Christian Family Services Ministry

1-31-21 – A Word to the Wise – Wisdom is not intellect, nor knowledge, it may be founded in humanism, or God inspired. You have to choose its source, or not.

Read Full Post »

1-28-2021 – A Word to the Wise – A bit of insight:

Too the degree you fear the Lord, to that same degree others will fear you.

Read Full Post »

1-12-2021 – A Word to the Wise – On Submission:

Submission is a conjunct of obedience. One under authority receives praise for obedience and admiration for their submissiveness.

Many view the marriage relationship for the woman as one of obedience. When the wife does not measure up to the husband he charges her with failing to be submissive. This kind of thinking reflects two major errors. First the woman is not a child that must obey her husband. The two are to be submissive to each other.

Furthermore, a husband should not charge his wife with failing to be submissive just because she has a different viewpoint. Submission is voluntary. Submission is a trait for which one receives praise not judgement. Something that is voluntarily given is not subject to the whims or demands of another.

Notice the traits of submission. Such traits are not things one demands of another. They are more accurately, a reflection of one’s strength of character. Submission is the little child who wishes to please—not the slave who is beat into submission. What is submission?

Submission is a reflection of one’s character.

• Submission is treating others deferentially.

• Submission is yielding one’s rights to another.

• Submission is voluntary obedience.

• Submission reflects a quiet spirit.

• Submission treats others better than self.

• Submission is non-resistant to evil.

• Submission displays patience in the face of adversity.

• Submission is preparation to invest in others.

Notice how each of these traits reflects a quiet gentle spirit. This is achieved internally, not by proclamation, commandment, or demand.

Read Full Post »

1-11-2021 – A Word for the Wise – On Faith

We have a tendency to think that faith is inherited, or that it comes from hearing alone. I do not know about you but it has never been so with me. Faith is a struggle that comes from hardship, and unbearable difficulties. Speaking on it my mother use to say that faith comes from periods of intense struggle followed by great insight, ending again with another impossible mountain to climb. Most certainly as James says faith is made complete by endeavor and that is the goal is it not . . . fruit bearing?

Read Full Post »

1-4-2021 – A Word to the Wise – Further study on the Motivational Gifts

1. The gifts are of equal value.

2. Each person is given one as assigned by the Lord.

3. The only time absolute equality may be observed for all mankind is at the point of conception after birth many other factors have to be considered as considered as influencing the value of the gift.

4. The assignment of task and purpose for that person is therefore determined at conception.

5. Each person from the point of conception has free will and may choose to perform the assigned task or refuse it as they mature.

6. Scripture reveals this pattern all throughout scripture. Those who succeed in the task assigned, those who refuse, and those attempt to fulfill the goal, and either succeed, partially succeed, or fail.

7. Man interprets the value from their perspective and decide on failure or successes by humanistic standards a standard not relevant to the Lord’s perspective.

8. That these standards existed from the beginning and examples of their equality or value offered.

9. Although Paul describes the gifts in the context of a Christian it is not to be restricted to the person devoting their life to the Lord. Conversion only compounds its value.

So let’s give examples of this assignment at birth, some indicators that the person has the free will to use it according to God’s decree, or in pride use it for their own purpose and glory.

The first man Adam was given the gift of organization. So the assign task given was to name all of the animals grouping them according to kind. (Gen. 2:9)

Eve, his wife, was give the gift of exhorter, to search after wisdom. Gen. 3:6 relates the woman desire to make one wise, which is the chief purpose of the exhorter.

Cain is born and the Lord gives him the gift of giver. Material things are all important to Cain. When his manner of life and purpose falls short of God’s purpose the Lord tries to correct Cain. (Gen. 4.7). Cain refuses the correction.

Abel, is second born, a mercy. Abel is a follower (Gen. 4:8) and like a sheep Cain leads him to be slaughtered.

It is apparent from the beginning each person is given a gift and those gifts are of equal value. Each person is given a task and they choose the course of action, both good and evil.

So support the assertion that a course of action is assigned with the gift along with the ability to perform the assigned task or not.

Pharaoh in the time of Joseph is an example of a Prophet. He is obviously a leader. He is perceptive about good and evil in those he rules over. He knows his own limitation and chooses Joseph to do the task God sent him to perform. He did not interfere with Joseph the organizer rather gives him all the tools and authority to complete his task. Both followed the Lord’s direction and the task assigned was completely satisfactorily. (Gen. 50:19)

We learn of Moses the giver that he is assigned task of leading God’s people. He did not want to but did as directed. The Pharaoh, at the time of Moses also a giver, was given the task of releasing God’s people. He has a choice, do as he was directed with the authority God gives him. He refused.

Esther, a mercy, was raised up to save God’s people. Mordecai reminds Esther of the task God raised her up for, however if she refuses then God will replace hr. (Esther 4:13)

Ahaz, a teacher, I given the task of trusting the Lord before His people. He is overcome with anxiety. Given the choice of standing firm with the Lord’s help he refuses. (Isa. 7).

I Kings 13 we learn of a future king Josiah, who will come in the future and his action are described for the future hundreds of years in advanced. He did exactly what the Lord assigned him to do, but he had a choice to be prideful or do things the Lord way.

Many more examples could be given prior to Christianity, each person seen in the context of his gift, with a choice of action.

Each of the gifts are view of equal valued, given to rich and poor alike.

Now examples of the gift assigned in the womb. Judges 13. The story of Samson. A server. In verse 3 we have a barren woman she is told she will conceive and what care is to be given for the raising of the child, and the task assigned. . Samson preformed part of the task assigned by the Lord, and partly failed.

Even more specific is the story of Jacob, a giver, and his brother Esau, a server. The two infants are fighting in the womb. Already given their gifts and future task.

How do we know their gifts? Jacob wants the material things of Esau the birthright. He fought tooth and nail for the material wealth of Laban. Esau cared less. Moreover, 20 years later we still see their gifts at work. Jacob coming home with material possessions. Repeatedly offering material things to Esau, prized things. Esau did not want the material things he refused. He just wanted his brother’s acceptance. (Gen. 27-31)

Read Full Post »