Liberated Through Submission

"When we define submission properly, it ceases to be controversial and complex and becomes simplistic and applicable. Learn about it today on Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss."

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10772

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10777

Come See A Man

I heard this beautiful song on a Revive Our Hearts message this morning. To read or listen to the entire message go to Revive Our Hearts.

For most of my life, I felt like a woman, a woman of ill repute.
For the things that I’ve done and what was done to me, I felt I was of no use.
Like the woman at the well who spoke to Jesus alone looking for a drink.
I've been looking for love in all the wrong places, helpless, needy, and weak.

But now that I know Jesus, to the world I will proclaim
These words of invitation. I will forever lift up His name.
And I will sing, "Come see a man who knows all about me,
Who knows all I’ve done, and the love that I need.
Come see a man who won't leave or forsake me.
Who died on a cross to set me free.
Come see a man who gives life eternal.
Who is the bread of life, living water for your thirst.
Come see a man who gives new beginnings,
Who gives second chances, who gives new birth."

I know a man who knows all about me,
Who knows what I’ve done and the love that I need.
I know a man who won't leave or forsake me.
Who died on a cross to set me free.
I know a man who gives life eternal.
Who is the bread of life, living water for your thirst.
I know a man who gives new beginnings,
Who gives second chances, who gives new birth.

His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.

Then we can sing it together, together of as a body of one.
We can tell the world about Jesus—Jesus Christ, God's risen son.
And we all can sing:

Come see a man who knows all about me,
Who knows what I’ve done and the love that I need.
Come see a man who won't leave or forsake me.
Who died on a cross to set me free.
Come see a man who gives life eternal.
Who is the bread of life, living water for your thirst.
Come see a man who gives new beginnings,
Who gives second chances, who gives new birth.

His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.

Respecting Your Husband

Nancy shows us the importance of respecting our husbands.

ROH Radio :: Declarations of the True Woman Manifesto, Part 1 :: The Way to Make Men Feel Respected:

From Him, Through Him, To Him

The true woman knows that deeper than her own limitations and problems, is the bedrock of God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge. His unseen yet sovereign, eternal purposes are underneath it all, holding it all together.

"There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still." Betsie ten Boom, while dying in the Nazi concentration camp at Ravensbruck.

"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33:27

The Deep Riches of God

Rich in kindness, Romans 2:4

Rich in forbearance, Romans 2:4

Rich in patience, Romans 2:4

Rich in mercy, Eph. 2:4

Rich in grace, Eph. 1:7-8

The gold in God's mine will never be emptied. Never. It is limitless. It is inexhaustible. God will never experience economic collapse or even the slightest wave or bobble of uncertainty. "God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Ph. 4:19). His always-available provision for your needs will neither strain nor drain the budget of the Most High. Rather, it will continue pouring from His hand into your life, utterly free and fathomless, from His bottomless resources. Whatever you need, whatever your deficit, the riches of God are more than what's required.

God knows everything--and everything about everything. The wisdom and knowledge of God are infinitely greater than our own.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Cor. 1:25)

Beyond Knowing

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Rom 11:33

Inscrutable: incapable of being searched into and understood by inquiry or study; impossible or difficult to be explained or accounted for satisfactorily; incomprehensible; not easily understood; mysterious.

"In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you CANNOT see and you DO NOT KNOW." John Piper

God is everything we are not. He makes no mistakes. He's not indebted to anyone, doesn't owe us anything. Nothing ever just occurs to God. Nothing ever surprises Him. He never has to scramble to come up with a solution. He has no sudden starts or emergency situations.

Circumstances may be difficult. They may be hard to understand--incomprehensible to your feeble sense. It may seem that His plan is not working; you can't imagine how the outcome could be anything but bleak. But you can be assured that God doesn't make mistakes. He has an eternal purpose in mind--a plan for the display of His glory throughout all the universe. He is working out that plan, and you are a part of it. You don't have to know what He's doing. Or why. The fact is, He knows. And that's all that really matters. and if you trust Him, in time, you will thank Him for the treasures that have resulted from those trials.

He is the Source and origin of our existence. He "upholds the universe by the world of his power". He is our supreme purpose. He is our goal. He created all things--for Himself and His pleasure. When we oppose His righteous, unsearchable judgements, He lovingly disciplines us as His children until we're back in line with the way things really are, the way He created all things to operate. And what is our response? "To him be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36) Therefore, we submit our entire lives to His holy, eternal purposes. Amen. Let it be so!

Nancy Leigh Demoss,

Chapter 2

Voices of the True Woman Movement,

A Call to the Counter-Revolution

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Rom 11:33-36

The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood

"Wimpy theology makes wimpy women. Wimpy theology simply does not give a woman a God that is big enough, strong enough, wise enough, and good enough to handle the realities of life in a way that magnifies the infinite worth of Jesus Christ. Wimpy theology is plagued by woman-centeredness and man-centeredness. Wimpy theology doesn't have the granite foundation of God's sovereignty or the solid steel structure of a great God-centered purpose for all things. "

"God's ultimate purpose for the universe and for all of history and for your life is to display the glory of Christ in its highest expression, namely, in His dying to make a rebellious people His everlasting and supremely happy bride. To say it another way, God's ultimate purpose in creating the world and choosing to let it become the sin-wracked world that it is, is so that the greatness of the glory of Christ could be put on display at Calvary where He ought His rebellious bride at the cost of His life."

"Now where does this take us in regard to the ultimate meaning of true womanhood? It does not take us to wimpy theology or wimpy women. It does lead us to womanhood. True womanhood. The truth is womanhood and manhood (femininity and masculinity) belong at the center of God's ultimate purpose. They we not an afterthought in God's plan. God designed them precisely so that they would serve to display the glory of His Son dying to have His happy, admiring bride."

A Distinctive Calling to Display the Glory of Christ

"The ultimate meaning of true womanhood is this: It is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of His Son in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood."

"Marriage is meant to display the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church. And the way it does this is by men being men and women being women in marriage. These are no more interchangeable than Christ in interchangeable with the church."

Headship:

"The divine calling of a husband to take primary responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership, protection, and provision in the home."

Submission:

"The divine calling of a wife to honor and affirm her husband's leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts."

"Do not settle for a wimpy theology. It is beneath you. God is too great. Christ is too glorious. True womanhood is too strategic. Don't waste it. Your womanhood---your true womanhood---was made for the glory of Jesus Christ."

John Piper,

Voices of the True Womanhood Movement,

A Call to the Counter-Revolution

Chapter 1

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Eph. 1:4-6

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:25-27

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Eph. 5:22-24

True Woman Make-Over Day 24

A Lasting Kindness

When a friend from church is in the hospital or has a new baby, what do you do? Many women spring into action, buying gifts, making meals, and showing great kindness in practical ways. But when someone closer to home has a need, do you spring into action with the same enthusiasm? Learn to take kindness home.

• How will you be remembered? What I want people to remember about me is that I cared, that I was kind, that I loved, that I touched their lives in practical ways that made a difference.
• Sometimes our own families are the ones we show the least kindness to. Sometimes it’s because we’ve been hurt, sometimes it’s because we’re lazy, sometimes we just take them for granted. We need to think about kindness in our own homes.
• It’s not your responsibility to fix all the problems of the needy in the world. But God has called you to be sensitive to the needs of those that He’s put into your sphere of influence and to open your eyes and be available to minister to their practical needs.

Listen to or read more from “A Lasting Kindness”

True Woman Make-Over Day 23

The Beauty of Holiness

Sometimes pressures come at you so fast it seems like you can’t think straight. Learn to develop a biblical, sound mind so that you can think clearly no matter what is happening around you.

• You never get to the point where you don't need the grace of God to protect and safeguard your heart and keep you from sin.
• The real test of your purity is who you are when you get home and how you treat those around you.
• The goal of being pure of heart is not to make us look good. That's self-righteousness. The goal is to make God look good.

Listen to or read more from “The Beauty of Holiness”

True Woman Make-Over Day 22

Sound Thinking

Sometimes pressures come at you so fast it seems like you can’t think straight. Learn to develop a biblical, sound mind so that you can think clearly no matter what is happening around you.

• If you have sound doctrine, that will result in sound thinking about all of life—thinking that is wise, discreet, sensible, and self-controlled. Sound thinking will result in sound living.
• You can’t love your husband and your children if you don’t have sound thinking. Because when they are not loveable, if you don’t have sound thinking, you’re going to respond in unloving ways.
• A godly woman's heart and mind are always under the guard and protection of the Spirit of God, the truth of God, and the truth of God’s Word.

Listen to or read more from “Sound Thinking”

True Woman Make-Over Day 21

Make Your Husband a Priority

It’s a challenge to keep up with all the needs in a busy household. As you’re deciding what to tackle, who becomes a higher priority—your kids, or your husband? The Bible speaks to that question.

• I wish young women knew how to reverence and adore their husbands, to protect their reputations, and to affirm them in public. Men blossom when you do that.
• If you are a married woman, loving your husband is the number-one way that you demonstrate your commitment to sound doctrine.
• Loving your husband means enjoying him. It means being his friend, taking pleasure in him

Listen to or read more from “Make Your Husband a Priority”

---

True Woman Make-Over Day 20

Intentional Training

Finding a mentor sounds like a good idea, but where do you start? And how do you become a mentor? Here are some practical approaches to teaching and sharing your life.

• As older women, we’re supposed to be modeling the beauty of a life that’s lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
• Mentoring takes place in the context of everyday life:
  • You’re there.
  • You’re with them.
  • You observe.
  • You walk with them through life.
  • You deal with issues as they arise.
  • You look for teachable moments.
  • You give friendship, counsel, encouragement, and exhortation.

Listen to or read more from “Intentional Training”

True Woman Make-Over Day 19

The Anatomy of Addiction

When we partake of things that are addictive, just a little bit doesn’t satisfy. We want more—and then we need more. We can become enslaved to many things:

• prescription drugs
• food & overeating
• gambling & computer games
• pornography & romance novels
• television & soap operas
• spending & shopping

The desire itself may not be inherently wrong. The problem comes in when that desire becomes a demand and we find ourselves giving in to the temptation to fulfill it in an illicit way.*

Listen to or read more from “The Anatomy of Addiction”

True Woman Make-Over Day 18

How to Control Your Tongue

How can you become a woman who does not sin with her tongue?

• humble yourself
• put off all slander and evil speaking
• put on words of kindness, love, forgiveness, and grace
• bring your thought life under the control of the Spirit
• talk less
• think before you speak
• refuse to listen to, slander, or gossip about others

Listen to or read more from “How to Control Your Tongue”

True Woman Make-Over Day 17

Applying Sound Doctrine

For the final ten days of our make-over, we’ll journey with Nancy Leigh DeMoss through her teaching on Titus 2:1-5 titled “God’s Beautiful Design for Women.” We highly recommend the entire series.

Have you ever assumed that doctrine is for scholars who like to pore over ancient texts in big libraries? Actually, solid doctrine isn’t meant to stay in books—it’s supposed to be used in the day-to-day decisions you and I make.

• Just because we pick an idea up in a Christian bookstore; or hear it on Christian radio, television, or in a church, doesn't mean we can assume it is sound doctrine.
• Doctrine—what we believe—determines how we live. And the way we live reveals what we believe. Doctrine and life have to match each other.
• We know so much. If we’d just live a fraction of what we know, we’d be spiritual giants instead of spiritual pygmies.

Listen to or read more from “Applying Sound Doctrine”

True Woman Make-Over Day 16

Responses from Listeners

Hear from women like you who have been encouraged and blessed by this teaching on modesty.

• Evaluate what you can do to be a helper to the men around you—to encourage them to think godly thoughts, and to encourage them in their desires to be pure.
• May you be an attractive Christian woman for the glory of God, who reflects beautifully the gospel of Christ and influences the next generation.

Listen to or read more from “Responses from Listeners”

True Woman Make-Over Day 15

Tough Questions on Modesty

Listen in as Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Holly Elliff, and her daughter, Bethany, respond to women’s questions on modesty.

• Develop the ability to converse about everything with your kids. It may wear you out, but it keeps communication open as they enter their teen years.
• Ask your husband what he really enjoys you wearing, and then find appropriate times to wear what he likes.
• You're responsible to live up to the truth that you know and to pray that God will teach others those same truths. If God brings you into relationship with someone, then you may have the privilege of being one of the people that helps share truth with them.

Listen to or read more from “Tough Questions on Modesty”

True Woman Make-Over Day 14

Tough Questions on Modesty

Listen in as Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Holly Elliff, and her daughter, Bethany, respond to women’s questions on modesty.

• Develop the ability to converse about everything with your kids. It may wear you out, but it keeps communication open as they enter their teen years.
• Ask your husband what he really enjoys you wearing, and then find appropriate times to wear what he likes.
• You're responsible to live up to the truth that you know and to pray that God will teach others those same truths. If God brings you into relationship with someone, then you may have the privilege of being one of the people that helps share truth with them.

Listen to or read more from “Tough Questions on Modesty”

---

True Woman Make-Over Day 13

Modeling Modesty

Training your children about modesty at age thirteen is too late. How about at age three? Learn why modeling modesty for young children is vital.

• Make sure that the kind of entertainment you enjoy fits what you say you believe.
• It is inconsistent for parents who profess to believe the gospel to let their kids watch sexually explicit movies that promote unbiblical philosophies.
• Modesty should be a way of life.

Listen to or read more from “Modeling Modesty”

True Woman Make-Over Day 12

Training Our Daughters

Learn how to train the next generation of women to have modest hearts as they grow up in an increasingly permissive world.

• Modesty is, first and foremost, a heart issue. Don’t expect this world to teach your children how to be modest in heart, behavior, and dress. That’s your job as a parent.
• One of the killers of the faith of Christian young people is that they do not see that their parents’ faith has joy in it. Your kids will most likely reject your religion if it is a joyless religion.
• Make sure you are setting an example of loving and obeying God. When you fail, be humble enough to say, “I was wrong. Would you please forgive me?”

Listen to or read more from “Training Our Daughters”

---

True Woman Make-Over Day 11

Reflecting God’s Glory

Your outward appearance can reveal the inward desires of your heart. Do you want to glorify yourself or reflect God’s glory?

• Your physical appearance gives an impression of God to people who can’t see Him.
• When you buy clothing, check your motives. Are you trying to draw attention to yourself? Are you putting people in a position where you may set them up to sin by being seductive or distracting?
• When you extend yourself, your heart, and your hands in good works, you’re adorning the gospel and making Jesus believable.

Listen to or read more from “Reflecting God’s Glory”

True Woman Make-Over Day 10

Self-Control

Purity and self-control help you make wise choices, even in tempting situations.*

• God calls you to exercise self-control over your sexual passions, your demeanor, your dress and attitudes, and your way of dealing with men.
• If you have self-control, you'll find there are a lot of situations you'll never end up in because you made wise, restrained choices on the front end.
• The greatest freedom in life comes when you're under the control of the Holy Spirit. That's when you can really enjoy life and healthy relationships in the Body of Christ.

Listen to or read more from “Self-Control”