Clearing Up A Misconception

The Father of Lies lures our minds away from Biblical thinking by framing foolish arguments as seen from his point of view. He persuades us to side with the world's thinking, and before long we become militant and angry. For example, somehow our enemy has convinced women of the "truth" of the following equation:

Submissive Wife = An undesirable position

You and I should know differently, because our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated true submission by His life. As Christian women, we are privileged to have this example revealed to us from the Word of God. This is a good time to be reminded as we search out the Truth now. We are looking for Scriptural examples of "submission."

Matthew 20:28, "...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Jesus gave His disciples an entirely new thought. His mission was to serve others and to give His life away, and He taught others to do the same.

John 13:1-5, "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."

Christ was a wonderful teacher, and used various means to teach His disciples the truths of His Kingdom. One method He used to instruct was by example. He has actually shown us what it means to serve others by girding himself and using a towel to wash the feet of His disciples in the same way a household servant would in those days. He was fully aware of His position as the Son of the Father in Heaven, yet he made Himself lower, submitted Himself, for the sake of His disciples. This is love.

Philippians 2:5-7, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

Jesus did not give up His position of deity, but He set aside His high standing to make Himself of little regard. He did not relinquish anything, but neither did He demand recognition. As a result, He transformed our thinking by showing us a more excellent way.

And so, I believe there exists a much better equation that describes our view of submission in our marriage:

Submissive Wife = A Position Most Desired

Don't you agree?

Love, Karen

Desiring Only What God Wants for My Life

The author of Psalm 106 writes a song of national repentance as the people return from the Babylonian captivity. It is a summary of man's sinfulness from the beginning of the Exodus. In the wilderness, the children of Israel were so intent on getting the food and water they wanted that they became blind to what God wanted for them. They were more concerned about immediate physical gratification than long-lasting spiritual satisfaction. They did not want what was best for them, and they refused to trust in God's care and provision.

We will focus on the following three verses as they apply to our Bible study today:

Verse 13-15, "They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul."

We have all heard the warning, "Be careful what you pray for because you just might get it!" This caution may become more meaningful in the light of the above Scripture. We must ask ourselves if we have been "twisting God's arm" regarding any of the petitions we are bringing to Him. If we complain long enough, He may give us what we want, even if it is not good for us.

However, something interesting happens when we take our eyes off of our own desires. We are actually able to see the physical and spiritual needs of those that the Lord has positioned around us. This new eye-view causes us to see and to place others' needs before our own. Isaiah 58:11 tells us that when we do this, great blessing (not leanness) will come our way.

"The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Praise the Lord for His Truth. He guides us and gives us balance in His Word to keep us centered on Him. He alone knows what is good for us, yet when we humble ourselves with the pure motive of desiring His will for our lives, He reveals Himself to us in a marvelous way. He alone truly satisfies.

Love, Karen