Beth Moore had her simulcast this past weekend and she wrote the following on her blog. It bears repeating!
My Dear Sister
If Christ is Your Savior
You are the dwelling place
Of His own Spirit
You have it IN YOU
to be secure.
Every day of your life
You have a choice to make
You can live in your old defeat
Or you can turn from your unbelief
And choose life
Make up your mind
To put off the old you
And put on the new you.
Never, ever, ever forget
That the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot
From being caught in a trap.
He will take care of you
To your very last breath.
Now, leave this place
And go out into the world
And act like a person
Who knows she’s dearly loved.
You were born to be exceptional.
So, Girlfriend, go forth
And walk worthy of your calling.
You are clothed in strength and dignity!
Now unto Him
Who can keep you from falling
Be glory and majesty
Power and authority
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Now and forever more
Amen.
So Long, Insecurity!
Pastor Susan 
I can think of a few men, including myself, who could use this message today. 🙂
Jon, this is true. Although many in church do not believe that a woman has any business in ministry. This is what I love about discussions with you. You aren’t concerned about the vessel, only the truth in the word.
My thought about women in ministry is the quote in Acts when the Holy Spirit was poured out, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”
Prophecy is a confrontational ministry and historically public in both OT and NT. So there can be no doubt what is to happen here.
Paul may or may not have had this in mind when he said, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”
I’m inclined to believe this prophecy is for the last days where women will take over from men in many instances due to the political abuse of Christ, the misuse of His name for wealth, power, esteem and whatever else turns men from looking at Jesus. I believe we are going to see that which men considered weak and ineffectual become a mighty surge before Jesus comes because men as a whole (not individually) have hurt the work of God for the sake of temporary pleasure.
Yet, this same history should warn women that if God won’t put up with men’s shenanigans, He certainly won’t put up with theirs.
I truly believe that’s why many women are being freed to leadership. I also believe neither Paul (though he’s the one who brought it to light) nor many in theological circles could foresee what it means to have the curse lifted.
I know you’ve read this from me before because I’ve discussed with you on my blog, but the curse of sin has been lifted. Jesus declared in Matthew 6:25-33 as well has two other places we are not to worry about our bread, clothing or water for the Lord will provide these things for us, which was the man’s curse. We have been restored to Eden’s provision and right standing before God.
But what does that mean for women?
Their curse has been lifted as well. And what was that curse? Her pleasure was to be subjected to the man. The physical affects of sin won’t be done away with until Jesus comes and makes all things new, but the curse on our spirits and abilities in Christ have been lifted.
“For He (Jesus) became a curse for us so that we might be the righteousness of God.”
Anyway, that’s why I think like I do about women in ministry. They have been despised, in a sense, throughout history as either possessions or lesser humans, God will redeem them and fight their cause in the world and use them mightily to shame all men who think it is somehow their right and gifting which make them useful to God.
Great post!