1 Timothy Chapter 4

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Thessalonians 2:3 speaks of the great falling away.  The word expressly means clearly with no ambiguity or confusion.  The Holy Spirit is saying, “Let me make one thing perfectly clear…in the latter (end) times some shall desert or revolt against the Lord of the universe.  It’s not a matter of just quitting. When I took a vow upon joining the military I was told that from that moment until my enlistment was up, it was a crime to refuse a direct order or to fail to live up to government standards.  You cannot be born again…again. You have been reborn and renewed.  For this reason backsliding is considered treason against God.  Some say you can never lose your salvation and if you continue in our Lord that is absolutely true.  This is not to say you can’t give up your salvation.  Hebrews 6:4-6 says that once you have had the revelation of Christ’s sacrifice, accept His gracious gift and then knowingly fall away, you cannot be redeemed again to salvation.  Your end after that is to be burned.  In God’s eyes you have put His Son to open shame.

Sadly, many will give ear to spirits whispering seductive ideas and thoughts and demonic doctrines that sound just close enough to the truth to cause some to stumble.  I watched a play tonight and the actor reminded a woman who was trying to be one with the universe that the universe didn’t die for her.  The Creator of the Universe died for her and it didn’t make sense to serve the creation rather than the creator when He was available.  Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).  Our God is the God of truth.  He does not lie…ever.

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

It’s bad enough to be a liar who won’t tell the truth.  It’s bad enough to be a hypocrite who won’t live the truth.  When you are a lying hypocrite who lives and tells a lie at the same time you are going to awaken one morning not knowing where you are, who you are or what you are doing.  You have become like the drug addict who knocks down an old lady in the street to steal the money from her purse and then runs off leaving his bleeding mother behind weeping for her lost child.  You have become what the Bible calls a brute beast (2 Peter 2:12; Jude 1:10), without conscience or morals. 

When something is seared with a hot iron, it becomes scar tissue.  Blood no longer flows through it and though it keeps its integrity of shape there is no real feeling because all sensitivities are dead.  Since you are but scar tissue you are dead and unable to reproduce.  Your conscience no longer experiences the love of a parent or spouse.  You are twice cursed, cut off from mankind and God.  In Psalm 51 David cried to God, “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation…”

David’s great fear was that his sin might cause God to turn him off.  God doesn’t use a literal hot iron to sear your conscience.  We are so full of ourselves that we think we have created God with our minds or come to Him because we chose to do so in our own strength.  The only reason we love is because God gives us love (Romans 5:5-6), and the reason we have faith to believe is that God gave us that too (Romans 12:3).  Ephesians 4:29-32 explains how we ought to care for one another, even those who have hurt us.  If you are angry with your brother, even with good cause as the world sees good cause, you are are weak, unprotected (by God) and fail to acknowledge the gift of Christ in your life and fail to apply that mercy to others in your life.

I can witness but I can’t make or convince someone to believe in God.  Only the Holy Spirit can do that.  I have however planted a seed and suggested to that person to give God a chance to prove Himself.  I have said, “If you find yourself wondering if all this is true and desire to know the truth, ask God to prove Himself to you.  If you really want to know and ask Him to show you the truth He will.”  I didn’t say they had to believe in God.  I didn’t scream at them that they are going to Hell.  I suggested lovingly and with real concern that they simply ask for themselves.

Some of us make it so hard to want to be saved.  We curse them out or tell them they’re going to Hell.  We make them feel miserable about who they are when they might be good or bad people but they have told themselves they're okay.  Any time you threaten someone they will fight to defend themselves, even from a thought.  It’s better to leave them with the knowledge that if life really hits them hard it might be a good idea to ask God if He is real and if so …will He help?  Let them know that if they do find themselves in real need they can ask Jesus to come into their hearts and help their situation.

Once you have done this it becomes God’s responsibility to water that seed and make it grow.  You haven’t threatened them and you haven’t forced them to face a life they might not be able to face right now.  Sure there are times to ask someone to receive Christ but it’s probably after someone else has already planted a seed of love and the person has come unknowingly to you to bring in the harvest.  Sure there are times to tell someone that Hell is real and everyone must choose, but it needs to be done in love.  It needs to leave them with a question in the back of their minds that they want answered and you made it easy to ask God the question.

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Every religion and many of their leaders have embraced asceticism at one time or another.  In biblical doctrine there is a purpose and time for fasting but even then we are admonished to temper that with the enjoyment of married life so we do not tempt ourselves into committing sin.  Consider the Catholic practice of forbidding priests to marry.  Paul admitted that he had no real need to be married at the stage of life when Christ approached him (1 Corinthians 7).  He even stepped outside of God’s commandments and admitted that in his mind men would be better off if they were comfortable remaining unmarried. 

That was the end of his opinion.  Paul continued to say that if two people were beginning to see each other as more than brother or sister and they were unmarried then they should marry.  He said it was better to marry than to burn with lust for that sexual companionship (1 Corinthians 7:9).  In the Catholic church priests are forbidden to marry which is odd since they believe Peter (a married man) to be the first Pope.  Since male priests are cloistered away in their apartments and female nuns are cloistered away in theirs, was it any surprise that those unrequited sexual urges found an outlet that was are more deplorable than a priest who was married. 

Because of this unscriptural restriction toward marriage the priesthood began to draw men and women who had no interest in the opposite sex.  They still had needs and drives, simply no safe outlet for them.  This is as unsurprising as it was unnecessary.  Had they continued to allow priests to experience the whole of life like Paul instructed, they would have had well rounded ministers of the Gospel rather than an unhealthy percentage of predators.  When you take away the freedoms God gave us for the sake of deeper consecration you fail to take into account that every man and woman differs in strength of will and character.  He allows men and women to marry to procreate and to fulfill the needs of our natural human side.  Once these powerful human needs are met in a healthy and sanctified manner our spirit can lead unimpaired. 

As for foods, in the Messianic movement today we see Christian ministers abstaining from non-kosher foods in an attempt to get closer to their Jewish roots.  I won’t argue that some non-kosher foods are less healthy than kosher ones because that isn’t the point.  Peter didn’t just decide to start eating whatever he wanted, God commanded him to (Acts 10:13-15).  It wasn’t just about food; I understand that God was also speaking of ministering to Gentiles.  It was about the entire scope of our Christian walk.  Did it change the 10 commandments?  Not at all.  What it changed were the peculiar laws that made Israel unique and separate from the rest of humanity.  Most of these were spiritualized and held in our hearts.  Some, like marriage being between man and woman only, were reinforced in the New Testament and unchanged. 

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

We have eaten everything from blood pudding (yuck) to haggis to things I don’t even want to think about.  Knowing God’s prohibitions against some foods in the past, there are some I would not eat now for two reasons.  One is that some of the delicacies eaten throughout the world are awful.  I’m sure that John the Baptist thought locusts and wild honey were wonderful but I will pass on the voracious grasshopper lunch.  The other reason is that I might cause someone to stumble if they see me eating certain foods.  That I have the freedom to eat what I want with the exception of things strangled or offered to idols or blood, I should not use these things against those with a weaker sense of freedom.

This is particularly important.  Just because God released certain things to you and said they are perfectly fine if taken with thanksgiving, does not give you the right to cause others to stumble (1 Corinthians 8).  If my rights send me down a path where I cause someone else to falter, where is my love?  Scripture says if I do this the love of God does not abide in me.  Whatever we do we must do for love.

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Sometimes you forget that this powerful and life changing document we have been studying is just a letter, written by a father to a son.  I can read it as if it is written to me.  The lessons here are mine to grow by.  If I never had any other book to read and study, this one would be enough to walk before God in Christ.  Doctrine is here.  Ministry gifts are here.  The books of first and second Timothy are books of great wisdom written by one of the great Bible teachers of all time.  If we can live them, we can have the blessings of God.

7 But refuse profane and old wives 'fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

If you get your wife pregnant on the second Tuesday of the month in the South bedroom you will have a boy.  No seriously; this is proven.  Okay, I admit I made it up.  You don’t have to throw salt over your shoulder or spit to scare away evil spirits. Come on; you have even more that I haven’t heard of.  God said that if a couple is faithful in love and sanctification in soberness to God the woman will be preserved in child bearing (1 Timothy 2:15).  You don’t need an old wives tale for that; just a promise of God and two people living right.  Do you know who you are in Christ or not.  Is your lifestyle up to His standards or not.  Is one of your lifestyles up to it but the other isn’t?  Guess what?  It matters.  I guess unequally yoked is not a good idea.  I’ll tell you something shocking.  A minister who puts his church ahead of his wife and family is not much of a minister.  First natural then spiritual.  If you are faithless to a wife or child you have proved yourself faithless toward God and He will hear the cries of that wronged woman and child.

Another thing, stop worrying about Friday the 13^th.  It’s just a day.  If 13 is unlucky, why is the most important chapter in the Bible the 13^th chapter.  No, I’m not telling you which one it is; it should be jumping out at your mind.  Every nation or religion has good numbers and bad numbers.  Do they matter?  Only in as much as God supports certain numbers and dates.  Mostly we just need to learn how to obey God fully.  I read the other day a man was going to quit his job because his employee number was 666.  I admit I might ask for a new number but quit a job I need because of it?  I would pray and ask God to sanctify my employee number and keep on ministering the Word of God.

Beloved, I believe with all my heart that the most successful saints are going to be the ones who won’t change direction because someone complained and don’t care about which food someone eats or drinks because they believe God’s Word implicitly.  Am I superstitious?  If I am it is very little and I’m working on that.  I love my Lord and will continue in Him until all doctrines of demons have been eradicated from my life and my flesh says, “I surrender.”

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

I’m getting fat.  Sorry it’s true.  I don’t have a working scale right now but I might be a few pounds over my all time high.  I have had people tell me exercise is a sin because they read this verse.  What this verse says is, “Exercise for your physical body will only profit you for a short span while you live on the Earth but godliness profits your life in every single area and is eternal.  Are you still alive?  Godliness isn’t just a blessing in the life to come, but blesses your life even now while you are living in this weak and beggarly flesh.”

I am reminded of something a great preacher (in my mind), Kenneth Copeland once said.  He was really getting obese and God told him he needed to work out and lose most of that weight.  When he asked God why, God said Copeland wouldn’t be able to keep up with God’s pace if he didn’t stay in shape.  I’ve known pastors who were gluttons in every sense of the word.  One man was married, about five hundred pounds and had diabetes so bad his earlobes had fallen off.  He still kept eating until he died.  Wonderful pastor, loved his people but wouldn’t control his stomach.  Was it his time to go or did he force the issue.  I wonder what God said when he arrived?  “What are you doing here son?  You’re not due for thirty more years.”

You can’t do whatever you want just because the Bible says we are free in Christ Jesus.  No matter your level of freedom, love will constrain you to treat people right, care for this body God has given and eat sensibly.  Be temperate in all things beloved.  Let God know you can be trusted to do the right thing.

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

No matter what you eat, someone will disagree.  No matter if you ordain women or refuse to ordain women, someone will disagree.  No matter if you exercise or not, forgive or not, encourage or not, marry or not, have children or not, you will find those who agree with you and those who call you a fool.  You can be the most gracious, loving and kindly person in the world and someone will hate you for some perceived flaw.  Human nature gossips.  Human nature hates and blasphemes.  Human nature will argue unto death that they are right and you are wrong.  Don’t agree with me?  See?  I was right.

You cannot serve someone who is holy, righteous, loving, kind, gracious, giving, merciful, perfect and everything else you could expect in a perfect God and not irritate those men and women who are not willing to love your God.  Someone will be upset by you and some might hate you enough to try and kill you.  This life is not for the weak of heart.

11 These things command and teach.

In Mark 8:38 Jesus said that whoever is ashamed of either Him or His Words when Jesus comes for us in glory He will be ashamed of them.  Perhaps you became a Christian and are not one of those who rush out to tell everyone about Jesus.  I’m certain the world would breathe a sigh of relief, but take care.  This is not a good frame of mind to be in.  Paul, and I am persuaded God, order us to command and teach God’s Word. 

I have had men and women tell me, “That works for you but I don’t believe like you do.  You are a minister and I’m not.  I love God.  He knows my heart.  I don’t want to cause a scene.”  I hear you and don’t like to create scenes either.  Having said that, I don’t believe in temporizing God’s word and leaving parts of it off as too painful or difficult to follow.  Many of you actually follow the words but are too embarrassed to teach them to others.

I have been threatened before and my response is often, “I may not have the political, financial or physical fighting skills to take you on but my spiritual skills will ruin your life if you continue this course.  God defends me when I pray or even if I am unable to pray.  He is not afraid of you and you should be afraid of Him.”  We are not our own.  We are bought with a price and should be willing to be spent completely if that is God’s choice.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

The young are full of fire and passion while the more mature have the wisdom of their years.  In this case, Timothy had trained under a great man of God and his knowledge was years ahead of most others.  Notice how he was supposed to keep himself.  The word translated believers was faithful.  Be a pattern of faithfulness worthy to be followed.  Do you think this is important?  I stated earlier that you are always being observed and followed by someone.  Hold that faithfulness in obedience to God’s Word, in how you behave seen or unseen, always walking in God’s agape love.  Will those who follow you stumble or mount up higher and higher in the spirit of God, His faith and holiness?  The wise follow God but the simple follow a man.  Will they succeed following you?  Will they grow into wise and mature saints if they follow you?

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Paul always hoped to have an opportunity to come to them but lacking that he taught by letter.  We have the Holy Spirit.  We have anointed leaders sent by God and we have this man’s God breathed knowledge.  I know those who hate to read but you cannot grow without His Word.  Get the Bible on tape and listen to it exhaustively so whenever an anointed man of God explains a particular passage you are already familiar with it and ready to step up to the next level. 

I used to drive a tractor at work and would listen to my Walkman and the Bible on cassette.  One 90 minute cassette would last all day flipping it over again and again.  The next day I would listen to the next tape and within a few months I would have heard the entire Bible several times, and while that is not as thorough as sight studying it was a wonderful foundation.  We would get together often and play Bible trivia or other Bible games and others were often amazed at my knowledge of scripture.  We took that time to encourage one another and make sure we kept our doctrine untainted by worldly pursuits or desires. 

My favorite Bible reader is Alexander Scorby who passed away years ago.  I have the entire King James Bible read by him on MP3 now and loaded onto my phone.  You can also find it in CD.  While driving alone or riding my bike, I will let the scripture wash over me listening to God’s Spirit for moments of revelation.  One important point to consider.  If you don’t want to study and don’t want to fellowship and don’t want to pray it is past time to fast and pray.  We are drawn to God by the working of His Holy Spirit and if that gentle tug has ceased or become weak you are too far from God in your daily consecration.  Don’t wait until sin or calamity forces you back into your Savior’s arms.  Climb back up there yourselves through fasting and prayer.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

This is much like my last comment.  There was a time when I ceased regular prayer and church attendance.  I followed after pursuits that seemed more fun…like that’s the most important thing.  I still went to church every month or so and prayed when things got bad but I was not hearing God; my prophetic gifts were rusty and one day when I returned fully to God I realized, I couldn’t pray in tongues any more.  Right now I can easily pray in tongues and they come forth like water over a rocky stream; but back then I couldn’t.

I was told a few years ago that I pray in tongues too loud; some might even think too much.  I don’t care.  Paul said, “I thank God that I pray in tongues more than ye all (1 Corinthians 14:18).”  We choose to hang on verse 19 to the exclusion of 18 but that is a trap that leads to neglecting one of God’s gifts.  In my case I must pray in tongues to minister in the Spirit because that is how my giftings work.  I don’t think God was going to take a chance that I would neglect that gift again.

I’ll tell you what I think though.  I think we’re embarrassed to be seen (or heard) praying in tongues.  How can we fellowship with those other churches who don’t do the whole tongues and prophecy thing?  We need to be more like them.  Hogwash.  If we are using all the gifts God has given us as well as observing sound doctrine and scriptural living we are better off than dropping one or the other.  Some call Pentecostals backward hillbillies because so many don’t learn the deep doctrines of God’s word while the Pentecostals call those others dead and dying because the fire and intimacy of hearing God seems to be missing.

Both are wrong because you need both.  Paul always taught deep doctrine and a powerful prophetic gifting.  He never told a prophet they didn’t know what they were talking about but that even with the warning he was going forward.  God warns us so we can be prepared in prayer and fasting, not necessarily so we won’t go through the trial.  I know this from experience.  Tongues just sends a shiver through me every time I pray.  It is easy to get addicted to it since you have nothing to do with the prayer except air over your vocal cords, it’s all God.  What a wonderful thing.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Sound familiar?  There are many instances of what the Jews call remez, a hint of another verse.  In this case the scripture from Peter is a remez and the one from Paul is simply the fact that he considers these things to be absolutely imperative for the work of God.  I don’t think Peter and Paul were giving each other crib notes.  Peter as we know was very highly in tune with the Holy Spirit (Acts 3:6).  This unlearned fisherman made a lot of ignorant mistakes when he first got saved; but once he was filled with the Holy Spirit those mistakes ceased.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul spoke of the importance of doctrine twelve times in his letters to Timothy alone. In Philippians 3:14 he tells us to press toward the mark; in fact if you were to write all the teachings of Paul as a list (and I’m sure someone somewhere has) it would repeat each of these valuable lessons several times which shows how desperately important all these admonitions are for our daily walk with God.  As important as it is in our own lives, it is apparently equally important to those we tell. 

I guess what I’m saying is… “Can I get a witness?”

Bishop J

1 Timothy Chapter 3

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

It is a faithful (pistos) saying (logos), if ANY man stretches himself as in pressing toward the mark like our Lord pressed in prayer until sweat came as drops of blood, and presses in this manner to become a bishop, then the one who has been examined and found worthy of this honor, that coveting is a good and honest and fitting enterprise.

It does you no good to say, “I wish I was a bishop.  Look how everyone respects him and treats him with deference.”  First, that’s ridiculous.  I’ve been a bishop for several years now and cannot say I have sycophants mooning over me at all hours of the day.  Second, the road to this title is a rugged and regularly painful one full of sacrifices and endless surrenders to the needs of the flock.  The integrity alone to walk in this call will have you on your knees repenting for any manner of flaws that scarcely are noticed in someone else. 

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Blameless may be the wrong word here.  Blame free might be more accurate.  Since no one, certainly not me, is blame free I suppose blameless is a good translation but the Greek draws a picture of someone who cannot be caught by the coattails of sin trailing along behind them.  Have you ever played flag football?  You run after the one with the ball and try to catch a streamer they have attached to their waist.  If you catch it you have effectively tackled them and they can no longer run.  A bishop who has streamers of sin, willfulness and pride trailing along behind them is easily caught in their sin and not worthy of the title.

I know many say they are not interested in titles but God is.  Why?  Because a title is a name and a name defines someone.  If someone calls me Bishop Jay, they are actually saying, “The Bishop Jay.”  My title goes ahead of me and follows along behind.  It will open a door and later, if I have behaved badly, will seal it forever.  That door might open again for one called newborn or babe in Christ if they fall short, but not for me if I have badly used this particular title.  God expects me to do more than merely walk in it; I had better exemplify it. 

This goes for other titles as well though.  Apostles and Prophets and Pastors are looked up to and honored so if they fall their fall is as great as the honor bestowed upon them and the road to redemption is that much more difficult to obtain.  It’s not that God doesn’t care what babe’s and newborn’s do, but if I fall, people will probably fall with me.  If the Apostle falls, isn’t it likely that the pastors and others under his covering will be more likely to fall as well?

Don’t be like Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9) who asked for the baptism of the Holy Spirit so he could be recognized as a great power.  All he got for his greed was a chastening.  Bishops, deacons and others are to be a blessing for the church.  We are not pressing to become the spiritual CEO’s of Churchworld United. 

A bishop must be the husband of only one wife.  This isn’t much of a challenge in this country because you are only allowed one but in other parts of the world, especially the African and Arab nations this is a major biblical law.  The point that needs to be seen here, especially following the previous chapter is that God expects His people to function smoothly as one voice and one body and that goes especially for married ‘couples.’  A husband who does not accept his wife’s loving and valuable assistance in ministry is not wise.  She can be far more than the warmer of your bed, mother of your children and the keeper of the home. 

The two words translated sober and vigilant are actually (sober and vigilant) and (sober and temperate).  Sober means not to be out of control, vigilant means to be watchful and temperate means of steady and even temperament.  A bishop ought not be a person out of control.  In all areas he is controlled by the Spirit of God.  He should be a gracious host, willing to entertain guests and he should be both willing to teach and good at it.

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

I’ve never been much of a drinker so this one is easy and I’m not a fighter either.  I love that the word for striker is pugnacious.  That Greek word made it into English intact.  We’re not to be strikers OR quarrelsome.  Not greedy of money.  It’s good to have and there isn’t anything wrong with earning money, but we aren’t supposed to be living to make money.  We live to serve and God provides opportunities to make a living. 

Patient.  Sigh.  Patient.  Sigh.  Oh shut up!  Patient.  Willing to wait on God.  Willing to wait on babes in Christ.  Willing to wait on situations.  This word also means mild and gracious while doing it.  Are we having fun yet?  Does the position of Bishop seem to be worth all the trouble?  We’ve already established you aren’t to hit, but you can’t let your temper get the better of you and destroy or damage your witness.  Not a brawler.  A bishop should be apt to teach and just as disinclined to be a brawler.  A brawler does not have his or her emotions under control.  You shouldn’t even be inclined to brawl in the privacy of your own mind because you aren’t praying for and loving them in that case.

This next area is important.  We’re not talking about a new Christian here.  We are speaking of someone who is expected to be mature in the faith and one of the most important parts of maturity is rejoicing with those who rejoice and being happy for them in their blessings, whether spiritual or natural.  You can’t be mature if God is promoting someone in their position of the Body of Christ and you wish that was your spot.  You can’t be mature if you wish you had their money or cars or whatever.  Paul was mature when he said, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am in to be content (Philippians 4:11).”

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

Seems simple right?  All you have to do is raise your children to be obedient, respectful, pure, honest and dedicated to God.  Easy.  It does denote a man of God who has dedicated his life to his family as well as the Lord.  Too many forsake their families in favor of the church and that is not right.  The higher in ministry you go, the more you need to spend time with your family and spouse because you are being followed by others everywhere you go who watch everything you do.  If you stumble, others will likely stumble as well.

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

A mature man of God is not a manager of a corporation but he ought to know how to manage a corporation.  He is not the spiritual head of the body of Christ but he better know how to lead his portion.  Above all a man of God is a servant and a father who learned to lead by Christ’s example and knows how to father by his exceptional work with his own children.  A man of God who leaves familial wreckage in the form of damaged and unsaved children is someone who has not learned the first works.  As always, first natural and then spiritual.  If your spiritual children are in better shape than your natural children, go back and try to repair the damage.  They deserve it and God may well expect it.  If the bridge to that relationship has burned to the ground, never let a day go by that you do not lift those children up before the Lord.

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Does God promote you or do you promote yourself?  Did Abram stand on a mountain and shout, “I call myself Abraham!”  No.  God did.  Did Jacob call himself Israel?  No.  God did.  God renamed Saul to Paul.  He alone is the one to bring promotion when you are ready to receive it.  When I was made a deacon, it was a near thing.  I was proud but had just learned this scripture as well as 1 Timothy 5:22.  It caused me to reign in my pride and remain humble.  When I became a minister and later an elder I had a similar thought, but God’s words stayed me.  When I was ordained a bishop I knew it was the Lord and prayed that I would one day be worthy of the calling. 

Satan is the father of pride.  He fell because of it and does his best to teach others this poisonous passion.  One thing is certain, if you stumble and allow pride to overcome you, your master the devil will condemn you before God and His angels.  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

There are any number of people who remember me as a deacon or possibly even as a minister.  I didn’t always have that good report of the people.  Notice that Satan will lay snares for you.  He knows your weaknesses and avoids your strengths.  He will even seek to keep those you might help away from you and allow you to be surrounded by those you struggle with.  If he can make you stumble then he has won his reward of satisfaction.  If you desire great ministry beware.  Every word and deed will be watched by the enemy who will jump on every mistake you make.  Facebook, Youtube and other online sites are wonderful tools to keep in touch with ministry, family and friends, but always walk in your anointing, your name and your position.  Never think you are just an ordinary person.  Your every word will be judged.  Beware who you make friends with.  They may be safe for you but not another that knows you.  Satan will use every tool you give him.  He knows your weaknesses and will do all to use them against you.  Once you stumble, he will condemn you before the Father.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

I didn’t do badly as a deacon.  I didn’t lie or drink.  I wasn’t after the offerings or church money.  My heart was toward God and though I wasn’t perfect, I did all I could to serve Him faithfully.  Um, the … ah … grave thing.  Well, three out of four anyway.  Grave means you have a character someone venerates.  You are an AUGUST PERSONAGE.  Well, amen.  That just didn’t happen to be me much of the time.  I believe I’m getting much better now, but then…not so much.  Occasionally the Lord will raise you up before you are quite ready and you will have to grow into your calling. 

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Let these also first be tested.  How did they do around money, women and honor?  Did they steal the money, chase the women or act like Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-6) with the honor?  A deacon must be blameless because they are going to be serving the widows and ministering to their needs.  There is something seriously wrong when we can’t trust our deacons and five-fold ministers in all areas.  I hate to think that we have fallen so far in the church that people expect to find the pimps, perverts and drunkards there.

11 Even so must their wives (gyne) be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

There were originally seven men chosen as deacons.  The word deacon denotes a servant, one who serves another.  The word above translated wife is translated women in some manuscripts.  There is a good reason why the wives of deacons must be held to the same standards as their husbands and a good reason why a holy woman in the church ought to be held to the same standard.  Many churches have deaconness’ and deacons.  In ours we simply call both deacons since the word diakonos is neither male nor female and we make no distinction. 

It does touch on something we saw earlier in the letter and that is Paul’s admonition to women to take care of their tongue.  Men must watch their actions carefully but women must watch their words.  They must avoid strong drink and be full of faith in all things that pertain to life in God.  Men and women’s brains work differently.  This is clear for anyone not having a political agenda to see.  Women talk more and communicate better than men while men are more likely to take physical action in stressful situations.  We must all know our weaknesses and strive to overcome them.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Again the word gyne which can mean either woman or wife.  In this case it still means, “Husband of one woman.”  While it is obvious in scripture that God condemns the homosexual lifestyle, this verse makes it clear that a deacon must be heterosexual, have only one wife, raise their children and rule their households to the same standards as bishops.  In the United States we tend to say, “Well of course.”  This scripture is not so clear cut in other countries.  I met someone two years ago who had eight wives.  He was a really nice guy and his family seemed happy.  He cannot be a deacon however.  Can he serve in the church in other capacities?  Of course, just not as a bishop or deacon.  A deacon must be absolutely blameless toward women since their care is a major part of his ministry. 

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

This is one verse where the King James version is longer than the amplified.  The first Greek word is in the place of ‘for’ and the second is deacon.  That entire first part of the phrase is only two words.  The verse could say, “Verily deacons who rule well present themselves faithful and worthy of ministry.  They receive great boldness in the faith of Jesus Christ."  Consider the story of Philip the deacon who became Philip the evangelist (Acts 8).

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Paul’s heart was always to come and visit the churches personally.  He still had hope that things might go his way.  I love verse 15.  If you never see me again and if I am together with Jesus at the end of the day, I expect you to teach these things and obey them in the church.  It is the living house of God Himself.  The church is to be the visible pillar of community and foundation of all God’s truth.  In other words, there is no other way to God but as the church.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Everyone must agree that godliness is a great mystery.  Why?  Because He, the mystery one, came in the flesh and was justified in the Holy Spirit.  He was seen by God’s angels and preached to Gentiles.  He is believed in all the world and finally was received up to the glory of God’s kingdom.  Jesus is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last.  He is all and in all. 

What an awesome mystery to behold beloved.

Bishop J

1 Timothy Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Are you appreciative?  If you’re black do you appreciate whites or Asians or Latinos?  If you’re white do you appreciate all the diversity other races bring?  Do you appreciate the poor and ignorant as well as the wealthy and highly educated?  When I traveled in Africa I noticed something amazing to me as an American.  People were as homogeneous, as unified, in Africa as they are in Peking or Tokyo.  In spite of that, when I came to visit and to share the Word of God, I was respected and treated with dignity and I tried to respond in kind. 

One of the first things we in America need to come to grips with is that outside of our own little borders the question of racial equality and diversity is something of a non-starter.  The most divisive problems by far in those countries is religion and the reason for that division is fear.  People in fear tend to respond in anger and mistrust.  Neighbors who might have lived in harmony for years and suddenly look with shock and see that those people over there are different.  Genetically they may be as close as non-family members can be and politically might wave the very same banners.  In a place of fear, none of these things matter because the fear of those differences brings torment (1 John 4:18). 

In the midst of our torment and subsequent anger we are able to commit the most unspeakable atrocities and feel justified in those actions.  Men have hacked unborn children from their mother’s wombs knowing that those children would grow up into enemies.  We have turned into brute beasts to accomplish what…victory?  Hardly.  Whenever we have lost that which makes us worthy of the God we serve we have lost everything, even if we are the last ones standing.

In Christ Jesus we are called to a higher standard, in fact Paul said the weapons of our warfare are not carnal or natural at all but spiritual and mighty through God (2 Corinthians 10:4).  It is with these weapons of war that we are finally able to succeed and win against the far more frightening natural weapons of combat.  If you slay the body you have won little more than your own downfall but if you win the spirit you have won all.  God is love.  I won’t say that OUR God is love because there is but one creator in the universe and if you take a moment to realize that the God whose Word is totally prophetic, flawless and without error must be the true God then that God must be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

I am not a fool though.  I understand that in the end there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  You weep in fear and hopelessness but you gnash your teeth in anger and rage.  There will be some that die, who even after being forced to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and then being cast into Hell, will never give up the anger and rage that has given them strength for years or will never overcome the fears and doubts that have kept them away from God in the first place.  Perhaps that is the terror of Hell, that we will spend an eternity forced to endure ourselves without hope of change or growth.

Maybe you are saying, “Wow, the preacher is really gloomy today.”  It’s not that I’m gloomy, just concerned for those who straddle the fence between belief and unbelief hoping that a powerful breeze will blow them one way or the other into assurance.  I saw a cartoon the other day showing two doors.  One said “Sound Doctrine” and the other said “Words to tingle your ears (2 Timothy 4:3).  One or two people were entering the first door and a line stretched out of sight for the second.  This is my concern.  These aren’t just sinners who will believe anything you can dance to, these are supposedly believers who should know better because if you know God’s Word, you DO know better.  If you know His Word, believe His Word, submit to His Word and by faith walk in His Word you will be saved.  Believing means all of these things, not merely saying so and walking another way.

Having said that, if you will turn in your Bibles to First Timothy, Chapter two verse one let us begin.

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

The word exhort is parakaleo where we get the word paraclete, for one who walks along side and gives comfort.  Paul does not merely give you encouragement to do the things he is about to mention but walks along side with you and is encouraging you as a father in the faith to do these things.  The man who destroyed the church has changed and become the man who holds your hand in prayer during difficult times.  He has embraced Jesus our intercessor and has become like Him.  In that capacity he walked with his spiritual son Timothy like your spiritual father’s walked along side you to give you strength until you learned to draw it directly from the Father in Heaven.

Supplications – deesis – in a word, begging God for an answer.  Prayers - proseuche – this can mean earnestly praying for something or even a specific place of prayer where you meet God.  You can pray anywhere but quite often God meets us at a specific place.  Apostle Joseph Sims had a particular pew he prayed on in the sanctuary.  That was his place.  Where is yours?  Intercessions – enteuxis – this is a coming together for agreement.  It is two hands clasped together in prayer for another’s trials.  Where any two or three gather in my name there I am in their midst (Matthew 18:20).  This is where you forgive one another.  How can you travel together except you agree.  Giving of Thanks - eucharistia – Lord, you are awesome.  We worship and adore you.  Father, I appreciate you!  Thank you for my breath and heartbeat and a place to live.

It goes on to say that these prayers are to be made for ALL men.  The word ‘men’ is anthropos which includes all of humanity, rich and poor, male and female, Christian or not.  This is another reason I am so frustrated by the anger and unforgiveness which is found in the church.  We are to emulate our Savior by enduring hardness in silence and offering grace in the most difficult of times.  If we as saints of God ask God to curse or punish another then we have become judges and in every manner you judge another you shall be judged (Matthew 7:1-2).  Men ought always pray and not faint (Luke 18:1).  This means we are to beg and plead with God, link our arms in love with others and press in our private prayer closet for all men. 

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Do you suppose that leaders of government always know the right thing to do?  They have their advisors and counselors who have their own agendas to further.  Even if the leader is a born again believer of God and has Jesus in his or her heart, it does not mean they will always make the right decisions.  If they do not know God they are even less likely to make quality decisions.  For this reason we are to pray for all those who have rule over us and authority so our lives might be free to worship and serve God as we continue in this life.  The word peaceable means restful, without political upheavals threatening us.  If you can see the signs of the times in various countries there is a real need for us to pray for our leaders.

Do you live a godly life?  Is your heart focused on heavenly things?  God expects us to live in the here and now while also pressing toward the then and there of Heaven.  We are in this world but not of it.  We have every right as those who live in the heavenlies and on Earth to speak on behalf of those leaders God has placed over us.  We are commanded to pray for them so they might make wise and well thought decisions and pray for those who hate us that their counsel fails them and they are made ineffectual.  Don’t be a trickster.  Be honest and above board in all things.  Our faith in God is based in the truth of God and our truth is the Word of God.  Be true to your Lord.  His Word is worthy of life and death obedience.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

Good – kalos – good, better, best.  Worthy.  Acceptable – apodektos – agreeable and approved.  This is just a hint of Romans 12:1-2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  In one Paul is asking you to sacrifice your living bodies and in the other you are being asked to sacrifice your living prayers. In others you are asked to sacrifice all you are and own.  In other words, your life is a sacrifice to God as Christ’s was a sacrifice for you. 

It really does take all that, but the rewards are eternal.  My point is that God has chosen you to walk this walk and waves Joshua 1:1-9 before you.  “Be thou strong and very courageous.”  Israel had to learn to be courageous.  You too will learn if you press in with your whole heart and trust God to work it out in your life.  So many of us have walked in fear because that is Satan’s greatest weapon.  Learn to love God beloved.  Learn to love one another.  Once that happens you will not fear because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).  Notice how that scripture fits with the two above? 

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

God wants us to love Him like He loves us.  Throughout history men have conquered others in the name of the Lord.  What a bald faced lie or self delusion.  God called us to “go ye into highways and hedges and compel them to come in (Matthew 22:9-10, Luke 14:23).  What is the purpose of this compelling?  To attend a wedding of the Son of God to ourselves.  How can we possibly consider carnal warfare against any to compel them to come to their own wedding?  Jesus is not the terror who snatches his bride by her hair and drags her off to have His way.  Jesus is a loving suitor who tenderly and graciously proves His love in a thousand ways.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Eve was the first bride who unfortunately listened to the whispered deceit of the Devil and was followed into this infamy by her husband.  She cursed all brides after this manner and as we know that all things flow first naturally and then spiritually (1 Corinthians 15:46).  Because of this cycle of two natures, the bride who first fell was a woman but spiritually the bride which fell was neither male nor female because in Christ there is neither (Galatians 3:28). 

I have been shocked at just how little grace and respect men offer to women.  We behave as if all the troubles of mankind are the fault of womankind rather than that of our own fallen natures.  Beloved, Eve was deceived, Adam was not.  Who had the greater sin, the one who sinned inadvertently or the one who sinned with full knowledge of that sin?  I submit that even scripture says in this case Adam had the greater sin.  Mankind as a whole has not fallen due to Eve’s failure but by Adam’s. 

Scripture states that the woman is the weaker vessel and we as men of God are to help them stand strong.  One day I hope to have someone explain to me by God’s word why we ought to treat women poorly when we have been given a higher responsibility.  Perhaps we choose to hide our responsibility in blame in the hopes that God will not remember that responsibility.  I do not think God is half as foolish as that.  I have made many decisions even knowing that God supported me in those decisions only to have Him explain such decisions were allowed by my weakness and His grace and not by my nobility. 

My purpose for these surmisings is that we might all, male or female, recognize our need for a Savior.  That need is not made less because you were born male and more if female.  Your need for a Savior is ABSOLUTE whether you are wise or fool, man or woman, weak or strong, young or old.  If you sleep in a mansion or shack, walk barefoot or fly in the most expensive jets, you are pitiful, wretched, naked and poor in all areas that matter to you in any permanent way.

You need a savior.

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

How wonderful is it that Jesus did not ask you your bank account or what degree you have obtained before He was willing to surrender his life for you.  He didn’t care if you were living in a cardboard box under a bridge or the Taj Mahal, Christ died for you so your debt, your blood guilt might be paid in full.  He planned this act before the beginning of all time and accomplished it exactly on time.  The basic gift, the eternal reward of life did not cost you anything but faith in the act.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Read verse 7 well.  Ordained means that you have prostrated yourself in total surrender and submission to the responsibilities laid out.  You might say, “Thank God I am not a preacher or an apostle.”  Really?  What is a preacher but a herald who cries aloud and spares not; someone who speaks with authority the message of his Lord.  “But I’m not ordained,” you say?  To whom was it said, “Go ye into all the world.  Teach all nations.  Baptizing them…”  Wasn’t that charge given to all men and women in Christ Jesus?

“Fine, but I’m not an apostle.  That I’m sure of.”  I understand.  After all, an apostle is sent by God to do a work.  He often performs miracles and prophetic utterances.  Apostle’s have had experiences where they have seen Jesus or observed His power and authority directly.  Have you ever been sent by God to do anything?  Do you prophesy or have you ever observed miracles happen while in prayer? 

I admit I am pulling on your coattail a little here but in reality aren’t we all messengers of our Lord, sent to do His bidding and speak His words to the lost around us?  Don’t all who live by faith experience the miraculous to greater or lesser degree in their lives?  Perhaps you are not called as an apostle but doesn’t everyone have apostolic duties to perform from time to time.  I maintain that we all are more than we think and can accomplish more in Christ than we ever have before.  Therefore…

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

I don’t understand preacher, why would we lift up our hands in wrath?  Remember what wrath is?  The Greek word is orge, from which we get orgy.  It has to do with unrestrained anger, impulse, aggravation, rage and passion; in other words, it has to do with everything the flesh desires rather than what God desires.  God’s passion tends toward love, joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, longsuffering and faith.  He expects us to experience and live these without doubting. 

Now you might say, “That’s easy.  I love.  I am gentle toward others.  What’s so hard?  Do you love those who despitefully use you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for the sake of Jesus name?  Well?  I have known so very many ‘saints’ of God who do not suffer fools or rude or irritating people.  I’ve heard people offer to give a good Holy Ghost thrashing.  These are saints of God who are unforgiving and unmerciful and ungrateful.  They wallpaper their hate in a false love and false grace while their hearts are full of bitterness and anger.

Do you know those who are always getting ahead of you?  Does it bother you?  Shame.  Do you know those who think they're better than you?  Does it make you feel inferior or angry?  Shame.  Do you know those who by race or sex or any external and superficial difference seem to be better received or more quickly accepted than you?  Don’t get me wrong.  I know it happens but does it get your blood in a boil?  Shame.  Who do you belong to, yourself or God?  Who makes a way for you to have a job, yourself or God?  Who makes you what you are?  I know many of you who press more and more into education and obtain better and higher degrees.  Are you a better saint for them or just more educated? 

Your peace of mind ought to be in Him and what He is doing in your life, not in your external treatment by others.  Not one white supremacist or one black activist or one rich elitist can hold a candle to the man or woman God has chosen you to be once you are firmly in the middle of His will.  It doesn’t matter if they gnash their teeth at you and talk about your mother, it only matters what your King of kings and Lord of lords has to say.  In fact, they had better get used to gnashing their teeth because my Bible says there will be a lot of that going on where they're going.  Just make sure you don’t join them.

9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

First of all notice that verse nine and ten are the same sentence.  It says, “Don’t do these things but do this instead.”  Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  In verse nine it says, “Women ought to decorate themselves in modest (non-sexually enticing) apparel with modest and humble hearts, sober minded, not foolish or argumentative.  Do not decorate and plait your hair with attention grabbing styles designed to draw men’s souls away from God.  This also applies to decorations of gold, pearls and precious gems.  Your life should be a pattern of good works in the service of God.

1 Peter 3:3 says: Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Peter’s charge is not one presented as being a good idea but is presented as being directly from the heart of God.  To say I have known Christian women who live a life of challenge, argument and disagreement would be an understatement.  I have also known women who exemplify this pattern found in 1 Peter 3 and 1 Timothy 2.  It is both refreshing and a great comfort.  A woman who is always argumentative and drips disdain and disrespect is twice cursed by God and man while one who is gracious and respectful will be honored by both.

I will not say that MANkind has always been honorable and respectful to WOMANkind but there is never an excuse to do less than God requires.  Scripture is not written by men who wish to build kingdoms though it is occasionally twisted in that manner through translation.  Scripture was written by men who were overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and wrote what they were told to write in the manner they were told to write it.  Whether we agree or not, God will uphold His Word at any cost.

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

Another way of phrasing this verse is… “Learning, let the woman learn through stillness (quietness) in complete obedience and submission.”  Now that I have half of humanity howling with passion, remember that I didn’t choose these words and Paul didn’t choose these words.  God did.  I have observed men and women who have had absolutely no training in God’s Word and it is a frightening thing to see either out of control.  It is far more likely that an angry woman will lead with her tongue however. 

I watched an episode of a weekly show the other day and a woman came in to a shop because a game she purchased for her son didn’t work.  The manager had a rule in place that when you purchase a game “as is” there is a no return policy.  The woman from the moment she came into the shop would not stop talking.  She talked about the game, talked about the shop, talked about the store owner, would not be quiet.

The store owner politely asked her to stop talking so he could say something and the moment he opened his mouth she began haranguing him again.  He threw her out of the store.  She came back again later that day and still would not let the man get in a word.  He threw her out again.  She ignored her own husband who was trying to speak to the owner so the owner suggested the man come back the next day.  When the man came in the next day the owner said, “This is what I am willing to do even though I am not required to do anything.  I will replace the game for good customer relations.”  The man agreed and left the store happy, the woman looked like a lunatic on national television.

Why wouldn’t she allow him to speak?  Why did she insist upon hearing the sound of her voice when she had no power over the store owner whatsoever.  I am going to step out on a limb here that whatever tendencies men may have toward violence or other ways of disagreement, women have their own.  Because of Adam and Eve God has placed certain restrictions upon women which are generally accepted throughout the world even though women chafe under this subjection. 

Most women would not agree it is fair or reasonable and I for one will not even enter into the argument.  Gods Word is His Word.  It is not open to private interpretation.  It is not an allegory or fable.  It is what He says it is.  In all truth men usually fail to live up to God’s standards for their life also.  I try to live up to His standards no matter how I might fail.  A woman ought to try and live up to His standards.  One fact which ought to be understood by men and women is that it is much easier to learn with one’s eyes and ears open and one’s mouth shut. 

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.

“…however, liberty is not given to a woman to teach or be the master over a man, domineering over him.”  This one verse has done more to prevent strong, educated, highly trained women from becoming great Christian theologians than any other.  It is nevertheless what the Lord had Paul write in this case.  Adam and Eve were not created as a matched set by God.  He created Adam and understanding that Adam needed companionship of humankind as much as he needed a relationship with God, our Lord created woman out of man. 

I grew up under a strong man of God who was married to a highly intelligent and highly anointed woman of God.  She was frequently frustrated by his restraint over her life but she nevertheless submitted to it.  This doesn’t mean that the man will always make the right decisions or that the woman might not have better understanding than he does on occasion.  It means that God ordains and honors order and though Jesus and our Heavenly Father are equal, Jesus still submitted to His Father unto death.   This is His example for us to follow.  God set this example and expects us to obey it without argument.  Is there any wonder that the two areas where Satan has had the most success is creating weak men who refuse to lead by example and strong women who will not submit to God’s purpose.

I acknowledge with absolute certainty that it is terribly difficult for a woman to submit to a man who is not serving God and does not take care of life’s business, but I also know God does not give us the opportunity to pick and choose which commandments we might want to obey.

Does this mean I won’t serve a woman leader who walks under God’s anointing and walks in His wisdom?  Those of you who know me know that is not the case.  Do I believe it is better for the man God has chosen to step up and honor the call of God with his complete heart?  Of course.  In the meantime I will continue to serve God and submit to the leader He has placed over me.  One thing I believe with my whole heart is that as David refused to remove Saul even when God had lifted his spirit from him, I will allow God to make the changes in a ministry where no qualified man is available and a woman is the best and most anointed choice to lead.  God Himself will provide the replacement in His time and I will be rewarded for my obedience to the one God has set in place be they male or female.

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

Eve missed God by being deceived.  Adam saw the trap but his love for Eve made him go along.  God honored this love and while he cursed Eve in one area, He left her a hope in another, and while He honored Adam He cast him out of the garden.  We as men and women have had to pay for their sin and our basic natures have not changed since that time.  Men and women were created for each other and even those lost souls who choose to find a partner of the same sex choose one whose personality is a foil for their need; one will always take the male part and one the female.

God has told us His rules and boundaries for this life and while there is no male nor female in the life to come, in fact there is perfect unity and perfect equality, there is a difference here on earth.  I understand why God did not leave instructions for men to silence women or force women to be in subjection.  Our male barbarism and lack of spiritual maturity has ruined many good women over the centuries.  Scripture says a woman shall keep herself under subjection to her husband and shall control her own natural inclination to speak when it is time to listen. 

Men often choose to conquer everything and everyone but themselves.  I am persuaded that if men in the church will lead with grace, wisdom, spiritual maturity and love as God has ordained and the women will take that anointed seed as helpmeets, their love and natural ability to bring forth life will insure their husband’s talent is neither barren nor unfruitful. 

Spiritually there is no difference between men and women.  The differences are all in the flesh and the way our natural minds operate.  In some religions a man serves a god so he may have even more natural passions after death.  This attitude is for itching ears who will not understand the truth.  Truth dictates that men and women are equal in spirit and one day men will stand before God and explain why we have abused or misused this great spousal gift He gave us.

Likewise the women will stand before God and explain why their husbands failed in their God given charge because they did not help him bring it to fruition.  We are created equal in spirit, one in flesh and different, you might say diverse in administration.  Scripture says that God gives more abundant honor to that part which lacks.  If a godly woman is not as strong as a godly man then she is honored all the more before God. 

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

Bearing children has always been the most difficult of tasks for a woman to perform because it was the most spiritual and most necessary.  Notice the tools of safe childbearing are the very same spoken of earlier in this chapter; faith, charity (love), holiness and its accompanying quietness and steadiness.  A woman may not like this but God has spoken and our responsibility as saints of God is to submit to His scripture. 

One thing I do believe is that this does not free up a man to assail a woman for faithfully surrendering herself to a work when God laid it before her.  I believe with my whole heart that for every hard working and dedicated woman over a ministry there is a man who abdicated the position.  Scripture also says a house divided against itself will not stand.  Men and women make up a house and no amount of rhetoric will change that sacred truth. 

Households made up of two men have no womb to produce fruit.  Those made up of two women have no seed to become pregnant.  To be sure in this day of science and social bastardization of God’s commandments there are ways to get around those problems.  A man couple can adopt and with the science of formulas and glass, plastic and rubber might nurse a child while a woman couple might by breaking the commandment of fidelity become pregnant with the seed of some stranger whether through science or intercourse; but both have broken the commandments of God and have chosen to ignore His gracious gifts.

I am quite sure I have alienated and angered any number of men or women with this lesson but I have endeavored in love to be as gracious and free as God’s Word and conscience will allow.  For this cause I leave you with one last scripture beloved.  Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  Apostle Martin Hernandez would say, “It’s tight but it’s right.”

Bishop J