Head of the House

We live in an age of "politically correct" speech. Everything must be said and done in such a way that no one is offended in any way. But that kind of thinking can drive a wedge between man and God. God is not going to go out of His way to be "politically correct". He is not concerned with our fleshly feelings. God is concerned with higher things. His concern is for our immortal soul.

Paul, under the unction of the Holy Ghost, put in writing God's plan for a godly household. In Ephesians Paul writes, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." (Ephesians 5: 22-24) Now, I realize that in this day of woman leadership this would offend many people, men and women alike. But, believe it or not, God does know what He is doing. God's plan for the family began with Adam. God gave to Adam dominion over everything, then he created woman to be a help meet. Woman was created to be a loving companion for man and a helper for him in all things. But just as Jesus is head of the church, the husband is the head of the family. Does that mean that the husband is supposed to rule the house with an iron hand? Exactly how does Jesus handle being the head of the church? How does He treat the church?

Paul give a clear description of Jesus as head of the church, and the role of man as head of the house. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify it and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That He might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife, loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh but nourished it and cherished it, even as the Lord the church."(Ephesians 5:25-29) Did you get that? Husbands are supposed to love their wives and cherish them. Husbands are supposed to give themselves for her. No where does Paul write that the wife is supposed to give her life for her husband. But he does write that the husband is supposed to give his life for his wife.

Nobody is going to walk into a marriage and do everything right. We are human and as such are subject to human frailties. Sometimes we forget things, or say things in anger that we really don't mean. I guess the bottom line is that both the man and the wife should lift up one another, pray for one another, but most of all love one another. After all, love covers a multitude of sins. I realize that this is not "politically correct" but it is "Biblically correct".

The Cross

I once heard a preacher say "It is easier to wear a cross than to bear a cross". I got to thinking about what he had said, and it hit me like ton of bricks. I have watched these foul-mouthed rap stars flaunt their big, gaudy crosses and spew the nastiest trash from their mouth. I got to wondering what God had to think about his creation treating the cross (on which His only begotten son died) like it was nothing more than a fashion statement.

But I'm here to tell you there is most certainly coming a day when a person will lose their head for wearing a cross. There is coming a day when God will pull back the restrainer (the Holy Spirit) and evil will have his complete way. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. And now you know what withholds, that he might be revealed in his time. (2 Thessalonians 2:3,6)

Someone (the Holy Spirit) is holding back the man of sin (restraining his work) until something happens. 1Thessalonians 5:9 tells us that God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that the something that the whole world is waiting for is the rapture. Even the man of sin (Satan) knows that on that day he will have free reign on this earth. Basically, what that means is if you do not choose salvation through Jesus then you are in for 7 years of "you ain't seen nothing yet".

I guess what I want you to ask yourself is this, "Am I willing to bear the cross that I am so willing wear?" Afterall, it's not about what is around your neck it is about what's in your heart. Time is so very short and your chances are running out. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me." The cross that Jesus is talking about in not one you wear around you neck. We need to choose daily to deny our own selfish desires and choose instead to follow after Jesus, who is our example.

Faith For Today

I have noticed that people today are looking everywhere for answers. They are looking for something to believe in. But the answers they are finding are not necessarily the right ones. You see, we tend to look for answers in all the wrong places. We go to doctors and lawyers. Or we turn to drugs, alcohol, or sex. Maybe we look to teachers or politicians. There is only one place we can go. There is only one person who has the truth. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we can go BOLDLY to the throne of grace (God) that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The problem is that people tend to be far to proud to be willing to humble themselves at the feet of God. We want to be in charge. We want to be the boss. We want to be in control. But let me tell you, when I was in control of my life, it was a total wreck. Oh sure, I tried to do the right things. I wanted to be nice to people. I wanted to have the perfect life. But you know what??? I failed miserably. It's like Paul says in the book of Romans, "For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not (7:18). It doesn't matter how hard we try to what is right, we will still fall short of the goal. The best thing that we can do is trust God save us from ourselves. When we learn to trust more in Him then we can say of ourselves, "There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." (Romans 8:1) God isn't looking for people who are already perfect. He is looking for someone who is willing to get on the potter's wheel and be recreated in the perfect image of God. Are you willing to submit your life into the hands of the potter? Think about it and pray about it. But don't wait too long, afterall time is very short.