10 July 2014

Influential Respect

An excerpt from the devotional "The Excellent Wife Day by Day" by Karen Eiler.

"She does him good and not evil all the days of her life . . . Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land."

Proverbs 31:12, 23

Austin and Nolan are best friends who grew up together, went to the same church and school, and now work for the same company.  They both come from good Christian homes, have similar interests and education, and are both really great guys.  They're good at what they do, and are fairly equal in their qualifications for their jobs.  However, Nolan is much more successful in his career, and was recently promoted to management, while Austin seems to be constantly struggling.  The difference?

Well, we're not quite sure, but it's interesting to note how different their wives are.  Nolan's wife is loving, supportive, and respects her husband greatly.  Austin's wife, on the other hand, criticizes him constantly.  It seems that there is little he can do to please her, and the tension at home affects his emotions and consequently, his job performance.

The old adage, "Behind every successful man is a good woman" is one we don't hear very often any more, but it is still just as true as it ever was.  Part of being a "good woman" is respecting, supporting, and believing in your man.  As much as he may not want to admit it, your husband feeds off your approval and respect.  Consequently, you have more influence in your marriage than you may have realized.  Respecting your husband builds him up and helps give him the strength to face the challenges of the day.  Your respect gives him confidence and energy, enabling him to be more productive at work and more effective as a leader in the home, church and community.  Like the excellent wife of Proverbs 31, whose husband was "known in the gates" (vs. 23), you can have a profound effect on your husband's reputation, just by being respectful and supportive. But a lack of respect from you will tear him down and make him feel inadequate in every area of his life.


This devotional book can be purchased from Gracebooks NZ by clicking HERE

11 April 2014

Freedom from Entangelment

An excerpt from the devotional "Becoming a Woman who Walks with God" by Cynthia Heald.

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:4

Alone in a Roman prison, nearing the end of his life at the hands of the Emperor Nero, Paul wrote his second letter to his young disciple, Timothy.  One of the great concerns on the apostle's heart was to encourage Timothy in lifelong faithfulness as a soldier of Christ.

In this epistle we are privileged to learn many important insights for abiding in Christ.  One key to remaining strong in our Christian service is to maintain our focus on the concerns of the Lord - to avoid becoming entangled in "the affairs of everyday life."

To entangle means "to twist together so that disengagement is difficult; to complicate, to confuse."  Do you ever feel that you are so enmeshed in obligations that disengagement is difficult?

Early in my Christian life, the Lord made it clear to me that I needed to keep my involvements to a minimum so that I could be available for the unexpected He wanted to bring into my life.  I've learned over the years that confidence in handling the commitments I make is no guarantee that life will be smooth and unencumbered.  When the unplanned intrudes, my life quickly becomes complicated and confused.

This factor of the unexpected has become part of my understanding of what it means to stay free of entanglement.  I have learned to make short-term commitments and to be very careful in accepting a responsibility over the phone.  I'm still in the process of learning to pray in order to seek the Lord's pleasure before I agree to take on a responsbility.

I know few people who do not struggle with complicated lives.  When we allow these complexities to pre-occupy us, they draw our focus away from Christ.  Instead of focusing on pleasing the One who has called us into His service, our lives become driven by our over-involvement in the affairs of everyday life.

It is time once again to heed the words of our Lord to Martha.  We worry and fuss over so many things, but there's really only one thing needful: to sit at the feet of Jesus.  This is what will lead us into a lifetime of faithful service - a life that pleases the One who has enlisted us as His soldier.


This devotional book can be purchased from Gracebooks NZ by clicking HERE