Babies 11/08/2010
 
"By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 11:11).

Today is the day that my wife and I found out that our next child is a girl.  What excitement. 

In today's world, technology has allowed us to look at her in her mother's womb; both, 3D and 4D images.  She looks healthy and is beautiful.  Honestly, how can anyone believe in any form of macro evolution?

It's amazing how this passage speaks about Sarah's ability to conceive.  It was not by the will of man that she suddenly became fertile; rather, it was by the power of God. 

How can barren ground suddenly be able to produce growth?  God is the answer.  Women, everywhere, must remember that it is God that allows your ground to produce the fruit of a child that is seeded in a way that God created.  Be humble before Him and recognize that it is He who gives life.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:17-21).

Within the Book of Ephesians the Apostle Paul teaches about living the life of a real Christian as apposed to living as a Christian in name only.  How many Christians do you know who are not very serious about their life in Christ?  Sadly, it seems like alot.  It is true, fortunately, that Christians are not saved by perfect law keeping; rather, through the grace of Christ.  Yet, does God want a fake Christian?

Paul speaks of drinking in the above passage.  Now he does not say it is wrong to drink but he does say that one whose lifestyle is of drink when they are a Christian is ungodly.  He says, basically, don't chose a lifestyle of anything other than Christ.  In fact, fill yourself of the Holy Spirit by "addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5: 19-20).

If this understanding is not sure for you, please read and study the Book of Ephesians in context from front to end and this teaching will become more and more clear.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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'The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).

People tend to be afraid, or intimidated, by knowledge.  This is unfortunate.  It seems truer that knowledge helps people deal with reality.  The reality is that people will physically die.  The reality is that all people have sin.  The reality is that some will choose a godly approach for sin to be removed from their lives while others - won't care.

Christians are asked to think, or meditate, on godly things regularily.  The purpose behind this is so our heart will not be consumed by evil; rather, goodness and godliness.  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Phillipians 4:8).

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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I Love My Wife 05/19/2010
 
Ephesians 5.

I love my wife.  She is truly a godly partner in life.  She is kind and thoughtful.  She seeks to fulfill who and what she was made to be by God - not man. 

My wife doesn't stive for equal rights.  Why would she want to lower her standards.  I thank God every day that He blessed me with a woman I DON'T DESERVE.  I will accept this beautiful and godly gift under one condition.  The condition is . . . that the love of Christ is superior in every way.

Jesus is my primary relationship in every relationship.  How I treat my wife, as well as all people, must be and remain secondary.  The awesome thing about this understanding is that I don't seek to treat people based on how they treat me; rather, how I understand and relate to my primary relationship - Jesus.  (cf. Love and Respect)

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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Pain 04/09/2010
 
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:3-4).

By itself, this passage is rather powerful.  But by truly understanding the context of the work of Jesus, this passage becomes remarkable.  Children of God feel pain.  We hurt when there is a loss; whether, spiritual or physical.  We're sad when others ridicule us or speak ill of us.  We're frustrated when we realize that we can't fix the brokenness of mankind.  And, yes, we are demoralized when we just don't understand the "why" part of things. 

Someone once said that if we, as humans, felt no pain we wouldn't know joy; hence, we couldn't truly live.  However, where is true life?  Where is the blessings of perserverance?  Is it in pain?  No - not ultimatley. 

Like the penalty of sin so is pain.  When the penalty of sin is cast away through true, obedient faith in Jesus Christ, then a person knows peace.  When the kindness of God finally removes all of our anguish and pain then we will know real life.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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