God's Pattern for Living

Christmas is really

God's pattern for living

to be followed all year

by unselfish giving -

For in giving to others

and in being kind

We may discover

true peace of mind -

And peace on earth

will come to stay

When we all live Christmas

every day.

Helen Steiner Rice

I pray the hope found in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior will fill your listening heart with love, joy, and peace now and forever more. Merry Christmas!

Respecting our Husbands

Respect yourself and others will respect you.
--Confucius (551 BC to 479 BC)

Respect a man, he will do the more.
--James Howell


Ephesians 5: 33 says, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” This verse brought up one of life’s big questions in Sunday school yesterday. How does a wife obey this command and respect a husband who does not fulfill his duties and makes decisions that hurt his family? This question inspired my blog today.

Respect is something everyone wants, not many have, and few want to give. Most husbands would appreciate receiving a little bit of respect from their wives, and most wives should make efforts to show some more respect. For the most part respect is not clearly understood. What does the word reverence mean here? To know what something means in the New Testament we have to look up the word and see what it is in Greek. For reverence the Greek word is phobeo—to frighten, to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, i.e. revere. You probably recognize this is where we get our word “phobia” from, which means an irrational or excessive fear of something. This is where the meaning of reverence gets confusing—this combination of fear and awe. The Webster’s definition of reverence is: a feeling or attitude of deep respect; love, and awe, as for something sacred; veneration. The Webster’s definition of respect is: a) to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard b) to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard.

Jesus died for husbands and wives; this makes husbands and wives sacred. And since reverence is a feeling and an attitude, we should start by loving the way Christ loves us—unconditionally. And for ways to show honor and esteem for our husbands requires wisdom. If we lack wisdom, God promises in James 1:5-6 to give it to us if we ask without doubting.

But before we can figure out ways to obey God’s command to respect our husbands, the definition of submission needs to be cleared up, too. Submission has nothing to do with the order of authority, but rather governs the operation of authority. When Jesus washed the disciples feet, he taught them that the greatest is the person who uses his authority to build up people and not, like the Pharisees, to build up his authority and make himself important. We are to esteem others above ourselves (Phil. 2:1-4). By nature, we want to promote ourselves, but the Holy Spirit enables us to submit ourselves. The root of most marital problems is sin, and the root of all sin is selfishness. Submission to Christ and to one another is the only way to overcome selfishness, for when we submit, the Holy Spirit can fill us and enable us to love one another in a sacrificial, sanctifying, satisfying way—the way Christ loves the church. (from Warren Wiersbe's Be Rich)

I say we should K.I.S.S. the challenge of showing reverence to our husbands (Keep It Simple Sister). And since reverence has to do mostly with feelings and attitudes, we can start by changing our mindset. Changing the way we think will naturally move us into Christ honoring action. We also need to remember that husbands can read us like a book, even when we don’t say a word. Here are a few questions we can prayerfully ask ourselves to begin improving our feelings and attitudes towards reverencing our husbands (inspiration from 1 Corinthians 13:4-13):

What kind thing can I do for my husband today?
How can I lay aside my pride today?
How can I communicate without nagging?
Can I be a help with running our household without a reward or requiring something in return?
Can I point out a good quality in him and praise him for it, while keeping no record of wrongs?
How can I use my Christ given authority to build him up?
Can I think of ways to act selfless and actually do them?
How can I protect my marriage?
Do I trust God in my marriage, always hoping and persevering?
Have I submitted to Christ by spending time alone listening through prayer and Bible Study so he can guide me in my marriage (true listening requires obeying what you learn during study)?

Marriage problems do not improve overnight, but God is great at cleaning up our messes. He needs our cooperative obedience, however, to work his miracles. If we do our part, he will bless us and take care of us even if our husbands refuse to obey God. It is interesting to note that obedience is a synonym of respect. So let's revere God and our husbands by working hard at applying God's commands to everyday life. Application of God’s word is not an easy endeavor, but the rewards are priceless.

Does Anything Really Happen by Chance?

"In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all of the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense" (Luke 1:5-9).

We know from the rest of the story that the exact time Zechariah was chosen by lot to serve inside the temple at the altar of incense, an angel showed up and told him he would have a son. Their son, who they were told to name John would be a joy and delight to them. He would be great and filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, bring back many to the Lord and most importantly, "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." This confirms what God speaks through his word in Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, buts its every decision is from the LORD." Chance had nothing to do with Zechariah's call to duty on that special day.

But even though luck is not in God's dictionary, it's listed as a noun in ours. For us, this means each chance happening in our lives represents a decision from the Lord and learning to deal with it in positive ways can be a challenge.

With that said, how should we approach our good luck? By understanding all good and perfect gifts come from above (James 1:17). Acknowledge God with a grateful heart. Sometimes, I feel like I am casting lots when I choose my check-out line at the grocery store. If the line moves fast and I get out quick, I can thank God.

And what about bad luck? Zechariah and Elizabeth lived during the time of a horrible king, Herod king of Judea. We too, are living in the time of bad leaders and getting worse. I love the way Proverbs 16:33 goes in "The Message" translation: "Make your motions and cast your votes; but God has the final say." Living with bad luck requires trusting in God's Sovereignty in our lives--a lesson I have to learn daily no matter how long I have been listening to and walking with Him. For it is written:

" The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world" (1 Samuel 2:6-9).

"He's got the whole world in his hands." It's truly mind-boggling, but there's something good about knowing "every decision is from the LORD." His truth brings freedom and relief from stress. We don't have to worry so much about doing it right or even doing it wrong. We need just to live for him with a song of thanksgiving in our hearts and the word of God in our mouths, with a goal of bringing glory to his name in whatever we do--mundane or marvelous. Mother Theresa agrees because she once said, "Let none glory in her success but refer all to God in deepest thankfulness; on the other hand, no failure should dishearten her as long as she has done her best." Amen.

About the Listening Heart Bible Study

Tired of hamster wheel days? Feeling like there has got to be more in this life? Christians today know that time alone with God is crucial, but we find it increasingly difficult to schedule this time. We know that only by spending part of our day with God, will we hear direction on the satisfying life he intends for us and receive the healing which listening brings. We live in troubled times, the need to discern his voice has become stronger than ever. The truth, however, awaits us all—soul satisfaction can be found listening to the magnificent voice of God.

But how do we listen? Why do so many of us solely depend on what popular Bible teachers and pastors have heard from God instead of listening for ourselves? A reliable resource for today’s busy men and women, The Listening Heart provides readers with the inspiration and mentoring they need to spend quality time with God hearing his voice with confidence, despite busy and demanding lifestyles. Readers will experience a study deep enough to grab their attention and simple enough to understand at any level. Once they learn to study God’s word on their own, their life-supporting listening stays active year round. In turn, their ability to hear is never again tied to scheduled studies at church, which can ebb and flow with the seasons.

The Listening Heart also expands the readers’ thoughts on obedience to the greatest commandment—to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37-38). But the greatest commandment sparks more questions. What does it mean to love God? Why are we commanded to love God three different ways? How can we learn to love God with all of our hearts? With all our souls? With all our minds?

After years of spending time alone in God’s word listening, I've uncovered answers to these questions. I also found a more fulfilling life—life beyond my wildest imagination. Now God’s message burns in my heart like a fire, I cannot hold it in. I live to share my discoveries with others so they, too, can find soul satisfaction. The Listening Heart benefits all readers, spiritually and in every area of life. They gain relief from burnout and stress and much more by consistent biblical study and listening for the magnificent voice of God.

For further help listening, please contact me.

Staying in Touch

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you

great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

When first introduced to this verse, a missionary speaking to my church dubbed it as "God's phone number." Ever since, God's phone number remains top on my contact list. With all of this garbage bombarding us on a daily basis like the wacky economy, unemployment, election chaos, cancer and illness (to name a few), we need someone to call, someone who will listen to our woes.

God has provided us with a hot-line and it comes in the form of prayer, but we have to step off the merry-go-round of daily living, sit still for a few minutes and listen. If all we do is call and never listen to the voice at the other end of the line, we won't be able to hear him telling us great and unsearchable things we do not know. I take it God is talking about the future here. We all desire security during troubled times, so I trust finding out what we don't know will give us strength to face any future here on earth, whether bleak or promising.

I'm asking God again to open the ears of our hearts. Please join me in doing our part by taking some time out of our day to sit still and wait for him to tell us some great stuff. One simple way I have found to listen is to do a media fast--turn off the radio in the car when I am by myself. Silence while driving works. Be creative, I'm sure there are plenty of other things we can turn off or refuse to do to make time for listening.

Stay in touch and always listen!

Information Update

Hello Listening Hearts!
I realized that I had asked you to be praying for the Queen family on the September 22 blog entry, but did not let you know the result of your prayers. Yes, Sandra Queen is perfectly healed. She went home to heaven on Thursday, September 25, 2008. Thank you for praying. :)

Little Miracles

I'm using a book in my prayer time called, "Loving Your Spouse Through Prayer" by Cheri Fuller. While praying and reading one morning, God did one of his little miracles in my life that I wanted to share with all of you. For me, God's little miracles tend to be just as exciting as the big ones.

I laid my concerns at God's feet for my husband (esp. his work) and our nation. We are in difficult times so the chapter on a future and a hope (based on Jeremiah 29:11) was just what the Master Physician ordered that morning as my spiritual RX. Anyhow, after I finished reading the chapter I opened my journal, that just so happens to have a verse or a quote at the top of every page, and guess what verse was there? Jeremiah 29:11!!! Can you believe it? I bet you can. God was saying loud and clear. "This book is exactly where I want you right now, praying for your husband, despite all of this garbage going on around you." And "Yes, I do have plans to prosper you and not to harm you, (no matter who I allow to become president of the USA or if your husband gets laid off again). I have plans to give you a hope and a future."

Yes, this promise is open to us all, but there is one thing about it that we should not forget. The Israelites were in exile when God gave them this promise. If we are to take hold of our promise, we need to understand that our future and hope is in God, not in homes, money, or even government.

My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation come from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

May God bless your day with the miracle of hearing his magnificent voice. There is nothing like it in this world. Amen!