Don’t Forget to Love!

Don’t Forget to Love!

One thing that has become fascinating to me as I read the Word is when there are lists.  Since all scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), it makes me pause to look deeper, pondering why the Lord put the lists in that particular order.

A good example is from 1 Corinthians 16:13.  It tells us to be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  (NASB)  The NKJV tells us to watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

As I look at each piece of the verse, it sounds like warfare stuff — ways to build ourselves up spiritually so that we can stand brave and strong under the face of pressure.  However, the commands don’t stop there.  The next verse is very telling.  We are commanded to let everything we do be done in love.  At first glance, it almost seems out of place because the previous verse is focused on things to make us strong and ready for warfare.  I believe this verse is strategically placed here because the Lord knows we all want to be bold and strong.  However, it is easy for us to forget that being bold and strong also needs to be done in love.

It’s like some men who work out at the gym.  They focus only on building up the muscles in their arms (trying to impress the ladies), while neglecting to strengthen their legs.  My brother shared a funny story from the gym.  He knows a guy who was focusing only on the upper body.  The guy was mocking my brother for the kind of workout he was doing.  This resulted in my brother challenging him to a bike race.  Mr. Macho-Arms didn’t think it was much of a challenge, so he accepted, only to be crying out in pain within a matter of minutes.  He had no idea how much time and effort my brother had put into a full body workout to strengthen his legs.

This reminds me of the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3, ESV)  I have heard inspiring stories of Christians who have been burned at the stake.  Notice that this verse makes it clear that if we are strong enough to endure being burned at the stake, yet we have not love, we gain nothing.  What an awful thought!

It’s the same thing as the gym experience.  We can focus on building our spiritual strength, and we should do so.  However, if we neglect to love in the midst of it, it does us no good.

Times of great persecution are fast-approaching the Church.  We need to be preparing ourselves for it, and part of that preparation involves learning to love those who are going to persecute us.

Do you need to focus more on loving those who oppose you?  I know I do.  That is just one reason why I chose to memorize 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 several months ago.  I pray that verse often for myself, but also for the persecuted and remnant believers.  It is a good reminder to me not to forget to love.

© 2023, Stacy R. Miller

Global Cooling

Global Cooling

We have been hearing much reported about global warming.  However, I want to address something that concerns me much more than global warming.  It is what I would call global cooling.  Jesus warned us about it in Matthew 24:12 when He said the love of most will grow cold, due to rising lawlessness.

As we look at the state of our world, and how lawlessness is already rising up in many countries of the world, we see a love that has grown cold.  It isn’t happening in just one or two places.  Rather, it is globally.

The NASB and NIV say that the love of most will grow cold.  Is it speaking of those who don’t know Christ?  If so, we should expect their love to grow cold because they don’t understand what true love is anyway.  However, if we look deeper at this verse, the word “love” is actually “agape.”  The Interlinear Bible refers to love as brotherly love, affection, and love feasts, just to name a few.  When you read the verse in this context, it is clear that Jesus is speaking of believers.

“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.” (Luke 21:16, KJV)

Looking into the above words in The Interlinear Bible, it is quite enlightening.  Brethren can be those coming from the same ancestors or people group.  It can even refer to those who are associates through their employment.  Lastly, it can also refer to those who are brethren by being fellow believers in Christ.

Kinsfolks, in a larger sense, refers to those of the same nation or country folk.

As we study this topic, it is clear that most who know us will at some point betray us because they have been hit with global cooling — their love has grown cold.  This lack of love will hit globally, nationally, at the state level, at the city level, in our families, and in our churches.  That is quite disturbing.  

David spoke of this kind of betrayal that hit him close to home.  “For it is not an enemy who taunts me, Then I could endure it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him.  But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my confidant;  We who had sweet fellowship together, Walked in the house of God among the commotion. (Psalm 55:12-14, NASB)

I have recently gone through some trials that tried my faith and patience.  While facing these trials, I was so consumed with them that loving others was the last thing on my mind.  That is why I haven’t been doing much writing.  The trials I faced revealed some chinks in my spiritual armor, so I have digging deeper into the Word and praying more.  I have been letting the Lord speak to me through the trials to strengthen me and to help me learn to trust Him more.

As the global cooling continues until Jesus returns, we must remain diligent to keep our love for the Lord burning hot.  As we learn more about His love through His Word, it will enable us to love others, even when they betray us.  It will give us the strength to endure and pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

How is your love doing?  Is it waxing cold?

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

Wisdom From Above: Without Hypocrisy

Wisdom From Above:  Without Hypocrisy

This is the last of our series from James 3:17. Today we will look at the opposite of being without hypocrisy. 

Let’s continue with a reminder of the above verse.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  (NASB)

Opposite of being Without Hypocrisy:  Deceitfulness, deception, dishonesty, two-facedness, self-righteousness.

Rather than giving examples of hypocrisy, I want to focus on what the Word of God has to say on the topic.  As we read through these scriptures, we need to do so with the attitude of, “Am I guilty of doing the things mentioned?”  If so, repent while you still have time.

1 John 4:20  tells us whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  

John is very blunt and straight-forward in his approach.  Do we say we love God, but inwardly, we hold grudges, bitterness, and hate toward others?  If so, John tells us that we are lying when we say we love God.

In Mark 7:6, Jesus said, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”  Do we honor God with our lips, but our actions are contrary to His Word?

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus tells us that when we fast, we shouldn’t make it obvious through outward means.  Doing so shows we are self-righteous, and when we do that, we lose any reward from the Lord.  He wants us to do our alms in secret, then He will reward us.  

It is easy to fall prey to the praise of man.  Words of affirmation is my primary love language, which makes it even harder to keep my mouth shut.  However, in the times I have done so, I have seen the Lord work wonders in my life.  That is when I am able to open my mouth — not to brag about myself, but to brag about my God!  

In 1 Peter 2:1, we are admonished to rid ourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  When you hear gossip and slander, do you join in, or do you quietly walk away?  Sometimes the act of walking away can speak volumes to others.

1 Peter 3:10 gives excellent advice to us so that we can love life and see good days.  We must learn to avoid speaking deceitful and evil words.  As things progress in our depraved society, where pressures seem to build every day, it is going to become harder for us to live this out, unless we stay deeply rooted and grounded in the Word.  We need to praying the words of Psalm 120:2.  Save me, Lord, from lying lips and deceitful tongues.

Our blessed hope is to be in the presence of the Lord one day.  Until that time, we must remember that our hearts are deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9)  In the meantime, as persecution’s grip gets tighter, we may be tempted to use deceitful words to keep from losing our jobs, and even our lives.  We must remember that no one who practices deceit will dwell in His Presence. (Psalm 101:7)  Jesus made it clear to us that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us.  May we all be found with the godly wisdom that is pure, and without any hypocrisy.

© 2022, Stacy R. Miller

How is Your Walk?

How is Your Walk?

 

Fitbits seem to be all the rage these days – monitoring our steps to see how far we walk each day.  My employer offers Fitbit challenges, which help us earn money in our health rewards account each year.  With that kind of incentive, our steps become even more important!

 

Walking is very healthy for our bodies.  At the end of a stressful day, nothing helps me relieve that stress like a vigorous walk or high intensity aerobic workout.  It infuses me with a sense of calmness, but can also invigorate and refresh me.

 

As important as it is for us to be active and walk, there is something else even more important because it reaps eternal benefits.  It is paying attention to our spiritual walk.  We do this through the Word of God.  Monitoring our walk with the Lord through constant reading of our Bibles has eternal rewards.

The Bible has much to say about the way we walk.  

 

Walk in love.  Ephesians 5:2

Walk circumspectly.  Ephesians 5:15

Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly.  Psalm 1:1

Walking in truth. 2 John 1:4

Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16

Walk as children of the light.  Ephesians 5:8

Walk humbly with the Lord. Micah 6:8

Walk in the light. 1 John 1:7

Walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6

Walk purely and you will walk securely.  Walk in crooked ways, and you will be found out.  Proverbs 10:9

 

The Bible also has a lot to say about our steps.  

 

Psalm 37:21 tells us the law of God is in his heart.  The result is that none of his steps will slide.  This one makes me think of the times I have slipped on ice and either lost my balance, or thrown my back out of alignment.  As important as it is to stay upright while walking on ice, it is imperative that we guard our steps spiritually, so that we don’t slide down a slippery slope into sin.

 

Psalm 37:23 speaks of the how the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.  

Proverbs 16:9  tells us that God establishes our steps.  

Psalm 119:133  is a prayer, asking the Lord to establish our footsteps and keep sin from having dominion over us.  

Psalm 40:2 tells us God sets our feet on a rock and makes our footsteps firm.  

Psalm 18:36 says the Lord enlarges our steps.  

 

The Bible also uses the word “path,” which goes along with how we are to walk.

 

Psalm 23:3  He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Psalm 25:10  All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Proverbs 3:6: In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:17:  Speaks of wisdom, and how her ways are pleasant, and her paths are peace.

Proverbs 4:18  But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Proverbs 4:26:  Watch the path of your feet and all of your ways will be established.  

Proverbs 16:11  You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Obviously, there are many benefits we can reap when we make the choice to “monitor” our spiritual steps.  

I have reached that age where it doesn’t seem to matter how much I walk or work out, I can’t seem to lose any weight.  (Thank you, menopause!)  While that has often frustrated me, I have resigned myself to the idea that it is still good for me physically and mentally, so I continue to do it.  However, when I monitor my steps through the Word of God, I never get frustrated!  Instead, I am encouraged, challenged, refreshed, renewed, and changed from glory to glory!

 

How’s your walk?

 

© 2019, Stacy R. Miller

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17

In this chapter, we see the Lord tests the heart. He does this as a refining process for us. Just as silver and gold are refined by the fire, so are we. God cares more about our character than our comfort.

I paused for a moment when I got to verse 8. It tells us a present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor. The word ‘stone’ stood out to me, making me think of Jesus, Our Chief Cornerstone. And yes, He certainly is a precious Stone.

Proverbs has much to say about our words, and in this chapter, we find another tidbit of wisdom regarding this topic. When we cover a transgression, we are showing love. We aren’t to be like the paparazzi, sharing sensitive information with all who will listen. We are even told that when we have knowledge, we will spare our words – a person of understanding will keep a calm spirit, in spite of what their emotions may be feeling. This helps us to avoid the next issue.

We are told that the beginning of strife is like releasing water. We need to stop contention before a quarrel erupts. Have you ever seen a dam when they open it? Water gushes forth. There is no stopping it. That is how strife can be if we fail to keep a calm spirit when we are angry. Ephesians 4:26 also tells us not to let the sun go down while we are still angry. When we go to bed angry, it allows the enemy to cause that anger to fester. If you are too angry to deal with the issue right away, pray, pray, pray! The Lord delights in honoring a sincere request like this because we are praying His will: As far as it is possible, be at peace with one another. (Romans 12:18)

Another insight on our words is from verse 28 where it speaks of a fool being thought of as wise if he remains silent.  The implication is that if we have to speak on every topic, we diminish our influence. 

© 2018, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13

We have devoted a lot of time in this study to seeing what benefits there are to wisdom and righteousness. Today, I am going to focus on how hard the life of the wicked is.

Scoffers do not listen to rebuke or instruction, nor do those who are lazy. The results can lead to destruction. In a local, weekly paper, I can usually find at least one person I know who has been arrested. They are all people who knew better. Some have even been what many would consider powerful, influential people. However, by their foolish choices, many of them have destroyed their families, finances, careers, and reputations. Their pride, in thinking they could do it and not get caught, has brought shame to them and their families.

We see in this chapter that wickedness overthrows the sinner. What an apt description this is for the drug problem that is rampant across our nation! They begin with what is called ‘recreational’ drug use, thinking they have control over it. Before they know what has happened, their habit overthrows them. One verse says the lamp of the wicked will be put out. This has happened in the drug culture, with thousands overdosing every year. It proves that the wages of sin really is death!

I have seen much of what is described in this chapter lived out next door to me. There is a drug house next door. The man who lives there is a very proud man, but also a man full of strife and anger, much of it due to the drug abuse. A few months ago, we saw the police do a drug bust there. Not long after that, his vehicle was repossessed. Proverbs isn’t kidding when it says wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished! If his grandma were still alive, she would be heartbroken over how his life has turned out. She would see how he blatantly despises the Word of God, and the sowing he has reaped.

One verse describes the way of the unfaithful as being hard. I have often thought of this as I have watched events transpire next door. I would often think, “Oh, Lord, there is such a better way than this!” I can speak from experience because I use to be much like him, in the sense that I also had an explosive temper. Knowing the freedom the Lord gives us – freedom to not sin, made my heart ache for him every time I would see him go into an uncontrolled rage.

One verse that gave me pause for thought. It says it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. I never thought of it in those terms, but it is very descriptive way of putting it.

After studying the rewards of the wicked, I noticed something which might help us to understand why our society seems to be so wicked. He who spares the rod hates his son. Hate. What a strong word to use for a parent who refuses to discipline their child! However, it makes sense when you ponder on the rewards of the wicked. If we don’t discipline our children, and teach them right from wrong, they will go down the path of evil because foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. (Proverbs 22:15) When you look at the last couple of generations, seeing how many children are born out of wedlock, with no involvement from their father, is it any wonder that we have prisons filled with young people? Our influence as parents is powerful. We can be the difference between our children making wise or foolish choices.

I think the lesson to be learned from this study is to pray for the younger generation, much of whom is being raised in a one-parent homes. Others are being raised by their grandparents. Somebody needs to pray for this next generation, and I believe that is a mandate for us!

© 2018, Stacy R. Miller

2 John

This is a EXCELLENT message for these times when so many churches are compromising and speaking of how we just need to love everyone.

Submission – The Dreaded “S” Word

The Dreaded “S” word – Submission

Submission should be something that we are honored to do, but oftentimes, it is dreaded as something so horribly awful.  I think that there has been some teaching out there that is unbiblical regarding submission.  As I learned some Biblical things about submission, it has helped me look at it in a whole new way.  I pray that the insights will help each one of you be able to embrace the role of submitting to your husband.

I like the Amplified version of Eph. 5:33 — …let the wife see that she respects and reverences (deeply respects, loves, and is in awe of) her husband.  She should notice him, regard (consider, gaze upon, to hold in affection and respect) him, honor him, prefer him, venerate (look upon with deep respect) him, and esteem (to value highly) him, and that she defers (to yield with courtesy) to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly.

As God has delivered me from some patterns of wrong thinking due to moral
failures that occurred before I was married, I have been able to enjoy my husband in new ways.  We have been married almost fifteen years now, but oftentimes, I find myself flirting with him, just with my eyes.  We will both get to giggling, and then Rachel will start saying, “What’s so funny?”  Which, of course, only makes us laugh harder.  We just tell her that it’s something between mommy and daddy.  If you aren’t in the habit of flirting with your husband, I highly recommend it!  You may be very pleasantly surprised at the results.

One year I bought some massage oil for him.  Even after being married well over ten years, he blushed when he opened it.  This was just another way of regarding him and esteeming him.

In the above verse in Eph. 5, it mentions preferring your husband.  A way to show that I prefer him is that when he gets home in the evening, I try not to make any phone calls.  If a phone call comes in for me, I keep it short, and just explain to the person that my husband is home so I need to go.  I also try to stay off of the computer when he is home.  This shows honor to him, as well as preferring him.  I also don’t make plans to get together with my girlfriends when he is going to be home.  Another way to show respect for him is that if you are watching TV, and he wants to talk, turn it off.  Show him that you are more interested in what he has to say than what the “one-eyed monster” is saying.

If you feel that you are at a loss of how to apply this scripture in your marriage, ask God to reveal to you ways that you can apply it.  I did that and God began to show me other ways, as well as what I had already put into practice.  One thing is so simple, but yet it is still a way to respect and regard him.  When I wash the bath towels, I always put his on top of the stack.  Then when he needs it, he doesn’t have to dig through the stack.  I try to keep socks and underwear for him in the bathroom so that when he goes to take a shower, it’s one less thing that he has to dig out from the bedroom.  These are such simple, easy things, but as moms, don’t you find that it’s the simple things that your spouse does for you that you tend to appreciate the most?  For instance, what if he makes the bed or says that he will do the dishes?  Those things don’t take up a lot of time, but I know that I deeply appreciate having someone else do them for me once in a while.

A way in which you can defer to your husband is by letting him choose the TV show for the evening or even by letting him pick the restaurant when you are going out to eat.  Even if you may not feel like doing it, when he says, “Let’s go to…,” answer enthusiastically by saying, “Sure!  Sounds great!”  This is just one more way where you defer to him.  If he is suggesting that you go someplace, it means that he is desiring YOUR company!

Many men don’t take the time to nurture friendships with other men.  They are too busy trying to make a living.  I began to pray about this issue.  It was only a matter of a few weeks before my husband was out having coffee and met another Christian man.  They get together often to chat.  I don’t begrudge him of this because I have seen the difference that this one friendship has made in his attitude.

While on this subject, let me highly recommend the book called “The Power of a Praying Wife.”  It is an awesome book that will help you pray more effectively for your husband.  That book is what lead me to start praying for a male friend for my husband.  I have added that book to part of my devotional time.  The prayers are loaded with scripture.  I love putting scripture in my prayers because I have no doubt as to whether or not I am praying for  God’s will.  It helps me to stay more focused on my prayers for my husband as well.  I have seen positive results from these prayers many times.

Another simple way I have found to honor my husband is by planning just about every night to use the massager on his back.  He gets to hurting, and that really does help to make him feel better, not to mention that it just plain feels good!  A side note here is that shortly after I started making this a habit, he was talking to a lady who asked him if I worked.  He responded by telling her “Yes, she works hard.  She has a hot meal fixed for me every night and she massages my back just about every night!”  That made me feel more appreciated than if he had brought home a dozen roses.

In I Pet. 3:1 it says that wives should submit to their husbands.  If you skip down to verse 5, it’s still talking about the submission issue, and it says that the holy women of old WHO HOPED IN GOD were submissive to their husbands, adapting themselves to their husbands.  The bottom line here is that if we can’t submit to our husband, then we have a problem with our relationship with the Lord.  Notice that the verse says the holy women of old hoped in GOD.  They saw their submission to their husband as a submission to God.  They trusted God to take care of them, even if their husbands made a bad choice.  Now I’m not saying that we need to submit to them if they are asking us to sin.  That is entirely different.

Let me give you an example.  My husband wanted me to start the process of looking for a different house.  I was not thrilled with the idea, but I obeyed him, and have started looking.  I am putting my trust in the Lord that if we are to move, that God will make a way for it.  If God doesn’t want us to move, then I am praying for Him to close any doors that my husband may want to go through that aren’t God’s plan for us.

I have found that it is really easy to look at someone else’s faults (including my husband’s), and want to pray for God to change them.  I have learned that it is much wiser to pray for God to change ME!  Often, God will let us go through things to teach us something.  There may be something that you really want to change, but God may want to get you to be content in the circumstance BEFORE He decides to bring about a change in it.  Hmm, seems to me that Paul mentioned learning how to be content in any circumstance.

Another way to show respect for him is to keep the house in good order.  No husband wants to come home to disarray after working hard all day.  I’m not saying to have the place spotless at all times.  I’m just saying that it should be orderly, without toys and clutter being everywhere when he walks in the door.  Your home should be a sanctuary for him, a place where he feels at peace and rest.  It should be an inviting place for him.  If you do this, not only are you following what God would have you to do, but you are also putting the enemy to flight.  You are giving one less temptation to your husband by making the home inviting to him.  You are making it a place where he wants to be.

© 2003, Stacy R Miller

Whispers of Love

Whispers of Love

Do you ever do nice things for your husband, expecting absolutely nothing in return?  Our church had a carnival, raising money for a missions project.  While I didn’t have items to donate for the garage sale, I did bake some banana bread to be used in the bake sale, and we bought many tickets to spend at the carnival.  There was a booth of ladies, making fresh flowers in some pretty little cups, pots, etc.  It only took two tickets, which amounted to fifty cents, to purchase some of these fresh flowers.  Rachel and I came home with three little assortments of fresh flowers.  That is something which I never purchase because money is tight, and could better be spent on other things.  You see, I gave only a small amount to the bake sale, but came home with lots of fresh flowers that were absolutely beautiful!  In my opinion, I got the better end of the deal.  The point is that we can do things for God, expecting nothing in return, but we will quickly see that He will outdo us because you just can’t outgive God.

Do you remember those times when you were dating, and you would try to steal away, just long enough to call your love and tell him that you love him?  God wants us to do just that.  One day I was praising Him, and someone walked into the room.  I got up long enough to go to the bedroom and lavish some love on my Lord.  I could have continued to do it with others around, but I wanted that intimacy with my Lord, and I didn’t want to share it with anyone.  It’s similar to those times of intimacy with your spouse.  Things happen that the two of you may find quite funny or intimate, but they are things which remain just between the two of you and no one else.  We can have that kind of intimacy with our Lord – where we steal away to whisper loving, intimate things to Him which no one else is privileged to share.

Recently while at church, there was such an awesome presence of the Holy Spirit.  The only way I can describe it to you is to say that it was like I was enveloped by His presence, feeling His kisses caress every inch of my soul.  It was an awesomely intimate, spiritual experience.  Words can’t even begin to tell you how truly beautiful it was.  Since that time, when I think about the Lord, I actually get those fluttering feelings in my stomach, just like we all did when we first fell in love.  I never knew that I could have this kind of relationship with the Lord, and I wish that mere words could explain the awesomeness of this intimacy, but it just can’t.  Just like you can’t explain the depth of your love for your spouse to someone else, it’s something that is so intimate between the two of you.
© 2003, Stacy R Miller

Relating to One Another

Relating to One Another
Several months ago, our pastor did a series on the “one anothers” in the Bible.   I wanted to do a message on that topic, but relate much of it where many of us live on a daily basis as stay at home moms.

Col. 3:16 tells us that we are to admonish and teach one another.  Maybe God hasn’t called you to teach a Sunday school class.  Even so, you can teach and admonish your children, or even ladies in the church who are looking for one to mentor them.

James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another.  When confessing our sins to another, we need wisdom to know who would be a trusting person for us to approach.  I remember hearing about a man who was struggling with homosexuality.  He approached a leader of the church.  What he said in confidence was told to everyone.  It’s no wonder that this man has turned back to the homosexual community.

James 5:16 also mentions that we are to pray for one another.  First, we need to be faithful in praying for those in our own household.  We also need to remember to pray for others and maybe the best way to do that is to dedicate one day a week for lifting up the needs of others.  Some of them may not have anyone else who will pray for them.

Rom. 12:10 tells us to honor one another above ourselves.  This is a good practice to start in the home.  It is good teaching for our children.  We live in such a selfish, “me-oriented” society.  It is good to make the choice to honor others above ourselves.  While it is virtuous to practice this outside the home,  it is more honorable to practice it in the home with those whom God has entrusted to our care.

Gal. 6:2 tells us that we are to carry each other’s burdens.  It goes on to say that this will fulfill the law of Christ.  Which law?  The one that says to love your neighbor as yourself.  I saw this in action right after our town was flooded.  It was incredible to see people setting aside their own agenda and going to help others who had lost so much.

I Thess. 4:18; 5:11, and Heb. 10:25 all tell us to encourage one another.  Sometimes that may be in person.  Sometimes it may be just a phone call.  Another way to encourage is by sending a card or a note.  When you send something, the person can read it over and over, and be encouraged each time they read it.  We can practice this in our homes as well.  A note in a child’s lunch can mean so much to them as they go through hard times.  A friend of mine discovered all of the notes which she had written to her son.  He had saved them all, and she “happened” to see them one day while in his room.  We can do this for our husband’s as well.  What about sending him a card to his work address?  What about tucking away an encouraging note in his luggage as he prepares to leave town?  If you don’t know what to say to encourage him, just tell him that you will be ready and waiting for him when he gets home!  That alone will speak volumes to him.

II Cor. 1:4  tells us to comfort one another with the comfort we have received.  We don’t have to use eloquent words.  A simple hug, along with letting them know that you are praying for them will mean a lot.  When I miscarried, the one  thing I needed to hear was that it would get better, but no one told me.  Now, when I see others going through things, I am able to share that with them, in hopes that it will help them.  We can practice this with our children as well.  When they have been betrayed by a friend (or a number of other scenarios), we can comfort them by sharing with them a time when we faced the same thing.

Col. 3:13 tells us to forgive one another.  I can’t stress the importance of this.  Many years ago, I struggled with chronic colitis.  I was on so much medication for it.  As I began studying on deliverance, I found that I had a lot of unforgiveness in my heart, which had opened the door to the colitis.  I had to forgive, not just because our Lord demands it, but I had to forgive so that I could live a full life again.  I am thrilled to tell you that once the unforgiveness was gone, so was the colitis.  It has been gone now for over 10 years.  We need to be sure and ask for forgiveness from our children and our spouse, and to grant them forgiveness when they have done wrong.

We are to love one another.  (I Jn. 3:11, Rom. 12:10, James 2:8)  In I Pet. 1:22
we find that we are to love one another deeply, from the heart.  We are to have a sincere (without pretense, genuine) love for one another.  Many times it is easy to say, “I love you.”  What is often harder is putting action behind our words.  Action means that we are setting aside our own agenda for the good of someone else.

Gal. 5:13 tells us to serve one another in love.  This is a hard one for me when evening comes and I am so tired.  I want someone to serve ME!  But if I follow scripture, I must crucify my flesh once again, and serve my family in love, no matter how tired I am.

Eph. 4:31-32 tells us to be kind to one another.  This is another one that needs to be practiced consistently in the home.  I often find myself barking orders to my daughter instead of speaking kindly to her.  I have been faithfully asking Father to help me to learn to be kind to my daughter in spite of how frustrated I may be with her.

Rom. 12:16 tells us to live in harmony with each other.  In the Webster’s Thesaurus, it mentions having an even balance.  How many times do we disrupt harmony in our homes because we aren’t living a balanced life?  I saw this in my own life over the summer.  Because I homeschool an only child, I try to get her involved in several activities over the summer.  This year I found that I overdid it.  There wasn’t much harmony in the home because “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t no one happy!”  At the time of this writing, we have had two days of having to be nowhere.  While I have been very busy over these two days, I have been happy, calm, and content.  It has brought much needed balance and harmony to our home.

Eph. 4:2 tells us to bear with one another.  In our homes, this might mean learning to listen to both sides of the story before making a judgment.  It could also mean to discern whether something was done because of childlike immaturity, rather than defiance.  As mothers, we run in an exhausted mode much of the time.  It can be very hard to bear with others, when the “others” are those in our own home.  In those times, we need to remember that God is right there, just waiting for us to call upon Him to help us.
Precious Jesus, You gave us such wonderful examples of how to treat others.  Help us to put those examples into action in our own homes, then help us take them out to a lost and dying world.  Amen.
© 2003, Stacy R Miller