2020-03-10
Proverbs 5:18 NKJV
The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ…loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NKJV), so let’s take another look at how Christ loved the founders of the church, His twelve disciples. He recognized their gifts. He rejoiced in their successes. He supported and encouraged them to grow to their full potential. Are you willing to do that? When you truly love someone, you won’t try to hold them back or seek to control them because of your insecurities. You’ll recognize their gifting, help them become everything God called them to be, release them, and celebrate their successes. And should their light shine brighter than yours, become their biggest cheerleader. If this wasn’t modeled in your family of origin, chances are, you’ll have to work at it. And if you had an unfaithful partner in a previous relationship, you may need to ask God to heal your heart and give you a new level of trust. Building this kind of relationship calls for a level of humility and honesty you’re probably not used to. It may require overcoming your male ego, admitting your fears, and saying to your wife, “I love you and I really want to trust you. Will you please help me?” Until you get through this stage and feel more secure about your relationship, a marriage partner who truly loves you will go the extra mile when it comes to telling you where they’ve been and who they spent time with during the day. The truth is, sometimes you have to fight for your marriage – but it’s worth it, because in the end, you both win!
Soul food: Gen 37-39; Matt 21:33-46; Ps 112; Prov 7:6-9
2020-03-09
Deuteronomy 24:5 NKJV
The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25 NKJV). And since the disciples were the original church founders, let’s look again at how Jesus treated them. He spent time with them, talking and listening. Old Testament law required: “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife” (Deuteronomy 24:5 NKJV). Imagine, a whole year of doing nothing but loving and getting to know each other! Why did God plan it that way? Because no battle you’ll ever fight, and no business you’ll ever be involved in, is more important than building a lasting relationship with your spouse. A leading cause of divorce today is among couples who don’t set aside time at the end of the workday to sit down together, free from the TV and telephone, and share their thoughts and feelings. Do you know what never grows old? Caring, communicating, assuring your spouse that of all the places you could be right now, you’d rather be with them. Many times your wife will share problems with you, but it’s not because she wants you to “fix” them. Truth be told, some of the problems she discussed with you months ago remain unfixed, and she’s okay with that! What she’s looking for is empathy, understanding, and support. When you listen attentively to her concerns, she feels loved and valued, and nine times out of ten, the problem fades into obscurity. It’s a big return – on a small investment!
Soul food: Gen 35-36; Matt 21:18-32; Ps 106:24-48; Prov 7:3-5
Deuteronomium 24:5 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘Getroude mans, julle moet julle vrouens liefhê net soos Christus liefde aan die kerk bewys het toe Hy sy lewe daarvoor gegee het’ (Efesiërs 5:25 NLV). Aangesien die dissipels die oorspronklike stigters van die kerk was, kom ons kyk hoe Jesus hulle behandel het. Hy het tyd saam met hulle spandeer; na hulle geluister en met hulle gesels. Die Ou Testamentiese wet het bepaal: “‘n Pasgetroude man mag nie in die weermag opgeneem of enige ander spesiale verantwoordelikhede gegee word nie. Hy moet vry wees om vir ‘n jaar lank by die huis te wees om die vrou met wie hy getroud is gelukkig te maak” (Deuteronomium 24:5 NLV). Dink net, ‘n hele jaar om niks anders te doen as om mekaar lief te hê en mekaar te leer ken nie! Hoekom het God dit so beplan? Omdat geen geveg wat jy ooit sal aanpak, of geen besigheid waarby jy ooit betrokke sal wees, belangriker as die blywende verhouding wat jy met jou eggenoot bou, sal wees nie. Een van die grootste redes hoekom paartjies deesdae in die skeihof beland, is omdat hulle nie tyd eenkant sit om aan die einde van die werksdag, sonder die televisie en die telefoon, hulle gedagtes en gevoelens met mekaar te deel nie. Baie kere sal jou vrou probleme met jou deel, maar nie omdat sy wil hê dat jy dit moet oplos nie. Sy wil eerder empatie, begrip en ondersteuning hê. Wanneer jy aandagtig na haar sorge luister, voel sy geliefd en gewaardeerd en nege uit die tien kere, verdwyn die probleem soos mis voor die son. Dis groot rente – op ‘n baie klein belegging!
Sielskos: Gen 35-36; Matt 21:18-32; Ps 106:24-48; Spr 7:3-5
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Another way that Jesus showed love to the disciples was by spending time with them, talking and listening. Communication is key in all of our relationships. If we don’t take the time to get to know people and really listen to what they’ve got to say, our relationships aren’t going to work out well. Jesus spent a lot of time with the disciples. They came with Him on His mission trips, they ate together, and they visited family and friends. Jesus could have done everything on His own, but He chose to invest in other people and bring them along on the journey. It’s important that we don’t isolate ourselves. The Bible reminds us that we shouldn’t be ‘giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.’ We can’t love other people God’s way if we’re avoiding spending time with them. Plus, we need to be giving people our undivided attention. We shouldn’t be on our phones in the middle of a conversation, or planning what we want to say instead of concentrating on what the other person is saying to us. When Jesus sacrificed His time to help and encourage the disciples, He was showing them that they were important to Him. If we’re going to show God’s love to those around us, we need to act in a way which shows them that they’re valued and important. But Jesus also knew when to take time away from people, and spend time with God. The Bible says: ‘Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed’ (Luke 5:16 NIV). If we’re going to love others well, we need to make sure we’re spending time alone with God so that we’re filled up with His love to share with others.
Gen 35-36; Matt 21:18-32; Ps 106:24-48; Prov 7:3-5
2020-03-08
Ephesians 5:25 NKJV
Why does the Bible say, “Husbands, love your wives…as Christ…loved the church and gave Himself for her”? Because your wife needs to know you love her, think about her, include her in your plans, and that you consider her opinions, needs, and desires. And if you don’t tell her, she won’t know it! So let’s look at how Jesus loved the church, which began with twelve disciples who were flawed human beings, and learn how you should love your wife. (1) He loved them unconditionally. Was it always easy? No. But instead of nagging His disciples about what they were or were not, He rejoiced, thinking about what they would become when His grace had worked in their lives. Stop and remember the qualities you saw in your wife that initially attracted you to her. Over the years she may have gained a few pounds, added a few new wrinkles, and sometimes seems to be buried under a mountain of household chores. But she’s still the same wonderful person you fell in love with. That’s easy to forget, so you must constantly remind yourself – and her – of it. When roses are exposed to frost, they wither and die, but given the right amount of sunshine and rain – they flourish. Describing an ideal wife, Solomon writes, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NKJV). Why did these children praise their mother? Because they saw their father do it! So if you’ve been too busy, too self-absorbed, or too distracted, change your ways – and tell your wife how much you love her. (And by the way, ladies – that principle works both ways!)
Soul food: Matt 5:3; Luke 18:9-14; Isa 57:14-21; 2 Sam 7:18-29
