SUBMISSION

I never really know for sure what lesson will bring us to a dead stop and cause us to park for a while as we digest what God is saying to us.  As I've already wrote in this blog page, I missed Holy Spirit in choosing to bypass the lesson on wives.  After having to eat humble pie, I determined not to do that again.  For that reason, I was overjoyed when Holy Spirit began to share with me some beautiful insights that I am eager to share with you.  I can say that, because as most of you know by now, without Holy Spirit's help I'm just a bag of wind.  

Yesterday, (Saturday) I was working on our enclosed porch, which gives me an opportunity to think, because much of what I was doing didn't require a great deal of thought.  I was mulling over the lesson from last week, and still feeling as if I'd missed something.  "Have I missed something here?"  I asked out loud.  (Yes, I ask God things out loud, and expect Him to answer me in my inner man.  So, go ahead and lock me up.)

When He spoke, I was kind of disappointed at first.   Frustration and Conflict in the marriage affects the children.    

Duh!!!!  I thought to myself.  

I should have known better.  I learned a long time ago not to "Duh!"  God.  What follows is the stream of consciousness revelation I had all afternoon, and then this morning. (Sunday)   

There is a fundamental shift away from the concept of Biblical marriage because modern culture is focused on the individual. In today's modern culture, diversity is celebrated above unity, individuality above society, and personal achievement above the greater good for everyone. This especially holds true in the marriage relationship, and by extension our families. While it would be easy to couch this criticism in terms of morality, or religion, the simple fact is we are becoming so independent of one another, we can't even agree in the most simple of social institutions; Marriage. What I'm about to pass on to you isn't for those who don't recognize Christ as their "Lord".  (Boss, leader)  It won't work because it is a spiritual, not a religious issue.  As the following truths began to flood my brain, I knew they came from Holy Spirit.  Last week's blog had to do with how to treat your spouse, but it also has to do with how you see yourself in Christ Jesus.  Too many Christian men have a messed up view of masculinity, which ultimately destroys their witness, their wives, and their families.  With that said, let's look at Ephesians 5: 21-33.  Oh, NO!!!  Not that passage.  

Ephesians chapter 5, verse 21 makes a very simple, but profound statement: "and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."  *NASB  or "and further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." * NLT   The default setting for any Christian relationship is:  SUBMISSION.  I know this is antithetical to what is being taught in schools across this nation, and in modern media. I would love to take this to the extreme about the current direction of our nation, but I'm only going to focus on the family.  The modern definition of marriage is two UNIQUE people trying to bond while attempting to retain their individuality.  WRONG!!!!!!  This won't work, and it isn't scriptural.  I'm not sorry for saying it, and I won't apologize for the truth.  This was never God's idea of marriage.  Marriage is God's solution for the disaster of being alone, or as it is commonly referred to today; Individuality.  God's idea of marriage is submission. IF we are submitted (yes, men this means you too.) to one another, then conflict and frustration born of separate purposes will not grow to overcome our lives.  God's idea of marriage is two unique people bonded in love submitting to one another in Christ to make one unique entity known as ____________ and ____________. (Enter your first names in the blanks.  The default setting before we step off into the rest of chapter 5 is submission by both parties.  As a Christian, if you are still trying to maintain your individuality in the marriage, you are setting yourself, and your family for conflict and frustration.  

In verse 22, the Apostle Paul begins by repeating the admonition to submit.  This isn't a higher degree of submission, or another level, this is the same submission she should be living by with everyone.  I promise you, the woman who refuses to submit to her husband (who loves her) will not submit to anyone, let alone God.  This violates the default setting of verse 21.  She becomes an enemy combatant constantly at war with the one she claims to love.  You can't tell me you love someone if their needs, wishes, and desires aren't your greatest concern.  You may like them, you may enjoy being around them, but please don't tell me you love them.  After she has children, they become soldiers in her war with her spouse, and a tool to deny him of the submission she owes. (Do not think in terms of sexuality here.)  Individuality breeds conflict, which leads to frustration.  NOW, if you are in your workplace, try being individualistic and see how far that gets you. I'm not saying a wife can't be smarter, more successful, wiser, or more creative than her spouse.  A matter of fact, as the father of two brilliant, and self assured women, I want them to be paid the same amount as the man working alongside of them.  I want them to have equal access to schooling, institutions, and business.  At the same time I want them to be submitted to one another, to their brother, to their mother, and to me.  It also goes without saying that they should be submitted to their husbands.  Being in submission positions you to receive the benefits of service to one another, and to God.  It's a biblical principal that is proven.  The open hand can be filled, while the closed fist can only hold what is in it.  I know what I'm going to say next is going to be misunderstood, but I didn't say it first.  Paul equates the wife's submission to the submission of the church to Christ.  Paul says that Christ is the salvation of the church, so I ask you, what is the man's relationship to the woman?  I could take this out to its conclusion, but it would make this blog twice as long as it should be.  Let me make it simple; sin is rebellion (lack of submission) and submission is salvation.  For the woman who is submitted to Christ, the idea of submission to her husband should not be a mystery.  

OKAY---------Whew, now that we have the woman taken care of.  Let's remember the default setting in verse 21:  Submit to one another!  Men, it's your turn, and it is a very long admonition from Paul.  If you will allow me a little bit of license, I'll do it this way; Guys, submission means loving your wives just as Christ loved the church.  Paul did it this way because he was a guy, and he knew if he gave us a loop hole we'd jump through it.  So we are to love our wives like Christ loved the church.  Giving up everything for her to lift her up (making her Holy), to make her feel special and desired (clean, and washed by the cleansing of God's word.)  Because she is a part of him (actually physically derived of Him) He wants the church to be glorious (adorned in fine gold and jewels), without blemish, (every hint of separation removed) and without wrinkle (shame, condemnation, or guilt).  OKAY guys, here we go.  Not only are we supposed to submit to our wives (verse 21), but we are to love her as we do our own bodies, (because they are our own bodies, I know it's not taught any more.)  A matter of fact Paul makes it clear that if we love our wives as ourselves we are actually loving ourselves.  Hmmmmmmmm!   

In loving our wives as our own self we will feed and care of them.  I know a lot of guys who think that just because they go out and work for a living they are fulfilling God's commands for the marriage.   Nope!   You're going to work and taking care of yourself regardless of whether you are married or not.  Even if you thought for a second that you could get away from your submission, Paul hits it again in verse 33 by repeating that we are to love our wives as ourselves.  THERE, he said it twice.  Which makes it pretty clear how important he views this.  Then Paul goes back to the wife for one last repeat; Wives, respect your man.  

The problem for us Christians is that we think we can do this Christian thing without being Christian.  For years the 'classic' idea of masculinity was that men were created first therefor we are the best.  We're stronger, smarter, and wiser (read less emotional) than women. In a perverted mind without a real spiritual basis, this means you are the big daddy boss, ruler of your little two person world.  That stinks!!!!  It's why women call us slobs.  This is the kind of thinking that grows out of being oversexed, insensitive, and spiritually empty.  FOR THE RECORD, this is not the men I know in this fellowship.  I would like to drag all of you to a radical feminist rally and have your wives speak about you.  

The radical feminist view of masculinity is for men to be like women.  Their view of the current state of masculinity is that we are all brutish, stupid, and ignorant of what we are doing.  In other words a slob.  Television, movies, and books have bit into this idea and help to propagate it, with the goal of separating men and women from loving one another.  

The scriptural view of manhood is that of the loving protector,and provider.  In this role, we become a place of safety, and growth.  A matter of fact, I view this role as enabling my wife to rise above me in anything she wants to do.  If I'm submitted to her, then I won't do any of the junk I listed in last week's blog.  If I'm submitted to her, she will shine as a jewel, sparkle with life, and laughter. She won't fear for anything. If she's submitted to me, (which should be regardless of what I'm doing) I can rise to a level of tenderness, compassion, and intimacy she longs for, while still being the strong, protective force the Lord requires of me.  (Which I believe all women find attractive.)

That's it for this week.  There is more, but like Christ said to the disciples, I don't think you can bear it all right now.  

Happy Are The Merciful

I wish more men could sit in on the lessons we’re having right now.  Actually, I wish our women could enjoy this time as well.  My heart has grown ten times too big during the last few weeks as I’ve listened to our men teaching the deeper truths of the Kingdom of Heaven.  We’ve been delving deeply into the beatitudes, and each of the men has taken us deeper by steps.  This morning, our Bro. Eric taught on the merciful.  Here is his lesson sheet.

THE MERCIFUL

Matthew 5:7 (NLT)  God blesses those who are merciful, for they shall be shown mercy

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Definition of Merciful:  Treating people with kindness, and forgiveness: not cruel or harsh: giving relief from suffering.

James 2:13 (NLT) There will be no  mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.  But, if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.

Micah 7: 18-19  (NLT)  Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people?  You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. (19) Once again you will have compassion on us.  You will trample our sins under your feet, and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

We all want, and NEED His mercy!!! Show mercy on those around us that also NEED it, so we can live in the mercies of the Lord. 

SHOWING MERCY

Daniel 4:27 (NLT)  “’ King Nebucadnezzar, please accept my advice.  Stop sinning and do what is right.  Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor.  Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.  

                We cannot be prosperous without showing mercy

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Isaiah 58:6-9 (NLT)   ⁶No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you.  Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.  ⁷ Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.  Give clothes to those who need them and do not hide from relatives who need your help.  ⁸ “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal.  Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. ⁹ Then when you call, the Lord will answer.  ‘Yes, I am here, ‘ He will reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors.

                God has us on earth to spread His Kingdom by showing others what it is.

Deuteronomy 4:31  (NLT) For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.

                Mercy saves us from destruction!

 BOOM!  A mercy bomb!

Hebrews 13:5  (NLT)  Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have for God has said, “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.”

Joshua 1:5  (NLT) No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.  For, I will be with you  as I was with Moses, I will not fail you or abandon you.

                Relief from suffering seems to be a recurring theme in being merciful.  We need to be in the family business of showing mercy, because he surely will not abandon us!! We are His sons and daughters. 

Psalms 37:5-6  (NLT)“Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him and he will help you.  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” 

OTHER VERSES MENTIONED:  Malachi 3: 16-17, Romans 13:8-9, Psalms 33:18,  Ephesians 4:28

Our Brother Eric took this study into a different place than most people would go.  I know his heart, having known him since he was a teenager.  He latched on to the last part of the definition of being merciful, especially :  Giving relief from suffering.  Brother Eric is a merciful man.  He gives of his time, his money, his knowledge, and his skills.  He gives when he has nothing to give.  He gives things that can’t be measured by physical means.   I am so thankful that he went this direction, because in this day, and hour, we need to show mercy.  We need to show the kind, and tender mercies of the Lord.  This lesson was so much more poignant to me in the light of the devastation in the Philippines due to Typhoon Haiyan.  It is easy to look at ourselves and say ‘we’ll pray for you.’  What is demanded of us by the Lord?   What about here in our own backyard.  Can we ignore those who work with us, worship with us, and even live with us?  If we abandon those around us, what will the Lord do when we need him?  

Americans have always been quick to give to those in need.  It doesn’t matter whether it is an enemy we just fought with, or whether it is a people halfway around the world, Americans love to show mercy.  I believe it is why we continue to be blessed, despite our rejection of God as a nation.  God’s principals are never diminished, only our ability to see why they come in the first place.  Mercy is the only thing that keeps us from falling apart as a nation.

As a final note; I’d like to mention some of the off the cuff remarks during the lesson.  “Love isn’t always practical.”  “Giving mercy is a family thing, showing mercy can be especially difficult to family.”  “We prosper when we show mercy, because we are being obedient to the law of love.”  “Showing mercy looses the bonds, and chains of iniquity.”  “You can’t show mercy without love.” 

COMPLETE RELIANCE

Throughout my life, I've always been taught that you can be, or do anything you want if you put your mind to it. At the same time, as a Christian, I've always been taught that we are nothing without God. These two mindsets have warred within me as long as I can remember. The first mindset appeals to my human nature, my pride, and the innate desire within all mankind to succeed, or at best survive. To stand in the face of insurmountable odds, to strive to overcome against adversity, and to bring everything you are to bear against overwhelming fear, must come from somewhere deeper than our own nature. When we come to our own end, when we've used up everything we possess, there is a grace that comes from outside of us. That grace, that power of will, that desire to be like the one who created us, brings us to the one place where we stand tall. . . . our knees. It is there on our knees, we express our complete reliance upon the creator of the universe. Yes, I believe in the creator of the universe. I also believe in His belief in us. Our complete reliance upon Him is what makes Him stronger in our lives. At the same time, He enjoys us. He especially enjoys us when we exercise the gifts He gave us.

Last week in our Men's Group, Bro. Caleb taught on Meekness. Here is his lesson sheet:

Matthew 5:5 (NIV) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Often the word “meek” is associate with the word weak, which I found to be a mistake. Meekness on the other hand is in many ways a sign of true strength. Knowing the power we have as a child of God allows us to operate in true meekness. Being meek allows us to have true happiness.

Example – Moses

Moses was the leader chosen by God to lead His people Israel out of Egypt. Although God had called him to be a mighty leader, he was still very meek.

When you are meek, God will stand up for you, even when others are speaking against you. This makes me very happy.

Numbers 12:1 – 13 NIV

God declared Moses as the meekest man on the face of the earth. God was very upset at them for Aaron and Miriam for speaking against His servant Moses.

After God cleanses the earth of all the people who do not revere and worship Him truthfully, there will be only the meek left. God will remove all who do not rely on Him.

Zephaniah 3:9 – 13 NIV

God says he will purify the lips of the peoples, so that all may call on His name. In verse 12, He says, “. . .I will leave within you the meek and the humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.”

This makes me happy because when you are meek, God says that you will be in His remnant of people. In verse 13, it continues to say, “They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. . . . .They will eat and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”

Being Meek allows you to be part of the remnant. As part of God's remnant, there is nothing to fear, and that brings happiness.

Psalms 37: 11 NIV

“But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”

The meek are happy because they know their inheritance is the Lord.

Meekness is controlling the desire to rebel, fight, and to try to stand on our own desires. Submitting ourselves to the Lord, and yielding to His control brings His peace, which leads to happiness.

Also being meek makes it easier to love, because you do not think of yourself as higher than another.

Dave's comments: Here is a recurring theme that has arisen in the last three lessons. Reliance upon God. Complete reliance doesn't erase our personality, our abilities, or our desires. Actually, complete reliance upon God enhances who we are. Our personality becomes genuine, our abilities are amplified, and our desires become pure. Christ honors our individuality, while at the same time melding us with the purposes of God. Meekness in a Christian is to know that within us is the phenomenal power of God, channeled to greater expressions of love. With the power of our tongue we have the ability to call down heaven's hosts against those who would hurt us, but meekness allows us to love them instead.

Okay, you'll have to put up with me, now. One of the men who was supposed to teach today's lesson was unable to, so I stepped in. I've been enjoying the lessons from the other men, so you can imagine my disappointment. Maybe sometime in the future, Brother.

HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO SEEK AFTER JUSTICE (RIGHTEOUSNESS)

Matthew 5:6  (Amplified) Blessed, and fortunate, and happy, and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born again child of God enjoys HIS favor, and salvation) are those who hunger, and thirst for righteousness (uprightness, and right standing with God) for they shall be completely satisfied.

Ø  Justice (righteousness- Right acts- fairness- the right thing,) is not a set of commands, but an attitude of love.  Love is expressed in justice, (right acts.) 

o   1 Kings 10:9 

§  God’s desire to bless is bound up in the act of justice. His first expression of love is His desire to bless us with righteousness through Jesus His son.

§  Psalms 82

Ø  Our continual, overwhelming desire, {hunger (body), and thirst(soul)} should be to seek after justice (righteousness) 

o   Proverbs 21:3

§  While God’s desire is to bless us, our own hunger and thirst determine our satisfaction.

o   Isaiah 56:1- 7

§  When we are seeking to do justice, we are happy to be doing the work of the Lord.  It becomes meat and drink to us.  While we may become sated for an instant, we desire to do more. 

Ø  The expression of Justice is both in what we do and in our attitude. 

o   Isaiah 61:1-3

o   I am happy when I seek to do justice, because God is within those things, and He becomes my satisfaction. 

o   When the disciples thought Jesus was hungry, He told them that He had food that they didn’t know about.  Bringing the woman at the well to salvation was food to Him.

Ø  The Kingdom of God is; Righteousness (justice) Peace (the presence of God), and JOY in the Holy Ghost.  Our satisfaction is in doing the will of the Father.   Justice is the feast that the Father say’s “come and dine”    “Come taste of me, see that I am good.”  Justice is the sweet manna of heaven.  If we say we love God, we will seek to do His heart. 

Ø  The promise of this verse is that the righteous person will be satisfied NOW!  It isn’t pie in the sky reward later.  Acts of righteousness are instant gratification.  We have to train our souls to taste it just as well as our natural sense of taste.     

An AFTER word; this is a pivotal verse for us. So often we mess up the word 'Justice,' confusing it with being fair. Justice is the 'act' of restoring a person to equity, placing them on equal footing with others. God is all about Justice. HE IS JUST! The problem arises when we use the laws He created to enslave others. When we don't exercise the mercy, compassion, and tenderness he expresses toward us, we become unrighteous. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is desiring above all else to see equity restored. That is why Christ left us His Spirit. His Spirit empowers us to heal, deliver, and restore. His Spirit fulfills our greatest desires. We can stand in the place of judgment, and give it completely to the only one who is able to judge. More than that, he left us with the ability to make things right. WOW! Can you lay hold of that? He uses us to restore equity. We become the $50 that someone needs to make it through the week. We become the car mechanic that knows exactly what's wrong. These are things we can do in our physical man, led by the Spirit of God, but there is more! We become the finger of God, reaching out to touch the infirm, the afflicted, and the brokenhearted. We become doers of the Word, not just hearers. It works on two levels, He uses what we have to offer, and we use what he has to offer. He makes our best efforts rise above our greatest weaknesses. We become the righteousness of Christ.

Oh well, some of you will agree with me.