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| Volume 23 Number 12 December 2021 |
Page 15 |
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| Volume 23 Number 12 December 2021 |
Page 15 |
Thomas Baxley
The number one reason people leave a job is because they feel underappreciated. Employees who continually feel like their good work goes unnoticed are not likely to stick around. With that being said, I want us to think about two things. First, be an encouraging presence wherever you are. It costs nothing and takes very little time to be kind and offer up encouraging words to people. Strive to be a Barnabas (Acts 4:36; 9:27). Secondly, how often do you show appreciation to God for all the blessings in your life? How often do you take time to acknowledge your blessings? Let us always consider that what we have are gifts from God, and let us always show appreciation for the blessings in our lives.
[Editor’s Note: Don’t forget that the greatest blessings we enjoy as Christians are not tangible. We cannot embrace them with the five senses because they are spiritual, and hence, they are intangible. Thank God, first of all, often and heartily for our spiritual blessings – namely the forgiveness of sins and a relationship with Deity – via the sacrifice of the Son of God and known to us through the Gospel. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
Loving Husbands
Denny Petrillo
Paul taught “husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church…” (Ephesians 5:25 NKJV). The command for husbands to love their wives is a timeless command, extending from Adam and Eve to the end of time.
A lot of husbands ignore the command. They have bought into the mentality that love is an emotion that cannot be controlled, but such is not the case. Just as we choose to love God, so also do we choose to love our wives. It can be done. It must be done.
The husband in the Song of Solomon is a loving husband. His love is seen in both his words as well as in his deeds. Note the truths about loving husbands:
First, a loving husband expresses his love and devotion for his wife (1:15; 2:7; 4:1-7). This kind of husband verbalizes his love. The old joke tells of a woman who says to her husband, “Why don’t you ever tell me you love me?” The husband replies, “I told you I love you when I married you. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.” This joke frequently reflects the lack of verbal expression of love in many marriages. Loving husbands express their love. In the Song, Solomon communicated clearly how he felt about her. He said often, “How beautiful you are, my darling” (1:15; 4:1; 6:4).
Second, a loving husband demonstrates his love. It is one thing to express love but quite a different thing to show it. Words express it, but actions prove it. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). It is not enough to sing “Oh, how I love Jesus!” but never act like you love Him. Equally, the loving husband proves his love. He shows consideration for her feelings (2:3-6). He respects her (4:12-15) and protects her (2:7; 3:5; 8:4).