Love ❤️ thy Neighbor: The Wife’s Voluntary Submission (Part 1)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

A LOVING WIFE RESPECTS HER HUSBAND IN OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD

1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”

THIS SUBMISSION IS NOT FORCED NOR DEMANDED IT SPRINGS FROM LOVE

Compelling power is found only under Satan’s government. The Lord’s principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God’s government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power. – {Desire of Ages p. 759.1}

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children”

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN DOES GOOD AND NOT EVIL TO HER HUSBAND

Proverbs 31:10-12

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

1 Peter 3:9

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Romans 12:21

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Galatians 6:11-10

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

GOD WILL ALWAYS REWARD GOOD WORKS EVEN IF OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS MIGHT NOT APPRECIATE

2 Chronicles 15:7

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Love ❤️ thy Neighbor: Husbands Love your Wives

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

YOUR CLOSEST NEIGHBOR IS YOUR SPOUSE ‼️

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Though difficulties, perplexities, and discouragements may arise, let neither husband nor wife harbor the thought that their union is a mistake or a disappointment. Determine to be all that it is possible to be to each other. Continue the early attentions. In every way encourage each other in fighting the battles of life. Study to advance the happiness of each other. . . . Then marriage, instead of being the end of love, will be as it were the very beginning of love. {Ministry of Healing p. 360}

DO NOT NURSE GRUDGES AND BITTERNESS IN THE HOME

Ephesians 4:26-27

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil.

Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

James‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

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Ephesians 5:24-28

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

THE BLESSED HOUR OF PRAYER AND ALL FASTING WILL BE OF NO BENEFIT IF YOU DON’T TREAT YOUR WIFE WELL

1 Peter‬ ‭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.”

Isaiah 58:4

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.”

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

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Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️Take Time with your Children (Part 2)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

BE THE BEST FRIEND TO YOUR CHILDREN OTHERWISE THE VACUUM WILL BE FILLED UP WITH EVIL COMPANIONS

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭33‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”‬

Isaiah 38:19

The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Psalm‬ ‭78‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Ephesians 4:15-16

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Colossians 3:20-21

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

DISCIPLINE IN LOVE ❤️ UNDISCIPLINED CHILDREN ARE A DISASTER TO THE FAMILY, THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATION.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;”

Administer the rules of the home in wisdom and love, not with a rod of iron. Children will respond with willing obedience to the rule of love. Commend your children whenever you can. Make their lives as happy as possible.... Remember that children need not only reproof and correction, but encouragement and commendation, thepleasant sunshine of kind words. – {Adventist Home p. 18.3}

LOVE TAKES TIME WITH SOMEONE. IF YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN YOU WILL SPEND TIME WITH THEM

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️Take Time with your Children (Part 1)

Unto us a Child is Born: The Event is more Important than the Exact Date‼️

Deuteronomy 29:29

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

THE BIBLE IS COMPLETELY SILENT ON THE EXACT DAY OF CHRIST’S BIRTH. HOWEVER, IT IS RESOUNDINGLY STATED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT CHRIST WAS TO BE BORN ON EARTH TO SAVE SINNERS. THE NEW TESTAMENT RECORD AFFIRMS THAT THE PROMISED SAVIOR WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM IN FULFILLMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY ABOUT HIS BIRTH AND MISSION. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL IN SEEKING TO REFUTE CERTAIN DATES CLAIMED BY SOME TO BE THE BIRTHDAYS OF JESUS THAT WE END UP KNOWING MORE ABOUT PAGAN DEITIES AND FESTIVALS THAN WE KNOW ABOUT WHY CHRIST WAS BORN.

More about Jesus I would know,

More of His grace to others show;

More of His saving fullness see,

More of His love who died for me.

Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Micah‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

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Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The twenty-fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time... – {Adventist Home p. 477.2}

As the twenty-fifth of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose. – {Adventist Home p. 478.1}

The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure seeking, in amusements which will be detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children to God and His cause and the salvation of souls. – {Adventist Home p. 478.2}

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:21-23

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Unto us a Child is Born: The Coming King

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬

“so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭11‬

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭64‬

“Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭29‬-‭31‬

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭36‬-‭39‬

DEBACHARY AND MORAL DECAY ARE SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭28‬-‭30‬

“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭16‬:‭49‬-‭50‬

“Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬

“as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬-‭28‬

““And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭42‬-‭44‬

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Unto us a Child is Born the Exalted Child

THE CHILD WHO WAS BORN IN A MANGER DESPISED BY MAN AND ENTERED THE GRAVE WAS EXALTED BY GOD

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭110‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭12‬ ‭

“For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up,..

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭12‬

“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.....

HUMILITY COMES BEFORE EXALTATION

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭11‬

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬

“This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭32‬

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

Unto us a Child is Born, He didn't come Down from the Cross

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭52‬-‭54‬

“But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?””

WHERE COULD WE BE IF JESUS HAD WALKED AWAY FROM THE CROSS? THANK GOD HE DIDN'T

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭20‬-‭21‬

“Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭33‬

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭29‬-‭32‬

‭ “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬-‭35‬

“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.””

‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭30‬

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

FAITHFUL TILL DEATH IS TO BE OUR MOTTO

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭62‬

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭35‬-‭39‬

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬-‭4‬

“So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”