Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I just want to say as I begin – God is Good! All the Time! This past week Vicki went up to be with her Mom and Dad. Her Dad had a test done and she knew that he would be confused after it was over so she wanted to be there with her Mom. Everything went well.
Of course, this left me alone for a few days. Since she returned home she has been working on one thing after another. She’s even been working on the boxes for Operation Christmas Child that will go out for kids this Christmas. She has gone non-stop since getting home and has even suggested some things for me to do as well.
On Sunday after finishing up lunch, she told me to take Joshua’s lunch to him and pick up a paper so I could read the comics. The comics are my favorite! I especially like Dennis the Menace. The one this week was really good.
The first frame Dennis’ Dad says to his wife – “I just read an interesting article.” She says “Oh? What about?” Then he says – “It says that married men live longer than single men.” Then he says – “Or maybe it just SEEMS longer.” Her face then gets this wide-eyed expression!
In the next frame Dennis walks in and says “Hey! What’s Up?! The final frame has his Dad sitting in the corner and saying – “Your Mother has no sense of humor.” She just looks at him over her shoulder and says nothing.
Now before you ask, No, Vicki has not put me in the corner! I’m sure that she has thought about it a time or two, but since she got back home she has been so focused on all she is doing that she just let it slide. For now I am free to sit in my recliner and relax!
I share this with you because we just celebrated our 43rd Anniversary. We have spent these years together and all the while I have never been put in the corner. There have been times I am sure Vicki wanted me there, but because of her loving spirit she has never put me there.
Paul told the women in the church in Ephesus in Eph. 5:24 – “But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” Now Paul didn’t say the women were to be slaves to their husbands but submit to them (see Eph. 5:22). That is to follow their husbands as they followed the Lord.
In Eph. 5:25-26 Paul wrote – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; 26 that He might sanctify here, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.”
Husbands are to love their wives in such a way as to give themselves to their wives even as Christ loved the church. Jesus gave Himself completely so that we might have life and truly experience His love. That is the way men are to love those who are their wives -- Giving ourselves to those whom God has given to us.
Women, love that man God has brought into your life and submit to him as he submits himself to the Lord. Men, just love that woman God has brought into your life and love her as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.
It won’t always be easy. Times may get tough but stand strong in your relationship. Love and submit to one another as Scripture teaches. As you do, it will keep you out of the corner.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
