Christmas Joy!

The true JOY of Christmas is Jesus Christ....let us all worship Him together.

Please go here and click to play. You will see a short movie expressing through beautiful pictures and Scripture that Jesus is our Christmas JOY! Praise Him!

Some Sweets for the Season

Caramel Chocolate Trifle

1 (9 ounce) devil's food cake mix
3 eggs
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup oil
2 (4 ounce) packages chocolate pudding, instant
12 ounces Cool Whip
12 ounces caramel ice cream topping
1 (7-8 ounce) English toffee bits or almond brickle chips

Directions

1)Prepare and bake cake according to directions for an 8 inch square baking pan.
2)Cool on a wire rack.
3)Prepare pudding according to pkg. directions.
4)Cut cake into 1 1/2 inch cubes.
5)Place 1/2 of the cubes in a 3 quart trifle bowl, or large glass serving bowl.
6)Lightly press down to fill gaps.
7)Top with 1/2 of the Cool Whip, pudding, caramel topping and toffee bits.
8)Repeat layers.
9)Cover and refrigerate.

Pam's Pecan Pie Trifle

Pecan pie (bake your favorite recipe & freeze)
1 1/2 c. whipping cream
1 - 8 oz. cream cheese
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 bottle of Smucker's chocolate fudge topping
1 bottle of Smucker's caramel topping
chopped pecans

Directions:

Cut your pecan pie into cubes and layer half in the bottom of trifle dish.
Beat 1 1/2 cup whipping cream until thick & add 8 oz. cream cheese and 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Pour half of this mixture over pecan pie cubes.
Pour 1/2 bottle of chocolate fudge topping over cream mixture.
Pour 1/2 bottle of caramel topping over chocolate fudge.
Repeat layers with the pecan pie cubes and remaining whipping cream mixture.
Pour the remaining chocolate fudge and caramel topping over whipping cream mixture.


Colossal Caramel Apple Trifle

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
6 cups cold milk
3 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1 (12 ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling
2 (16 ounce) containers frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. In a large bowl, whisk milk, pudding mixes and apple pie spice for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set.
2. Cut one cake layer if necessary to fit evenly in an 8-qt. punch bowl. Poke holes in cake with a long wooden skewer; gradually pour a third of the caramel topping over cake. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans and spread with half of the pudding mixture. Spoon one can of pie filling over pudding; spread with one carton of whipped topping.
3. Top with remaining cake and repeat layers. Drizzle with remaining caramel topping and sprinkle with remaining pecans. Refrigerate until serving.



Double Chocolate Mocha Trifle

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
1 3/4 cups cold milk
2 (3.3 ounce) packages instant white chocolate pudding mix
4 teaspoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons warm water
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 (1.4 ounce) bars chocolate covered toffee bars, chopped

Directions

1. Prepare brownies according to package directions. Bake and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix until mixture begins to thicken. Dissolve coffee granules in water and stir into pudding mixture. Fold in whipped topping.
3. In a glass serving bowl, layer one-third of brownie cubes, one-third of pudding mixture and one-third of candy. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used. Chill 30 minutes in refrigerator before serving.



Thank you, Diane Nichols, for sharing all of your wonderful recipes from the Fall Women's Conference! These look especially yummy!

Strawberry Sour Cream Jello Dessert

This sounds like a lovely and easy dish for the Christmas season.

Strawberry Sour Cream Jello Dessert

2 small pkg cherry jello
2 cups hot water
1 medium can crushed pineapple
1 pkg frozen strawberries, thawed
2 mashed bananas
1/2 pt sour cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix together jello and water. Let cool but not congealed. Add pineapple and juice, frozen strawberries, and bananas. Mix together. Pour half of the mixture into a flat dish and put into refrigerator to harden. Spread sour cream and pour other half of jello mixture on top. Return to refrigerator. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.

Recipe from Diane Nichols

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Here is another shared recipe from Diane Nichols. I hope these recipes can be a blessing to others in your life as you seek ways to show hospitality and serve one another in love.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad
Recipe makes 6 servings

SERVES 6

8 potatoes, cubed (half peeled or half with skin)
2 teaspoons salt
6 slices bacon, diced & crisp cooked
6 green onions
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
16 ounces sour cream
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Miracle Whip

Directions

1.Cube and boil potatoes with salt.
2.Drain.
3.Crumble bacon and slice onions (including tops).
4.Combine sour cream, pepper and Miracle Whip.
5.Add to potatoes.
6.Add bacon, onions and cheese (reserve some of each for top).
7.Mix with potatoes.
8.Pour into baking dish.
9.Top with reserved cheese, onions, and bacon.
10.Bake 350 for 10-15 minutes (until cheese melts).

Sharing with Others...

With the Thanksgiving and Christmas season approaching, this is a wonderful time to be planning and preparing delicious meals for family and friends...and even strangers. Our last few posts have been on the topic of true Biblical hospitality and our prayer, as women, can be that God would make us to be women who are quick to open our homes and share Biblical hospitality to others, so that the love of Christ can be seen and experienced in practical ways. It doesn't always mean sharing meals with others, but that can be one way to love others.

Recently, the women of our church were blessed to enjoy some delicious foods made by Diane Nichols at the Fall Women's Conference. She has been so kind to share those recipes with us. Maybe these recipes can inspire you to show loving hospitality to others in the weeks ahead.

French Onion Beef Brisket Sandwiches:

1 tablespoon LAND O LAKES® Butter
1 2- to 3-pound) beef brisket
3 large (about 3 cups) onions, halved, sliced
1/4 cup apple juice
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed beef consommé
1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
10 Kaiser rolls
10 (3/4-ounce) slices LAND O LAKES® Deli Swiss Cheese


Heat oven to 325°F. Melt butter in 12-inch skillet until sizzling; place brisket in skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, turning once, until browned (8 to 10 minutes).

Meanwhile, combine all remaining ingredients except rolls and cheese in 13x9-inch baking pan. Place browned brisket over onion mixture; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until meat is fork tender and internal temperature reaches 170°F.

Place brisket onto cutting board; trim fat. Slice brisket across grain into thin slices; place beef slices onto bottom of Kaiser rolls. Top each with onion mixture, cheese and bun tops. Spoon pan juices into cups for dipping. This recipe serves 10 people.

Recipe Tip
Cook and slice brisket the day before you intend to serve it. To reheat, cover tightly with aluminum foil and heat in 350°F. oven until hot (30 to 35 minutes). Or place in microwave-safe dish. Cover with plastic food wrap; microwave on HIGH (100% power), stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts (1 sandwich): Calories: 490, Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 890mg, Carbohydrates: 38g, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Protein: 43g

Check back for some more delicious recipes to follow!

Sunday's Hymn of Thankfulness

My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev’ry promise is enough
For ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.

“My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness“
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music

Hospitality--An Event or True Love Lived Out?

Vonette Bright, who along with her husband, Bill, founded Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951, encourages Christian women to use their homes as a center for evangelism. Writing in The Joy of Hospitality she explains how hospitality can build bridges to those who need Christ:

"Hospitality is more than entertaining. It is expecting God to do great things through you as you reach out to touch the lives of others. It is focusing our relationships, especially the greatest relationship of all--walking and talking with the Lord Jesus Christ. True hospitality doesn't wear us out or make us feel pressured; life sharing is not entertaining in our own strength. It flows from a heart full of love for others. Christ's love, which doesn't come for our self effort, is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The love of Christ is what draws people to God. This love transforms a party or other event into true hospitality. Hospitality, then, is not an event; it is a genuine concern for another's well being."

~From Practicing Hospitality by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock

Hospitality Defined

As a believer in Christ and desiring to live out what it means to truly be a faithful follower of God's Word, we must include Biblical hospitality as a quality in our role as women serving the Lord. What does Biblical hospitality look like? In Practicing Hospitality by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock, we can find a thorough and Biblical explanation of what hospitality should look like and what the heart of a woman who has a desire to serve the Lord and others acts like.

Women who participated in a survey gave these definitions of hospitality...they are worthy of reading. But, don't just read them...allow God to work in your heart to examine yourself and see what is holding you back from practicing hospitality. Repent and move forward to allow God to use you in this area.

A love of strangers, a willingness and a desire to meet any need of those whom the Lord brings into our lives.- Melissa Barnes

Opening up and sharing our lives with other people...we tend to think of hospitality as planning and executing an event or dinner party...while these activities fall within the realm of hospitality, they can not define it.-Bonnie Bishop

Being helpful and generous to others. It extends beyond the confines of the home.-Lynn Cathy

A welcoming spirit to open your home and share what the Lord has given you with anyone He brings our way: friends,family, neighbors, or someone you just met.-Lisa-Ann Chun

Meeting the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of our guests in an atmosphere of warmth and love.-Sue Edwards

Defined by servanthood, striving to do for others, causing them to feel welcomed, wanted, and worthwhile...The ultimate goal of Christian hospitailty is furthering the kingdom of God...in other words, will my behaviors encourage others to know Christ?-Debby Lennick

Showing love to strangers; welcoming people into a dwelling place with love and grace for the purpose of demonstrating Christ's love to them.-Connie Naresh

Demonstrating hospitality is one practical method for demonstrating our love for both God and others.

Romans 12:13 "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

1 Timothy 5:10 "...and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work."

1 Peter 4:9 "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Yearning to Study God's Word...

Are you a woman who hungers for a careful exploration of the meaning of scripture? Do you long to see the Word illustrated in your own life and discuss it with other women in a small group setting that is transparent and accountable to applying the Bible?

If so, the please join us as we study the Word together. The ladies Bible study is beginning soon and we would love for you to be a part of it! We will be studying the Epistle of James with the help of a book entitled, *With the Master in the School of Tested Faith* by Susan Heck.

Martha Peace says this about the book:

*With the Master in the School of Tested Faith* is an excellent verse by verse Bible study tool. Susan Heck's study of the Epistle of James is refreshingly solid and thought provoking.

The dates and times are Tuesdays 10:00–11:45 a.m. beginning Sept. 15 or Wednesdays 6:30-8:15 p.m. beginning Sept. 16.

You may register and purchase the book in the foyer of the church. Hope to see you there!

In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship, least of all a marriage, can survive.

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, letters and papers from prison, 31

Femininity

Elisabeth Elliot, writing on "The Essence of Femininity," offers a fitting summary of God's ideal for wives:

Unlike Eve, whose response to God was calculating and self-serving, the virgin Mary's answer holds no hesitation about risks or losses or the interruption of her own plans. It is an utter and unconditional self-giving: "I am the Lord's servant ... May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). This is what I understand to be the essence of femininity. It means surrender.

Think of a bride. She surrenders her independence, her name, her destiny, her will, herself to the bridegroom in marriage ... The gentle and quiet spirit of which Peter speaks, calling it "of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:4), is the true femininity, which found its epitome in Mary (John Piper, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood [Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1991], 398, 532, emphasis added).

Enemies as Friends?

John MacArthur from Truth For Today:

The Bible commands us not only to resist hating and retaliating against those who might harm us, but it tells us to go BEYOND that and actually BLESS THEM. That's what Jesus instructed to those who heard His sermon on the Mount: "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." Luke 6:27-28. To truly love your enemies, you must treat them as if they were your friends.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Romans 12:14

Sadly Deficient

I am still sadly deficient in practice!

Letters of John Newton

Who that had seen me as a slave in Africa, could have expected what has since taken place! How unworthy am I of all that I have received--and most unworthy of the honor of preaching the Gospel, which I too long despised and blasphemed! The language of Psalm 40:5 suits my soul well, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You! Were I to speak and tell of them--they would be too many to declare!" There is no end to the inventory of my mercies! May He who has given so much to me, and done so much for me--add the crowning mercy of a thankful heart! Though I can talk of thankfulness, I feel much insensibility and hardness of heart; but, I know that, while sin dwells in me, it will have such effects.

Alas! though I know in theory what a Christian should be--I am still sadly deficient in practice! I am a poor creature, and see much to be ashamed of every day, and in every circumstance. Yet, though sin will distress--it cannot condemn, those who believe in Jesus! "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" Romans 8:1

Psalm 103:15-19

As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

From Self and Pride To Set You Free

I Asked the Lord, That I Might Grow

(John Newton)

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know;
And seek more earnestly His face.

Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust has answered prayer;
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair!

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request;
And by His love's constraining power,
Subdue my sins--and give me rest!

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part!

Yes more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe!
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds--and laid me low!

"Lord, why is this!" I trembling cried,
"Will you pursue your worm to death?"
"This is the way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith."

"These inward trials I employ,
From self and pride to set you free;
And break your schemes of earthly joy,
That you may seek your all in Me!"

Look at How Sweet and Peaceful She Looks When She is Asleep!

In the book, Feminine Appeal, Carolyn Mahaney describes how God's grace conquers our sins in our family life.

I recently saw a Family Circus cartoon that showed three children leaning on the edge of their parent's bed, watching them while they slept. The caption underneath was one child's remark: "They look so sweet and peaceful when they are asleep. You wonder how they could ever yell at us during the day."

Do you ever wonder if this scenario is taking place in your home? Do you ever have a sneaking suspicion that your husband or children sometimes watch you sleep and marvel at how kind and peaceful you appear compared to when you are awake?

While we should all aggresively seek to remove the hindrances of anger, bitterness, and judging, we will likely fail at times to be kind. On the heels of our failure can come a fear that we have caused irreparable damage to our family relationships.

Yet this fear leaves God out of the picture. Although it is true we have the potential to inflict harm on family members, the grace of God can still bring forth good, even out of our sin. No situation created by our sin is so horrible that God can't redeem it for good--both for us and for our families...

When we are unkind to our husbands or children, we should not make excuses for ourselves. We must confess our sin to God and humbly ask our family members for their forgiveness. However, let us find hope in God's grace, which covers the offense of our sin and work it for good!

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The Word For Wednesday

Revelation 15:3-4

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

The Beauty of Submission

Our submission to our husband--whether or not he is a Christian, whether or not he is obeying God--preaches a lovelier and more powerful sermon that our mouth ever could.

~Elizabeth George

What power is in the virtue of Biblical submission to affect souls for eternity!

I Will Glory In My Redeemer!

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone
I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagle’s wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I’ll ever sing
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold


© 2001 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

Salvation of Their Souls

What is the ultimate goal in having biblical love for our children? It is nothing less than desiring for the salvation of their souls. Our goal is not that our children be happy, successful, popular, or live out their dreams...the chief end of mothering is to want our children to repent of their sins, believe and trust in Jesus Christ, and share that wonderful gospel to the world.

JC Ryle states:

This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step you take about them, in every plan, scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that mighty question, "How will this affect their souls?"

We must intentionally make this a priority in our mothering.

Honoring God in the Home

One of the hardest things for many contemporary wives to do is be satisfied with being a homemaker. Part of the reason is that modern appliances and other conveniences greatly simplify and reduce housework, and time that is not used for something constructive inevitably produces boredom, dissatisfaction, and often increased temptations. Women who have no children or whose children are grown obviously have fewer obligations in the home and therefore much more time available, and the point is not so much that a woman's place is in the home as that her responsibility is for the home.

She may have a reasonable outside job or choose to work in the church or to minister in a Christian organization, a hospital, a school, or many other ways. But the home is a wife's special domain and always should be her highest priority. That is where she is able to offer the most encouragement and support to her husband and is the best place for extending hospitality to Christian friends, to unbelieving neighbors, and to visiting missionaries or other Christian workers.

In regard to being workers at home, young Christian wives today must take special care to be sensible, as they are admonished earlier in this verse. In consultation with their husbands, they must use good judgment in deciding how much time can justifiably and wisely be spent in activities outside the home, whether at a paying job or in some form of service. When they have a genuine desire to obey and honor the Lord in all things and to conscientiously seek guidance from His Word and in prayer, they can be assured that He will provide the necessary wisdom and resolution.

Isn't this so true and helpful? I hope this encourages you on your journey in biblical womanhood.

By John MacArthur in Should a Woman Work Outside the Home?

Resurrection Sunday Hymn

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

"See, What a Morning" (Resurrection Hymn)
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music

Titus 2

Continuing on with the Scripture commanding joyful duties of a Titus 2 woman. John MacArthur has much helpful wisdom for us:

Wives are to be sensible. This is the same quality that should characterize elders (Titus 1:8), all older men (Titus 2:2), and, in fact, all believers (Titus 2:12). Common sense and good judgment should improve with age, but they should be evident even in early adulthood.

Fourth, wives are to be pure. Hagnos (pure) refers primarily to moral purity, and, especially in this context, to sexual purity, marital faithfulness. Like older women, in fact like all Christian women, young wives are "to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness" (1 Tim. 2:9-10). "Modesty" refers to a healthy sense of shame at saying anything, doing anything, or dressing in any way that would cause a man to lust. "Discreetly" refers to moral control, to keeping passions, especially sexual passions, subdued. First Peter 3:3-6 gives similar instruction to women.

As I read and study more on being a Titus 2 woman, I see something very consistently emphasized. It is the heart of the godly woman that the Lord is the most interested in...do we have a desire to see God's Word held in high esteem by how we live our lives? Does our heart cause our actions and behaviors to be pure and sensible? Is our overall motivation to please the Lord, knowing that His ways are best? It is both convicting and encouraging. What are you striving for today? Let's press on together as we strive for God's best for us!

Love Your Children

A second priority for the godly woman...loving her children. John MacArthur states these words of wisdom from his question and answer segment.

Wives are to love their children. Whether the children are their own offspring or adopted they are to be loved with a love that, like the love of spouses for each other, should be selfless and sacrificial. As with love for their husbands, love for their children is not an option. It isn't based on the personality, intelligence, attractiveness or worthiness but on their need. The most important responsibility of love for believing parents is to lead their children to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But Paul's admonition is inclusive. Mothers are to love their children in every way-practical, physical, social, moral, and spiritual-with a love that has no conditions and no limits. This kind of love, to be fully expressed, is extremely demanding as the mother seeks to fulfill her obligation to raise godly children (see 1 Timothy 2:15).

Priorities of a Godly Woman

Titus 2:3-5: Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled.

As a woman striving to be a Titus 2 woman in today's world, I must be reminded of the God given priorities that are in Scripture. Seeking the Lord must be our first desire and we do that by obeying His direct words found here in Titus chapter 2. The role of women is not a negotiable or controversial idea for believers. It is clearly expressed...so how are you doing in the area of loving your husbands? Hopefully these words will encourage and challenge you as they have me over the years.

First, wives are to love their husbands. This command is simple and ambiguous. There are no conditions or exceptions. It is not simply that love of husbands is a virtue but that not loving them is a sin. Paul is not referring to romantic or sexual love, although that has an important and proper place in marriage. He is speaking of committed love that godly wives choose to have for their husbands, just as godly husbands choose to have for their wives (Ephesians 5:25, 28). Philandros is a noun, here rendered to love… husbands, and refers to willing, determined love that is not based on a husband's worthiness but on God's command and that is extended by a wife's affectionate and obedient heart. Even unlovable, uncaring, unfaithful, and ungrateful husbands are to be loved. This sort of love of husbands and wives for each other involves unqualified devotedness and is a friendship that is strong and deep. And when a wife does not truly love her husband she must, in obedience to the Lord, train herself to love him.

~Bible Bulletin Board:John MacArthur

Worthy of Your Hope

His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope. 1 Peter 1:3

John MacArthur states in Truth For Today:

Why is this hope important? Unbelievers do not trust Him, so they cannot hope in Him. But as a believer, you have seen that God has been faithful in your past and present and that gives you hope that He will be faithful in the future. And that gives Him glory.

Simply put, God is glorified when you trust Him. He's glorified when you believe Him. And he is glorified when you hope in His future promise. The God who has given you such a great salvation is worthy of your hope.

Instruction of the Lord

More encouraging help from John MacArthur on some basics on raising godly children. You can read the rest of the article here.

"Instruction" (Gk., nouthesia) is literally a "putting in mind" and also includes the connotation of correction. It refers to the type of instruction found in the book of Proverbs, where, as we've seen, a primary focus is on the training and teaching of children. Such training and teaching doesn't have as much to do with factual information as with right attitudes and principles of behavior.

The key to right discipline and instruction of children is its being "of the Lord." Everything parents do for their children is to be of Him--according to the teaching of His Word, by the guidance and power of His Spirit, and to His own glory and honor. The husband is to love his wife dearly, the wife is to respect her husband, and the two are to be sensitive in raising their children in the things of Christ. If you do that, your children will be the blessing, joy, comfort, and consolation that God intended.

Word For Wednesday

God's Everlasting Love

Romans 8:31-39

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our Foolishness and God's Great Salvation....

Before the Lord saved me--I was a proud, thoughtless girl, fond of dress and finery. I loved the world and the things that are in the world. I went once on a Sunday to church, more to see and be seen--than to pray, or hear the Word of God. I thought I was quite good enough to be saved, and disliked and often laughed at pious people. I was in great darkness; I knew nothing of the way of salvation; I never prayed, nor was sensible of the dreadful danger of a prayerless state. I was tolerably moral and decent in my conduct, from motives of carnal and worldly policy; but I was a stranger to God and Christ. I neglected my soul; and had I died in such a state, hell must, and would justly, have been my portion!

But He who loved me with an everlasting love--drew me by His loving kindness, showed my the way of peace, and taught me that, while without Him I could do nothing--yet I could do all things through His strength!

I was convinced of my own guilt--and Jesus is my 'Righteousness'.

I saw my corruption--and Jesus is my 'Sanctification'.

I felt my slavery to sin and Satan--and Jesus is my 'Redemption'.

~Legh Richmond, "The Dairyman's Daughter"

Cultivating Godly Children

My husband printed this article by John MacArthur last night for us to read and I thought it was worth sharing. Those of us who are parents are striving to raise our children to be godly...for the purpose of bringing glory to God. We desire, first of all, for them to have a heart change that can only come about from God's intervention in their lives. We desire for them to know God and love Him with all of their hearts. As parents we have an unspeakable challenge in sharing the gospel with our children all the time...with wisdom and love, as we encourage, discipline, teach, guide, and have fun together. I thought this part of the article was good as a father speaks to how he would do things differently if he could. Let's intentionally strive to be the parents God has planned for us to be and ask the Lord for His grace to accomplish it.

One wise father said, "My family's all grown and the kids are all gone. But if I had it to do all over again, this is what I would do: I would love my wife more in front of my children. I would laugh with my children more--at our mistakes and our joys. I would listen more, even to the littlest child. I would be more honest about my own weaknesses, never pretending perfection. I would pray differently for my family; instead of focusing on them, I'd focus on me. I would do more things together with my children. I would encourage them more and bestow more praise. I would pay more attention to little things, like deeds and words of thoughtfulness. And then, finally, if I had to do it all over again, I would share God more intimately with my family; every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day I would use to direct them to God."

A Personal Savior

A Living, Loving, Personal Savior

We are in the habit of saying that Christ saved
us by dying for us on the Cross. In an important
sense this is true. We never could have been
saved--if He had not died for us.

But we are actually saved by our relation to a
living, loving, personal Savior--into whose
hands we commit all the interests of our lives;
and who becomes our Friend, our Helper, our
Keeper, our Burden bearer--our all in all.

Christian faith is not merely laying our sins on
the Lamb of God, and trusting to His one great
sacrifice; it is the laying of ourselves on the living,
loving heart of one whose friendship becomes
thenceforward the sweetest joy of our lives!

"The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20

(J. R. Miller, "Counsel and Help" 1907)

Is Christ Your Treasure...Even in Suffering?

When Christ is the Treasure of Suffering People

“I don’t think Christ is glorified anywhere more than when suffering people rejoice in Him as their treasure.”

- John Piper, “Suffering for Christ,” an interview with C. J. Mahaney

New Years Prayer

1842 Diary entry from Ruth Bryan:

Precious Christ, I come with a large request for 1842: it is that You would be the "Alpha and Omega" of it. Do You not say, "Ask what I shall give you?" Yourself, Lord! You have most blessedly given Yourself to me. But I find sweet liberty to entreat more unfolding, revealing, and opening of Your glorious person, amazing work, and matchless love, than I have yet had; and more losing and treading down of SELF, too--that I may be lost in Your fullness, and forgotten and forsaken in Your soul-absorbing glories. Oh! raise me higher, draw me nearer, that I may daily die, and You live in me more manifestly. I just give myself to You, to live on You, to live in You, to live for You, more and more than heretofore, and that by the power of the Spirit resting on me. I humbly ask that mine may be a large and still-increasing portion; that, under fresh annointings, You, most lovely Jesus, may be more fully known, more loved, more served; for it is to You the Holy Spirit leads, of You He testifies.

Oh, do make this a large, rich, full year! You being increasingly honored in me, and I increasingly lost in You, and made an increasing blessing to Your dear people. An Ebenezer for past mercies befits me; large and magnificent have been Your bestowments; bountiful and constant Your favors to me--a poor worthless nothing! "Bless the Lord, O my soul--and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

Could this be our prayer, too?