2017-09-13
1 Peter 3:7 NIV
You must get to know your wife and respect her needs. When God made woman, He made her to be a receiver and responder. He made her a little softer, a little warmer, a little more emotional in order to respond to you. A woman responds to a man in such a way that the very thing he wants, he will receive by giving instead of demanding. When your wife feels truly loved and secure you won’t have to worry about her fulfilling her responsibility in the home. You won’t have to wonder if you’ll have an active, intimate, physical relationship. She’ll be right there responding to your needs. But that means you must put your wife and family first. Sometimes that means saying, “Sorry, guys, I can’t go out with you tonight because I’m taking my wife on a date.” When you’re that kind of husband, you’ll get the kind of response you want without demanding it. But be prepared; there may be issues festering under the surface that need to be dealt with before you can move forward as a couple. If so, be humble enough to say, “I’m sorry I’ve failed you. I haven’t loved you the way I was supposed to and I know it has affected our relationship. I haven’t given you the time and attention you need. But starting today I’m going to change. With God’s help, I’m going to try to love you the way you deserve to be loved.” Now, sir, your wife may faint when she first hears it, but if you follow through, you can have the marriage you always dreamed of.
Soul food: Neh 8-10; Mark 12:13-27; Ps 78:56-64; Prov 24:5-9
2017-09-12
1 Korintiërs 15:22 NLV
Die Bybel sê, ‘Almal van ons sterf omdat ons almal aan Adam, die eerste mens, verbonde is…’ Hoekom Adam? Hy was geroep om die hoof van die eerste familie te wees en was dus verantwoordelik vir wat in die huishouding gebeur. As mense, is mans en vrouens gelyk onder God. In die huwelik het elkeen egter ‘n ander rol. Wat in die eerste huishouding gebeur het was die resultaat van twee mense wat onafhanklik van God wou lewe. Dit is hoe baie verhoudings vandag funksioneer. Een of beide van die paartjie kies om hulle lewens apart van God se reëls en outoriteit te lewe. Dit word deur die 50 persent egskeidingsyfer wat ons deesdae ervaar, weerspieël. Hierdie syfer neem nie eens in ag baie mense wat getroud bly, maar wat nie gelukkig is nie en sê dat hulle nie weer met hul eggenoot sou trou nie. Konflik ontstaan wanneer jy en jou eggenoot verskillende leerstyle, persoonlikhede en agtergronde het. Een eggenoot mag dalk sê, ‘My pa het my só geleer,’ of ‘My ma het dinge só gedoen.’ Ons almal het ons eie idee van wat reg en verkeerd in ‘n huwelik is. Die probleem is egter dat jy jou hele lewe kan spandeer om oor opinies te argumenteer en nooit êrens kom nie. As volgelinge van Christus is ons egter geroep om ons lewens en huwelike op Bybelse beginsels te bou. Adam se werk was om God se sienswyse oor sake rakende die lewe en familie te kry en dit dan met die ander lede van sy familie te deel. Hoe? Deur ‘n liefdevolle man te wees en goddelike leierskap te openbaar. Wanneer ‘n huis op hierdie manier funksioneer, sal God se seën teenwoordig wees.
Sielskos: Neh 5-7; Mark 12:1-12; Ps 78:40-55; Spr 24:1-4
1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV
The Bible says, “In Adam all die.” Why Adam? He was called to be the head of the first family, therefore he was responsible for what happened in the home. As people, husbands and wives are equal under God. But in marriage each has a different role. What happened in the first home was the result of two people wanting to live independently of God. That’s the way many relationships function today. One or both partners choose to live their lives separately from God’s rule and authority. It shows up in the 50 percent divorce rate we’re experiencing. And that doesn’t take into consideration that many who remain married say they’re not happy and wouldn’t marry the same person again. Conflict arises when you and your spouse have different histories, learning styles, personalities, and backgrounds. One spouse might say, “My father raised me like this,” or “My mother always did that.” We all have our own idea of what makes up “the knowledge of good and evil” – what’s right and what’s wrong for a marriage. Everyone has an opinion. The problem is, you can spend your life arguing over opinions and get nowhere. As followers of Christ, we’re called to live our lives and build our marriages on Bible revelation, not personal intuition. Adam’s job was to get God’s viewpoint on issues pertaining to life and family, then share it with the other members of the family. How? By being a loving husband and modelling godly leadership. When a home functions this way, God’s blessing will be present.
Soul food: Neh 5-7; Mark 12:1-12; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 24:1-4
2017-09-11
Exodus 34:23 NAS
God said, “Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord…For I will drive out nations before you…enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land” (vv. 23-24 NAS). Three times a year the men of Israel were to go on a spiritual retreat and seek God’s guidance. And God promised to protect their families and their possessions while they were gone, and even to “enlarge [their] borders.” So if you’re a husband who wants God to protect your family and bless your endeavours, you must take the time to submit your thoughts, actions, and decisions to His leadership. You’ll never function successfully as the head of your family until you’re under the headship of Christ. The best thing you can do in leading your home and building a great marriage is to ask the question, “What is the mind of Christ in this matter?” (See 1 Corinthians 2:16). And then follow it. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have your wife’s full attention and cooperation. Why? Because she’s no longer arguing with you and your opinions. Now you’ve brought Christ and His Word into the equation. It may take time for your wife to trust your leadership and respect your thinking, but as she sees you walk with God and practice His principles, she’ll come to trust you and feel secure. When a woman says to her husband, “I need you to hold me,” she’s not necessarily talking about physical intimacy. She’s talking about her God-given need for security. She needs a husband she can love and trust. And God can make you such a husband.
Soul food: Neh 1-4; Mark 11:27-33; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 23:29-35
Eksodus 34:23 NLV
God het gesê, ‘Drie keer elke jaar moet al die mans voor die oppermagtige Here, die God van Israel, kom aanbid. Niemand sal julle aanval of julle land probeer afneem terwyl julle van die huis af weg is om die Here te gaan aanbid nie. Ek sal al die nasies voor jou uit verdryf. Ek sal jou grond al meer maak (verse 23-24 NLV). Drie keer ‘n jaar moes die manne van Israel op ‘n geestelike wegbreek gaan om God se leiding te soek. God het ook belowe om hulle families en besittings te beskerm terwyl hulle weg was en selfs om hulle grond te vermeerder. As jy dus ‘n man is wat wil hê dat God jou familie moet beskerm en jou pogings moet seën, moet jy tyd maak om jou denke, aksies en besluite aan sy leierskap te onderwerp. Die beste ding wat jy kan doen om ‘n leier in jou huis te wees en ‘n goeie huwelik te bou is om te vra, ‘Wat is Christus se denke oor hierdie saak’ (sien 1 Korintiërs 2:16). Sodra jy dit gedoen het, sal jy jou vrou se volle aandag en samewerking hê. Dit mag dalk tyd neem vir jou vrou om jou leierskap te vertrou en jou denkwyse te respekteer, maar soos sy sien hoe jy saam met Christus stap en sy beginsels beoefen, sal sy jou begin vertrou en veilig voel. Wanneer ‘n vrou vir haar man sê, ‘Ek wil hê jy moet my vashou,’ praat sy nie noodwendig van fisiese intimiteit nie. Sy praat van haar Godgegewe behoefte aan sekuriteit. Sy het ‘n man nodig wat sy kan liefhê en vertrou. God het jou so ‘n man gemaak.
Sielskos: Neh 1-4; Mark 11:27-33; Ps 78:32-39; Spr 23:29-35
