Sowing to the Wind

The theme in the epistle of James is encouraging us to release our hold on worldly possessions and pursuits, in order to unreservedly love Christ. We make a conscious choice to pursue God's Kingdom.

God is our fountain of living water, which exceeds any stale, human cistern we can build for our self (Jeremiah 2:13). Jesus is God manifested in human form (1 Timothy 3:16). He is our example of who God is and how He relates to us in this world (Acts 10:38).

At times, God will use nature and circumstances to judge, discipline or alter our behavior. He will use Satan for this purpose as He did with Job. However, He put spiritual and natural laws in place to protect us from most calamity.

When we choose to walk contrary to God's spiritual or natural laws, we always sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Our reckless and rebellious behavior reaps for us the negative consequences of our choices.

Although we usually reap what we sow, God's unconditional love covers a multitude of our sins (Galatians 6:7-9; Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 5:8). God freely loves us all, but He desires that we live in righteousness and prove our love for Him by obeying His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 2:1-2).

God rescued us from the dominion of darkness, sits us on a hill and uses us as His light to the world (Colossians 1:13). He exhort us not to hide our light under a mesh of worldly cares, but to let it shine out through our good works, so people will glorify Him (Matthew 5:14-16).

When we make conscious choices to follow the spiritual, rather than any earthly call on our life, we reap the blessings of God and the fulfillment which only comes from serving Him with our life.

Prayer:

Father God, use us as Your ambassadors on the earth as we allow the light of Christ within us to shine out into the dark world which surrounds us (2 Corinthians 5:20). Give us opportunities to share our light with our family, friends, neighbors and workmates. Make us ever mindful of divine opportunities to share Your Truth.

We praise You for all You do in our life each and every day. We want to give You the love and appreciation You deserve from us. Yet, we often get too busy with worldly pursuits to spend time with You. Remind us that we are the ones who miss out on Your blessings when we choose to dabble in the world instead of sitting at Your feet.

Thought for the Day:

Call to the Lord and He will answer you and show you the great and powerful results of His dealings in our life and in the world around us. - Jeremiah 33:3

Two Becoming One Flesh - A Fulfilling Marriage

The marriage of a man and a woman is a union of two individuals joined as one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11; Ephesians 5:31). God intends for them to serve Him as a team, as co-heirs with Christ of His entire Kingdom (Romans 8:17).

At first, a couple's attraction increases their love for one another. Yet, over time they gradually stop considering one another, doing the tiny thoughtful gestures for one another that mean so much and sharing the same goals and purpose in life (Ephesians 5:33).

As the years progress, the couple eventually take each other for granted, stop romantic overtures and make other pursuits their priority in life. They co-exist, but do not work as a team or care about each other's needs as much as they care about their own.

To the Wife:

There are many women who take their husband for granted. Some insist on spending more money than he makes. Others find their fulfillment in their home and children or in their job and ignore their husband's needs.

They get caught up in the pressure of their daily demands and make no time for their husband. They forget that men need visual stimulation to feel loving, and they make no effort to groom and dress nicely for him at home.

They forget to make his favorite meal, to shop for his preferences and to make time to listen to him share about his day. A wife is given the privilege of following the outline given in Proverbs 31.

She will flourishes as a wife, mother, homemaker and business woman in this creative capacity given to her by God. God's Spirit will give her wisdom and strength to minister to her family.

To the Husband:

A man will expect his wife to be sweet and accommodating and to keep him as her primary focus (Ephesians 5:25); yet, it is often the husband's poor choices, which keep the marriage in a state of perpetual insecurity and financial loss.

No woman can be sweet and submissive when her husband stops considering her needs and keeps her life in turmoil. Then he blames her hormones or personality for her negative reactions to him.

God desires to charge the husband to dwell with and to provide for his wife with love and understanding (1 Peter 3:7). If he does, then his wife will more easily submit to His loving leadership.

A man’s responsibility is to protect his wife and to give her the feeling of safety and security she deserves. He will not take her for granted, if he realizes everything which she does for him throughout the day after day (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Romans 12:16).

To the Couple:

Any couple can keep romance alive with spontaneous little gifts, daily times to snuggle, helping each other around the house, date nights, listening with focused attention, and an unexpected phone call or an email during the day proclaiming their love for one another (1 Peter 4:10). Try it and see!

Prayer:

Father God, the opposite sexes are just that - opposite. It seems that You played a trick on humanity by causing opposites to attract. However, Your plan all along was for opposites to complement one another.

We can draw from one another's strengths to make up for our own weaknesses. Remind us that we are a team, and we will dwell together in unity as we work and pray together under the direction of Your Holy Spirit (Psalm 133:1).

Thought for the Day:

As we make an effort to increase our love for each other until it overflows, we will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Ephesians 5:21

How to Love Your Wife

 

If you think that your marriage is good, or even perfect, that may be because all of your needs are met by your good and faithful wife. Have you ever asked her what she thinks about your marriage?

You may be surprised to find out that she is so busy caring for you, the home and children, that she has no time to fulfill her needs. She may have longings in her soul that are not realized; so make the time to discover her needs and help her to accomplish them.

You may criticize her for her irritability, jealousy, rage, discouragement, etc., and view these negative emotions as separate from your behavior. They very well may have an outside source; but you could help to relieve them, even if your behavior and attitude are not causing them.

Do you ignore her when she talks to you, and only listen to her with half an ear? Do you take all of her needs seriously and ask her how you can help her? Do you provide her with a stable living environment full of cherishing, nurturing and acceptance?

She may need an hour to soak in the tub, some help with the dishes or bathing the children, a night alone to read or watch a movie in the sanctity of your bedroom, or a special date night. Take charge and give her that time.

Make sure that you inundate her with continual focused attention; date nights which you help to plan; and little gifts, notes, cards, emails and phone calls to let her know that she is not only in your heart, but in your mind as well.

Never take her for granted. Bless her with words, which affirm your appreciation of her, but back the words up with actions too. Celebrate her successes along with her and show her your care and concern when she is discouraged or ill.

If she works outside of the home too, help her with the household chores and make sure all of your children have assigned duties, so that the whole family cooperates to keep your home clean, harmonious and running smoothly.

Never allow your children to speak to your wife with disrespect, and model this respect by your behavior. Find a church to attend with your family, have daily devotions with them all and disciple them in Biblical truth to help them to withstand the devil's temptations.

Prayer:

Father God, You created the husband to serve as a role model in his family as he patterns his behavior and attitude after Your character and nature (Galatians 5:15-25; 2 Peter 1:4). Help him to consider the needs of his wife and children above his own (Ephesians 5:25). Yet, give him the boldness to express his needs as well, so his family can uplift him as he supports them.

Meld the husband and wife in such unity that they provide a positive and cohesive home for their children. This will give more security to the children and reduce rebellion in them as well. Remind us that You are the reason we are alive on this earth, and that serving You as a family is the greatest privilege, which life affords us.

Thought for the Day:

There is nothing, which happens in a marriage that cannot be resolved, if both mates will prefer one another, exhibit patience during a disagreement, join forces during a trial and spend time enjoying one another's company.