The Unknown Father 2

I find it interesting that God chose not to name the father in our passage in Mark 9:14-29.  In His infinite wisdom He chose to leave out this man’s name.  Even though, we can learn a lot from him.

First of all look at Mark 9:17, “And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;”  The first thing I notice is his leadership.  He said, “Master, I have brought unto thee my son,”.

If ever we need men to step up and be men it is today.  Men have been beaten up by so many people that we are losing our desire to even be men.  Sitcoms are full of stabs at men.  The world and the devil want us to be neutered and just sit back and watch life go by.  Guess what?  That is not God’s plan for men.

It is high time that men rise up and be men!  We must be godly men and lead as Christ leads.  How is that you ask?  Simple.  Jesus led by sacrifice.  If you love someone you will serve them.  Remember Jesus put a towel about Him and washed disciples nasty, stinking feet?  Yes, that is servant leadership.

We are not to be a dictator!  That kind of leadership will not work.  You will be like the one man who was out in front leading.  One day he turned around to look and found he was alone.  He was not leading.  He was simply out for a walk.

Men, it is high time that we take back our God given responsibility and be a man again.  Will you make the sacrifice to be a servant leader?  You will not regret it for sure.

So, how are you doing?

Love

The month of February has long past.  The flowers have died and been thrown out.  In other words Valentine’s Day is long gone for this year.

I was reading an article on social media that really reached out and grabbed me.  It was about a man who wanted to divorce his wife.  You can read the article here.  In the article the wife gives the husband a list of demands prior to the divorce.  I was really shocked that he gave in to the demands.  I will let you read the article for yourself.  If I write much more about it I will be in tears all over again.  Oh, get a facial tissue ready as you will need it.

As I was thinking about this article on love something came to my mind.  That truth is that love is a choice.  I tell men all of the time, “If you love your wife you will take the trash out.”  This is true.  Love is a choice.  Yes, I know I repeated myself.  It was on purpose.

Here is the command to obey.  Look at Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”  Now, if Jesus commands us to do this then it is possible for us to do.  I did not say that it is easy.  I said it is possible.

So, how did Christ love the Church?  I am thinking of one word.  That word is sacrificially.  Jesus “gave Himself for it”.  That is truly sacrificial love.  This is easy to say and write; but, doing it is another story.

Maybe you think you have “lost that lovin’ feelin'”.  Well, here you go.  It is a command.  Love your wife!  This is not my word.  It is God’s Word.

So, how are you doing?

Thank You For Giving!

As you all know I enjoy going to the mission to preach chapel service once a month.  I always try to let people know when I am going so if they have any donations that I can take them when I go.  I have had loads before that I had to take both bench seats out of the van to make room for everythingl

I will never forget overhearing one of the men talking; as they unloaded a pickup truck, that the one thing he missed the most was sugar for his coffee.  Yes, the tears ran.  Something so simple that you and I take for granted.  I cannot begin to tell you what an impact that had on me.

Then my wife saw a post on social media that the mission needed eggs.  Her heart broke and we bought several dozen eggs.  God allowed us to have some extra money at that moment to help with the need.  We could by no means do much; but, we did what we believe we could.

Then again I put the call out for the mission this month and another friend responded with countless items like aspirin and razors.  This family is an “extreme coupon” family and it allows them to have their needs met and to meet the needs of other.  I know that I was deeply convicted when I saw their gift to the mission.  Here is the thing.  If we are going to do this we have to make a plan and execute it.  It takes work to do this kind of thing.  I will say it is well worth the investment.  When you see the joy on their faces for a pan of brownies or some cookies.  It makes it worth it all.

Look at Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”  Just remember, you will NEVER out give God.

So, how are you doing?