It is not difficult to understand why natural men and women come to dislike one another, why their so-called love turns to hate, and why couples divorce one another and subject their children to so much turmoil and trial. These people do not know God and do not have the love of God for others in their hearts.
This, however, is not the way of Christ. It is a denial of the Gospel and a contradiction of the teaching of Scripture. When a married couple who profess to be true believers cannot live together in love and peace, cannot fulfill the vows they made to one another before God, cannot sacrifice pride and self for the good of their children and the testimony of the Gospel, they are telling the world that God’s grace is not sufficient, that the blood of Christ cannot overcome the world and the flesh, that He that is in us is not greater than he who is in the world and that the claim of Scripture to make us “new creatures” in Christ is not true (II Cor. 5:17).
Husbands, remember the Scriptural injunction to “love your wives” and your children (Ephes ians 5:25). Do not provoke them or treat them selfishly. Give yourselves and your family in the love of God, no matter how difficult the way may become. What is required of husbands (and what truly believing husbands will want to do) is to love their wives “even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). This is going a long way, right to the end, and with no giving up!
Wives, love, respect, and obey your husbands. This is the clear teaching of Scripture (Ephesians 5:22). Make a clean, pleasant home for him, your children, and your guests. Be a homemaker, a companion, and a helpmate. Paul said, “Teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5).
The marriage road may not always be smooth. The images conjured up in the youthful mind of marriage “bliss for ever and ever” may soon fade. Those who have been on the road for a long time know that marriage is a reflection (however faint) of the relationship between Christ and His church. He gave His life for her. They will work on it and seek to glorify God in their relationship. – Pastor Henry Mahan
May 18, 2009
May 14, 2009
WHAT DO YOU PUBLISH?
Brother Barnard once said, “Henry, be careful what you publish! If you preach and teach unwisely and impulsively you can apologize, retract your statements and make amends for your attitude and spirit, but when you put a matter down on paper, send it to the printer and distribute it – it is there for all time and continues to find its way into the hands of men. It might be wise to wait patiently on the Lord, get a little experience and wisdom, then burden men with what you feel that you must say, remembering that if your voice is the only voice men20hear and your words the only words men read, nothing of any spiritual value will be accomplished. Men must hear Him speak Who speaks from heaven and it is only His Word which finally convicts of sin and reveals Christ.”
I suppose that the most difficult thing any believer has to learn is that “Without Him we can do nothing.” This is our creed but not our experience! We will never be effectually used for God’s true glory until it becomes our experience. God will never use men that are proud enough to think themselves necessary or capable. He will throw away the vessel which begins to boast in itself or allows others to boast in it. Whatever is our strength in the flesh is sure to become our weakness in the spirit – whether it be our intelligence, our morality, our length of service, our doctrine, our courage or whatever. Gideon feared the Midianites because of the small number of his soldiers, but the Lord said, “Your soldiers are yet too many for Me.” I20wonder if we will ever become weak enough, empty enough, and ignorant enough for God to use us for His glory! The logic of the Lord is strange to the natural mind. “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Cor. 12:10). “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Cor. 12:9). The Lord must go back to the seashore and raise up some fishermen – we’ve all become masters and doctors, wise men in theology and great counselors. I disqualify myself for God’s use when I become qualified. My fine talents and lofty credentials become hindrances rather than helps. I though to prepare myself for great things, only to learn that it was the rough voice in the wilderness He planned to use, not the polished preacher; it was the weak, impulsive shepherd with the sling He planned to use, not the mighty warrior with his armor of wit and arsenal of facts, doctrines, and learning. It may not be too late for some, but most are too pro ud to become expendable. If we don’t pour contempt on ourselves – God will!
- Pastor Henry Mahan
I suppose that the most difficult thing any believer has to learn is that “Without Him we can do nothing.” This is our creed but not our experience! We will never be effectually used for God’s true glory until it becomes our experience. God will never use men that are proud enough to think themselves necessary or capable. He will throw away the vessel which begins to boast in itself or allows others to boast in it. Whatever is our strength in the flesh is sure to become our weakness in the spirit – whether it be our intelligence, our morality, our length of service, our doctrine, our courage or whatever. Gideon feared the Midianites because of the small number of his soldiers, but the Lord said, “Your soldiers are yet too many for Me.” I20wonder if we will ever become weak enough, empty enough, and ignorant enough for God to use us for His glory! The logic of the Lord is strange to the natural mind. “For when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Cor. 12:10). “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Cor. 12:9). The Lord must go back to the seashore and raise up some fishermen – we’ve all become masters and doctors, wise men in theology and great counselors. I disqualify myself for God’s use when I become qualified. My fine talents and lofty credentials become hindrances rather than helps. I though to prepare myself for great things, only to learn that it was the rough voice in the wilderness He planned to use, not the polished preacher; it was the weak, impulsive shepherd with the sling He planned to use, not the mighty warrior with his armor of wit and arsenal of facts, doctrines, and learning. It may not be too late for some, but most are too pro ud to become expendable. If we don’t pour contempt on ourselves – God will!
- Pastor Henry Mahan
RELIGION PROMOTES FEAR
Religion promotes a number of fears. By encouraging human pride they produce a fear of failure. By elevating self-righteousness they instill a fear of shame. By magnifying man’s intelligence they advance a fear of ignorance. By upholding free will and human ability they create a fear of weakness. By far, the number one fear by which they maintain the faithfulness of their adherents is th e fear of Hell. But the Bible never speaks of the fear of failure, shame, or ignorance. In fact, the teaching of Christ is that these are inevitable for creatures of flesh. What’s more, the Scriptures do not impose the fear of Hell, but they have much to say about the fear of the Lord. Even when Christ spoke of the torments of Hell, His precise wording directs us to fear the God who condemns sinners, not the place where they are punished. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)- Mark Daniel
May 09, 2009
With A Kiss
Judas betrayed his Master with a KISS! He came to the Lord with evil in his heart, the price of a compromise in his hand, religious devils at his side, and said, “Hail Master”, as he planted a KISS on the Lord’s cheek! This is how most apostates and compromisers operate: they betray the Son of God and the Gospel of grace WITH A KISS. They talk of love, humility, morality, and sugar and spice while they sell out to the religious world and betray the Sovereign Son of God. Men watch their pretended affection and hear their words, “Hail Master”, spoken so softly, smoothly, humbly, and sweetly, and they say, “Can such devout people be ENEMIES of the Lord?” Do not be deceived; sometimes the most devout looking, religious people can be the most hypocritical in the world. Do not be deceived by their kisses. LISTEN TO THEIR GOSPEL! Peter, bearing the sword, had more grace than Judas, who came with a kiss.
- Pastor Henry Mahan
- Pastor Henry Mahan
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