The past few weeks the Lord's grace has been revealed in my life to bring me through more pruning. Don't get me wrong! Pruning is good for us. The Lord does it and allows it because of His great compassion and love for us, He wants us to be prepared for what is to come, and, simply, He wants us to produce more good fruit.
I've recently been challenged to keep the main thing...The Main Thing.
Here's one of the ways I've been challenged by this. Ministry should not only start at home but it should begin with my servant-leadership toward my beautiful and caring wife, Elizabeth. I should consider the ministry and the visions that God has given her to fulfill BETTER and GREATER than my own. This is Biblical...read Ephesians chapter 5! I want my wife to be RADIANT! Keeping the main thing, The Main Thing. Sadly, at times, my leadership has kept Elizabeth from shining brightly. Men, as Dr. Tony Evans puts it, 'our wives are who we lead them to be!' (paraphrasing)
To continue the thought, here's a "What If" question for you:
What if...my sons and daughters see their daddy pouring attention, resources, wisdom, and value into their mommy and the purpose God has for her?
WOW! Talk about raising up Revivalists; children who will run after God passionately!!! If my wife receives this kind of attention from me, what kind of discipling and value will my children receive!? Believe me when I say that Elizabeth and I are working hard to raise up men (sons) and women (daughters) of God who Follow Christ, pursue holiness, and pursue pure religion!
I realize that The Main Thing, in a Christian's life, really covers many priorities and what I've shared with you is just one of my Top Priorities.
Check out what else God's Word says...
Philippians 2:3,4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
I hope this has encouraged and challenged you. Follow Christ.
Some of your best work yet.
ReplyDelete