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Abigail's
Newsletter |
March 3, 2000 |
| Together, as a married couple, you are stronger, warmer, and able to do
more. You have someone to rely upon, and your husband has you for his support and
encouragement. Working together there is so much more that you can do, whether it be
raising a family, reaching your neighborhood for Christ, or just facing the daily work in
life of sleeping, eating, working and caring for one another. |
How does your husband help you? When does he help you up? (v 10) Do you
consider yourself blessed with a husband? How do you help up your husband? Do you keep him
warm at night? Together you can defend yourselves, and your marriage. And who is part of
the cord of three? (v 12) At first I thought it was a family with a child. But the strong
cord is a marriage with God in the center. A strong cord, not quickly broken. |
"9Two are
better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
10If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and
has no one to help him up!
11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep
warm alone?
12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three
strands is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) |
|
March
9, 2000 |
| After the wedding, marriage is a give/give
proposition. To bring about the best marriage each partner needs to give 100%. If you are
giving only 50%, then the marriage suffers. Love in all sincerity. As wives we are not incomplete without our husbands, but if we merge
with our husband all our assets, gifts, and our whole being, the marriage can flourish as
a third whole. |
Together you have mutual interests and
preferences and the assets of marriage become 'ours,' not his and hers. If you ladle
out measured love, proportional love, calculated gifts, you will never develop the wide
space of the third whole. By giving all you have to give, and receiving graciously, you
share not only your living space, but your life. And your marriage will not lack as you
share in love and service, to one another, and to God. |
"9Love must be sincere. Hate
what is evil; cling to what is good.
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above
yourselves.
11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Romans 12:9-13 (NIV) |
|
March 16, 2000 |
| Marriage is a vow to God. At times it is easily
forgotten, and our selfish natures act like the vow is to our spouse. When we see our
promises as being made to another person, or depending upon our spouses actions,
they are easily bent or broken. Our vows in marriage
are made to God - and He does not break any vows or bend any rules. God keeps His end of
all promises, perfectly. We should fulfill (v. 4) our promises to God, by loving our
spouse, in all conditions. |
How do you fulfill your vows of marriage? Keep
the marriage bed pure (Hebrews 13:4) and remain true to your husband. It takes a daily
commitment to love and honor the man that is your husband. Love by cooking, touching,
cleaning, speaking soft words of endearment, gifts of time, notes and gifts of love is the
daily love for a lifetime marriage. It is not easy. There are times of discouragement, and
disappointment, but together you are stronger. |
"4When you make a vow to God,
do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5It
is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6Do not let your
mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the messenger, 'My vow was a mistake.' Why
should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7Much
dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God."
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (NIV) |
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March 24, 2000 |
| As wives, we generally have the responsibility
for building and keeping the home (not the house, but the home within it). In order to
build a strong home, we must have the blessings of God. Without God our efforts are in
vain (v. 1 & 2). Each day is a gift from God, and by acknowledging His gift, and
returning it to Him in service, we are blessed. How do
you build your house? Are you building it with God's help and blessing, or without His
love and guidance? Depend upon God, and He will care for you.
|
Even sleep is a blessing from the Lord (v. 2),
as are children. Of course sometimes I think they are exclusive, I either get sleep, or I
have children. God has many blessings. He can bless
our efforts, when we acknowledge Him and his gifts. It is God who builds a home, and
marriage, using our feeble efforts. We must be open to God's leading, and do His work, in
our every day routine and daily actions. Love your husband, take care of your home, and
serve God with all your actions, and you will be blessed. |
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its
builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he
grants sleep to those he loves.
3Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.
4Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
Psalm 127 (NIV) |
       
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