12 years. It has been 12 years since the horrific attacks of 9-11-2001. For those of us who are old enough to remember, it is something we will surely never forget. In an instant the safety and security we all enjoyed was seemingly ripped from us. Many innocent lives were lost that day leaving gaping holes in family units. Parents without children and children without parents.
In the years since the attacks there have been many TV specials and memorial events helping us to reflect back on that tragic day. There have been politicians, tv reporters and other who have tried to put in to words the magnitude of what happened on that fateful day. One statement I heard that has stayed with me since 9-11-2001 is “it is the day everything changed.” While I appreciate the statement trying to envelop the nature of the attacks, I tend to disagree.
Yes it is true that many things in our nation have changed such as security, new legislative restrictions, and even relationships, as a result of 9-11. However, I am thankful that I am able to proclaim that not everything has changed. Our Savior is still there and He is constant “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). While it is true that much of the world as we knew it changed on September 11, 2001, God remained the same.
Not only did God not change, His attitude towards us has not changed, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). The love and mercy that God offers us is unchanging.
What a blessing it is to know that in a world full of evil deeds and uncertainty we have a God who is constant and consistent. He has not and will not ever fail us. Friends when the winds of change threaten to consume us, it is my prayer that we will seek the Father who loves us and will not leave us.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Head of household, period.
God created man first, and he is to be head of the household, period (Ephesians 5:22-24). To the ladies, that may sound harsh and maybe even unfair, but we must understand what God expects of man as the head of the household before we get too upset. And to the guys, it might sound like we get to be the “boss,” but before we allow ourselves to be carried away to a place God never intended, we too must understand what it means to be head of the household.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her…”
That changes everything. If we are to be a husband who is pleasing to God, we must love our wives in the same way Jesus loved the church. This immediately changes the perception many people have about headship, it’s not a control thing or a power grab, at least it shouldn’t be, if done Jesus’ way. Jesus loved His church and because of His love, He…
Made Sure His Bride Was Spiritually Fed – Jesus spent his entire ministry teaching His bride. As the head of our household, we have a responsibility to spiritually nourish our wives and children. In order to do this, we must first spiritually nourish ourselves by studying the word of God on a daily basis (Acts17:11). If we do not feed ourselves spiritually, we cannot keep our family from suffering spiritual malnourishment. Jesus understood His sheep needed protection, and he was the protection (John 10:7-11). In the same way, we must feed our family from His word, and protect them from the ravenous wolves of this world.
Encouraged His Bride – Our wives are not perfect, and we should not expect them to be. As Christian husbands we should be experts at seeing the positives instead of focusing on the negatives. Wives worry about a good many things; often times these worries can be eased with a little encouragement. One of the many things which I can improve on is the amount of encouragement I offer to my wife. Take the time to notice when she dresses nicely, and tell her that you like how she looks! When she goes out of the way to do something nice for us, be thankful instead of having an attitude of expectation. When she is having an emotionally tough day, pick her back up, Jesus encouraged his disciples, so too we should encourage our wives (John 14:1-4).
Gave Himself Up For Her – Jesus Christ gave His life for His bride and so should we. If we love our wives as Jesus loved the Church we are to put her needs and best interests above our own. This is an all encompassing lifestyle. Yes, this includes being a partner to her in housework, in raising your children, and in all other aspects of life, you two are now one (Mark 10:7-8). There were times in Jesus ministry where He just wanted to be left alone (Matthew 14:13-14), but He was needed, and He met those needs. In all honesty, there are times when we would rather be left alone, but we are needed by our spouse, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are to put ourselves second and meet her needs as often as we can.
Being a Christian husband is not easy; God never promised it would be. Being a Christian husband is a great responsibility illustrated by the comparison of Christ and the church. Husbands, let us each strive to love our wives in the way Christ loved his bride and encourage one another in doing so.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her…”
That changes everything. If we are to be a husband who is pleasing to God, we must love our wives in the same way Jesus loved the church. This immediately changes the perception many people have about headship, it’s not a control thing or a power grab, at least it shouldn’t be, if done Jesus’ way. Jesus loved His church and because of His love, He…
Made Sure His Bride Was Spiritually Fed – Jesus spent his entire ministry teaching His bride. As the head of our household, we have a responsibility to spiritually nourish our wives and children. In order to do this, we must first spiritually nourish ourselves by studying the word of God on a daily basis (Acts17:11). If we do not feed ourselves spiritually, we cannot keep our family from suffering spiritual malnourishment. Jesus understood His sheep needed protection, and he was the protection (John 10:7-11). In the same way, we must feed our family from His word, and protect them from the ravenous wolves of this world.
Encouraged His Bride – Our wives are not perfect, and we should not expect them to be. As Christian husbands we should be experts at seeing the positives instead of focusing on the negatives. Wives worry about a good many things; often times these worries can be eased with a little encouragement. One of the many things which I can improve on is the amount of encouragement I offer to my wife. Take the time to notice when she dresses nicely, and tell her that you like how she looks! When she goes out of the way to do something nice for us, be thankful instead of having an attitude of expectation. When she is having an emotionally tough day, pick her back up, Jesus encouraged his disciples, so too we should encourage our wives (John 14:1-4).
Gave Himself Up For Her – Jesus Christ gave His life for His bride and so should we. If we love our wives as Jesus loved the Church we are to put her needs and best interests above our own. This is an all encompassing lifestyle. Yes, this includes being a partner to her in housework, in raising your children, and in all other aspects of life, you two are now one (Mark 10:7-8). There were times in Jesus ministry where He just wanted to be left alone (Matthew 14:13-14), but He was needed, and He met those needs. In all honesty, there are times when we would rather be left alone, but we are needed by our spouse, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are to put ourselves second and meet her needs as often as we can.
Being a Christian husband is not easy; God never promised it would be. Being a Christian husband is a great responsibility illustrated by the comparison of Christ and the church. Husbands, let us each strive to love our wives in the way Christ loved his bride and encourage one another in doing so.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ready To Go Home
Often times we make the statement “I'm ready to go home.” Usually we say this when it has been a long day at work, a long day at school, or even after a vacation has run its course. It always feels good to go home because home is a place of comfort and rest.
As Christians, we ought to be always longing to go home, to heaven. We often sing the song “This World Is Not My Home,” however singing it is not enough, we must live it! As human beings who live in the world, it is very easy to get comfortable and lose our focus which is to go home, and bring as many people with us as we can.
To be able to go home to heaven, we must be prepared, we must follow the directions to get there! Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” If we truly desire to go home, we must take the correct route, which is through obedience to the will of God. The world wants us to believe that we can take any path we want to and still arrive at home. We know that if we want to arrive at a destination here on earth we must use the correct streets to get there. The same is true if we want to get to our heavenly home we must take the correct path, faithful obedience.
If we stay the course to arrive at our home in heaven, it will most certainly be worth it. Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you.”
For those who live a faithful life, there is a great day coming. There is no fear in going home to those who are in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54 “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: death is swallowed up in victory…”
Are you ready to go home if Jesus were to return even today? If not, please don't tarry long, the time for preparation is now.
As Christians, we ought to be always longing to go home, to heaven. We often sing the song “This World Is Not My Home,” however singing it is not enough, we must live it! As human beings who live in the world, it is very easy to get comfortable and lose our focus which is to go home, and bring as many people with us as we can.
To be able to go home to heaven, we must be prepared, we must follow the directions to get there! Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” If we truly desire to go home, we must take the correct route, which is through obedience to the will of God. The world wants us to believe that we can take any path we want to and still arrive at home. We know that if we want to arrive at a destination here on earth we must use the correct streets to get there. The same is true if we want to get to our heavenly home we must take the correct path, faithful obedience.
If we stay the course to arrive at our home in heaven, it will most certainly be worth it. Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you.”
For those who live a faithful life, there is a great day coming. There is no fear in going home to those who are in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54 “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: death is swallowed up in victory…”
Are you ready to go home if Jesus were to return even today? If not, please don't tarry long, the time for preparation is now.
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