A Christian's Voice

Good morning friends! I have not posted for a few days so I need to play a little “catch up” on my reading schedule. Sometimes life is like that.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 101; 2 Kings 10; Malachi 1:1-2:9; John 5:19-47

Yesterday’s Reading: Psalm 100; 2 Kings 9; Zechariah 14; John 4:43-5:18

November 8th Reading: Psalm 99; 2Kings 8; Zechariah 12-13; John 4:1-42

Thanks for reading, Beloved. Post your comments and help encourage others with your application of the Word of God.

–Randy Sexton

Having It All

My wife was recently sorting through some old papers when she ran across an article that I had written when editing the Prairie Hills Proclaimer while working with the Prairie Hills church of Christ in St. Joseph, Missouri. That article published in the July 9, 1995 edition was entitled, “Having It All.”

Linda, no doubt had a very good motive in reminding me of the “wise words” I had written.You see, she and I had recently discussed the prospect of her returning to teaching as an option in dealing with my recent job loss. She reminded me of how “passionate” I had been in 1995 about mothers working outside the home. She had a very valid point. Sometimes our viewpoints can be “clouded” as we reach different phases of our lives. A “reality check” is often in order to remind us of our true conviction!

Just for the record, I am still “passionate” about this issue and reflect the same opinion expressed in this 1995 article. As I seek to minister to men in our culture, I challenge you to take time for a reality check regarding your convictions in this area. What impact are your convictions having upon the well-being of your children?. Is it more important that they “have it all” or that they go to heaven when this life is over? Now, here is that article as it appeared in 1995. Please feel free to post your comments to it.

“Bonnie Erbe, columnist for the Scripps Howard News Service and legal affairs correspondent for the Mutual/NBC Radio Networks authored an insightful commentary on the “Helen Gurly Brown” philosophy of the 1960’s and 1970’s that appeared in the Fort Smith, Arkansas Southwest Times Record on July 4, 1995. In that commentary she made the observation that the promise that was made to women during those two decades , that they could “have it all” (“a rewarding , fulfilling, perhaps even glamorous job and a rich family and social life”) was bogus.

Ms. Erbe referred to Census Bureau figures that show that almost 70 percent of mothers with minor children work outside the home while also estimating that they also “shoulder 75 to 90 percent of household and child-related chores.” All of this combines to create a very stressful situation personally for the women involved and in the homes of which they are a part.

The driving force behind it all is the desire to have more and more of this world’s “things.” We are not satisfied to live on the same standard of living that our mothers and fathers did when they were starting out. We have to HAVE IT ALL RIGHT NOW!

The good news is that many young ladies in their teens and twenties are beginning to see through the “have it all” mentality. They are choosing to get married and raise a family or to pursue a career, not both at the same time. This according to a study by the Harvard Project on Women’s Psychology, cited in this column.

We read of such things in our newspapers and we condemn the “radical feminists” for pushing this “agenda.” But dear friends, the temptation is there for the Christian to fall into this same trap. If you take a close look at the makeup of many local churches what do you find? How many mothers of young children do you find that have made the choice to forgo some of life’s luxuries to stay home and raise her children and to be the “keeper at home” (Titus 2:5-KJV) that the scriptures speak of. Would we be surprised if the number came very close to the 70% mentioned in the above article?

Yes, talk is cheap. We can mouth all the right words and claim to believe that “a mother’s place is at home with her children.” But how do we back up those words when it comes to living on a one-income standard of living? When it comes to the decision of buying that $80,000 house when we would be “comfortable” and better able to budget the $60,000 house. I could give other examples, but I think you see what I am saying.

We talk of the effect that the breakdown in our families is having on our nation. But what about the effect that same breakdown in Christian families is having on our churches? The article by Greg Gwin that we ran in last week’s bulletin spoke of the situation where children and grandchildren of Christian’s are not choosing to become Christians. Could the source of this problem be, in some cases at least, the example that was set before them by parents who had such a drive to “have it all” that they sacrificed their spiritual well-being?

Don’t misunderstand my message. I am not saying that the scripture is condemning a woman working outside the home when it is necessary to do so. I AM saying that I think, in many cases, we lose sight of what is really important. Instead of providing for our children spiritually and emotionally, we become distracted from that work by becoming overly concerned with providing materially. The consequences of these decisions can be disastrous on our families, particularly our children. Lest we forget, consider the description of scriptures “worthy woman” in Proverbs 31:10-31.”

Thanks for reading with me, dear friend. Please decide to be a positive influence in someone else’s life today and share with them a word of encouragement and a smile!

　

As you read, please post your reflections.

Today’s Readings: Psalm 98; 2 Kings 6:234-7:20; Zechariah 101; and John 3:212-36

Have a blessed day, my friends, and keep the love of God in your hearts. Give away two things to everone you meet along the way today: a word of encouragement and a smile! Begin early to prepare for worship on Sunday.

–Randy Sexton

As you read, please post your reflections.

Today’s Readings: Psalm 97; 2 Kings 6:1-23; Zechariah 10; and John 3:1-21

Have a blessed day, my friends, and keep the love of God in your hearts. Give away two things to everone you meet along the way today: a word of encouragement and a smile! Begin early to prepare for worship on Sunday.

–Randy Sexton

As you read, please post your reflections.

Today’s Readings: Psalm 96; 2 Kings 5; Zechariah 9; and John 2

Have a blessed day, my friends, and keep the love of God in your hearts. Give away two things to everone you meet along the way today: a word of encouragement and a smile!

–Randy Sexton

Today’s Readings: Psalm 95; 2 Kings 4; Zechariah 8; John 1:19-51

Feel free to post your reflections on today’s readings.

If you are reading this column, please let me know if it has helped you in any way. Also, I would love to hear from you if you have ideas about enhancements that would help this site to achieve its mission.

— Randy Sexton

Today’s Reading: Psalm 94; 2 Kings 3; Zechariah 7; John 1:1-18

“Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long, While there are others living about us, Never molested tho in the wrong.” These are the words that we often sing from W.B. Stevens’ song Farther Along. In our first reading, the God of vengeance is entreated, “repay to the proud what they deserve!” When I am wrongfully accused or suffer for doing what is right, I need to remind myself that the Lord disciplines me and teaches me out of His law because He loves me. He will not abandon nor forsake me. When the cares of my heart are many, His consolations cheer my soul.

Today’s second reading describes the combining of forces between the kings of Israel, Judah and Edom to put down a continuing revolt of Moab that began after the death of Ahab (2 Kings 1:1). The revolt was against a “tribute” imposed in the days of king David (see 2 Samuel 8:2). The story describes how Elisha is consulted about the military campaign. As I read the history of Judah and Israel, it impresses me how often the kings inquire, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” Even the kings labeled as evil, when the chips are down, many times want to know what God thinks. Help me Lord to be concerned about what you think, and to temper my plans by it (James 4:13-15).

In the third reading, Zechariah receives an inquiry to which the Lord tells him to respond with the question, “Was it for me that you fasted?” Ritual is empty if it is not accompanied by heart-felt obedience. I have rituals that are part of my life that are to have meaning when I engage them. When I pray, I dig deep into my heart for truly meaningful words to express to God my love, my sorrow for my sin, and my concern for others. When I observe communion of the Lord’s last supper, I dig deep to keep the significance of that suffering and the greatness of that price paid for my sins. When I read the words of scripture, I dig deep to reflect upon it’s application to my day-to-day life.

Today’s fourth reading switches to the book of John and tells John’s account of Jesus beginning with God in the creation and His coming to earth. One of the curious things about the life of Jesus that is mentioned here is that, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” The ESV study bible comments, “The Jewish rejection of the Messiah, despite convincing proofs of his messianic identity (esp. the ‘signs’), is one of the major emphases of the Gospel (see esp. John 12:37-40).” Will I receive Him to be the ruler of every thought and impulse in my life?

Thanks for reading with me. Have a blessed day, dear friend! — Randy Sexton

Today’s Readings: Psalm 93; 2nd Kings 2; Zechariah 6; James 5:13-20

Today’s first reading begins, “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty” and ends with “Your decrees are very trustworthy.” Another psalm celebrating the Lord’s divine kingship reminds me how mighty and awesome is the God I serve; more powerful than any other force or influence that I will face today.

Our second reading describes the transfer of leadership from Elijah to Elisha to serve as Israel’s prophet. We often speak of handing off the “mantle of leadership” and here we have a quite literal manifestation of that as Elisha picks up Eliah’s cloak as he is taken, by a whirlwind, into heaven.

As I reflect upon this reading, it occurs to me that it would be interesting to do a study of the lives of these two individuals. One question I have is, “Why are some of the prophets given a written platform in which to express and document the events of their lives whereas these two prominent prophets are not afforded that vehicle?” If you are reading these reflections and would like to leave your comments, I would be happy to consider them.

Frank Mead writes an interesting summary of the lives of these two prophets. He says of Elijah, “… Casting his mantle to Elisha, he ascended into heaven in a chariot of flame. He left as he had come, as he had lived, in a whirlwind of heavenly fire. He came back, at the transfiguration of the our Lord. He stood alone. He outwitted Jezebel and her priests. He destroyed Baal-worship, punished the apostate kings who introduced it, made Israel cry again, ‘Jehovah, He is God.’” He says of Elisha, “Miracles without number are credited to him…. But the miracles were the least of his spiritual works. He anticipated more than Elijah, the spirit of Jesus Christ. Elijah was wrapped in tempest, Elisha in an aura of profoundest spiritual truth. He was God’s lighthouse, steady and bright against a gray, carefree Court. In the darkest days, when doom was certain, he was still witness for truth and righteousness.” (Who’s Who in the Bible, pp. 122-123).

Our third reading recounts Zechariah’s final vision. He saw four chariots pulled by four horses of different colors. Chariots were symbolic of military power in ancient times and represent God’s power ruling over all the earth. Following this vision, Zechariah is told to have a crown made and to set it on the head of Joshua the high priest. He is also instructed to tell Joshua about “the Branch.” The prophecy’s message is that the Davidic monarchy and the Levitical priesthood will continue intertwined the one with the other.

Our fourth reading contains instructions of how to handle suffering, cheerfulness, and sickness. Prayer, singing of praises, and going to the elders of the church as a resource are all recommended. We are also urged to confess our sins to one another, to pray for one another and to do what we can to “bring back” a brother who has “wandered from the truth.”

All of today’s readings can help me formulate a strategy as I begin my day. Help me, O Lord, to appreciate how your inspired word, open before me this morning, can be a “schoolmaster” to teach me. I can learn from it how to deal with the uncertainties and brevity of life. I can learn from it how to deal with people I love when they let me down. I can learn from it how to deal with Satan when he throws his fiery darts at me from every imaginable angle. I can learn from it how to safeguard my kids before I send them out into the world. I can learn from it how to keep my relationship with my wife strong and how to be the husband and father you want me to be.

Thanks for reading with me and have a blessed day, dear friend! –Randy Sexton

Today’s Readings: Psalm 92, 2nd Kings 1; Zechariah 5; James 4:11-5:12

Today’s first reading is a hymn of thanks and praise to God and celebrates His greatness in presiding over His creation and His goodness toward His faithful. The psalm reminds me to give thanks and to sing praise to Him in the morning and in the evening. As I begin my day, let me look to the Lord for strength, perspective, and a servant’s heart to accomplish His will in my life. As I end my day, let me look to the Lord to celebrate the successes and for wisdom to identify areas where I could have done better.

The second reading tells of God’s message to and judgment upon Ahaziah (sixth king of Judah), who worshipped Baal. Ahaziah seeks consolement, during time of sickness, from a false deity identified in the text as, “Baal-zebub, god of Ekron.” God delivered this message and judgement by the hand of His prophet Elijah. How important it is to recognize the true source of life and death.

The third reading recounts two of Zechariah’s visions; one of a flying scroll and the other of a woman in a basket carried away by two other women. The scroll is said to represent the “curse that goes out over the face of the whole land.” The woman is said to represent wickedness and the two women are said to represent the carrying away of the wickedness to the land of Shinar where a house is built for it. The idea is that, it is removed a safe distance, never to trouble God’s people by their wickedness again.

Zechariah is one of the most obscure of the minor prophets, and it may not always be readily apparent how his message can apply to my life. One thing is certain; he served a purpose and was given a work to accomplish. Zachariah lived in a time when God’s people needed a motivator and he fulfilled that role. I live in a time and in a culture that require boldness yet meekness to speak forth the word of truth. May I ever be ready to do that without faltering!

Today’s final reading encourages me to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me. Warning is sounded, lest I be accused as were the rich of James’ day, “Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten” and are “evidence against you” and the voice of those whom you have defrauded are “crying out against you.” What a terrible picture is painted by the words of James. May they never describe me. I am also encouraged to be patient, to establish my heart and to be known as one who can be trusted when he says something.

Have a blessed day dear friend.–Randy Sexton