Gardening has always opened up my eyes to heart truths and this past week was no exception. Earthly endeavors often reveal spiritual truths. Let's consider how the character trait of diligence produces fruit!
This year I decided to take some of our lawn and transform it into a garden. It seemed like a simple enough idea--especially with the aid of a handyman and his rototiller. In just a short time and for a small fee, my lawn was freshly tilled. The soil appeared rich and ready for fruitful production. With the addition of a pretty white fence, my plan was appearing successful.
Yet, I knew in my head--though not in my back and muscles yet--that the real work lie ahead and it would require much diligence. Transforming the purpose of that piece of land would require much more than a thought and a one-time effort! For me, the spiritual parallels refresh me as I plod along with my desire for transformation.
The plan to transform the lawn into a garden is not unlike Jesus Christ's plan to transform our lives. Jesus takes lives into far grander purposes than simple existence and He uncovers and remedies the hidden things which hinder those grand purposes. Though my lawn was useful and even enjoyable, a garden will nourish and satisfy far more. Like my lawn, my life without Christ was useful and enjoyable to myself and some others but devoid of true purpose or eternal blessing. Furthermore, under the surface of my lawn lay many undesirable things: pests, stones, useless weeds and even nutritional deficiencies. My life without Christ was the same: hidden things in my soul which prevented the beautiful legacy God desires in every life. More critically, of course, God created humanity for more than existence. Lawns are fine just as lawns but a life without Christ is a travesty.
As I plod through the earthly work of transforming the lawn into a garden, the rocks seem to multiply each time I cultivate; the weeds re-root themselves--even though I was sure I got them all--and grubs are ever appearing. Yet, I know there is progress. The roots of the weeds are not as deep, the stones not as large and the grubs are less in number. Diligence is bearing fruit already.
My spiritual life is the same. Sometimes I weary at pulling up the weeds of sin and rocky parts in my heart still remain, yet Christ is transforming me too. Every time the ground of my soul is plowed with His word, when the tines of conviction uproot a weed of sin or penetrate a stony part, I am transformed a little more into His likeness. His eternal work is producing results even when I can not see them. My part is simply to diligently seek Him and trust His transforming power!
Transitioning from existence to purpose is not a speedy process. Living a life purposed upon revealing the glory of God in the daily details is a life-time work. It requires earthly diligence to prepare the way for His eternal work. Adding diligence to our character is needed so the soil of our hearts will be prepared for His seeds of grace.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Marriage Prayers
Good morning, friends. This isn't a writing, per se but just a sharing of notes that may bless you. They are 'prayer sheets' compiled from my prayer journal and a recent sermon. One page is for the wife, one for the husband--with much, obviously, duplicated on each. Families are always under the enemy's attack, aren't they? Our prayers are a powerful weapon sure to give us victory.
May these bless you...and I will be writing soon. I've been immersed in a class for certification as a 'homeschool teacher.' (Should have had this course ten years ago!) I did write this morning on gardening but am not ready to post...vacation is coming, writing time should be increased! Blessings!
-------------------------------------------------
FOR WIVES
Marriage is:
· A union created by God
· A mission field, a university of instruction on unity
· Treasure to be valued, honored and protected
· Forum for learning to love—to truly build a relationship
· Intended to produce Godly children (perhaps natural & spiritual for those who are beyond child-bearing ages—and each partner is a child of God anyway)
· Intended to produce the image of Christ’s relationship with the church.
· Not intended to fulfill my personal purposes of companionship, pleasure & fulfillment; though those outcomes will result IF my focus is on God’s purposes
Prayer is a necessity:
· Seek scriptures for one another. Wrestle for each other. Colossians 4:12
· Seek to see God’s work and His glory revealed to children. Build a legacy. Psalm 90:16,17
· Triumph is in mercy. Hide in Jesus. James 2:13
· Be confident in God! Hebrews 10:35
Duties of wives- 4 commands for wives - Ephesians 5:22-33
· Submit to husband as to Christ v.22
o Submission is not slavery but rather loving cooperation with your husband by recognizing his divinely appointed leadership responsibility.
· Recognize headship of husband v.23
o Just as the body needs a head…and the head a body, so does a marriage union.
· Be subject to own husband v.24
· Reverence (and respect) husband v.33
o Love (caretaking, giving time/attention) comes naturally to women…respect is more difficult but commanded (and needed).
o Respect his: burdens, worries, needs, convictions, perspectives, fears, sacrifices, relationship with God—and God’s work in your husband
· Qualifications to the command “submit in everything” 5:24-33
o Her God and her soul must come first (Matt. 22:37, 38; Luke 14:26, 27; I Cor.. 7:10-16)
Specific Admonitions
· Encourage spouse to develop his potential…to become the man God wants him to be.
· Be uniquely suited to spouse; trust God to fit you together as you obey Him.
· Speak his language of love not your own…know how he feels loved.
· Confess your shortcomings…seek God’s grace to obey His ways in relationships. Recognize that strengths/weaknesses are God’s tools for transforming each of you.
· Serve sacrificially. Trust God to meet your needs rather than demand consideration.
· Submit to God’s timing in your needs, in your husband’s growth.
· Move Over! Your husband’s job is to lead, not yours.
· Follow! Be his partner.
FOR HUSBANDS
Marriage is:
· A union created by God
· A mission field, a university of instruction on unity
· Treasure to be valued, honored and protected
· Forum for learning to love—to truly build a relationship
· Intended to produce Godly children (perhaps natural & spiritual for those who are beyond child-bearing ages—and each partner is a child of God anyway)
· Intended to produce the image of Christ’s relationship with the church.
· Not intended to fulfill my personal purposes of companionship, pleasure & fulfillment—though those outcomes will result IF my focus is on God’s purposes
Prayer is a necessity:
· Seek scriptures for one another. Wrestle for each other. Colossians 4:12
· Seek to see God’s work and His glory revealed to children. Build a legacy. Psalm 90:16,17
· Triumph is in mercy. Hide in Jesus. James 2:13
· Be confident in God! Hebrews 10:35
Duties of husbands – 8 commands vs.19 - Ephesians 5:22-33
· Be head of wife v.23
o Think biblically in the home…with regard to finances, loving – everything. Wives are created to be a ‘help-fit’—wives are fitted to help their husbands.
· Love wife as Christ loved the church v.25
o Consciously put the wife first…die to ‘self.’
· Love wife as own body v.28,33
o Just as you care for your body’s needs, care for your wife’s needs.
· Nourish (bring up, care for, protect) v.29; 6;4; I Peter 3:6,7
o Treat wives as ‘fine china’ not melamac or disposable plates.
· Cherish (to foster or warm in one’s bosom)
o Encourage. Embrace…physically affectionate.
· Be joined as one flesh vs.30-31
o Woman was taken from the flesh of man…and given back to become One. Marriage is to create a One-ness of mind & heart…of plans & purposes.
· Leave Parents for your wife v.31
o Emotionally join to your wife…the daily habits & ways of doing things in the parental home may not be ‘what works’ in your marriage.
· Cleave to your wife (Matthew 19:9)
o Build up your wife; build your home with your wife.
Specific Admonitions
· Encourage spouse to develop her potential…to become the woman God wants her to be.
· Be uniquely suited to spouse; trust God to fit you together as you obey Him.
· Speak her language of love not your own…know how she feels loved.
· Confess your shortcomings…seek God’s grace to obey His ways in relationships. Recognize that strengths/weaknesses are God’s tools for transforming each of you.
· Serve sacrificially. Trust God to meet your needs rather than demand consideration.
· Submit to God’s timing in your needs, in your spouse’s growth.
· LEAD with sacrificial love!
May these bless you...and I will be writing soon. I've been immersed in a class for certification as a 'homeschool teacher.' (Should have had this course ten years ago!) I did write this morning on gardening but am not ready to post...vacation is coming, writing time should be increased! Blessings!
-------------------------------------------------
FOR WIVES
Marriage is:
· A union created by God
· A mission field, a university of instruction on unity
· Treasure to be valued, honored and protected
· Forum for learning to love—to truly build a relationship
· Intended to produce Godly children (perhaps natural & spiritual for those who are beyond child-bearing ages—and each partner is a child of God anyway)
· Intended to produce the image of Christ’s relationship with the church.
· Not intended to fulfill my personal purposes of companionship, pleasure & fulfillment; though those outcomes will result IF my focus is on God’s purposes
Prayer is a necessity:
· Seek scriptures for one another. Wrestle for each other. Colossians 4:12
· Seek to see God’s work and His glory revealed to children. Build a legacy. Psalm 90:16,17
· Triumph is in mercy. Hide in Jesus. James 2:13
· Be confident in God! Hebrews 10:35
Duties of wives- 4 commands for wives - Ephesians 5:22-33
· Submit to husband as to Christ v.22
o Submission is not slavery but rather loving cooperation with your husband by recognizing his divinely appointed leadership responsibility.
· Recognize headship of husband v.23
o Just as the body needs a head…and the head a body, so does a marriage union.
· Be subject to own husband v.24
· Reverence (and respect) husband v.33
o Love (caretaking, giving time/attention) comes naturally to women…respect is more difficult but commanded (and needed).
o Respect his: burdens, worries, needs, convictions, perspectives, fears, sacrifices, relationship with God—and God’s work in your husband
· Qualifications to the command “submit in everything” 5:24-33
o Her God and her soul must come first (Matt. 22:37, 38; Luke 14:26, 27; I Cor.. 7:10-16)
Specific Admonitions
· Encourage spouse to develop his potential…to become the man God wants him to be.
· Be uniquely suited to spouse; trust God to fit you together as you obey Him.
· Speak his language of love not your own…know how he feels loved.
· Confess your shortcomings…seek God’s grace to obey His ways in relationships. Recognize that strengths/weaknesses are God’s tools for transforming each of you.
· Serve sacrificially. Trust God to meet your needs rather than demand consideration.
· Submit to God’s timing in your needs, in your husband’s growth.
· Move Over! Your husband’s job is to lead, not yours.
· Follow! Be his partner.
FOR HUSBANDS
Marriage is:
· A union created by God
· A mission field, a university of instruction on unity
· Treasure to be valued, honored and protected
· Forum for learning to love—to truly build a relationship
· Intended to produce Godly children (perhaps natural & spiritual for those who are beyond child-bearing ages—and each partner is a child of God anyway)
· Intended to produce the image of Christ’s relationship with the church.
· Not intended to fulfill my personal purposes of companionship, pleasure & fulfillment—though those outcomes will result IF my focus is on God’s purposes
Prayer is a necessity:
· Seek scriptures for one another. Wrestle for each other. Colossians 4:12
· Seek to see God’s work and His glory revealed to children. Build a legacy. Psalm 90:16,17
· Triumph is in mercy. Hide in Jesus. James 2:13
· Be confident in God! Hebrews 10:35
Duties of husbands – 8 commands vs.19 - Ephesians 5:22-33
· Be head of wife v.23
o Think biblically in the home…with regard to finances, loving – everything. Wives are created to be a ‘help-fit’—wives are fitted to help their husbands.
· Love wife as Christ loved the church v.25
o Consciously put the wife first…die to ‘self.’
· Love wife as own body v.28,33
o Just as you care for your body’s needs, care for your wife’s needs.
· Nourish (bring up, care for, protect) v.29; 6;4; I Peter 3:6,7
o Treat wives as ‘fine china’ not melamac or disposable plates.
· Cherish (to foster or warm in one’s bosom)
o Encourage. Embrace…physically affectionate.
· Be joined as one flesh vs.30-31
o Woman was taken from the flesh of man…and given back to become One. Marriage is to create a One-ness of mind & heart…of plans & purposes.
· Leave Parents for your wife v.31
o Emotionally join to your wife…the daily habits & ways of doing things in the parental home may not be ‘what works’ in your marriage.
· Cleave to your wife (Matthew 19:9)
o Build up your wife; build your home with your wife.
Specific Admonitions
· Encourage spouse to develop her potential…to become the woman God wants her to be.
· Be uniquely suited to spouse; trust God to fit you together as you obey Him.
· Speak her language of love not your own…know how she feels loved.
· Confess your shortcomings…seek God’s grace to obey His ways in relationships. Recognize that strengths/weaknesses are God’s tools for transforming each of you.
· Serve sacrificially. Trust God to meet your needs rather than demand consideration.
· Submit to God’s timing in your needs, in your spouse’s growth.
· LEAD with sacrificial love!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Character: A Spirit of Reverence
The second trait on my list of Christian character is fear. I was surprised earlier this week when I read in Proverbs 28:14 ‘happy is the man who is never without fear.’ The words stopped me as all of the foolish fears of life eddied through my mind: the fear of aging and infirmity, the fear of disappointing or offending others, the fear of failing, and the fear of shame. The list is endless of those things that we can fear. Yet, those are the fears of evil which destroy life. Clearly the wise writer of Proverbs spoke of fears which lead to blessing, reverent fear…an awe…which protects from evil and leads to life.
There are earthly things which inspire a reverent fear. Electricity is one. We often take its power for granted but unleashed electricity is indeed a fearsome, deadly force. The wind is another. At times it is a gentle, refreshing breeze and others a destructive force beyond the control of our best efforts. The only fear, though, that leads to happiness is awe of our eternal Creator. As a Christian, holy fear is that aspect of our character which flattens us before our mighty God. It is the reverent awe of lying prostrate before the King of Kings which transforms a child of God. It is an attribute of great value in the character of a child of God.
With reverence and fear as an integral trait, we will not only read the Word of God, we will seek to see it become alive in our relationships with others. We will take His Word not only as our standard but as the reality in which we long to live. Our choices will never become completely perfect…our humanity is not eliminated as our character transforms. Fear of God, though, will lead us to trust in His design, to obedience to His ways. His blessings will overflow into the details of our days. Our lives, and the impact of our lives, will reap eternal rewards with a heart that is humbly reverent. Rejoice today in trusting submission to the Creator…in laying before Him every worry and care knowing that He can and will bring good!
There are earthly things which inspire a reverent fear. Electricity is one. We often take its power for granted but unleashed electricity is indeed a fearsome, deadly force. The wind is another. At times it is a gentle, refreshing breeze and others a destructive force beyond the control of our best efforts. The only fear, though, that leads to happiness is awe of our eternal Creator. As a Christian, holy fear is that aspect of our character which flattens us before our mighty God. It is the reverent awe of lying prostrate before the King of Kings which transforms a child of God. It is an attribute of great value in the character of a child of God.
With reverence and fear as an integral trait, we will not only read the Word of God, we will seek to see it become alive in our relationships with others. We will take His Word not only as our standard but as the reality in which we long to live. Our choices will never become completely perfect…our humanity is not eliminated as our character transforms. Fear of God, though, will lead us to trust in His design, to obedience to His ways. His blessings will overflow into the details of our days. Our lives, and the impact of our lives, will reap eternal rewards with a heart that is humbly reverent. Rejoice today in trusting submission to the Creator…in laying before Him every worry and care knowing that He can and will bring good!
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