Thought #49

We long for Heaven as, "home at last."  Don't you get impatient to experience the unblemished, rich, pure, measureless love of God? Oh that will be exuberant glory for you and for me!!!  See you there.

Titus 2 Woman: Relationships ~ Part 6

“The crown of the home is godliness; the beauty of the home is order; the glory of the home is hospitality; the blessing of the home is contentment” (Henry VanDyke).

 “A woman who creates and sustains a home, and under whose hands children grow up to be strong and pure men and women, is a creator second only to God” (Helen Hunt Jackson).

“Hatred stirreth up strifes, but love covereth all sins” (Psa. 10:12). “A hateful spirit isn’t satisfied to forgive and forget; it insists on raking up old grudges and quarrels. A heart of love draws a curtain of secrecy over the faults and failures of others” (Believers Bible Commentary).

I trust your heart was instructed by the deep probe of last month’s blog referring to 1 John 3:11-24 — God’s emphasis of hatred being murder (v.15). Someone has said, “A moment’s reflection will show that it is murder in embryo.” That does not remove the sting of sin, does it?

Hatred is a serious sin that must be confessed and dealt with as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work.

In contrast, we must sit at Jesus’ feet as He educates us about love. A lawyer, impressed by Jesus’ answers to questioners and desiring to justify himself asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10: 29). In answer to his pride, Jesus used a parable, which in essence declared that anyone in need is your neighbor. The home is a place where needy and sinful people live! Yes, even a Christian home! We need to face up to the fact that sinful people live within the walls of a Christian home. Saved but imperfect people live there; and they hurt, disappoint, and even fail each other.

Certainly, children are a woman’s closest neighbors, next to her husband. Let’s look at this fact as it refers to child rearing. Instead of being shocked, a lot of unnecessary parental grief can be erased when she realizes that sin lurks within her offspring. Therefore, there is no reason for inappropriate discipline fired by excessive anger. Once parents admit to the fact of original sin — a fact and not a theory — they are ready to deal with it in an appropriate (Biblical) manner. Yes, they must spend time in fervent prayer, hours searching the Word for answers, and imploring and following the Holy Spirit’s instruction.

January 1, 2016, we will celebrate 45 years of the blending of our families. The evening I walked down the isle on the arm of my 16-year-old son Dan, to be given in marriage to Dr. John C. Whitcomb, their ages were 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. His four and my two represented extremely different backgrounds — environment, lifestyle, schooling, activities, and experiences. I had been a missionary with my first husband. Dr. Whitcomb was a seminary professor. That tells you a lot. (Our mates are with the Lord). Eight sin natures required high-  tension adjustments. God was with us and His grace was super abundantly evident. There were restrictions and penalties. Not always appreciated, but God’s Word instructed us to do so. We are the first to admit that we made mistakes. We would like to do it over. Good relationships between sinful parents and children do not develop naturally. They require much effort.

God has all the answers in His Book. He has promised to be a very available help in time of need. He answers fervent, believing prayer. He promises, “Call upon me and I will.” Do it His way. Don’t give up. Believe Him. Trust Him. He will work.

Thought #48

"When sorely afflicted and ready to faint, before my Redeemer I'll spread out my complaint. In every new trial, to Him I cry, 'Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.' "  (Author unknown)

Thought #47

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee; when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher then I" (Psa. 61:2).  When we talk to our heavenly Father He raises us above our fears and our anticipations.

The Titus 2 Woman Loves ~ Part 5

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox (a fatted calf raised to have tender meat)  and hatred therein” (Prov.15:17).

An amplification of the above is “A plate of vegetables in an atmosphere of love is . . . better than a filet mignon roast where there is strife” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 829). The simply stated contrast of Prov.10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes, but love covereth all sins.” A hateful spirit does not forgive and forget past grudges and quarrels. By God’s grace love forgets and forgives and moves on. Not easy, but possible. Yes, by prayer, supplication, obedience, and  discipline.

Bernard Russell, commenting on the most urgent need of this world, said that it is so simple that he was embarrassed to mention it because of the expected reaction of cynics: He said “Forgive me for mentioning it—is love, Christian love, or compassion” (Encyclopedia of Illustrations, Paul Lee Tan, p.1585).

1 John 4:7 states that “love is of God” and that He has manifested His love by sending His Son to die on a cross to be the satisfaction for our sin. What a work of love (John 3:16)! God enforces the love lesson in 1John 4:11 “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” No one has seen God at any time” (John 1:8). John further states that God’s love was manifested though Christ. Since Christ has returned to heaven, love is now to be manifested through believers. How stupendous that He has entrusted us with such an assignment! What does our report card indicate? Are there times when “F” appears? Note: It is God’s work of love that is perfected in us. It is all of Him (1 John 4:17). “Love is not what you do but what you are” (Henry Brandt). He is our resource, hope, and provider. What a provision! What a help! What a relief!

Jesus Christ is the standard for Christians. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.”  Note that standard—“as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). This commandment is so extremely important that He repeats it two chapters later in (15:12). “It is impossible to be in fellowship with the Father and out of fellowship with another Christian at the same time” (Be Real, Warren Wiersbe, p. 57).

It is impossible to walk in light and darkness at the same time. Love and light go together just as hatred and darkness go together. Hatred is a deeply serious sin. “A believer who is ‘walking in the light’ will evidence that fact by loving the brethren” (ibid, p.119). Note the deep probe of 1 John 3:11-24. It states that loving believers is a matter of life and death. “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (v. 14) and “whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” Furthermore, “no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (v.15 ).
Think seriously upon these things. They are straight from God. He does not lie.

The eye of the world does not consider hatred very wicked, but God calls it murder. This does not mean that a murderer cannot be saved. A man or woman who hates brothers and sisters in Christ can surrender their sinful heart to God (1 John  3: 16) and be saved from sin. Jesus laid down His life for us. We may not be required to die for others, as mentioned in 1 John 3:16, but the least we can do is manifest love, come alongside our hurting brothers and sisters, share in their need, pray and encourage them in the Lord, and exude love, as commanded in verse 17.

Time Out

Due to summer schedules and responsibilities, I am planning a "Time-out" from posting for July and August. I plan to post a new update for September. May God grant you a Blessed Summer.

The Role of a Titus 2 Woman ~ Part 4

Oh, there is so much to say about the role of a Titus 2 woman who desires to walk, talk, and example an everyday Christian life before her husband, children, and others, but I must move on.

The first chapter of Ephesians verse eighteen points the eyes of our heart to a word that spells present and  future anticipation: ”inheritance.” These verses open a trunk of unimagined truths that will fill our minds and our hearts with paeans of praise and thanksgiving to our triune God who is thrice empowered to enlighten and to care for Christians: God the Father in v. 3, God the Son in v. 7, and God the Holy Spirit in v. 13. Our Christian inheritance is a blessing beyond comparison. We must guard it much more carefully than we would guard an earthly one. Think on that.

“Children are a heritage [treasure] from the Lord” (Psa.127:3). Think about that! God trusts life into our hands and heart. This statement presupposes that the Lord has placed children in a home where He is honored and obeyed, where they will be reared in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. If that is the case, verse five will follow, “Happy is the man [and the woman] who [have their] quiver full of them [treasures, possessions].”

We are at the stage of life that causes us to give thought to the “things” that we have enjoyed through the years. Who will get what? Who will care for this antique? Will this item fit with their decor? Do they have the space for this? Only a “thing.” But a child is a “treasure” to be tenderly cared for, polished, guarded, and prepared for eternity.

It is not my intention to offer advice based on my experience from rearing six teenage children in our extended family as a result of the death of one of their own parents. I took the God-given assignment seriously; thus, I dove into Scripture for answers that would be practical, proper, and thus God honoring and effectual. Yes, I wish I could do it over. Maturity, observation, and more study of the Word have taught me much that I wish I had known during that season of motherhood.

I have treasured those years as a God-given assignment. Let me explain. My husband Robert and I were expecting to spend our entire lives on the mission field. God had other plans. Robert dropped dead from a heart attack. Dr. Whitcomb’s wife went to be with the Lord after many years of suffering. His four and my two became our six. I had intended to return to the mission field, but God gave me a mission field right in our home — six hurting children ages 10,12, 13,14,15, and 16. Every mother must dive into Scripture whether rearing one or a dozen children.

My husband John recently gave me a devotional Bible study book, Walking With God in the Seasons of Motherhood by Melissa Kruger (2015), is recommended to mothers, grandmothers, and older women who desire to disciple young mothers, Following is a sample of her godly wisdom from Scripture. “Moms say ‘Be careful.’” Paul reminded the Ephesians to be careful. His guidance has so much to do with the family. “God created the family unit to be the foundation for all of society. If home life does not prosper, then all of society will fail to prosper. For this reason God calls us to be careful in how we live within our homes.”

Mothering requires knowing God’s Word, entrusting her child to the Lord, reflecting the heart of God, fighting against anxiety, worry, harshness, and anger. Mothers need help with discipline and godly exampling. It is absolutely necessary to use God’s Word as a primary source, but for guidance in fleshing it out in daily matters, other help is advantageous. Yes, God is sufficient. He promises wisdom, and He aids us by those who have spent years in study and experience. Be discreet in choosing resources and only after you diligently study the Word.

Christianity is a calling. Mothering is a calling. God has called us to it. We must never forget that! It has benefits that are out of this world if we follow God’s guidelines.