[QUOTE=Sister Alvear;542412]BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER
by Maya Angelou
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
Sis. Alvear,
Someone wrote "Marriage Takes Three". Having just celebrated our
forty-ninth wedding anniversary, it has become much clearer why
Paul told Titus to speak the things which become SOUND doctrine or
teaching.
What is Paul saying to teach as SOUND DOCTRINE!
Titus 1:2:1-8 (NKJV)
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that
the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3
the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—
4
that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5
to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7
in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
"SOUND"
(From G5199; to have sound health, that is, be well (in body); figuratively to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): - be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some)).
If every family (father and mother) taught, first of all, this to THEIR children,
just think what a difference it would make. Pass it on to your children and
they to their children, on and on.
Perhaps the church today would be doing the business of reaching out to
the lost instead of trying to straighten out the problems of homes that the
parents did not do their homework. (First of all they didn't "eat" the Word of
God themselves and "spoon feed it to their babies. Then the church assumes
the responsibility of feeding the parents and their children and many times
the third generation also.
Recently a classmate of mine (received the Holy Ghost years ago, had a
very dysfunctional family, alcoholic husband who left her and the children,
and she struggled to survive mentally, emotionally, financially and spiritually.)
saw a representation of three generations of her family sitting beside her in
church.
God is faithful!
It has been a long, hard journey, seemingly a struggle most of the way. But
the oldest daughter, now a mother and also a grandmother, is seeing where
the path of not following after her mother's GOD has and is leading. Her own
children and grandchildren are showing the same signs of the "sin" disease
that plagues so many families. She has known but didn't choose the path her
mother taught her. She is now reaping the wages of that choice. God is
drawing her once again to the place where there is hope. Where others have
found peace and hope and help. If we don't see it today, and even in our own
children, by the time that third generation comes along, I can assure you, we
will be old and mature enough to realize it later.
It is so much easier to get the Word in our hearts that we might not sin
against the Lord. Then teach it to our children. When you feed them natural
food, stir a little "Word", perhaps just a spoonful, like fruit in pabulum. It is
good and good for them. On and on. Teach it diligently to your children and
teach them they MUST tell their children and their children's children.
When I think of "Marriage Takes Three", I have thought if we could be so
"Christ-centered" and HE was so in view that every time we looked at our
spouse or they looked at us, the light of HIS GLORY would shine forth until
there would be no place for sin to come in and steal our homes. If Christ was
truly the CENTER (place between the two), there would be no place for any
other person or thing to come between.
Sound too simplistic! Maybe our desire hasn't been strong enough. Maybe
we need a brand-new touch of fire! The fire of the HOLY GHOST! The fire
that will burn out all carnal desire and dross!
My parents and grandmother used to sing an old chorus,
I've a brand new touch of fire, bless His name;
Since the Spirit of the Mighty Saviour came,
Now the old desire is gone, and I'm bravely pressing on,
For I have received a brand new touch of fire.
Haven't heard that old song in a long, long time. Maybe it's time to renew
our desire toward our God, our spouses, our children, our brothers and our
sisters, our neighbors and friends, in Jesus Name! If we did that, we might
end up with no "enemies"!!
My late father wisely said, "If you can't love your spouse, your brother or sister, or any other person, in that place, then love them as an ENEMY! We
are commanded to LOVE our enemies and do good to those that despitefully
use you, etc., etc.!!
Sis. Alvear, you struck a "coal" that has been smouldering in my heart for
a good while. Thank you, Sister!
Blessings to all,
Falla39
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