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

Mosab (Author of The Son of Hamas)

What an awesome opportunity for you to continue to grow in Christ. Our biggest example of sacrifice, Jesus, wasn’t excited about His death on the cross.

It was shameful to Him.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

He wanted the suffering to pass.

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’” Matthew 26:39).

I don’t have all the answers myself but God does. Continue to reach for the strength that is not your own.

“If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again” (2 Corinthians 1:6-10).

The Lord’s humbled . . . Who prays for you.
John A. Reeves

"On the first day of the week (Sundays) we came together to break bread (Lord's supper)" (Acts 20:7).

I enjoy remembering significant episodes in my life and I know my wife does as well.  Today is the day my wife and I were married.  I bought her a card and some flowers.  Unfortunately, we have to work all day long; so, we will do more "celebrating" over the weekend. 

There is nothing like rememberance to keep one's life in focus.  This is what Jesus asked all His disciples to do for Him (Matthew 26:17-30; cf. Luke 22:7-30; Acts 20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:17-34).  Christians remember Jesus life, death, burial, and resurrection.  We do this through what is called the Lord's supper.

I am impressed with how significant this rememberance is.  It is not a "ceremony".  It is not a "play".  It is not an "act".  It is a part of who I am.  Jesus died for me.  Jesus rose for me.  Jesus lives for me (and all people who choose Him).  I am completely aware of the significance of remembering this anniversary.

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

"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Did your parents ever say, "Listen to your elders"?  Well, it is not a bad thing to do.  Generally, it is a sign of respect to people who have lived life and, hopefully, have some wisdom to show for it.  As I have grown older, I have learned that it is important to show respect to all people. 

All people need to be shown that they matter and are important.  But does that mean they are right in their thought processes?  Does being older mean that they know better? If that be the case then the apostle Paul should have said, "Imitate me."  He didn't say that.  He said, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Christ is the key factor in how a person listens to others.  Christ is the one to be followed.  Christ is to supersede one's elders, parents, teachers, spouses, children, co-workers, and friends.  Christ is who a believer imitates.

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

"Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.  Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also" (Acts 12:1-3).

The church that is referred to in this passage is the "people" who follow the teachings of the apostles of Christ (cf. John 17:20-21).  When the "church" lives as it should it truly is inspiring to see.  However, those who oppose the teachings of Christ find the "church" very adversarial and contentious.  Why?  Because they (people who oppose God) like not to be exposed by the light of Christ (cf. 1 John 1:5-10).

Thank God for James who stood his ground for Christ and was delivered a physical death blow.  Thank God for John who continued on in Christ even after the death of his brother.  Thank God for the "people" who solidified their faith in Christ and continued to spread the word of God even in the face of immediate persecution.  Thank God for Jesus, the Messiah, who promised grace to those who believed in Him through the apostle's word

May the Lord see you as a representation of Him.

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

How important is it to keep the faith as was passed down by the apostles?

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:3-4).

Today, as in the first century, the teachings of the apostles of Christ have been perverted in many ways.  The apostle John has to fight against those who would bring false doctrines about Christ into the body and he encourages all Christians to do the same.  Therefore, it is important to know what the true teachings of Christ is and stick with it.   Your reward in heaven will be great.

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