The next three weeks, let’s focus on Easter. Easter is the time of year when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ came to this earth over 2,000 years ago. He was the Son of God, yet He came as a poor person. He did not sin, but He came to die for us all. He commanded no armies, but He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
He came to die on a cross to take away the sins of the world. He told His disciples He was going to die. But where most of us do not want to die, and will fight to prevent it, Jesus went to the cross willingly for us. He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we could be forgiven and become children of God.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming, he said “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Do you have sin? Of course you do; we all have sinned. To sin is to do or think something that is against God’s will. We all have been selfish, or have stolen, or have been prideful, or have committed other sins. But when Jesus came, He paid the penalty that we all deserve for our sins. All we need to do is to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
So this week, let us pray that
* God will help us to realize how wonderful is our salvation in Jesus Christ
* Each of us would walk in newness of life — forgiven in Jesus!
* God would help our staff at Global Media Outreach have peace and joy and victory in Jesus Christ
How great is the love of God! God could just have judged the whole world, and we would all have been lost. Instead, He sent His own Son so that we could be saved. Let us share the love of Jesus with the whole world!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
MARRIAGE IS FOR LOVE
Here is an interesting article that i want to share with those who wants to learn whatever God has told us to do...
Men and women are different! You may consider this self-evident, but the trend of our day is to minimize the differences and pervert the meaning of equality. “Male and female created He them.” Men and women walk differently, talk differently, think differently, and even eat differently! They are motivated by different values and affected by different emotions. They differ in every cell of their bodies.
While there are varying degrees of difference between men and women, we can enumerate several important differences. Generally speaking, men are stronger physically than women. They are guided more by logic than are women, who rely a great deal on intuition and emotion. Men are usually more objective, women more subjective. Men are often realistic, women idealistic. Men seem to be more rigid in their thinking, while women are often more adaptable to the influence of others. At the same time, women are generally more sympathetic than men. They seem to be especially interested in people, while men are more interested in things.
The Apostle Paul [compared] the husband-wife relationship to the relationship between Christ and His church. After speaking of a man being joined to his wife, he makes this assertion: “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Although marriage was instituted long before the church began, that union anticipated that God would someday form the church and present it to His Son as His bride. Marriage is a magnificent drama portraying the relationship between Christ and the church.
In the drama the players are husband and wife. The husband portrays Christ and the wife represents the church. “So you wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything, just as the church obeys Christ. And you husbands, show the same kind of love to your wives as Christ showed to the church when he died for her.” One very important reason that God made men and women so unlike each other is that man portrays Christ and woman portrays the church.
Just as there is an order of authority in the Christ-church relationship, so there is an order of authority in the husband-wife relationship. One of the most hotly debated concepts in the Bible is that “… the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church”, the biblical doctrine of headship. Since this doctrine is part of God’s infallible Word, there cannot be perfect harmony in marriage apart from its application. What, then, is headship?
Headship is loving leadership. The Bible declares, “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.” The greatest example of headship is God the Father as head over God the Son. Christ has been equal with His Father from eternity past, yet He subjected Himself to [His] authority. Just as the Father is the Head of the Son and the Son is the Head of man, so man is the head of woman in the marital relationship.
Headship is not superiority. Nowhere does the Bible imply that men are superior to women. In fact, it clearly states that men and women are equal in God’s sight. “There is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Nor does headship consist of dictatorship. Actually it does just the opposite. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of headship, yet Christ actually serves the church.
The ladies are probably asking, “But why must the woman take a submissive role?” Simply because of the way God made her. The woman’s God-given nature is to be led, to be dependent. She is not truly happy in any other role. Some women, because of selfishness or immaturity, seek to dominate their husbands—but are not happier for the effort. God made a woman to lean on her husband; if she whittles him down to where he can no longer be leaned on, she suffers.
Unfortunately, some men shy away from their leadership role. With authority goes demands, decisions, and much time. Interested [more] in their own convenience than in biblical responsibilities, they force their wives into the leadership role—with chaotic results. Gentlemen, take charge! Take the initiative in making decisions, training the children, and establishing family worship.
I asked women in a Bible class what they needed most from their husbands. One lady replied, “I need him to assume headship and responsibility. I have to make decisions that he should make, and I don’t enjoy wearing the pants.” Many of the other women made similar comments. They were particularly concerned about their husbands’ leadership in spiritual matters. Contrary to what women say and do, deep down inside they do not want to dominate their husbands. They want to be lovingly led.
How is this leadership implemented in the Christian home? It is similar to the leadership exercised in any smoothly operating organization. No successful corporation can function properly with two heads. If there is a president and a vice-president, the president is the leader. The vice-president may actually be more brilliant than his boss, but the president still carries the greater authority. This is exactly how a Christian marriage should work. Each mate should be concerned for the other, and for the best interests of the marriage.
This is God’s blueprint for the Christian home. A woman finds real freedom when she assumes her God-given role as a helpmeet, relying on the man God has given her and graciously submitting to him. He in turn tenderly loves, protects, and provides for her. God asks us to glorify Him by accepting our roles and fulfilling them faithfully.
Men and women are different! You may consider this self-evident, but the trend of our day is to minimize the differences and pervert the meaning of equality. “Male and female created He them.” Men and women walk differently, talk differently, think differently, and even eat differently! They are motivated by different values and affected by different emotions. They differ in every cell of their bodies.
While there are varying degrees of difference between men and women, we can enumerate several important differences. Generally speaking, men are stronger physically than women. They are guided more by logic than are women, who rely a great deal on intuition and emotion. Men are usually more objective, women more subjective. Men are often realistic, women idealistic. Men seem to be more rigid in their thinking, while women are often more adaptable to the influence of others. At the same time, women are generally more sympathetic than men. They seem to be especially interested in people, while men are more interested in things.
The Apostle Paul [compared] the husband-wife relationship to the relationship between Christ and His church. After speaking of a man being joined to his wife, he makes this assertion: “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Although marriage was instituted long before the church began, that union anticipated that God would someday form the church and present it to His Son as His bride. Marriage is a magnificent drama portraying the relationship between Christ and the church.
In the drama the players are husband and wife. The husband portrays Christ and the wife represents the church. “So you wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything, just as the church obeys Christ. And you husbands, show the same kind of love to your wives as Christ showed to the church when he died for her.” One very important reason that God made men and women so unlike each other is that man portrays Christ and woman portrays the church.
Just as there is an order of authority in the Christ-church relationship, so there is an order of authority in the husband-wife relationship. One of the most hotly debated concepts in the Bible is that “… the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church”, the biblical doctrine of headship. Since this doctrine is part of God’s infallible Word, there cannot be perfect harmony in marriage apart from its application. What, then, is headship?
Headship is loving leadership. The Bible declares, “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.” The greatest example of headship is God the Father as head over God the Son. Christ has been equal with His Father from eternity past, yet He subjected Himself to [His] authority. Just as the Father is the Head of the Son and the Son is the Head of man, so man is the head of woman in the marital relationship.
Headship is not superiority. Nowhere does the Bible imply that men are superior to women. In fact, it clearly states that men and women are equal in God’s sight. “There is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Nor does headship consist of dictatorship. Actually it does just the opposite. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of headship, yet Christ actually serves the church.
The ladies are probably asking, “But why must the woman take a submissive role?” Simply because of the way God made her. The woman’s God-given nature is to be led, to be dependent. She is not truly happy in any other role. Some women, because of selfishness or immaturity, seek to dominate their husbands—but are not happier for the effort. God made a woman to lean on her husband; if she whittles him down to where he can no longer be leaned on, she suffers.
Unfortunately, some men shy away from their leadership role. With authority goes demands, decisions, and much time. Interested [more] in their own convenience than in biblical responsibilities, they force their wives into the leadership role—with chaotic results. Gentlemen, take charge! Take the initiative in making decisions, training the children, and establishing family worship.
I asked women in a Bible class what they needed most from their husbands. One lady replied, “I need him to assume headship and responsibility. I have to make decisions that he should make, and I don’t enjoy wearing the pants.” Many of the other women made similar comments. They were particularly concerned about their husbands’ leadership in spiritual matters. Contrary to what women say and do, deep down inside they do not want to dominate their husbands. They want to be lovingly led.
How is this leadership implemented in the Christian home? It is similar to the leadership exercised in any smoothly operating organization. No successful corporation can function properly with two heads. If there is a president and a vice-president, the president is the leader. The vice-president may actually be more brilliant than his boss, but the president still carries the greater authority. This is exactly how a Christian marriage should work. Each mate should be concerned for the other, and for the best interests of the marriage.
This is God’s blueprint for the Christian home. A woman finds real freedom when she assumes her God-given role as a helpmeet, relying on the man God has given her and graciously submitting to him. He in turn tenderly loves, protects, and provides for her. God asks us to glorify Him by accepting our roles and fulfilling them faithfully.
Give thanks to the Lord
Jesus Christ is God’s Son. As we look at preparing for Easter this year, let us realize how wonderful it is that God’s Son came to die for us.
How can one man take on the sins of the whole world? An ordinary man could not do this — but Jesus is not just a man. He came to earth 2,000 years ago and was born of a virgin whose name was Mary. Jesus’ father is God. Jesus Himself existed with God from the beginning of time. “He was in very nature God.”
What is wonderful and amazing is that Jesus, the sinless son of God, came to earth and took punishment that He did not deserve. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but would have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved.” Everyone on earth has sinned; God has laid on Christ the punishment for the sins of us all.
What we have to do is accept Jesus Christ as our savior; agree with God that we have sinned; and thank God that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Without that, we are deserving of eternal death and punishment and separation from God. When we accept Jesus Christ, we are given the gift of eternal life — and forgiveness for all our sins! What a wonderful gift! How great is the love of God!
So this week, let us thank God
* For sending His own Son Jesus to be our Savior
* For allowing His Son to be crucified to pay the penalty for our sins
* For His great love for us
God is so wonderful — He is willing to not hold our sins against us, but He wants us to be His sons and daughters. Let us live our lives in thankfulness to God.
How can one man take on the sins of the whole world? An ordinary man could not do this — but Jesus is not just a man. He came to earth 2,000 years ago and was born of a virgin whose name was Mary. Jesus’ father is God. Jesus Himself existed with God from the beginning of time. “He was in very nature God.”
What is wonderful and amazing is that Jesus, the sinless son of God, came to earth and took punishment that He did not deserve. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but would have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved.” Everyone on earth has sinned; God has laid on Christ the punishment for the sins of us all.
What we have to do is accept Jesus Christ as our savior; agree with God that we have sinned; and thank God that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Without that, we are deserving of eternal death and punishment and separation from God. When we accept Jesus Christ, we are given the gift of eternal life — and forgiveness for all our sins! What a wonderful gift! How great is the love of God!
So this week, let us thank God
* For sending His own Son Jesus to be our Savior
* For allowing His Son to be crucified to pay the penalty for our sins
* For His great love for us
God is so wonderful — He is willing to not hold our sins against us, but He wants us to be His sons and daughters. Let us live our lives in thankfulness to God.
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