Wednesday, February 19, 2014

DEALING WITH LONG TERM ILLNESS


SHEPHERD TO SHEEP
 

DEALING WITH LONG TERM ILLNESS 

(2 Cor 12:8-9) Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

Sometimes in life there are surprises.  Some of those are good surprises and some of those come unwelcomed.   Long term illness is one of those that can crash the party of life and seek to pop every festive balloon.  Perhaps you are dealing with being chronically ill.   Here is some encouragement from scripture for your health concern.   

Let’s talk about the apostle Paul.  As far as we know he started out as a healthy young man.  He rose through the ranks of Judaism and had the energy to fulfill his zeal by persecuting Christians far and wide.  On his way to Damascus a light shone from heaven and he fell to the ground.   He was blind for three days until he was prayed for.  The Bible records that something like scales fell from his eyes and he received his sight, was filled with the Spirit and was baptized. (Acts 9) 

Later on Paul’s first missionary journey it looks like from all accounts (Acts/Galatians) that he suffered some kind of Asian eye disease.  He even preached among the Galatian believers with this problem.  Later Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be removed from him.  It very well could be this chronic and debilitating eye problem that began at his conversion and then was accentuated on his travels.   God promised special grace to live with the problem in replacement of his healing.  Paul accepted this decision and learned to live on God’s strength instead of his own.   

When illness first strikes us we pray for healing. (James 5:14-16) But what if God doesn’t heal right away?  We keep on praying (Luke 18:1-8; Eph 6:18).  If God still doesn’t heal then like Paul we see it as a thorn in the flesh to cause us to rely on Him for the daily strength we need.   

But life doesn’t stop with a long term illness!  You might be limited and not be able to do what you did before but that doesn’t mean it’s over for you.  Paul kept doing what he could.  He couldn’t do it the way he used to but it didn’t stop him from finding ways to press on and accomplish something for Christ. (Phil 4:13)  He learned to rely on the Lord and what he accomplished was all for the glory of God.  It would also prove inspirational to others who would see him carry on in spite of weakness and infirmity.  Here’s a guy who wrote half of the New Testament books, traveled on mission trips, led people to Christ, established churches, and spent time in prison. Missionary to India Amy Carmichael suffered a terrible fall and spent the last twenty years of her life bedridden where she wrote many of her inspirational books.  God still wants to use you, and others will be inspired to keep at it despite their weakness. 

Louie

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

REPAY YOUR PARENTS




SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

REPAY YOUR PARENTS 

(1 Tim 5:4) But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 

It seems like forever that you are growing up and are under your parents roof.  Then as time goes by you get on your own but your parents are still your parents and have their role in your life.  But as time slips into the future there is the growing reality that mom and dad are getting older.  They start needing your help.  You begin to see unspoken needs.  You begin to realize that you must spend more time with them, giving them the support they need.  It happens quicker than you think so be ready to REPAY YOUR PARENTS. 

Joseph was the favorite of Jacob’s sons.  His father even made him a coat of many colors.  His brothers got so jealous of this favoritism that they plotted against him.  They sold him to traders going down to Egypt where he was sold to Potiphar, a high ranking official in the Egyptian army.  We all know the story that as time moved on Pharaoh had a dream that only Joseph could interpret.  This propelled Joseph into being number two in the land as he distributed the grain during that seven year famine.  Soon his brothers would visit the land for food and Joseph eventually revealed himself to them and without animosity chose to forgive them and promised to take care of them as well as his father Jacob.  Soon the whole family moved down to Egypt to survive the famine. 

While on the way to Egypt Jacob needed confirmation from the Lord that he was doing the right thing.  God spoke to him and said, “I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.” (Gen 46:4)  Joseph responsibly took care of his father and brothers and settled them in the land of Goshen.  During Jacob’s declining years Joseph looked after him in every respect.  When Jacob died it says, “Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him, and kissed him”. (Gen 50:1) 

When my father was declining I knew I had to step in to help my parents.  I was in the busiest time of my life with my family and ministry but I knew this is what I had to do.  I began to visit more and call more often, offering physical and moral support.  Dr. appointments, fixing things around their home, etc.    When my dad was on hospice I needed to kick it up another level.  I had the intimate experience of my father passing in my presence.  Now it’s time to look after mom.  Lots to do but this is a part of my life now and has been for some time.   

I think of how many years my parents took precious care of me and laid down their lives for my comfort and well-being.  Now things have turned all the way around and here I am taking care of them.  The older you get the more you appreciate your parent’s sacrifice and all they did for you.  What a debt we owe them and no wonder the Bible says to REPAY YOUR PARENTS. 

Louie

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

HOW TO TREAT YOUR WIFE




SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

HOW TO TREAT YOUR WIFE

(1 Pet 3:7) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 

Men, we need a lot of help and guidance on how to treat the woman God gave us to marry.  Come on admit it, we are constantly at a loss on how a woman ticks so we tend to shake our heads on understanding them, let alone how to treat them.  But there is hope for us yet!  The Bible has much to say about marriage and about how to relate to a woman.  So take the time to read and apply this encouragement for it is written from one man to another.   

DWELL WITH THEM: This means spending time with your wife.  Men love their work but make sure you save a lot of your energy to be with your wife.   She loves when you hang out with her and it means more than you know.  Do things together.  Keep her as your best friend.   

WITH UNDERSTANDING:  This means to be considerate of your wife’s spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.  Realize the differences of the sexes and respect how God made her female and not like you.  Study her and anticipate her needs before she has to say something to you.   

GIVING HONOR TO THE WIFE: This means to respect her for who she is.  She is female, the way God made her.  She has a personality that is God-given.  Don’t ever put her down or make her feel less than.  Refrain from ever making fun of her weaknesses, insecurities, or fears.    

WEAKER VESSEL: This refers to physical or emotional weakness.  Use your masculinity to serve her and to help her in areas where she has need.  Be that pillar of strength when she is having a meltdown and let her cry on your chest when she needs to.   

HEIRS TOGETHER: Romans 8:17 says we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.  That means God wants to bless you together.  Pray with your wife.  Read the Bible to her.  Attend church and Bible study together.  Let Christ be the foundation of your marriage always.  

GRACE OF LIFE: I love this one.  It’s loving your wife and overlooking her faults.  It’s not taking things personally when she acts a certain way or says something that rubs you the wrong way.   It’s giving her lots of space to be herself and to just be a woman.  It’s how the Lord loves us.   

PRAYERS MAY NOT BE HINDERED: Hey guys, let me tell you straight, if you’re not right with your wife it can clog your spiritual life.  So avoid being bitter towards her and keep from ever being a jerk (Col 3:19).  One day we will have to answer to God for how we treated our wives.  Enjoy her, pray for her, and lay down your life for her like Jesus did for His bride the Church!  

Louie