends you, when I am with you, it will offend me."

Additionally, the Bible does say drunkenness is a sin and gives warnings.

• Romans 13:13
• Galatians 5:19-21
• 1 Peter 4:3
• Ephesians 5:18

Sisters, we are not to be "slaves" to excess. Paul focused on self-control and moderation to characterize women of every age in the church. Consider for yourself what words/activities you could insert instead of "wine."

• Teachers of good things

Paul instructed Titus to encourage the older women to be mentors and good examples of all the traits previously mentioned. In every church there are some older and some younger. I know I have personally been blessed by many older women who have instructed, guided, and directed me over the years.

The very first lesson the older women were to teach the younger women was to "love their husbands."

This type of love is "phileo" which calls for women to be affectionate towards their husbands, and it denotes friendship. The following verses show how a woman can express this type of love:

• Ephesians 5:22
• 1 Peter 3:4
• Philippians 2:3-4
• Mark 10:45

And after loving their husbands, they are called to love their children. Now, whether you are single, married, or widowed, more than likely you have children in your life. Nieces, students, friends kids. Think on ways you can show love to these children. I am thankful for the book "A Mom After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. It is giving my practical ways to love on my kids as God intended.

Also to be taught to the younger women are attitudes and skills. Titus 2:5, " to be sensible, pure, workers at home." 

Discreet (sensible) - attentive, prudent, tactful, considerate

Chaste (pure) - celibate, virginal, unblemished

Workers at home. This always seems to throw a kink in people. Ideally, the woman should be at home, with her children, tending to them and the home. Making the house a home. Modern times have forced many, if not most women into the workforce. God understands, and is sympathetic to that. But if at all possible, especially when the children are young (before school age), a mom at home is the best foundation for a child.

This is still my desire. To one day be a stay-at-home-wife/mom. Possibly even homeschool my children. The world is full of sin, wickedness, and darkness. I want to shelter my kids from that. To train them up to be light bearers for Jesus. I love doing the home stuff - cooking, cleaning, decorating, living in my home. And I believe that desire is from God.

The last part of verse 5 is this, "kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."

Kind is synonymous with Good. And that good comes from the Greek agathos - good nature, useful, upright, joyful happy, honorable.

And the source of goodness is found in Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB1995):

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

"Being subject to their own husbands" is also a way of saying being obedient. Its not being a meek mouse, but instead deferring to the husband, he is the head of the family as God intended. See Ephesians 5:22-25 and Colossians 3:18.

This does not only apply to married women, but to single women and widows. If we have no husband, we have a father, we have a boss, we have the LORD. (See Ephesians 5:19-20 and Philippians 2:5-11).

Now, "so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Some translations put blasphemed in place of dishonored. We as women are representatives of God, we can cause harm to the kingdom of God if we do not follow His commands. If we say we believe, then we have placed ourselves under the authority of God and we will be different in how live, love, have families, all of it.

Dear sisters, I hope you have been encouraged, as I was, by this break down from the Book of Titus. It really is a powerhouse of a book of scripture.

LEGACY: Impact on Men on Families & Society

Have you ever seen the movie"Courageous" by the Kendrick brothers? I highly recommend everyone watch it. Married, never married, divorced, have no children, or do.

Honor Begins at Home

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Viewers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous. (Courageous the Movie)

-*-*-*-*-

The title song for the movie by Casting Crowns, I love it.And in my pregnant condition, it makes me cry. It stirs my heart and overwhelms me.Take a moment to watch it.

Couragous - Casting Crowns

In America, and the world today, there is major crisis. That crisis is the lack of fathers/men in the lives of their children/families.

Prager University has a video on the importance of black fathers, but they share some statistics on fatherhood in general that makes it worth watching: Prager U: Father Video

Children who grow up without a father are:

• 5x more likely to live in poverty & commit crime
• 9x more likely to drop out of school
• 20x more likely to go to prison

Statistics on unwed mothers:

• In 1960, 5% of children grew up in a home with a mother and father not married to each other.
• In 1980, it was 18%
• 2000 it was 33%
• By 2015, that increased to 44%

This issue, this lack of men in the family, crosses generations, races, and economic boundaries. Now it might be more noticeable in certain communities, but this issue effects everyone. There are those on the extreme left who say, "The future is WOMAN!" I have issue with that. God made man and woman both in His likeness. God doesn't make mistakes, He made man and woman to fulfill His plan for creation. Both serve a purpose. Humanity needs both men and women, no matter what science says.

I look around my own life and so the evidence of the importance of men. I am blessed that in spite of my parent's divorce when I was 2.5 years old, my mother eventually married another man, who for the past 24 years has been an amazing influence in my life, and now I can say in my children's life. The day I walked down the isle, both my father and "step" father walked me down the isle to wed my husband. While my mother and father did not make life work together, them and my "step" father worked together in raising me. And, maybe I am a bit biased, but I think I turned out rather well.

My mother/father in-loves have been married around 40 years, raised 3 sons to adulthood, and now have 5 grandchildren with my unborn child being their 6th. The 3 sons talk to each other, us 3 sister-in-loves talk too. We are stronger for these bonds.

Let's look at the Reverend Billy Graham, a tangible example almost everyone the world over can look to. He passed away on February 21, and the world will not be the same with him in Heaven. But the legacy  he left, it cannot be underplayed. I have followed the teachings of his daughter Anne for several years now, and on April 12 was blessed to hear his daughter Ruth speak at woman's event at my church. And should the LORD tarry through November, I hope to hear in person his 3rd daughter Gigi speak. These three ladies and his sons have taken up the torch their father lit and and running the race that Jesus set as an example:

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
Jesus, the Example
12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Friends, there are many heartaches in this world.

February 14 - Parkland, Florida
February 21 - Billy Graham passed away
April 8 -Chemical attack in Syria
April 17 - Former First Lady Barbra Bush passed away
April 27 - Alfie Evans dies
April 30 - Israel exposes Iran Lies

Death, destruction, lies.

It is only going to get worse. My pastor preached tonight the midweek sermon. Normally his son does, but food poisoning (send up a prayer). Our pastor and his wife just returned from a trip to the Holy Land with 82 other church members. And his sermon tonight shared what I have learned the past 8 months about Christianity.

Here are some of my sermon notes:

In Israel, there are 13.5 million people: 7 million Palestinians & 6.5 Jews,numbers released by the Israeli military a few weeks ago.
Of those 13.5 million people, 1% of those are Christians, and in the Holy City, Jerusalem, that number is less than 1%.

He added that America is heading towards a society that shares that statistic. With everything going on in our country, and the world, faith in Christ is declining, knowledge of who Christ is is declining. And unless the men of the world come to faith in Christ, society will continue to crumble. Men serving God and not themselves will be what changes our world. Jesus could tarry and not Rapture the church if the men in this country, in the world, grew up, manned up, and became men who serve God. A man who serves the LORD puts God firs, then his family, then himself. He works hard, is active in church/community, is a present in the lives of his children, and shows his children love by serving/loving his wife. A man who marries a woman, usually brings them both out of poverty. Men make a world of difference. We need to appreciate what men are capable of doing.

Prager U has another great video that outlines the benefits of men marrying. Prager U: Be a Man, Get Married

Let me wrap up. The future is not man, is not woman, it is both working together to fulfill God's will. We need to stop down playing the importance of men in society and the world. Scripture tells us that a day is coming when the church will no longer be here, and the wrath of the God will be poured out on humanity. We do not know when that day will come. So until then, we need to pray, we need to share the Gospel, share what Jesus has done in our lives, and remember that God wins in the end. And because we do not know the day, or the hour, we must live as if we have time, even though we are aware that we do not know for sure how long we have. Ladies, pray for the men in your lives, and in the lives of your children. Men, seek God first, lead your families by example.

A Note for Women Raising Children with out Fathers:

Dear Sister,

You are amazing, you are loved, you are not alone. You are doing the best you can, in a situation God never intended for any of His beloved children. Remember, we live in a fallen and dying world. God will be father to the fatherless. Keep moving forward. Do what you can to set the example of Christ in your home. Find men (preachers, pastors, grandfathers, uncles) who can be an example to your children. Boys and girls alike need to see what men are supposed to be like. And remember, our heavenly Father loves our children even more than we do. We have to trust them into His hands. He has given them to us to raise, but ultimately they are not ours. Hang in there. You are prayed for.