1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Luke 10:38-42, Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
I love how God puts examples in the Bible that help us to learn His lessons for us. Here are two women, both raised in the same family but yet very different. There are a few spiritual applications we could glean here, that’s for sure. Martha could be an example of a person who is not saved and does not desire the things of God. It could be that Martha represents the saved woman who has not studied to show herself approved unto God. It could be that Martha represents the woman who has been saved a long time and has become comfortable in her Christian walk and feels she doesn’t need to grow spiritually anymore so she “works” a lot. Which Martha are you today, ladies?
Luke points that that Martha was “cumbered, careful and troubled about many things.” She was expecting Jesus and many others in her home. She was busy in her thoughts, laying out plans, what dishes to use, what meal to make, housework needed to be done, and everything in its place. In fact, these thoughts obsessed her so much so that she went to Jesus saying, “There’s so much to do, tell Mary to come help me!” Think about this for a minute. If you were receiving guests in your home and your sister wasn’t helping you with preparing, would you go to your guest and ask them to tell your sister to get to work? Is it me or was this a strange request to make? I think this goes deeper than meets the eye, don’t you? I think Martha wanted to draw attention to herself and all the work she had one by herself. SHE wanted the credit, in my opinion.
Jesus saw through this and told her that she was caught up in what needed to be done but was leaving her spiritual life unattended. He came right out and told her that Mary had chosen the good part and that this spiritual nourishment would not be taken away from her.
Is your spiritual housework all done, ladies? Is your house nice and spotless but your Bible study life is not? Do you put emphasis on cleaning your house but you leave your spiritual housework undone? What can we do to have a spiritually house clean?
1. Ask God to show you those secret sins in your heart and confess them. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. (Psa 19:12)
2. Ask God to show you all your sins and to wash you thoroughly from them so you don’t repeat them. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Psa 51:2)
3. How can we continually cleanse our hearts? By taking HEED to the Word. Not just reading it but taking HEED to it. BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psa 119:9)
4. Again, the Word washes. It helps us to stay clean. What happens to water as it goes into a colander? It goes through the colander, right? But the colander is cleaned by that water, even though the water does not stay contained in it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Eph 5:26) The same with our spiritual lives. We may not remember everything we read in the Word or study, but continual reading and studying helps us to stay clean.
5. Getting closer to God will clean our hearts. It will bring conviction, repentance and a need to ask forgiveness from the Father. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (Jam 4:8)
6. Abstain from worldly lusts. The things of this world have a lot to offer the flesh. Think in your hearts today what worldly things God is revealing to your heart right now. Is it TV? Is it music? Is it a book? Is it a distraction that keeps you from His Word? Any of these things distract. (2Co 6:18) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2Co 7:1)
Are you having difficulties saying no to the things this world offers? Are you having difficulties in your spiritual walk in general? Do a spiritual house cleaning today. Ask God to show you what He wants cleaned out. You probably already know what needs cleaning. Then ask the Lord to help you keep your spiritual house clean. He can, He will and He promises to help you. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1Jo 4:4)
I have found the secret to prevent me from falling into sin and have a successful Christian life!!
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2Pe 1:4)
Peter explains that we have a promise that if we “partake” or practice the verses below, we can avoid worldly lusts and be more Christ-like.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2Pe 1:5)
We are to be persistent in our walk of faith, but specifically we should be adding to our faith, virtue (the practice of moral goodness) and knowledge (studying God’s Word);
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (2Pe 1:6)
We should also be adding temperance (moderation, no indulgence in natural appetites) and patience and godliness. Do we indulge in worldly pleasures? Are there areas in your life that need work? What about those TV shows that you watch that are all about sex? Do you watch them with your children? Shame, shame, shame. Are you impatient? We are most impatient with those we love the most, those in our own homes. Do you practice even harder to be patient with them? If not, you should. Are you practicing godliness? Today’s Christian has been hardened by the things of the world. Don’t measure yourself according to other Christians, but measure yourself to the Word of God. You cannot measure yourself if you don’t read the Word! Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11) This does not necessarily mean to memorize – but to read the Word, absorb its meaning by meditating on the Word.
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2Pe 1:7)
Add to your life kindness to your fellow believers and love (agape love according to Strong’s – which is the love that we should have for God). If we treat others with the same love God has for us, we would never lie to them, steal from them, cheat on them, curse at them, or do any evil toward them.
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. (2Pe 1:8 )
Peter tells us that if we practice these things and abound (possess in great quantity) we won’t be barren (empty) in our knowledge of Christ nor will we be unfruitful for Him. The more we know the Word, the more we can produce for God. Are you doing anything for the Lord? Are you an active participant in your church? If sickness prevents you from being active, are you finding other ways to be a blessing? Are you conscious of souls dying every second and going to hell? Being IN the Word will make you soul conscious becaues Christ was soul conscious to the point of death.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (2Pe 1:9)
But those that lack these things are blind and have limited knowledge of the gospel so they cannot “see” the complete Christian way of life through the Word. They are satisfied to be saved as new born babes and not eat any spiritual meat. Drinking only the pure milk of the Word is like a baby only drinking Mother’s milk his whole adolescent life. What kind of child will that produce? This will produce a weak one who won’t be able to fight off disease or be strong physically. The same with our spiritual bodies – no spiritual meat in our diet will produce a very weak Christian who won’t be able to fight off the devil’s attempts. Peter also says here that the Christian has also forgotten that we are cleansed from sin but there is a growing process in the Word which can keep us from sinning, only if we grow.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2Pe 1:10)
Peter encourages those reading that as they walk in the manner he just explained, they should be diligent in this process so that they can prove to themselves they are the elect – the saved. He goes on further to share that if we do those things, we shall not stumble and fall back into our old sinful nature. When you are in the Word and doing what God says in His Word, you are not worried about your position in Him because you have the calm assurance of your salvation. The opposite holds true as well – if you are not in the Word, there is no calm assurance but one wonders if they are truly saved. Good question!
Here is the cure for sin in our lives as Christians. Do we take the cure or are we too lazy to do so? Many of us have ailments, some life threatening. We have been prescribed medication to take to help us. Do we neglect that medication? Of course not as that would be a detriment to our bodies.
Why is the average Christian so quick to neglect his/her spiritual medication? Do we think that it will go unnoticed? I dare say that there are probably quite a few who are not really saved but are just going through the actions of religion. If they put their spirituality to the test by doing as Peter commands, they would quickly see they cannot and are trying to work their way to heaven.
But the true Christian will grow spiritually as he/she practices verses 4-10. One who practices these commands will not only grow but will also have the peace and assurance of their salvation. Many doubt their salvation because they are quenching the Holy Spirit of God and not allowing Him to teach them. Quench not the Spirit. (1Th 5:19)
Are you struggling in your spiritual life today? Paul exhorted the Philippians to work out their salvation.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phi 2:12)
He was not saying that they needed to work to BE saved. He was saying just as Peter was saying in today’s verses. When we practice (or work) at what the Word says, we become more as the Lord desires for us. More like Him.
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (Exo 3:5) Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exo 3:6)
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom 14:11)
We have all heard that “actions speak louder than words” – or “actions speak volumes”! What do my actions speak about my love for the Lord? More importantly, do I hold God in a place of honor in my life above any other? What does God deserve? Why does He deserve this place of honor?
Do I truly view God as Moses viewed Him in Ex. 3:5-6? Do I stand on holy ground when I am doing my devotions? Or have I taken the worldly Christian’s view of “Abba Daddy” too far? Do I give God the reverence that is due Him? Or have I “trivialized” His position in my walk and worship?
Yes, our Heavenly Father IS our Abba, Father. But do I speak to my earthly Dad with disrespect? Do I put my Dad on the same level as my friends? Of course not. My earthly father is respected and has a “higher” place than my friends. I don’t speak to him in the same manner as I would my friends. The average Christian today has removed this respect and honor for God from their lives.
The phrase, Abba, Father is mentioned three times in the Word:
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mar 14:36)
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Rom 8:15)
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Gal 4:6)
Whenever we want to learn what the Word has to say about a certain topic, the best Teacher is Christ Himself. Christ revered His Abba, Father to the point of praising Him (all things are possible unto thee), petitioning Him (take away this cup from me), and finally submitting to His will (nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt). Christ did not treat His prayer as though it was a talk with one of His friends. He recognized His position as being under submission but yet as a Son speaking to His Father. What a great teacher.
Why doesn’t God work through men and women today as He did with our forefathers? Could it be because we have allowed the devil to dilute God’s holiness and position in our lives? Do I “take off my shoes” in my heart as I enter into my prayer closet to spend time with the Lord? Do I hide my face because I am not worthy to look upon the face of God?
If not, why not? More importantly, if not – then what are my actions revealing? God is not just “one of the guys”! God is not my “buddy”! God is not “the Man upstairs”! How dare we trivialize God? How dare we put God on “our level”?
Yes, the Word does say that God is our friend. And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. (Exo 33:11a) But do you treat your friend with disrespect? Then why do you watch movies or listen to jokes that dishonor God? Do you lie to your friend? Then why do you try to weasel your way out of telling the whole truth about missing church services? Do you steal from your friend? Then why do you steal from God by withholding your tithe? Do you find every excuse under the sun to avoid being with your friend? Then why do you skip your devotions and prayer time? Do you throw your friend’s letters away or leave them unopened? Then why don’t you open your Bible except in church? Ouch!
What the average Christian needs today is to set aside the “charismatic’s” view of God and get back to the old fashioned principles taught in the Word. If you want to be God’s friend, then pattern your life after Moses – And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (Exo 3:5) Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exo 3:6)
Jesus Christ is our King of Kings! Let’s treat Him like one!
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Eph 4:14)
I was studying these two verses this morning and why Paul would tell us to be no more children. Although the English word children fits nicely here and gives us the sense of striving toward spiritual growth, I looked up the Greek word for children and discovered that the word used here was not the usual word for children as we know it but meaning “figuratively a simple minded person, an immature Christian: – babe, childish”! Whoa! That surely puts punch to the verse now! An immature Christian is either immature because he is newly saved or is not in the Word. One needs to be in the Word so he can grow – it’s just like a baby needing milk. Withhold that milk, and that baby will become malnourished. Peter exhorted the newborn babes to grow by getting into the Word.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1Pe 2:2)
If a believer does not get into the Word, he will be easily deceived by cult members. He will be easily deceived into believing that worldliness is OK. He will be a sucker for every wind of doctrine. He will be easily influenced by what his peers believe. His flesh will lead him rather than his spirit. Jesus knew that the flesh would starve the believer and mislead but the spirit would feed that believer into growth.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (Joh 6:63)
When I came into this world, my parents fed me as I was not able to feed myself. Once I grew to a toddler, I learned to feed myself. But my mother still controlled what I ate so I was still pretty healthy. As an older youth and teenager, I would leave the house and eat junk food. I didn’t feed myself the proper nourishment I needed and only got this proper nourishment when I went back home and sat down to a meal fixed by my Mom. When I left home for good, I was in charge of my own cooking and did not eat properly. I soon discovered that I was catching every cold that went around, flu bug, etc. Maybe there was something wise in what Mom tried to teach me! Could it be she was right? I needed proper nourishment to fight off disease and to keep my body healthy – I needed proper nourishment to give me energy to deal with the day’s tasks.
Let’s compare that with our spiritual nourishment. If we quench the Holy Spirit by not heeding His conviction when He tries to show us our sin, we feed our flesh. When we do not read the Word, we cannot build our faith (our strength) and we cannot grow. We saw this earlier when Peter said to desire the Word so we can grow. If we are not growing spiritually, then we are feeding our flesh more than our spirit. We are allowing worldliness into our lives more than we are allowing spiritual things into our lives.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5)
Is it your parents responsibility to feed you now that you are an adult and not living at home? Of course not! Is it your pastor’s responsibility to feed you spiritual food? Watch out what you answer! If you answer yes, then you are still a babe in Christ. You are still the child mentioned in Ephesians 4:14. Shame on you if you have been saved for more than a few months and answered yes to this question. It is your responsibility to feed yourself spiritually. Yes, we get fed at church but that should not be the only time you eat! Can you imagine if you fed your body only three times a week? Your pastor can only feed you when you are at church – that’s only about six hours a week. Are you starving the other 162 hours in the week?
Feed yourself, Christian! How important is the Word in our lives? Here are a few reasons:
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psa 119:9) The Word cleanses me.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11) The Word keeps me from sinning.
DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. (Psa 119:25) The Word makes me alive!
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. (Psa 119:28 ) The Word strengthens me.
VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. (Psa 119:41) The Word shows me mercy.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. (Psa 119:42) The Word enables me to have the right words to respond to accusations.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. (Psa 119:50) The Word comforts me.
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. (Psa 119:65) The Word convicts me.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Psa 119:67) The Word keeps me from going astray.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. (Psa 119:74) The Word gives me hope.
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. (Psa 119:76) The Word comforts me.
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psa 119:89) The Word is settled – never changing.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. (Psa 119:101) The Word keeps me from evil.
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105) The Word gives me direction in a dark world.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psa 119:133) The Word brings order to my walk.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. (Psa 119:140) The Word is pure.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. (Psa 119:148 ) The Word is to be meditated on.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. (Psa 119:158 ) The Word burdens my heart for the lost.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. (Psa 119:160) The Word is truth and is everlasting.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (Psa 119:162) The Word is precious!
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. (Psa 119:169) The Word gives understanding.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. (Psa 119:170) The Word delivers me.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (Psa 119:172) The Word is righteous.
Does the Christian need the Word? Your answer will define whether you are a child tossed to and fro. Which one are you?
The word blessing appears 64 times in Scriptures. The first time it appears is in:
Gen. 12:2, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”
If I apply the rule of “firsts” here, I see two active parts of the word blessing: (1) God giving the blessings and (2) Believers being a blessing.
I. God is the one who gives these blessings. The tense of this phrase is future and on-going – God will bless us. Gen. 12:2 was given to the nation of Israel but can be applied to us today. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:14)
A. Characteristics of God’s Blessings
Birthright – Gen. 27.35 (Esau gave up his birthright for something to eat.)
a. The Christian’s birthright comes by being born again into God’s Kingdom (John 3:3).
i. God blesses us with salvation. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psa 3:8 )
ii. He gives us showers of blessing because we believe on His Son, Jesus Christ. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. (Eze 34:26)
b. Abraham’s blessing passed on to us – That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:14)
c. The Gospel brings a blessing – And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. (Rom 15:29)
Fruitfulness – Gen. 28:3 Children are a blessing from God. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Psa 127:3)
Spills over to others – Gen. 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
a. When we walk uprightly, God blesses us. Our families glean from these blessings because of us. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: (Heb 6:7)
Sometimes has to be sought after – Gen. 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
Blessings can come with curses – Deut. 11:27-28
a. A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: (27) And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (28 ) If we obey the Word, we will be blessed. If we don’t obey, we will not be blessed.
b. Both can come out of the same person – Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (Jam 3:10)
Curses can be turned into blessings – Deut. 23:5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
Commanded to remember them – Deut. 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
Blessings given to:
a. The pure of heart – He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psa 24:4) He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psa 24:5)
b. Those that live in unity – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psa 133:1) It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; (Psa 133:2) As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Psa 133:3)
Blessings make us rich spiritually – The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (Pro 10:22)
Blessings come as a result of tithing and love offerings And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest’s: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house. (Eze 44:30)
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Mal 3:10)
Blessings come from repentance – And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (Joe 2:13) Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? (Joe 2:14)
B. We are to bless God – to pronounce Him holy and sanctify Him, His day and all things having to do with Him.
I. And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luk 24:53)
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Rev 5:12)
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Rev 5:13)
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev 7:12)
II. Because of receiving God’s blessings, God said the recipient shall be a blessing. Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. (Gen 33:11)
Share God’s goodness and your surplus with others. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. (Zec 8:13)
Because the Lord has saved us, be a blessing and lead others to Him!
A. Recipient gives of the fruit of his blessings – Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. (Deu 16:17)
B. Blessing others even when they aren’t blessing you – Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:9)
Much is to be said about blessings. I think the most famous verse, however, is:
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Act 20:35)
Make Me A Blessing
Out on the highways and byways of life, Many are the weary and sad; Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, Making the sorrowing glad.Chorus Make me a blessing, make me a blessing; Out of my life may Jesus shine. Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love, Tell of His pow’r to forgive; Others will trust Him if only you prove True every moment you live.
Chorus
Give as ’twas given to you in your need, Love as the Master loved you; Be to the helpless a helper indeed, Unto your mission be true.
Chorus ~~~~~~~~~
A great story about being a blessing to someone else and it involves listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Enjoy 🙂
God Speaks . . . Do You Listen?
A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord’s voice. The young man couldn’t help but wonder, “Does God still speak to people?” After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o’clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, “God..If you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.”
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, “God is that you?” He didn’t get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn’t recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.”Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.” It didn’t seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, “Turn Down that street.” This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, “Okay, God, I will”.
He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in semi commercial area of town. It wasn’t the best but it wasn’t the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.
Again, he sensed something, “Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.” The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. “Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.” Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, “Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something but if they don’t answer right away, I am out of here.”
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man’s voice yelled out, “Who is it? What do you want?” Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn’t seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. “What is it?” The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, “Here, I brought this to you.”
The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen.. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, “We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn’t have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.” His wife in the kitchen yelled out, “I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?”
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man’s hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.
I am so excited about this mini study I just finished! It’s like God gave me a golden nugget today and I am whoopin’ and hollerin’!!
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Gen 3:16)
As I studied this verse, I noticed that Eve’s desire would be to her husband. Hmmmm, he was the only man there at the time. She had not given birth to any children yet. Why would God tell her that her desire would be to her husband? Surely the word desire here cannot mean that she would only want him. That got me to thinking that maybe this word “desire” was not really what I thought it meant.
Eve’s desire could not possibly mean that she would desire Adam because he was the only man around – of COURSE she would desire him. We women automatically desire our husbands in the physical and emotional sense. It is something that is natural within us. So what could this word “desire” mean?
I have been taught that we should obtain our definitions of certain verses in the Bible by finding other verses that use the same word and let God’s Word interpret the meaning. As I searched out the word “desire,” I found that the English word “desire” is found in 109 verses. There are 38 different Hebrew and Greek instances of this word which are translated into just the one word in the English language! Each of the Hebrew and Greek instances vary in meaning. I found that the Hebrew word for this particular word is #8669 in Strong’s (teshûqâh “pronounced tesh-oo-kaw”) and is found in only two other places in the Old Testament (Gen. 4:7 and Song of Sol. 7:10 – I pasted the verses below.) These two scriptures clarify the meaning of this word.
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
The definition I found basically meant “to want to be in control of or to have the rule over.” God chose this particular Hebrew word in these three particular verses for a reason. So I found it interesting to see that #8669 was used only three times – twice in Genesis where we learn about our beginnings and the third time in the beautiful Song of Solomon, depicting a beautiful marriage.
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Son 7:10 I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.
Here in Genesis God tells Cain that he still had the rule over Abel because of his birth right.
In Song of Solomon, her beloved has the rule over her.
What have I gotten out of this mini study? It is clear to me that Eve was told that her desire would be to take the leadership role in the home, to rule over her husband and household. Just as Satan tried to take the rule over God to guide and direct Adam and Eve. I loved how God immediately followed that statement with “and he shall rule over thee.” The world’s definition of desire would not fit here. If Eve is told she would desire Adam emotionally and physically, why would God then say that Adam would rule over her?
I’m convinced that Adam and Eve’s marriage was perfect in the Garden of Eden. Adam was the head of his home and Eve was content with him ruling over her. After Eve submitted to temptation from Lucifer, she strayed from God’s and her husband’s will and sin entered the picture, she sinned. She sinned by exercising her own will – it was her choice. Because of her choice, she would now have to fight that choice even greater. She would now have a battle with wanting to lead the home. It makes perfect sense to interpret this verse in this manner.
As a result of this willful sin in Eve (which was passed on to all women), there are many women who chose to exercise their own will rather than allowing their husbands to lead. The husband’s role is knocked down, he is crushed into a wimp and his rightful leadership role is taken over by the wife. I was reading an article just yesterday that in the U.S., the “single” families exceed the families which have both a husband and wife. Is it any wonder? But women do not have to be this way… it is a choice that we make. We either do God’s will by submitting to our husbands or we don’t. We are not destined to repeat this sin – with Christ, we can overcome our self will and be the submissive wife He wants us to be.
We women are not equipped to be leaders. We were created to be their helpmeets, not vice versa. Granted, in today’s world there are women who are presidents of their own firm, doctors, etc. But if they are married, the husband is their head. From the beginning, God has said that the husband would rule over the wife. The man is equipped with leadership skills and decision making for his family. It’s not to say that we women cannot possess those skills. But it is to remind us that there must be order in the home, just as there is order in the universe, order in the world, order in the government, order in law enforcement, etc. God is a God of order as is evident throughout Scriptures.
When we go outside God’s plan for us, we will be unhappy and discontent. Our role is to be a helpmeet to our husbands and to honor him in all we say and do.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Pro 31:12)
I pray this study will speak to your hearts and give you a clear picture of what God intended for us women.
Most Christian women who are married to an unbeliever have husbands who are good and kind – and they are willing to live at peace with their Christian wife. Their husbands are not abusive and are decent men. I know a handful of women who are in this situation. In fact, I was in that situation, too.
The topic that kept cropping up in my own spiritual life was being an obedient wife to my unsaved husband. What does the Word of God have to say about this? I use to say, “Ya, but what IF he tells me to do something that’s wrong?” The fact of the matter was that many of the “what if’s” never came to pass. I was worrying over situations that never occurred. This worry is old slew foot’s way of distracting the Christian woman and keeping her from moving forward in her role of submission.
Let’s look at what the Scriptures have to say about being submissive and obedient to our husbands:
~Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
~1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
~1 Corinthians 11:8-9 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
~Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
~Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
~Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
~Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
~1 Timothy 2:11-12 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
~Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
~1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
~1 Peter 3:5-6 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
I find it interesting that six times we see the appearance of the phrase “own husbands” – we are not to submit to someone else’s husband. There have been a few times that my husband told me, “You listen to your Pastor but you don’t listen to me!” Ouch! Out of the mouth of an unsaved man, God was still teaching me!
God’s Word says we must obey our husbands – not just on the outside but on the inside as well. Submitting and obeying are easy as long as it goes along with what we want. However, when the rubber meets the road, are we as willing to submit and obey when we do not agree with what our husbands want? That is where the Holy Spirit’s work comes in.
Submitting and obeying are not options – we are commanded to do so. When we do not obey, we will be spanked by the Father. Just as our children’s punishments get harsher when they continue to do what we tell them not, so will our punishments be more severe if we refuse to obey God’s Word and obey our husbands.
I hope all this makes sense to you ladies. I find it is much easier to obey the Holy Spirit and submit/obey my husband than it is to resist and suffer punishment as a result. Once we “get this,” our relationship with our husband improves dramatically. I don’t know why the Lord put this on my heart this morning. I pray it is a blessing to someone today.
