Very Thankful..

He is blessing me up down left right center... Really thankful for the peace He gave me...and so much more!

In school, I am the head of my uniform body and society. Even the head of the House!
Guess what..? After I really know Him in August last year, I decided to step down as the head.
I stepped down as the head of my uniform body, and I quit my society.
Because I was too guilty of myself that I am a sinner. I was too bad last time that I think I didn't even deserve any of the post. I don't think a sinner like me can do anything well or influence others. I think I owed them big time and I was a very bad leader. I was thinking just to be a normal people serving Him from the back.

On the day they chose the new head ( uniform body), I didn't know that my friends will actually block me from stepping down. I was touched by their effort to block me from stepping down. They are giving me many reasons why shouldn't I step down. With all the words and excuses I gave them, they just have something to say. And something was just asking me to continue becoming the head to lead them. So.. I continued to be the head..

For society, I quit because I just don't need any power or fame anymore. Koko mark? I dont even bother already that time. I just want to be a normal person serving Him. At the time I was walking to the new society I've decided to join, my favourite teacher shouted my name from far and asked me to be the leader. I just didn't know how to reject him, and I don't know why I listen to him and remained in the society. So in the end, I didn't get the chance to quit the society. Furthermore, I became the head of the society... Many people voted me..!

Guess what? I'm now being too thankful and I enjoyed my post very well. Everything just turns out fine to me..and they are now many members wanted to join my uniform body and society! My teachers are honouring me and I found many true friends! Everything is just too good to me...! I don't know what to say, but He just caused me to love Him more and more...! I am getting all the fame and power without me realizing! My uniform body and society are becoming better and better that many people are now attracted! I want His glory to be shown there! And this time, I won't misused it!

BECAUSE I AM WHAT I AM BECAUSE OF WHAT JESUS CHRIST DID ON THE CROSS! I NOW DEEPLY KNEW IT!

You want to tell me about justice? Sorry, I don't want justice. If I had to stand in my own goodness and receive justice, I would be sentenced to hell! I'm thankful for God's mercy in Christ!

Just 5 minutes before I update this blog, I received a call from my aunty that my mom is starting to be prosper! The Lord is supplying to my family!

Father in Heaven,
I pray that more and more people will be blessed like me, to know YOU! Show salvation for those who don't know you! I know that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and being raised up on the third day by the Holy Spirit! Show mercy to those who hate you and give them salvation! In Jesus's name, Amen!

Important!

Matthew 4

The Temptation of Jesus

¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

⁴Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'^a]">[a]"

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'^b]">[b]"

⁷Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'^c]">[c]"

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

¹⁰Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'^d]">[d]"

¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.



What I'm trying to tell you is, you cant erase a negative(satan) thoughts by just not thinking about it. When someone asks you not to think too much, it's going to make you thinking the more.

Me : You are dumb.
You : errr.
Me : Forget that you're dumb. Don't think.
( can you actually don't think and forget what I say?)

A negative(satan) thoughts cannot be replaced by a positive thoughts too! A positive thoughts can be erased by a more negative thoughts from satan!

You see, Jesus Christ is our best example. When He is tempted, He did not use any supernatural powers to resist the devil. Jesus simply quoted the written Word of God to the devil.

We must follow Him too! Only the written Word of God can overcome all kinds of nonsense devil tells you. There is no other way.

Ephesians 6:11-18 (New International Version)

¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.


If you interpret the verses carefully, there is only an offensive weapon, which is the sword ( Word of God). Besides that, there is NO ARMOR PROTECTS THE BACK AND REAR; Paul made no provision for running away from a spiritual battle. which I think you cant try to stop thinking about it. You must face it and overcome it using the Word OF GOD!


Satan : You always sin.
Me : Jesus Christ died for my sins!
Satan : You are stupid.
Me : I'm made in the image of the One who defeated you!



Father in Heaven,
I am thankful for everything You gave me. I know Holy Spirit is going to bring the remembrance of Christ to me to defeat satan. I thank You for your words and your words are everlasting. I believed what You say and I received. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and raised up by the Holy Spirit on the third day. I thank You that Jesus has made me righteous. In Jesus's name. Amen

Simple answer!

I have heard many people saying :

"Everyone wants to change the world, but no one wants to change himself."

BECAUSE NO ONE CAN CHANGE HIMSELF! ONLY GOD AND HIS LOVE CAN CHANGE US!

Thank You Jesus for telling me this! Tell me more and more! Amen!

Jesus is all I need!

God showed me this before, but I have forgotten where I have seen this(maybe in Sg Science Center):

"Think of what God thinks of you, rather than what other people think about you!"

"I lose nothing by believing in God, but lose everything by not believing in God."

Well..most of us care about our physical appearance more than what is inside us. Am I right?
We put on "masks"to impress others so that we got attention from them.
But God cannot be fooled!
He knows what you are inside, and is more interested on it, not outer appearance!
In Jesus's day, religious people tried to impress each other with showy outward behaviour, He called them as hypocrites!
If you think you are fat, and are very concerned about it, God still love you for who you are. Jesus loves you until He knew how many hairs you have.
Don't worry if you are fat/ugly, God still love you!

Philippians 2:3-5 (New International Version)

³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Don't try to impress others. Try all your best to impress God instead!
People around us might leave or forsake us, but Jesus will never leave nor forsake you!
People around us might be different tomorrow, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Don't be selfish, but think of others first.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.

Sounds very hard..don't you think so?

Well, I always have good news for you! I have said in my previous post that you don't have to try to change yourself. Because God's love is going to change you from the inside out. Human can never change human, only God can. Surrender all of you to Jesus Christ and He's willingly to help you. You will be led by the Spirit and only He can change you! Focus on Jesus ALL THE TIME, and you will see miracles in you! God's love inside you will cause you to have the same attitude with Jesus Christ. All you need is focus on JESUS CHRIST! Be led by the spirit! only Spirit can change you!
If you are able to change yourself, then many people of this world do not need God as they can change themselves already? But none of them can! Only Holy Spirit can deal with our internal problem!

Father in Heaven,

You are all I need. Make me to focus on you each day that I can grow and know You! I want ALL OF YOU! I believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and raised up by the Spirit on the third day! Now, I just want to focus on You and do God's will! In Jesus's name, Amen!

I love Jesus Christ

John 3:3-8 (New International Version)

³In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.^a]">[a]"

⁴"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

⁵Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^b]">[b] gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You^c]">[c] must be born again.' ⁸The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.


You see, Jesus clearly stated that you must be borned again. Am I borned again? I AM! I'm borned again not because of the righteous things I did, but because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. What Jesus Christ did on the cross? He became like us ( sinners ), and called God instead of Father (proof). He became like us on the cross, and what happened to Him? He died, so we died too! Got what I mean? He became like us and He died. He is raised up by Holy Spirit. We are dead too and being raised up by the Holy Spirit the same way He is! I'm now borned again, born of the Spirit! Just believe in what Jesus Christ did on the cross, you are borned again and have eternal life!

Say it and believe!
Father in Heaven,
You know I really love you all my heart, my soul and my mind! I must know more of your greatness, goodness and mercy so You must tell me! You love me so much that You sent your Son Jesus Christ to died on the cross for my sins so that I can meet You in heaven. I believed it! I really love you Father! I'm borned again and the Holy Spirit is in me. I want to do Your perfect will for me, for you know what's the best for me. Father, please make sure that I'm not blocking myself to do Your will. Thank You for the cross. In Jesus's name, AMEN!

Wisdom

James 3:13-18 (New International Version)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Who does not want wisdom? In the bible, it clearly states that there are two kinds of wisdom. Your wisdom can been seen by your good life. They are many who preach wisdom, that you have to follow many formulas to obtain wisdom. Well, I have a good news for you!

1 Corinthians 1:30 (New International Version)

³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Jesus Christ has became your wisdom if you believed in Him! You inherit the wisdom of Christ, which is from GOD! Once you believed in Him sincerely, Holy Spirit will dwell into you and teach you all things..bringing rememberance of Christ. You are going to have wisdom and your wisdom are going to be seen by your good life! You do not need any formulas, all you need is Jesus Christ. Not only you gain wisdom by believing Him, but also righteousness, holiness and redemption. That's why.. He is all we need! Seek Him, all things shall be given to you! Don't worry! His grace is sufficient for you!

Matthew 6:33 (New International Version)

³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That's why.. be thankful with what you have. His grace is sufficient for you! Don't complain and being unthankful! satan wants us to complain and being unthankful. I hate his skills that :
When you get no.2, satan says you are not no.1
When you score 2 goals, satan says you didnt score 3.
When you got big house, satan says you didnt get nice house.
When you have 1 million, satan says you dont have 3 million.
and the list goes on...

What can you say? You want to play games with satan? Then forever you are going to play a catch-up game with him. I chose not to play the catch up game with satan, but listen to Jesus and be thankful with I had!

Say this and believe!
Father in Heaven, I thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. He died for my sins and has became my wisdom, righteousness, advocate and everything! I'm going to listen and do what you say! Make me to be thankful with all I have! Thank YOU! I LOVE YOU! In Jesus's name, AMEN!

Truth about Jesus Christ....!

God has made my day incredibly happy today XD! Only God knows how to make you have the eternal joy in you BUT ONLY if you're willingly to let Him do so. No one else can, but Jesus.

Something I'm willingly to share today.

Matthew 27:46 (New International Version)

⁴⁶About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,^a]">[a] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"<sup>b]">[b]


Why Jesus suddenly addressed our Father in heaven as God when all the sins are punished on Him. Many say Jesus called Him God so that we can call Him Father. That's true.. but I believe there are still revelations beneath it! Why Jesus addressed our Father in Heaven as God when all the sins are punished on Him? Until I found this verse...</sup>

2 Corinthians 5:21 (New International Version)

²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin^a]">[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.


Jesus Christ, by calling our Father in Heaven as God, actually proved that all the sins are punished on Him. Why? Because when Jesus is at the cross, He became like us, sinners. Only sinners like us will call our Father in Heaven as God. Don't you think so? That's the best proof we have that He became like us when He called Him as God. That's the only time He addressed our Father in Heaven as God, because at that time, He became like us. All because of me. All because of you. All because of us. For your sake, He is forsaken. God is holy and He can't look at Jesus when all the sins are punished on Him. All your past/present/future worries, disbelief and problems are on Jesus that time. See how much He loves u? ...

Every day is a blessing to us. That's why people call today as present? Now everything is a gift for you to receive. Jesus is borned on this earth to die, not to live. He is borned to serve, not to be served. What a great example we have! He's the only One GOD that serve and die for your sins! He is borned to die so that we may live an eternal life! Now it's up to you, this is the only moment you need, to accept Christ. We Higherground love you..seriously want you to be saved! If it's not God, I seriously won't be wasting time here. I will never spend a time here telling about Jesus. Only God's love in us can change us from the inside out. And I'm very thankful that His love is in me and changing me each day.

God wants you to reign! Follow me and say! I believe and I receive.
Father in Heaven,
I'm really thankful for what I had now and everything is in Your perfect plan. I admit I'm a sinner that I need Jesus Christ to be my Saviour. I believed He died on the cross for my sins and raised up on the third day! I want to do God's will now. Holy Spirit take all of me! In Jesus's name, Amen


Note: Email us at higherground.7@hotmail.com if you're new believer and wanted to know Him.

^b]">

God's Love......!

When the devil says," You are hopeless; you are lifeless; you are nothing and never able to do anything."
LISTEN DEVIL! I'm not listening to your image, I'm not listening to your like. I'm made in the image of the One who defeated you on the cross 2000 years ago! You can't tell me anything about image! Because I'm made in His image! In His image, we rule!

Genesis 1:27 (New International Version)

²⁷ So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

Since we are made in the image of God, we are destined to reign under Him! Don't believe what satan says! Satan causes you to run away from God, but Jesus draws you closer to Him. Satan never tell the truth, don't ever believe or talk to him.

Example:
When satan told Eve that she will become like God after she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve believed in satan and what happened?

Truth:
She got lied by satan saying that she will become like God after she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. DOESN'T SHE ALREADY LIKE GOD EVEN BEFORE SHE ATE THE FRUIT? SHE IS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD! SHE IS ALREADY LIKE GOD!

Therefore, never believe those evil thoughts in your mind. Replace them with the Word of God, the promises God gave us! Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins! You have to believe that you are destined to reign by following Him! Doing the Lord's will would be the best thing to do!

We are all precious gems of God! But why are we called as gems?
Because gems are precious? True. But where do gems come from? Gems come from caves ( darkness) and you need some times to take them out from the caves. It's the same like us! We are from darkness (sinful nature) yet His light shine on us which made us shinning like gems everywhere! What Jesus did on the cross causes us to be redeemed from darkness to His light! Amen! Jesus is my advocate. Whenever I sin, Jesus is there to save me. He's my saviour and made me righteous in Christ! But how can we still live in sinful life? We can't live in sinful life anymore because of what Jesus did for us! He draws me near to Him and causes me to hate sin!


One last thing, LYPG on last sunday was truly great though there are not many people! Certainly one of the best gathering I've had! Did you guys know that Jesus Christ has a praying life on earth? Jesus Christ always pray, He prays whenever He go. He is our best example to follow.

If Jesus Christ needs to pray so often, how much more we need? Let's join us in LYPG to pray for everything! We're ready to see you there!


Say this and believe it! You are only one moment away from getting the heavenly peace I got!
Father in Heaven,
I thank You for Your Son Jesus dying on the cross to wash away all my sins! I believed He made me righteous in Christ by washing all my sins! I surrender myself to You, so take all of me! I ask for Jesus's blood all over me, annoint me in everything I do. Because in all I do, I want to honour you! I pour Jesus's blood on Higherground and LYPG, let Your perfect will be done! In Jesus's name, Amen!

Note: God loves you more than anyone else. He knows you and wanted you to have a fellowship with Him. We're ready to meet you! Email us at higherground.7@hotmail.com if you wanted to know about Him and meet us! Tell us at higherground.7@hotmail.com if you believe in Him and we can help to build you up!

Instrument of God....!

Before I'm a christian, guess who and what I was? I was an instrument of Satan! I always lied, disobey my parents, manipulating people, lustful thoughts, hate my friends and etc ( s0 much more). I thought I was great until I don't even bother about God. I didn't need His help at all last time. I even wanted to prove that God doesn't exist! I heard His name in primary school, I ignored Him. I judged my friends thinking that I'm better than them. Slowly in secondary school, I heard His name more. Still, I ignored His presence. After that, I was even invited by an old uncle asking me to go church on the street. That old uncle even wanted to offer me free tuitions! Still, I ignore God. I saw so many people wanting me to become a christian! But I wanted to prove that God doesn't exist when I'm grown up! What you guys told me, I was actually saying the opposite in my heart! Outwardly, you maybe can see me listening! But I'm not! I wanted to change the world by myself!
What can I say about me? I was once an instrument of satan....! A big instrument of the devil in process!

In bible it says," There wont be any peace or joy for me, but sorrow, jealousy and bitterness await me." I had a miserable life before I know Christ. My friends betray me..my parents are angry at me, many friends are judging me. I was so stress and sorrowful. I just can't bear it anymore!

But thank You Jesus, You changed my life! At the lowest point of my life, I went to seek Him..and I didn't know that He's desperate for me! The moment I believed in Him, I gain life. I have the peace that no one can describe. I don't know what I was doing that time. I just feel so relaxed, resting in His presence. He gave me perfect peace and joy in me..that I wouldn't want to leave Him anymore. I never think that my family are going to go against me and what other people think about me at that moment. I just enjoyed His presence and Holy Spirit at that time. I got a heavenly peace that time. I'm sure! I just don't care about anything, and I just realised He is all I need. Nothing else.

I wonder if you guys have seen a God dying for your sins before. There is only One, and His name is Jesus. Though I did so many bad things, He still died for my sins..to make me perfect and sinless! Only Jesus can fill in the empty part of you, no one else can. Because Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. I just can't imagine how hard God punished Jesus for my sins. It must be very hard because I once lived in a sinful life. Yeah.. He died for my sins for me to gain eternal life. I didn't know that that is just the beginning! God wanted to bless me so much and He gave me perfect peace all the time! Try it! THANK YOU JESUS!

For now, I just want to be an instrument of God. I want to do God's will and I'm destined to reign by following Him! Following Jesus is following a winner!

Say it with me if you want to gain an eternal life in Heaven!
Father in Heaven,
It's enough. I'm sorry that I was once an instrument of satan. He made my life so miserable, stressfull and all kinds of nonsense in me. He made me such a rubbish and nonsense. But Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins! I believed You made me righteous in Christ! So Lord, I want to change my position now. I want to be instrument of You! I want to do God's will! Holy Spirit, fill me! In Jesus's name, Amen!

Say it and believe it. That's it. You only need one moment and here is it. You just believe in your heart and confess in your mouth that Jesus is my Lord, your lifestyle change! You are destined to reign with God! God's waiting you to meet Him in Heaven! We're waiting for your email. Do email us higherground.7@hotmail.com if you are seeking Him! Amen!

Is My Pastor An Oxymoron? By Michael Shoesmith

Is My Pastor An Oxymoron?
By Michael Shoesmith

I've been friends with an old-school evangelist for almost thirty years now. Recently he decided he shouldn't hang out with me because I have a, dare I say it, woman pastor. Some people might call the term "woman pastor" an oxymoron. I know my friend would. It is becoming increasingly obvious that he hasn't been much of a friend, really. He has, as I reflect on the influence he's had on my life, been quite a stumbling block in my marriage and personal walk with the Lord. So, I rejoice in my freedom and hope that the evangelist friend of mine finds like understanding. I have surpassed him in the area of Biblical comprehension (by the grace of God) and so the Lord has vindicated me with respect to the position I hold and am about to share with the rest of you. Here goes

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.

Galatians 3:28

So, there you have it. The ultimate conclusion every believer must come to. But in order to be a good Bible student, rightly dividing the word of truth, we really should dig into this a little deeper. Let's go all the way back to the beginning, because in the beginning

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

Notice the reference to the creation of "man" and then notice what God calls the "man": "male and female". So, we can safely conclude that God, before the fall, considered "man" (male and female) to be equal; without distinction. Again, this is before the fall. But that brings us full circle back around to Gal3:28, doesn't it? Now that we are in the New Covenant, there is a return to the original intent of the equality of the sexes, making Jesus the ultimate "women's libber". The book of Galations is the enemy of everything legalistic, including the male supremacy doctrine.

There are certain existential paradigms that just simply are. Like time, for example. When we are born we are essentially placed inside time as a kind of cage. Time is, in reference to eternity, like a bubble that personalities outside of time are able to observe. When we die, we exit the bubble and re-enter eternity, where there is no time. This is a reality that we, as human beings, all experience. It just is, like it or not.

Another reality that, well, simply is, is that husbands are the spiritual head over the wife. Not the head over every woman. He is the spiritual head of his wife; the leader in the area of spiritual growth, experience, etc. He simply is. It's not something he should aspire to or fight for. It is just one of those things. This can be good or bad for the women, as you can understand. That is why Paul said this

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?


Notice that the sactification comes from either the faith of the believing husband or wife. There is no distinction. God allows for the covenant to end if the unbelieving spouse leaves as a form of mercy on the other, and especially for women because of this reality


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.

1 Corinthians 11:3

Notice that there's no beating around the bush here. Paul uses strong language. He says it simply "IS". Period. This, however, is strictly a spiritual reality alone. It does not relate to household authority or authority in the assembly or any other temporal authority including the five-fold ministry. If you read Proverbs 31 you will realize that the household is the responsibility of the woman and not the man. It, the Bible says, is "her household". We also know that it is a spiritual reality, or line of headship in the spirit realm, from the next verses where it gives us the context of prayer, solidifying the doctrinal stance opposing the notion that this reference backs up those who hold the macro male supremacy doctrine.


So, there are a few Biblical references that are used to back up the controlling, male oriented social clubs out there. Here's one


1 Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

There are three words every Bible teacher must know in order to have a proper grasp of scripture. Those words are "context, context, context". One of the aspects of context is culture. Let's face it. If you don't understand the Bible culturally then you simply don't understand the Bible. Timothy was the pastor to the church in Ephesus. It was an enormous assembly. Jesus had liberated women and made them equal under God in the kingdom. It was mayhem in the church. Women who were not permitted to worship with men were suddenly allowed into the same room to experience the glory. Order was established in verse 13 with reference to the order of the creation of "man"; Adam first, then Eve.

One of the rules of Bible study is to never use outside sources to interpret scripture. The Bible is an inspired, supernatural text. It is unique and therefore there are no other writings capable of interpreting it. Always use scripture to interpret scripture. Bible study guides can be helpful to explain the various interpretations but should never be used to interpret. So, we must be careful to never contradict a verse of scripture by inserting opinions gathered by outside reason. When the Bible says, "there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus", we should not accept any contradiction what so ever. When Paul was admonishing Timothy about the role of men and women it was the culturally acceptable way to produce order until the Holy Spirit brought about the physical manifestation of the spiritual reality; that men and women are equal in the kingdom. Any other interpretation makes the Bible out to be contradictory and subject to scorn and ridicule.

Verse 15 of 1Tim2 explains the progressive nature of the chapter. Have you ever really heard a satisfactory explanation of the childbirth reference in that verse? Well, it simply means that as the various generations came forth out of the women (men with wombs), the Holy Spirit brought about the manifestation of the equality between the sexes to the point we are at today. The Holy Spirit is now ordaining women to be members of the five-fold ministry including the office of pastor. Now, we are truly witnessing the fulfilment of Joels prophecy wherein he states that God will pour out His Spirit upon "all flesh".

There are numerous examples in the Old Testament where a woman broke through the curse. From Deborah (Judges 4:4) back to Rahab (Joshua 2) . Now that we have a new and better covenant and the curse has been dealt with we should not say to women, "thou art cursed" but rather "thou art loosed". It was part of the curse of the fall that women were made subject to men. Jesus took that and every curse on the cross.

To forbid a woman to pastor is to say that the freedom purchased on the cross to redeem us from the curse only applies to men. The truth is it only applies to "man" which includes both genders. Taking the Bible out of context and using it to keep one gender in bondage to the curse of the law is an abomination. Another rule governing Bible study is that it must always be conducted from a platform of freedom. Not bondage.

Bible teachers, according to scripture, will be subject to greater accountability in the eternal sense. It is unclear what the outcome will be of that accountability but I don't think I want to be on the negative side of righteousness for the things I have taught the thousands of people reading my books and articles. I especially don't want to be guilty of undermining the freedom purchased on the cross. How about you? Would you tell Joyce Meyer or Gloria Copeland or Mary Jane Story or Bonnie Shoesmith or Patricia King to be keep quiet because of their gender? That's pretty risky, friend. Especially when you're so wrong. Embrace freedom. Embrace the cross. Embrace Christ.

My name is Michael D. Shoesmith and I am the Internet Pastor. I have written and published five books. I own and regularly contribute to two blogs. I also own several YouTube properties including internetpastortv and educatingtheatheists. Feel free to join me at http://www.prosperousindividual.com

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