Teaching Children Through Christmas

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(Based on a tape from Barbara Cook)

What concept of Christmas are your children growing up with? We need to talk with our children about the events of Christmas and at a much deeper level than Santa and the reindeer. This is what Deut. 6:6-7 says

“And these words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

We are told to talk about God’s word at ALL times, to teach our children while they are doing other things. This is just what we can do at Christmas, teach them the Christmas story as we are going about the normal activities of Christmas.

Christmas Cards: Cards can be a great way to teach children. As they arrive talk to the children about them. Why are those men riding on those funny animals? Why are those men lying on the ground looking up into the sky? Even a 2 or 3 year old can soon tell the Christmas story by being allowed to play with the cards and sort them as to the angels, shepherds, wise men, manger scenes, etc.

Advent Wreath: A great way to prepare your family and children for the Christmas season. Light one candle the first Sunday in Advent and then 2, 3, and 4 each succeeding Sunday in Advent, lighting the center on Christmas Eve or Day. Advent Calendars can also be fun and a teaching tool for children.

Christmas Tree: The tree can be a beautiful symbol of the changeless beauty of our God. We choose an evergreen tree as a picture of the faithfulness of God. It is green and lovely no matter what the weather brings. So our God is faithful, trustworthy- no matter what the situation in our lives. Read Hebrews 13:8 when you bring in the tree. Also Matthew 28:20 and Romans 8:38-39

Decorating the Tree: Why do we decorate the tree? It is because we are happy Jesus was born. Lights, tinsel, and bright things all represent joy. Read verses about Joy: John 15:11, Matthew 25:21, and Romans 14:17.

Christmas Carols: Sing them as a family, talk about what they mean, or use them during family devotional time. The Brynestad family had a great time as a family singing carols in the car. I remember when the Tobiasons lived in Puyallup and we would go there for Christmas eve, we would sing continuously the half hour drive. Starting with one child and then each would have to start another song, until we had to stop because no one could thing of a song. But by then we had arrived.

Wrapping Gifts: Great time to talk about the joy of giving to others and God’s gift to us- Jesus. Great opportunity to read John 3:16 and talk to the children about giving Christ as a gift- themselves. Wonderful time to lead a child to Jesus at whatever age they are ready to respond.

Angel and Star: As you put the angel or star on top of the tree talk about what it would have been like to have heard all those angels singing as they appeared to the shepherds. And just to think we will be able to hear and see them in heaven ourselves someday. Talk about the star that guided the shepherds to Jesus.

Nativity Scene: Wonderful way to teach the story of Jesus. It is better if it isn’t a costly scene so the children can move the people around and really pretend they are there.

As children ask questions- don’t make reckless guesses. Look up the scripture, use a concordance if necessary. Show them how to use it. Children need to know the difference between legend and historical fact.

Contentment

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From Webster’ Dictionary: Contentment – Having the desires limited to that which one has.

Synonym: Satisfied – State of being content.

Let’s look at what the bible has to say about contentment.

Phil 4:11-13

“Not that I complain of want, for I have learned , in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”

Luke 3:14

“Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, AND BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES.’”

Heb 13:5-6

“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you.’ Hence we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?’”

1Tim 6:6-12

“There is great gain in GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that same have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of witnesses.”

vs. 17-19

“As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.”

2 Cor 12:10

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Let’s look at each verse and share what it means to you and what practical application you get from each.

I shared the story of Sam and Bjorn and the little tractor with our envy lesson but I think it is appropriate also with contentment. We had been watching Sam while Cindy and John were away for a weekend. He had been with us two days when Bjorn came out to visit. Bjorn began riding the toy tractor. Thereupon Sam came in and said that Bjorn wouldn’t share. I told Sam that he had been here for two days and not even gotten on the tractor. Why did he now all of the sudden want to ride it so badly.

This is so true with children, but isn’t it also with us. Perhaps we never wanted a certain thing, but when our friend has it, or we see how beautiful something is in her house, we suddenly must have it.

Was this not the problem Eve had in the very beginning of the fall from grace. Read Gen 3:1-6. It seems that Eve really hadn’t thought about eating the fruit of the forbidden tree until Satan talked to her about not being able to have it. Then she SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the EYES, and she TOOK the fruit and ATE some and then gave some to her husband. Isn’t that a progression of the way we are led from contentment also?

Something we must remember – We can drive envy and jealousy from our lives, hearts and minds, but then there is a void which must be filled with contentment – or envy and jealousy can easily return.

Sometimes we must take drastic measures to ensure contentment in our lives. I think Matt 18:7-9 gives us some thoughts to consider. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”

How can we apply this in a practical way? If our feet causes us to walk into a bank and rob it or if our hands reach out to steal from others or if our eyes cause us to lust and pursue that feeling, it is better to be maimed and crippled and blind and not be able to do those things, rather than to be able to do them and be thrown into hell.

How can these drastic measures be applied to being content? If the mall is too much of a temptation for us. And we are not content when we see all the things that would be nice in our homes or in our closets, then it is better to not go to the mall, unless absolutely necessary. And then to pray before going and only buy the specific things you have on your list. Perhaps you will need to shop by mail and catalogs and such.

Maybe you can’t resist nurseries this time of year. Perhaps you will have to stay away if you go beyond your specified budget. [Editors Note: This made me smile for if anyone knew my Grandma Rosy personally would remember that nurseries and flowers were a weakness for her:)]

This principle could hold true for whatever it is that draws you away from contentment. You might have to stop doing some very innocent thing if it brings you into trouble.

What are some things you can think of in this line?

May we pray that the Lord will fill our lives with contentment, as wives, mothers, homemakers and whatever we are involved in whether it is outside or in the home.

May we learn how to experience Godliness with Contentment.

Encouraging Verses

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Date: January 29th, 2010

Psalms 41:1-3 “Blessed is he who considers the poor! The Lord delivers him in the day of trouble; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; thou dost not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness thou healest all his infirmities.”

Pslams 44:5-8 “Through thee we push down our foes; through thy name we tread down our assailants. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our foes, and hast put to confusion those who hate us… and we will give thanks to thy name forever.”

Psalms 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who hear Him, and rescues them.”

Isaiah 43:1-3 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; (or when the waters pass through you) and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Words from Kristi Harkson in an email dated November 26, 2007

“I wanted to tell you something that I hope will encourage you. A few weeks ago, right after Becky emailed me the news of your illness, I had this experience…. I woke up in the middle of the night precisely at 2:30am… After looking at the clock I said “Is there someone who want me to pray for Lord?” Immediately I heard him say “Rosie!” I thought it was strange because i have never called you Rosie before.. but apparently He calls you Rosie! I got down on my knees next to my bed and prayed. It made me realize how close you are to God’s heart that He would make me up to pray for you! He is a loving, personal, caring God, isn’t He? We will continue praying for you!”

II Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. God we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…”

Matthew 19:26 “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Psalms 3:14-4 “O Lord how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of me there is no help from him in God. But thou, O Lord, art a shield about , my glory and the lifter of my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 “Eagle Verses”

…The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths  shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Psalms 103:1-5 “Blessed the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his beliefs, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy; who satisfies you with goods as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalms 3:3-4 “But though, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill.”

Malachi 3:16 “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill.”

Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant those who mourn in Zion, to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit, that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

Psalms 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.”

Psalms 146:5, 9a “Happy is he whose help is in God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.”….”The Lord watches over the sojourners”

II Corinthians 2:14-15 “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance  of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

Psalms 69:1-3 “Save, O God! For the waves have come up to my neck. I sink in the deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deeps waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.”

Psalms 40:1-3 “I wanted patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust int he Lord.”

Psalms 138:3 “You answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”

Habakkuk 2:3 “For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end– it will not life. It it seems slow, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not delay.”

Psalms 23

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me besides still waters;

HE RESTORES MY SOUL.

He leads me in paths of righteousness, for his names’s sake.

Even Though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death,

I fear no evil; for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anoint my

head with oil, my cup overflows,

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalms 143:8 “Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go for to thee I lift up my soul.”

Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.”

Psalms 20:4-5 “May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!”

Psalms 20:1 “The Lord answer you in the day of the trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!”

Psalms 18:28 “Yes, thou dost light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.”

Psalms 3:3-4 “But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cry aloud to the Lord and he answers me from his holy hill.”

Job 22:21-22 & 28 “Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay upon his words in your heart….. (28) You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.”

Ecc 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

II Samuel 22:33-34 “This God is my strong refuge and has made my way safe. He made my feet like hinds feet and set me secure on the heights.”

Mark 13:11 “And then they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 21:13-15 “This will be a tie for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”

Jeremiah 1:7-8 “But the Lord said to me, Do not say, I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you you shall go, and whatever I command you you shall speak. Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

Matthew 10:19-20 “When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victories right hand.”

Isaiah 41:13 “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you'”.

Psalms 61:1-3 “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to thee, when my heart is faint. Lead thou me to the rock that is higher than I, for thou art my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in thy tent forever. Oh, to be safe under the shelter of thy wings.”

Psalms 91:14-16 “Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do not perceive it. I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert.”

II Corinthians 4:7-12, 16-18 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you….. So we do not lose heart. Though our momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Psalms 121:7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.”

II Cor. 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we ma be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trails, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.”

Jeremiah 31:25-26 “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. Thereupon I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”

Psalms 34:17-19 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears; and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Isaiah 55:12 “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you!”

Psalms 139:5 “You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessings on my head”

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Psalms 105:4-5 “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually! Remember the wonderful works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.”

 

 

 

Husbands (Part Two)

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I shall be talking about “Encouraging the Spiritual Growth of our Husbands.” I think we hear more about encouraging women who are married to unbelieving husbands. But I am going to start with talking about the woman married to a strong Christian husband.

Just as we know there are problems that come with poverty and problems that come with riches – just different types of problems- so it is being married to a strong Christian husband or a non-Christian husband. The woman married to a strong Christian man must face and deal with certain issues just the same as the woman married to a non-Christian husband.

I remember Robbie, a Young Life leader whom we loved very dearly and who was praying for a Christian husband. She finally married a Christian man and has been happily married for over 20 years. But I remember a statement she made when she was first married. She said, “I prayed for a Christian man – now what do I do with him?”

Perhaps a young woman dreams of marrying a Christian man – but one who works 9 to 5 and is home every evening, helping with the children and with whom she has long talks each evening by the fire.

But more often than not, the Christian man, especially one involved in a Christian ministry of some kind, is just as passionate or more so about his work, than the young executive trying to climb the corporate ladder.

More people are ‘needing’ him because he is able to help them.

He is often ‘in front’ of people more, open to sometimes embarrassing a shy wife.

We have been involved with Young Life in many various aspects over the years, and have seen the lives of wonderful godly men, who were doing great things for the Lord, fall apart as their marriage turned to shambles and their children turned away from God. Many times because daddy just wasn’t there. He was so busy meeting the needs of other people’s children and other families that his own were neglected.

I can’t believe this is God’s plan for those in ministry and service of any kind to the Lord. But it takes much wisdom and courage for these men to do all they feel they should in their ministry and all they should be as fathers and husbands.

I am including a quote from Dr. Dobson in answer to the question, “What has been your greatest challenge as a father? What did you learn from it?”

“I certainly made my share of mistakes as a father. Like millions of other men of my era, I often had a tough time balancing the pressure of my profession with the needs of my family. Not that I ever became an ‘absentee father’, but I did struggle at times to be accessible as I should have been.”…..“My father, who always served as a beacon in dark times, saw what was happening to me and wrote a letter that was to change my life. First he congratulated me on my success, but then he warned that all the success in the world would not compensate if I failed at home. He reminded me that the only way to build their faith was to model it personally and then to stay on my knees in prayer. That couldn’t be done if I invested every resource in my profession. I have never forgotten that profound advice.”

There are many things we can learn from the story in 2 Samuel 6:12-23 in regard to our lesson on being married to a strong Christian man. The story is about Michal, married to a very strong man of God, King David.

Perhaps we can look at Michal’s behavior towards her husband in the same way we read the stories about the Bernstein Bears, and see some examples of how NOT to behave as a godly wife.

What can we learn from Michal’s mistakes? And what were her mistakes?

  1. She threw cold water on her husband’s service to God.

  2. She did not share in his joy.

  3. She stood on the side lines despising him, not encouraging him or worshipping with him.

  4. She thought he was a little too enthusiastic and a little fanatical about his religious business.

  5. She was embarrassed by his behavior. So certain he had made a fool of himself.

  6. She gave him much constructive criticism.

  7. She thought it her duty to straighten David out. Polish him up a bit abd make him a more proper person. (She didn’t stop to think that maybe God liked him that way)

  8. She didn’t allow David to share his joy with his family abd her sarcasm was a slap in his face.

  9. Verse 23 implies their marriage relationship fell apart or else was an answer from God.

What God is doing in your husband is a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Do not judge the work of God in his life – support it.

Allow your husband to rejoice in the wife of his youth. Proverbs 5:18,19 “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely hind, a graceful doe. Let her affection fill you at all times with delight, be infatuated always with her love.”

May we be the wives God would have us be, so that we can encourage our husbands to be all that God would have them be.

Husbands (Part One)

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My teaching is based on Titus 2:3-5 and this is what verses 3 & 4 say:

“Bid the older women likewise to be reverent in their behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, and SO TRAIN the young women to love their husbands and children…”

Those very words seem to tell us that real life and marriage isn’t exactly like the fairy tales say, “They married and lived happily ever after”. No, in real life it takes hard work and relying on the Lord and the direction he gives us for marriage in his word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us how we are to receive this training. “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction AND FOR TRAINING in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete for every good work.”

What is the good work we are talking about here?

Loving husbands

Raising godly children

Being the heart of a warm, godly and loving home

I passed out some sheets that had words on them by Sharon Ries that were very important. [Editors Note: these words not included] By believing and putting this truth to practice you free yourself up to just love your husband. That truth is that your husband, Christian or non-Christian, cannot meet your deepest needs. Only Jesus can do that. Don’t expect that from him.

In one of Dr. Dobson’s monthly newsletters a question was asked, and the answer to that question ties in with the truth we just stated. “What do you consider to be THE greatest threat to the stability of families today?”

His answer:“It would be a phenomenon that every marriage counselor deals with regularly. The scenario involves a vulnerable woman who depends on her husband to meet her emotional needs and a workaholic man who has little time for family responsibilities. Year after year she reaches for him and finds he is not there. She nags, complains, cries and attacks him for his failures – to no avail. He is carrying the load of three men in his business or profession and can’t figure out how to keep that enterprise going while providing what his wife needs. As time goes by, she becomes increasingly angry, which drives him even further into his workday world. He is respected and successful there. And thereafter he is even less accessible to her. Then one day, to her husband’s shock, this woman reaches a breaking point and either leaves him for someone else or files for divorce. It is a decision she may live to regret and one that often devastates her children – although by then the marriage is long gone. It was such a preventable disaster, but one that thousands of other families will be victimized by in the coming months.”

I shall read out loud also a portion called “Expectations” from Ruth Bell Graham’s book Its My Turn.

“By not laying heavy expectations on your husband you also free him up – to be a husband, father, and grandfather – who is “playful” and who can help build memories. It is a chain reaction when we do our job as the wives God intended us to be.”

As I first prepared this lesson years ago the ink ran out in my Word Processor. I put in a new cartridge and it still wouldn’t work. I tried and tried and finally put in another cartridge that I had on hand. It still wouldn’t work. I became very frustrated and finally thought of saying, “When all else fails read the instructions.” I did read them and it said to clean the new cartridge head when replacing it. I did that and it worked. It made me think of this lesson. For it is the same principal with husbands. I would hate for you to throw one away, get another one and it doesn’t work because you are not following the instructions. God gave us a plan and instructions as wives and it is found in His Word, our precious Holy Bible.

Every Christian woman wants to be married to a strong Christian man.

  1. Mature in his relationship with God

  2. Who leads the family in love for the Lord

  3. Has love for his church

But much of his spiritual growth depends upon his wife – part of what it means to be ‘one’ person.

Our attitudes, emotions, weaknesses and strengths affect our mates, as though they were their own. Many women work against the very goal they want.

We need to be aware of what builds up and what tears down a man’s relationship with God.

Don’t fall into the trap that Eve did. Her husband lost power because of his wife’s influence.