Wise Thought: I Choose the Desert, Proverbs 21:19

I Choose the Desert

Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Those are the words of a husband who has been nagged. His spirit has been deflated, he is worn out from all the moaning and complaining by his once adored wife. He tries, but there is no pleasing her. Everything he does is wrong. She cannot be satisfied. It might be hot, dry, and miserable to live out in the desert, but its got to be better than this...

A and K, what kind of wife will you be. I just told a young lady and her fiancé that it is her job to tell him his shortcomings, so he can become the man he needs to be. He sort of gave me that look... As a wife, you are the eyes which see your husband's blind spots. You bring his faults into focus, so he can improve... but you better not nag. Your mother is so easy to live with. We have enjoyed working together over the years. Many people couldn't believe we could work together and still love each other, "I could never work with my wife," was a common comment. I have no clue what most men are talking about when they complain about their wives. I'd never choose to live in the desert... I choose to be warm next to her.

One day your husband will have to make a choice, do I want to keep working or do I want to get home to the one I love. Make his choice easy. Make it hard for him to stay and work. Make him desire to want to be with you. You will need to show him where he needs to improve but never pester him and drive him away. Live in such a way that he will choose to arise and call you blessed (Pr 31:28), his sweet and loving wife.

~Dad

Wise Thought: Not for Kings, Proverbs 31:4

Not for Kings

Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel-  not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer.

Most Christians know it is wrong to get drunk. No one seems to agree on what drunk is. Even the drunkard doesn't believe he is drunk yet. Most know where the legal limit is for driving. Few never drink. May this be you and I. In a documentary on prohibition, we are informed that it was women's groups and the church that took tough stances on drinking. Ken Burns noted that every major denomination, except Lutherans and Catholics, supported prohibition. Today, most churches have reversed their stance. But the Bible is still clear.

Something popular today is wine tasting. The Scripture says those people have needless sorrow among other issues. (Pr 23:29 & 30). It goes on to say that we shouldn't even look at it! We must be careful, alcohol will lead one astray; many have been fooled. Alcohol related deaths are the fourth leading cause of preventable deaths in the US. The NIH states that alcohol misuse accounts for over $216 billion in losses. (Alcohol facts) The Bible says it, the health department says it, but the church of today seems to embrace drinking. In a Sunday school class I saw a video from a famous church in Chicago that promoted having drinking parties to help win your friends! May God Be Merciful!

Daughters, if you ever want to hurt your father, go drink and dance with the world. You will tear it out :(***  My eyes tear up as I write this knowing some of what the future holds, and knowing also what your brother and his wife already do. It is enough to break the heart of any caring father. Please do not get sucked into the world's mold (Ro. 12:2). Just yesterday I was reminded of a preacher named Bob Harrington, the Chaplain of Bourbon Street. He felt called to preach in New Orleans and did so many years. But, he got too close and became like one of them. Temptations are real, ladies. If you play with fire, you will get burnt. Never desire to know what the pleasures of the world are like. The Bible says, Taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8). You are going to be queens in the kingdom of God so feed on the goodness of the Lord. Beer, champagne, wine, drugs.... they are not for you!

~Dad

PS. I just read this morning that Bob Harrington came back to the Lord!. Later in his life another famous preacher of his day, Rex Humbard, pleaded with him to return. He did so and now walks with the Lord once again. God is the God of redemption!

Genesis 13:5 - 18, Part 3: Others First

Others First

Genesis 13:11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.

Abram could have told Lot what to do. Abram could have chosen the good land and made Lot fend for himself. They could have fought it out and the winner takes all, but Abram was a righteous man, and allowed Lot to choose whatever land he wanted and was satisfied no matter the choice Lot made. Looking to better himself, Lot chose what appeared to be best.

J*O*Y, J*O*Y, This must surely mean; Jesus first, yourself last and others in-between... this is a line of music for a children's Christmas song teaching them that God expects you to put him first, then care for the needs of others, considering them more important than yourself (Php. 2:3). Now that's Kingdom theology, far different from the thinking of the world around us. It is even different than many preachers I have heard; some of whom were in my own church. We need to mimic Abram in his demeanor and in the way he served his Lord.

Ladies, as you live your life, you will come to a point in time when it is either you or them. Which will you choose? Will you allow someone to receive something better than you? Are you willing to take a back seat and let another person take the honor? Can you give in during an argument and let someone else win for the sake of peace? At first Abram seems to be getting the short end of the stick. But in the end God blesses him beyond compare. He'll do the same for you as you put others first!

~Dad

Genesis 13:5 - 18, Part 2: Give Up Your Rights

Give Up Your Rights

Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.

Give up your rights?!? That's a crazy thought in today's society, but that is what Abram did. He took a back seat to keep peace in the family. He gave up his right as the patriarch and allowed Lot to choose. There could be no accusations made that Abram was selfish or a bully, keeping all for himself. No, Abram was selfless. He gave up what was his for the benefit of everyone.

K and A, when you learn to give up any rights that you think you own, you will start to live. What you have is from God. He owns everything and generously allows you to use them. From time to time he takes things away and even gives them to others. You must learn to give them up willingly when he comes to take them. If you work to hang on to them, they will bring heartache and possibly destruction to you and your spiritual life. Whether it is possessions, home, a family member, money, or even your job, God knows best. He provides what you need when you seek first the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33).

Daughters, God may call you to make choices like Abram, giving up what he has given you to be a blessing to others... let me change that, God will call you to make that choice. The question is, are you willing to go through the difficulties that are required to do so. Remember, God will supply your needs no matter where he calls you to go, whether it be to the right or to the left. He will provide.

~Dad

Choose Better, Luke 10:38 - 42

Choose Better

Luke 10:42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

I do not want to discuss how being lazy like Mary is a better choice than being diligent as Martha. I've heard preachers go there. Jesus wasn't discussing work ethic, but he was talking about setting priorities in life. All too often, we choose job or family or pleasures over God and the church. When we take a vacation, many take it from God as well. Jesus said that Mary's choice to hear the Word was wise. What she learned would not be taken from her. In Martha's choice to not listen to Jesus she missed her chance to gain the wisdom of God. The days are short, so we must make the most of ever opportunity for the day are certainly evil (Ep. 5:16).

A and K, never take a vacation from God. I heard your uncle Graybill give a sermon that relates to this. He said that anytime you choose not to go to church or you choose to turn the station on the radio or TV, because it is a sermon, you have chosen to decline the message Christ had for you. Therefor, when you go on a trip over a Sunday and take the effort to attend an unfamiliar church where we don't know a soul and hear the Word, you have chosen what is better! The days are certainly evil. You need all the encouragement you can get as you see the Day approaching (Hb. 10:25). Take the time and listen to what Jesus has to say, there's not a better choice.

~Dad

Always There, Revelation 1:8

Always There

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, The Almighty."

Christ proclaims who he is. He proclaims his supremacy to all. Jesus, the one who will come with the clouds in the last days, will rise above all and reign over all mankind. And we, those who endure to the end, shall reign with him! (2 Tim. 2:12)

Daughters, have you ever felt like you had no idea where life was headed. At your age, I am sure you have. Well join in, I feel the same way. But never fear. Never fret what the future holds for we serve the one who holds the future. He was here from the beginning and will be here to the end. He will take you by the hand and see you through. This is true for you now and will be true throughout your life. There is a special guy who wants to hold your hand, his name is Jesus. He provides the peace you need to carry on. He is the Lord Almighty! Who is, Who Was, Who is to come!

~Dad

PS. There may be another special guy who wants to hold your hand. If he isn't holding tightly to Christ's hand, don't hold on to his.

Song: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

More Than Saved, Luke 11:24 - 28

More Than Saved

Luke 11:26 "Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first."

If we do not read this passage, we may not remember the story behind verse 26. Jesus had cast out an evil spirit from a man and was accused of being a worker of Beelzebub, otherwise known as Satan. Jesus told them that the statement made no sense; a power wouldn't work against itself, it would never survive. Then, he went on to explain what happens when a spirit is cast out of a person. When Jesus casts out a demon, the person has been cleansed and his soul is in order. But, he tells them that this is not good enough. If left open, the spirit will return, bringing others with him.

There has been a push in the past to just get people saved. This is good, but it is not enough. We must disciple them, teaching them the word, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, committed to live out their faith. Salvation is not enough! Just before his ascension into heaven, Jesus didn't tell the disciples to go get people saved. He said, go and make disciples... baptizing them... and teaching them to obey everything... commanded (Matt. 28:19).

When we "get someone saved" and just leave them on their own expecting God to take it from there, we do harm to their souls. When born, Satan's spirits are in our lives and when we are saved, Jesus sends away, cleansing our heart, mind, and soul. But, those spirits will return, looking to see if we have filled our lives with God's Spirit and his Word. If there is room, they will go and get others and come back to invade our soul once again making us more wicked than before.

A and K, did you ever see someone gloriously saved from wickedness only to fall back into a life filled with sin? Have you know a Christian that fell into sin and lives in wickedness? It is a sad reality which happens all to often. It can happen to the best of Christians. It can happen to you! Never think that you are holy and have arrived. Paul said that he knows he hasn't attain the goal, so he presses on (Ph. 3:12).

Daughters, keep the realization that you are of dust (Ps. 103:14). You cannot stand on your own. You must rely on God and his word to help you to stand. Be filled with the Spirit at all times, fleeing the pleasures of the world (Ep. 5:18). If you do this, Christ will help you fend off the attackers of your soul and help you keep your heart swept clean and in order (vs. 25). Jesus says in verse 29, that you will be blessed if you hear the Word and obey it. Be more than saved, living a life full of blessings.

~Dad