Mothers of Merit

Some children appear to think being a mother is a cushy job. It involves standing on Mt. Sinai waving a spatula shouting, “Thou shalt not!”

The importance of the role was indicated in a three frame cartoon. One frame showed a depiction of the nation’s Capitol, the next the White House. The third showed a mother in a rocking chair reading to her child. The caption read: “Choose the real seat of power in America.”

In speaking of mothers I know not everyone has had an ideal mother. Resentment often lasts into adulthood as a consequence of a mother having failed in her role. Perhaps you had such a mother. You want to have loving thoughts regarding her, but what happened doesn’t result in such warm encouraging thoughts. It is OK not to like some of the things you mom did. However, you need to be mature enough to dislike the things she did and separate them in your thinking from what she was. Love her even though you don’t like what she did.

In our “Me-ism” society a “I want it all now” complex has developed. As a result some young women rush into motherhood before marriage. Don’t! The mother depicted in the Proverb is self-disciplined and willing to practice delayed-gratification.

I know when that statement is made there are some who didn’t. The Bible never condones such and the Christian community must never sanction such. However, once it has happened the young person needs the Lord, His church, and His people as never before. The church must be supporting and encouraging once the mistake has occurred. The young couple may well be suffering from a repressed moral-failure complex and not know what it is. They need to deal with their own emotions and be accepting of the fact they are accepted though their conduct is unacceptable.

Diligent and devoted moms are miraculous providers.

Playwright Victor Hugo captures the essence of motherhood in one of his plays in which a ship’s captain of a bygone era gives a starving mother and her two children a slice of bread. She tears it in two and gives a half to each child. 

A deckhand standing by asks the captain, “Is it because she is not hungry?”

The captain replies, “No, it is because she is a mother.”

Don’t just respect mothers, respect motherhood. Young couples should respect it enough to preserve it until they enter into roles designed to best provide for a child: husband and wife.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Proverbs 20: 12) If it is incumbent on the child to honor the father and mother it is their responsibility to be honorable.

Accepted, Approved, Appreciated

The cruel and relentless ambition of Napoleon drove him in his attempted conquest of Prussia. Finally his efforts led him in His conquest of Jena in 1806. The mournful inevitable conquest caused great grief among the people. No one agonized over it more than the Prussian Queen Louise. When she was told she must leave her home and flee, she was distraught and consumed by great sorrow, unconsolable at times. Then she remembered a custom from her childhood. When a little friend moved the classmates sang Psalm 37. She sat down at the piano and began to play and sing,

“Fret not thyself because of evil-doers. Commit thy way unto the Lord and He shall bring it to pass.” With composure she arose from the piano, her eyes free of tears, and with a tranquil spirit. 

The overarching promise by Jesus to Peter when He called him rang true in her spirit. There Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me and I will make you a fisherman of men.” The germane part every person can count on is the first part, “Follow me and I will make you….”

Here the subject, “I” does the work of the verb,“will make,” on the object, “you.”

The extent to which He will go is illustrated by the image of a pelican over the door to the upper room. It was also often seen on the shield of many crusaders.

There is a legend that if a pelican cannot catch or find enough food for her young she will pluck out her breast feathers, and tear out her heart to feed them. For the crusaders it was symbolic of the extent Christ went to in order to provide for us.

He did go to the optimum extreme to provide for us salvation. His provisions do not stop there..

A psychological study reveals the three greatest needs of a human being are to be accepted, to be approved, and to be appreciated. Indeed they are deep desires of all. Jesus has provided all three for us.

His invitation is, “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden.” The “whosoever” of John 3: 16 resonates inclusiveness. He has accepted us.

He has approved of us. His all encompassing love sets you free from rejection, inadequacy or inferiority.

Appreciation is the very reason Jesus gave Himself on our behalf. Therefore, “ I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus….”

Karl Jasper describes humans as “chosen creatures..” truly we are. He first chose us. The question awaiting an answer is have you chosen Him for salvation? If so, choose this day whom you will serve.

The Coming of the Lord

The question is asked, “Do you believe in Bible prophecy?” The resounding answer is an emphatic yes. However, what one believes about it is important.

The church in Thessalonica believed in it. They believed in it so strongly that many quit work and started looking for it. There are people today who have such convictions. Some even run up their credit cards believing Christ is coming and they won’t have to pay them off. Others suggest not paying taxes for the same reason.

This issue was addressed in the Bible in I Thessalonians 4: 11, “…aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” (A Post on this text is forthcoming.)

There are several theories regarding the second coming. One is as follows.

Christ will come in the air for His saints, those deceased will rise first and be joined by the living saints to ascend into heaven.

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” I Thes. 1: 17

The Greek word translated “caught up” was translated in the Latin Bible with “rapio,” from which comes the word “rapture” in connection with the Second Coming. The following phrase translated “to meet” is literally “for a meeting with the Lord.” It will be a grand day.“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (I Thessalonians 2:19) 

There will follow a period known as the Great Tribulation. It will be for a period of seven years divided into two parts.

After the seven years Jesus will come back to the earth with His saints. He will reign on earth for one thousand years in a period known as the Millennian. Then comes the end. There is much more to this than can be described in these few lines, but that is a bare bones description. 

There is no way to set the date of His coming in the air. Those who do assign to themselves the ability God has not and will not ascribe to anyone. Don’t follow them. Just know the day will come suddenly, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” (I Thess. 5:2) 

The “chicken” type of Bible students, that is those who hunt and peck, have a list of end time things such as the mark of the beast where persons can neither buy or sell without it. That is during the Tribulation which present day believers will be spared having been caught up at the time of the Rapture.

There are things to come during the Tribulation of which we can see a foreshadowing. The implanting of computer chips in individuals may be of help in enforcing the mark of the beast.

How then are we to live? Live expectantly, but responsibly. Carry on your responsibilities in a commendable way. Don’t try to read too much into what is happening, and “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10 : 25) Get in a church and get active.

Life at Its Best

“… that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” I Thessalonians 4: 11 – 12)

There are many motivational books on the market. Some promote a lifestyle and work ethic. None are more on target that this brief Scripture.

Aspire in Greek is “philotimeomai,” meaning to make it your ambition to strive earnestly, to strive eagerly, to be zealous, to make something your goal, your aim, the passion of your life. Like the people who received this message initially we are charged and challenged by it.

First, lead a quiet life.

Quiet in Greek is “hesuchazo,” which means to be still and/or to be silent. Such is essential for a thoughtful mind to work.

This is present tense which stresses that we must constantly strive to lead such a life. We must eagerly endeavor to live a peaceful life.

“When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted desires, a broken friendship, or a new friendship—when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.” –Oswald Chambers

Second, mind your own business.

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” 

Don’t stick your nose in on matters that do not concern you, it only creates more problems. Make folks happy today, mind your own business.

Third, rest in the Lord. This means to have confidence the Lord is in control. Psalm 23 is a commentary on this concept. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….” This dispels anxiety.

Fourth, work with your own hands. This was addressed to a working class, today called blue collar workers, but the principle is applicable to all classes.

The type work hereby encouraged means to work up a sweat. In general this means to extend yourself in your task. Thus, you have cause to be fulfilled, and not become a burden to anybody..     

Fifth, walk worthy. Walk in Greek is “peripateo,” which refers to one’s lifestyle. One’s conduct should be above reproach. It means to conduct oneself properly and take full advantage of opportunities.

If you conduct yourself in this way you will “lack nothing.” For then you can be assured your “…God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)

Such a well ordered life is a witness to “those who are outside,” that is, unbelievers. They see such composure and positive work ethic are attracted to the source enabling it, Jesus, and be attracted to Him.

Are You Worthy?

Got a problem? Ever get to acting or feeling like you are the only one with a problem? Consider the persecution of the church in Corinth of which it was written.

“We know sorrow, 
Yet our joy is inextinguishable.

We are handicapped on all sides,
but we are never frustrated;

We are puzzled,
but never in despair.

We are persecuted,
but we never have to stand alone,

We are knocked down,
but we are never knocked out!”
(II Corinthians 6: 10; 4: 8, 9 Phillips Translation)

First-century Christians expected difficulty, deprivation, and even death because of their faith.

There are places in the world of which that is still true today. We need to pray for the many persecuted Christians of our time. We also need to “tighten our belts,” and let the holy son-shine of Jesus within us shine out.  I have two signs in our garage I see every time I go out. One is a large yellow smiley face. The other is a cherished wood carving made for me by a college friend with the message:

                “The joy of the Lord is thy strength.”

Remember that little chorus, “I’ve the peace that passes understanding down in my heart?” That becomes an attractive factor. It is show and tell time for the Christian community. It is virtually impossible to tell a person of the peace that passes understanding until we show it to them by example.  When they see what it is, they are attracted to it. 

Consider one example by which to judge your attitude when someone causes you pain. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” (Matthew 5: 11) Blessed?

There is a dear lady who lost her job and suffered greatly because of living out her faith. She said she gained peace and stability when it was called to her attention that she, like the apostles, had reason to rejoice in that she was counted worthy to suffer for the Lord.

Few of us really suffer for our Lord, but all of us have disappointments, difficulties, pain, problems, losses, opposition, heartbreaks, and trials. All are an opportunity to be counted worthy to deal with them in a way that shows Christ is alive in us.

By your responses are you “….choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:25)