There [Paul] met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla...
What I love about Priscilla is that she is always mentioned with her husband, and he with her. Their names appear seven times in the Bible, always together. Here's the little we know about them:
- they were forced out of Rome (Acts 18:3)
- they worked together as tentmakers (Acts 18:3)
- they allowed Paul to stay with them when he was in Corinth (Acts 18:3)
- they joined Paul in travelling to Syria, and stayed in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19)
- they gently instructed Apollos (Acts 18:26)
- Paul called them his "fellow workers in Christ Jesus" (Romans 16:3)
- they had a church that met at their house (I Corinthians 16:19)
- Paul remembered them in his letter to Timothy (II Timothy 4:19)
How wonderful to work side by side with your husband, both in standard everyday life and in ministry. Priscilla and Aquila were open to go wherever God lead them and to do whatever He asked of them. It's a beautiful picture of a godly marriage.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Acts 16:15
When [Lydia] and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.
Another example of a woman who opened her house for God's use.
There are many ways our homes can be used by God. Host a prayer group or Bible study. Let the youth group use it as a hangout. Invite new church attendees over for Sunday lunch. Open your home and heart to foster children. Or, like Lydia, provide a place for missionaries to stay. The possibilities are endless.
Our homes are a gift from God. Let's use them for His glory.
Another example of a woman who opened her house for God's use.
There are many ways our homes can be used by God. Host a prayer group or Bible study. Let the youth group use it as a hangout. Invite new church attendees over for Sunday lunch. Open your home and heart to foster children. Or, like Lydia, provide a place for missionaries to stay. The possibilities are endless.
Our homes are a gift from God. Let's use them for His glory.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Acts 12:12
"...He went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying."
This is such an awesome story - one of my favorites. But I've always focused on Peter, and the angel, and Rhoda. This time I noticed Mary. Mary opened her house. Her home was available for the church to use, even in the middle of the night.
Do I make my home available? Mary did, and God made it the setting for a miracle. God can do awesome things with us when we give Him our lives and our resources.
This is such an awesome story - one of my favorites. But I've always focused on Peter, and the angel, and Rhoda. This time I noticed Mary. Mary opened her house. Her home was available for the church to use, even in the middle of the night.
Do I make my home available? Mary did, and God made it the setting for a miracle. God can do awesome things with us when we give Him our lives and our resources.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Acts 9:39 p.s.
Last night my daughter told me an incredible story that tied in with the Dorcas post, so I decided to share it here.
When Emily was in Nicaragua this past summer, she was in an extremely poor part of Managua. She and a few others, including a man from the Nicaraguan church, were going door to door, inviting children to VBS. It had recently rained, so the ground was muddy. Emily slipped in the mud, getting her feet and hands all dirty. The man took Emily back to his simple home, and washed her hands and feet.
It's amazing how one seemingly small act can be so big. By our standards, this man had nothing. And yet he gave so much.
Don't ever think you have nothing to give.
When Emily was in Nicaragua this past summer, she was in an extremely poor part of Managua. She and a few others, including a man from the Nicaraguan church, were going door to door, inviting children to VBS. It had recently rained, so the ground was muddy. Emily slipped in the mud, getting her feet and hands all dirty. The man took Emily back to his simple home, and washed her hands and feet.
It's amazing how one seemingly small act can be so big. By our standards, this man had nothing. And yet he gave so much.
Don't ever think you have nothing to give.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Acts 9:39
...All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
God's Word commands us to care for widows and orphans. It commands us to give to the poor.
I often find myself dreaming of what I'd do if I won the lottery or came into a large inheritance. "I'd be so good," I tell myself. "I'd give so much of that money away." And then I think of all the charities I'd like to support, and how, most of all, I'd like to be a kind of benevolent Santa Claus, surprising people with anonymous help, like paying doctor bills or funding car repairs.
The fact is, I'm not rolling in dough. We pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, the way I think most of us do. But here's the thing - that doesn't exempt us from God's commands. My family has enough. Much more than enough, actually. And so, while I may not be able to write a hefty check to my favorite charity each month, I can do something. Maybe it's $50. Maybe just $5. But I can do something. And while I may not be able to pay doctor bills for a church member who is hospitalized, I can bring meals to their family. I can offer to watch their children while they sit in the waiting room. I can provide rides to and from the doctor's office.
Dorcas could make clothes for those in need. And that's what she did. She used her skills and resources to give to others. She was a beautiful example of a godly woman.
God's Word commands us to care for widows and orphans. It commands us to give to the poor.
I often find myself dreaming of what I'd do if I won the lottery or came into a large inheritance. "I'd be so good," I tell myself. "I'd give so much of that money away." And then I think of all the charities I'd like to support, and how, most of all, I'd like to be a kind of benevolent Santa Claus, surprising people with anonymous help, like paying doctor bills or funding car repairs.
The fact is, I'm not rolling in dough. We pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, the way I think most of us do. But here's the thing - that doesn't exempt us from God's commands. My family has enough. Much more than enough, actually. And so, while I may not be able to write a hefty check to my favorite charity each month, I can do something. Maybe it's $50. Maybe just $5. But I can do something. And while I may not be able to pay doctor bills for a church member who is hospitalized, I can bring meals to their family. I can offer to watch their children while they sit in the waiting room. I can provide rides to and from the doctor's office.
Dorcas could make clothes for those in need. And that's what she did. She used her skills and resources to give to others. She was a beautiful example of a godly woman.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Acts 5:8
Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not that they withheld some of the profits from their land sale. The sin was that they lied and told Peter they had donated the entire amount from the sale. Verse 1 says that Sapphira made the sale with her husband, and verse 2 says that Ananias' choice to hold back some of the money was made with Sapphira's "full knowledge". After Ananias is caught in the lie and is punished with death, Peter gives Sapphira the chance to come clean. However, Sapphira joins Ananias in his sin, and ends up suffering the same consequence.
While we are told in the Bible to submit to our husbands, that never means we should join them in sin. If our husbands choose to disobey God, we may have to stand alone for what is right, perhaps even at the risk of our marriage. But obedience to God always comes before allegiance to our husbands.
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not that they withheld some of the profits from their land sale. The sin was that they lied and told Peter they had donated the entire amount from the sale. Verse 1 says that Sapphira made the sale with her husband, and verse 2 says that Ananias' choice to hold back some of the money was made with Sapphira's "full knowledge". After Ananias is caught in the lie and is punished with death, Peter gives Sapphira the chance to come clean. However, Sapphira joins Ananias in his sin, and ends up suffering the same consequence.
While we are told in the Bible to submit to our husbands, that never means we should join them in sin. If our husbands choose to disobey God, we may have to stand alone for what is right, perhaps even at the risk of our marriage. But obedience to God always comes before allegiance to our husbands.
Monday, January 7, 2013
John 4:39
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony...
This is beautiful. Where the woman once hid in shame because of her sin, she now rejoiced in the freedom found in Christ. "He told me everything I ever did," she said. Her past no longer mattered. Nobody could hold it over her head, because she had come clean with her Savior. And now she wanted others to experience that same freedom and joy. Unable to hold it inside, she spread the news as quickly as she could.
We too can have that same freedom. Once we have confessed our sins and accepted God's grace, we don't have to hide. Satan can try - and oh, he sure does - to remind us of our pasts. He flaunts our failures in our faces. But we can say "Get thee behind me, Satan!" Whatever we've done, it no longer matters. People might still remember our former selves. "Aren't you the one who...?" But we can joyfully answer, "Yes, I was. But let me tell you what Jesus did for me. He knows all about that, but He still loves me and wants me!"
Don't hold it in. You've been redeemed! You are a child of grace! You have been promised eternity with Jesus! That is definitely something worth sharing!
This is beautiful. Where the woman once hid in shame because of her sin, she now rejoiced in the freedom found in Christ. "He told me everything I ever did," she said. Her past no longer mattered. Nobody could hold it over her head, because she had come clean with her Savior. And now she wanted others to experience that same freedom and joy. Unable to hold it inside, she spread the news as quickly as she could.
We too can have that same freedom. Once we have confessed our sins and accepted God's grace, we don't have to hide. Satan can try - and oh, he sure does - to remind us of our pasts. He flaunts our failures in our faces. But we can say "Get thee behind me, Satan!" Whatever we've done, it no longer matters. People might still remember our former selves. "Aren't you the one who...?" But we can joyfully answer, "Yes, I was. But let me tell you what Jesus did for me. He knows all about that, but He still loves me and wants me!"
Don't hold it in. You've been redeemed! You are a child of grace! You have been promised eternity with Jesus! That is definitely something worth sharing!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Bless All the Dear Children
The recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut has touched the hearts of many. I see the faces of the young victims and cry for the innocence lost. Regardless of political affiliation, religion, race, we all mourn with the families and hug our own children tighter.
In the past couple of days, though, I've been mindful of the children all over the world who suffer while we go on with our lives. There are thousands of little ones starving, abused, aborted, sold into the sex trade...but do we shed tears for them? I suppose it's because while we send our own children to school each day, and thus can relate to the people of Newtown, we don't see our children's faces in those facing other tragedies.
It's time to start. Jesus said "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). Children have value and worth to God, and so they should have value and worth to us.
What do we do then? The aches and pains of this world are too much for us to handle. We can't do it all. So start at home. Is your home a safe place for your children and their friends? What sort of kids are welcome at your home? Since the Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), I certainly want my daughters' closest friends to be Christians. This doesn't mean, however, that I want them to spend time exclusively with Christians. My girls have friends of different faiths and backgrounds. We've had children here who've never sat around a table with their family at meal time. We've had kids spend time playing at our house because they'd be neglected at home. My daughters know that our couch is open to any young person who needs a place to crash for the night, and our ears are open to anyone who needs somebody to talk to.
From there, branch out. What's important to you? Abortion? Crisis pregnancy centers are always looking for volunteers. Adoption? Foster care? Can you volunteer in the schools or at a shelter? We all need to start doing all we can to protect our children.
In the past couple of days, though, I've been mindful of the children all over the world who suffer while we go on with our lives. There are thousands of little ones starving, abused, aborted, sold into the sex trade...but do we shed tears for them? I suppose it's because while we send our own children to school each day, and thus can relate to the people of Newtown, we don't see our children's faces in those facing other tragedies.
It's time to start. Jesus said "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). Children have value and worth to God, and so they should have value and worth to us.
What do we do then? The aches and pains of this world are too much for us to handle. We can't do it all. So start at home. Is your home a safe place for your children and their friends? What sort of kids are welcome at your home? Since the Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), I certainly want my daughters' closest friends to be Christians. This doesn't mean, however, that I want them to spend time exclusively with Christians. My girls have friends of different faiths and backgrounds. We've had children here who've never sat around a table with their family at meal time. We've had kids spend time playing at our house because they'd be neglected at home. My daughters know that our couch is open to any young person who needs a place to crash for the night, and our ears are open to anyone who needs somebody to talk to.
From there, branch out. What's important to you? Abortion? Crisis pregnancy centers are always looking for volunteers. Adoption? Foster care? Can you volunteer in the schools or at a shelter? We all need to start doing all we can to protect our children.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
John 4:6b-7, continued
Another thought regarding the women in this Samaritan town - did any of them reach out to befriend this woman?
This is something I struggle with, as I am very introverted. It takes a lot for me to attempt small talk (which I'm not good at), and even more for me to try and develop that muddled small talk into something resembling friendship. As a result, I tend to be stand-offish, which appears judgmental rather than introverted.
The Bible says, though, that we are to be kind (Ephesians 4:32), hospitable (I Peter 4:9), and compassionate (Colossians 3:12). We need to reach out and show Christ's love to everyone, especially those who are alone.
This is something I struggle with, as I am very introverted. It takes a lot for me to attempt small talk (which I'm not good at), and even more for me to try and develop that muddled small talk into something resembling friendship. As a result, I tend to be stand-offish, which appears judgmental rather than introverted.
The Bible says, though, that we are to be kind (Ephesians 4:32), hospitable (I Peter 4:9), and compassionate (Colossians 3:12). We need to reach out and show Christ's love to everyone, especially those who are alone.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
John 4:6b-7
...It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"
Those who understand the culture of the day point out that there's significance to the fact that the Samaritan woman went to the well at the 6th hour. In today's terms, that would have been about noon. Noon in Samaria was hot - definitely not the best time to be lugging heavy jars of water. In fact, most women chose to go early in the morning or in the cool of the evening. This woman, however, went in the heat of the day.
Why? Most likely the answer is found in verse 18. Jesus tells the woman, "You have had five husbans, and the man you now have is not your husband." The Samaritan woman had a past. She was living a lifestyle that made her the target of gossip, shunning, and cruel whispers. Chances are she purposely went to the well when she did in order to avoid the wagging tongues of the other women.
Gossip is cruel, and yet we women fall prey to it so often. We love to talk, and the juicier the subject matter, the better. I'm sure some of the women in this Samaritan town justified their words by saying "well, it's true." True or not, gossip, slander, and rumors have no place among God's people. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much."
Some 15 years ago or so, I realized that I had a serious problem with gossip. I asked God for help, and what followed were several of the loneliest years of my life. I intentionally chose to step away from conversations that turned to gossip. If I heard something about someone, I didn't run to find another person with whom to share the news. Extreme? Yes, but for me, that was what I needed to do to avoid the sin. It's still an area I struggle with from time to time, but I'm doing much better at thinking before I speak.
Those who understand the culture of the day point out that there's significance to the fact that the Samaritan woman went to the well at the 6th hour. In today's terms, that would have been about noon. Noon in Samaria was hot - definitely not the best time to be lugging heavy jars of water. In fact, most women chose to go early in the morning or in the cool of the evening. This woman, however, went in the heat of the day.
Why? Most likely the answer is found in verse 18. Jesus tells the woman, "You have had five husbans, and the man you now have is not your husband." The Samaritan woman had a past. She was living a lifestyle that made her the target of gossip, shunning, and cruel whispers. Chances are she purposely went to the well when she did in order to avoid the wagging tongues of the other women.
Gossip is cruel, and yet we women fall prey to it so often. We love to talk, and the juicier the subject matter, the better. I'm sure some of the women in this Samaritan town justified their words by saying "well, it's true." True or not, gossip, slander, and rumors have no place among God's people. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much."
Some 15 years ago or so, I realized that I had a serious problem with gossip. I asked God for help, and what followed were several of the loneliest years of my life. I intentionally chose to step away from conversations that turned to gossip. If I heard something about someone, I didn't run to find another person with whom to share the news. Extreme? Yes, but for me, that was what I needed to do to avoid the sin. It's still an area I struggle with from time to time, but I'm doing much better at thinking before I speak.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Luke 10:41-42
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
This is an important lesson anytime, but I think it's especially important this time of year. We get so caught up in celebrating Christmas - the tree, the shopping, the cleaning, the baking, the parties, even the church functions - that we neglect to celebrate Christ.
A few years ago I did a study on how the principal characters of the Christmas story celebrated the first Christmas. They all had the same response to the birth of Christ - worship.
Mary - "My soul praises the Lord" (Luke 1:46)
The angels - praising God (Luke 2:13)
The shepherds - glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20)
The wise men - they bowed down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:11)
Simeon - praised God (Luke 2:28)
Anna - gave thanks to God (Luke 2:38)
This should be our response as well - not fretting about getting the Christmas cards out on time or grumbling about mall traffic. Only one thing is needed - spend time at the foot of your Savior.
This is an important lesson anytime, but I think it's especially important this time of year. We get so caught up in celebrating Christmas - the tree, the shopping, the cleaning, the baking, the parties, even the church functions - that we neglect to celebrate Christ.
A few years ago I did a study on how the principal characters of the Christmas story celebrated the first Christmas. They all had the same response to the birth of Christ - worship.
Mary - "My soul praises the Lord" (Luke 1:46)
The angels - praising God (Luke 2:13)
The shepherds - glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20)
The wise men - they bowed down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:11)
Simeon - praised God (Luke 2:28)
Anna - gave thanks to God (Luke 2:38)
This should be our response as well - not fretting about getting the Christmas cards out on time or grumbling about mall traffic. Only one thing is needed - spend time at the foot of your Savior.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Luke 7:12-13
As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, "Don't cry."
"If anyone knows the pain of losing His only Son, it's God." I don't recall in which book I read this quote, but I know it was Max Lucado who said it in regards to this Scripture passage.
God understands. God knows our pain. And when we ache, Jesus' heart goes out to us, just as it did for the widow in this story. We are never without Someone Who counts our every tear and feels every tug on our heart. He whispers to us with tenderness, "Don't cry."
"If anyone knows the pain of losing His only Son, it's God." I don't recall in which book I read this quote, but I know it was Max Lucado who said it in regards to this Scripture passage.
God understands. God knows our pain. And when we ache, Jesus' heart goes out to us, just as it did for the widow in this story. We are never without Someone Who counts our every tear and feels every tug on our heart. He whispers to us with tenderness, "Don't cry."
Monday, December 3, 2012
Luke 2:22
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
Here we have two of the most important things a parent can do for their child:
1) Present Him to the Lord. Many churches have a way to do this publicly. By publicly devoting your child to the Lord, you are making a declaration of obedience and commitment. You are also asking for the support of your church. The congregation serves as witnesses to the promises parents are making before God. This should be done privately as well, as the parents lift their child up, repeatedly, to God in prayer.
2) Joseph and Mary do this together. The spiritual training of our children is not the responsibility of one parent. This is a wonderful opportunity for a couple to work together, to encourage each other, and to utilize their own strengths in raising and teaching their children.
Our children belong to God. He has given us the responsibility to train them up in the way they should go.
Here we have two of the most important things a parent can do for their child:
1) Present Him to the Lord. Many churches have a way to do this publicly. By publicly devoting your child to the Lord, you are making a declaration of obedience and commitment. You are also asking for the support of your church. The congregation serves as witnesses to the promises parents are making before God. This should be done privately as well, as the parents lift their child up, repeatedly, to God in prayer.
2) Joseph and Mary do this together. The spiritual training of our children is not the responsibility of one parent. This is a wonderful opportunity for a couple to work together, to encourage each other, and to utilize their own strengths in raising and teaching their children.
Our children belong to God. He has given us the responsibility to train them up in the way they should go.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
What kinds of things are you pondering in your heart? Is it past hurts and resentments? Is it guilt or regret? Is it bitterness or prejudice? We all have dark thoughts that threaten to take hold of us. Choose instead to follow Mary's example and focus on what God has done. Think of His blessings, His mercies that are new every morning.
May this be our prayer today - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
What kinds of things are you pondering in your heart? Is it past hurts and resentments? Is it guilt or regret? Is it bitterness or prejudice? We all have dark thoughts that threaten to take hold of us. Choose instead to follow Mary's example and focus on what God has done. Think of His blessings, His mercies that are new every morning.
May this be our prayer today - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: "My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..."
Mary responded to the angel's message with praise. How do we respond to God's Word?
Mary responded to the angel's message with praise. How do we respond to God's Word?
Monday, November 26, 2012
Luke 1:18
"I am the Lord's servant, " Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."
Sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of life and serving those around us - our husbands, our children - that we forget that first and foremost we are to serve God. It is wonderful to serve God within our own homes, but we need to be attentive to His promptings and be willing to follow wherever He leads.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of life and serving those around us - our husbands, our children - that we forget that first and foremost we are to serve God. It is wonderful to serve God within our own homes, but we need to be attentive to His promptings and be willing to follow wherever He leads.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Matthew 5:27-28
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
For a woman whose husband struggles with lust, the meaning here is pretty obvious. When a man looks lustfully at another woman, he is seeking pleasure from her that he should only find with his wife. A continued problem in this area leads the wife to feelings of inferiority - I'm not what he wants, if only I were prettier/thinner/bigger busted... A wife has the right to be the only person her husband desires.
But this is a two-way street. What about us as wives? We tend to think of lust as a male problem, but many women struggle with it as well. We should not be looking with desire at anyone other than our husbands. Just as is the case with our husbands, we need to be selective about the books we read and the movies we watch. Many romance novels are pretty pornographic. Their purpose is to arouse the reader and ultimately make her unsatisfied with her own life. Beware of Christian romance novels, too. While they aren't necessarily bad, the perfect heroes in the book can cause a woman to wish her husband was more like that, and become dissatisfied with her marriage. Read with caution!
And then there's Hollywood. Some female relatives and I were recently discussing who should be People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive"...and then I realized that talking about good-looking movie stars isn't exactly honoring to my husband. I have a friend who won't watch a certain TV show because she finds the star attractive and doesn't want to be thinking improper thoughts. Another friend called her husband to pick her up from the theater on a recent girls night out, because her friends had decided to see a movie about male strippers.
Sound extreme? Ephesians 5:3 tells us that there is not to be "even a hint of sexual immorality". The next verse says we are to avoid coarse joking. Sure, mentioning that a particular actor is good-looking doesn't necessarily mean I want to sleep with him, but it is a step in that direction. I think women often have a double standard - I can say George Clooney is hot, but my husband had better not say the same thing about Catherine Zeta-Jones. If I'm not comfortable with my husband saying or watching something, I shouldn't be doing a similar thing.
Avoid lust in any form. We need to take captive every thought and make them obedient to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5)
For a woman whose husband struggles with lust, the meaning here is pretty obvious. When a man looks lustfully at another woman, he is seeking pleasure from her that he should only find with his wife. A continued problem in this area leads the wife to feelings of inferiority - I'm not what he wants, if only I were prettier/thinner/bigger busted... A wife has the right to be the only person her husband desires.
But this is a two-way street. What about us as wives? We tend to think of lust as a male problem, but many women struggle with it as well. We should not be looking with desire at anyone other than our husbands. Just as is the case with our husbands, we need to be selective about the books we read and the movies we watch. Many romance novels are pretty pornographic. Their purpose is to arouse the reader and ultimately make her unsatisfied with her own life. Beware of Christian romance novels, too. While they aren't necessarily bad, the perfect heroes in the book can cause a woman to wish her husband was more like that, and become dissatisfied with her marriage. Read with caution!
And then there's Hollywood. Some female relatives and I were recently discussing who should be People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive"...and then I realized that talking about good-looking movie stars isn't exactly honoring to my husband. I have a friend who won't watch a certain TV show because she finds the star attractive and doesn't want to be thinking improper thoughts. Another friend called her husband to pick her up from the theater on a recent girls night out, because her friends had decided to see a movie about male strippers.
Sound extreme? Ephesians 5:3 tells us that there is not to be "even a hint of sexual immorality". The next verse says we are to avoid coarse joking. Sure, mentioning that a particular actor is good-looking doesn't necessarily mean I want to sleep with him, but it is a step in that direction. I think women often have a double standard - I can say George Clooney is hot, but my husband had better not say the same thing about Catherine Zeta-Jones. If I'm not comfortable with my husband saying or watching something, I shouldn't be doing a similar thing.
Avoid lust in any form. We need to take captive every thought and make them obedient to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5)
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
Have you thanked God for your husband today? Have you told your husband you're thankful for him?
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Matthew 4:23
...and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
I've often wondered about the wives of the disciples. What did they think when their husbands came home and told them they'd found the Messiah? Did they pack up the family and go with them? Did they stay and hold down the fort? Did they fret about how their needs would be met with their husbands not working? Did they worry about what the neighbors would think? Did they fear for their safety?
The Scriptures don't tell us. What they do say is that these men left everything to follow Jesus. They put Jesus first, and followed Him to death.
We must never stand between our husbands and God's will for them. If God says go - whether it's to the mission field, to the pulpit, or to stand up against corrupt business practices - we need to support them. God will take care of the rest.
I've often wondered about the wives of the disciples. What did they think when their husbands came home and told them they'd found the Messiah? Did they pack up the family and go with them? Did they stay and hold down the fort? Did they fret about how their needs would be met with their husbands not working? Did they worry about what the neighbors would think? Did they fear for their safety?
The Scriptures don't tell us. What they do say is that these men left everything to follow Jesus. They put Jesus first, and followed Him to death.
We must never stand between our husbands and God's will for them. If God says go - whether it's to the mission field, to the pulpit, or to stand up against corrupt business practices - we need to support them. God will take care of the rest.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Matthew 1:19
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
This marriage lesson comes from a husband, not a wife, but it's still very applicable to women. Mary was pregnant, and all Joseph knew for sure was that he was not the father. I can't imagine the struggle he must have gone through, but it's easy to understand why he had trouble believing her. After all, her story was literally out of this world. And so his decision to end their relationship is understandable. What's notable, though, is what he didn't do.
Joseph refused to make a public spectacle of Mary. He could have. By law he could have even had her stoned. But he chose to keep their private matters private and not cause her further embarassment.
Do we do that? When our husbands do something wrong, or foolish, or annoying, do we keep quiet about it or do we make it a public issue? Do we call up our mothers and say "He did it again!" Do we get together for coffee with a friend and air all of our marital grievances? Do we post his embarassing moment on Facebook because "it's so funny!"
Before doing any of those things, think about it. Is it honoring to our husbands? Is this a story or complaint that needs to be shared? How would we feel if our husbands talked to their friends about a similar situation?
Let's follow Joseph's lead and keep such matters to ourselves. If it is something that needs to be discussed (a serious marital problem or sin issue), choose your confidant carefully, and make sure you're telling them for the right reasons. Ask for permission before sharing stories. Our husbands should be honored, respected, and valued.
This marriage lesson comes from a husband, not a wife, but it's still very applicable to women. Mary was pregnant, and all Joseph knew for sure was that he was not the father. I can't imagine the struggle he must have gone through, but it's easy to understand why he had trouble believing her. After all, her story was literally out of this world. And so his decision to end their relationship is understandable. What's notable, though, is what he didn't do.
Joseph refused to make a public spectacle of Mary. He could have. By law he could have even had her stoned. But he chose to keep their private matters private and not cause her further embarassment.
Do we do that? When our husbands do something wrong, or foolish, or annoying, do we keep quiet about it or do we make it a public issue? Do we call up our mothers and say "He did it again!" Do we get together for coffee with a friend and air all of our marital grievances? Do we post his embarassing moment on Facebook because "it's so funny!"
Before doing any of those things, think about it. Is it honoring to our husbands? Is this a story or complaint that needs to be shared? How would we feel if our husbands talked to their friends about a similar situation?
Let's follow Joseph's lead and keep such matters to ourselves. If it is something that needs to be discussed (a serious marital problem or sin issue), choose your confidant carefully, and make sure you're telling them for the right reasons. Ask for permission before sharing stories. Our husbands should be honored, respected, and valued.
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