Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Leviticus 21-22

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:22-27

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter nineteen - Holiness and Leadership - covering Leviticus 21-22, looking specifically at the third theme for the chapter - God Calls Us to Represent His Design in Our Marriages.  Here, the commentary calls out Leviticus 21:7-9 and 13-15 as the basis to encourage us to demonstrate holiness within our marriages. While the intent of Leviticus was directed towards the Old Testament priesthood, believers in Christ should see how, in the New Testament, we are called to "represent His design in marriage."  The commentary calls out three scripture examples for us to see this at work:

• 2 Corinthians 6:14: we are to marry those with whom we are "equally yoked"
  
• Ephesians 5:22-25: husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ
  
• 1 Timothy 3:2, 12: leadership in the church must have exemplary marriage

The commentary wraps by stating that "[i]n the old covenant, God held a high standard for the marriages of priests.  In the new covenant, God continues to hold a high standard for the marriages of all followers of Jesus."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blessed me with a wonderful wife, marriage and family.  I am undeserving.  My sin continues as I often fall down in my role as a both a husband and father - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

Song of Songs 1-8

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Songs 4:7

Day 145 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of Solomon's contributions to scripture as I move into the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs.  My commentary* indicates "[u]nlike most of the preceding literature, the “Song of Songs” deals more with love than with wisdom, prayer, or praise" and that "it is a beautiful and striking statement about human love. It suggests that all life, including human sexuality, is holy because God has created it."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Building on my posts from Wednesday and Thursday of this week, I once again find myself treasuring Lisa as my wife, friend and partner for 22 years.  Thank You God for the blessing of Lisa.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with Lisa and I am deeply grateful.  I am undeserving not just of Lisa but also all the ways You bless me.  I continue in my worry - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

Various Proverbs

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:10-11

Day 143 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that cover various observations (joy and grief, good news, and curiosity), and sayings of Agur and King Lemuel.

This morning my focus once again is on Lisa.  I am blessed to have a wife who truly is worth far more than rubies - I lack nothing of value.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who blesses me with Lisa, Zach and Dustin and so much more.  My cup overflows.  I am not deserving for how You bless me.  I sin...daily and often, including my sin of discouraging words that I use to tear others down.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones....Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Various Proverbs

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones....Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 12:4, 13:20

Day 142 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that cover persons and attributes (parents and children, the elderly, women and wives, kings and rulers, messengers, and companions), and various concerns (caution, reputation, courage, and hope).

My focus today is on my wife Lisa (of 22 years).  Lisa without a doubt is a blessing from God for me and for Zach and Dustin.  She is also of noble character.  She is also wise and has helped me become more level headed - less rash.  She is wise in ways that have blessed me enormously.  As you can tell from posts from the past few days, I've struggled in this area.  Thank You God for the blessing of Lisa in my life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - particularly with Lisa!  I am undeserving of such blessings.  I continue to place my own comfort above that of my relationship with You Jesus - sinful indeed - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1 Peter 3

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. v7

I often do not treat Lisa with respect, being critical of her in front of Zach and Dustin and this is NOT respectful!  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such towards You.  I know what Peter speaks here is emphasized elsewhere in scripture:
- Ephesians 5
- Malachi 2
- Hosea 3
- Proverbs 5
- Colossians 3

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love for me, even though You know everything about me, including my sin and shortcomings.  You suffered harshly and died for me, for no reason other than You sought to forgive my sins and to give me eternal life in heaven with You.  What an awesome gift You are!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such a gift.  I often do not work as though I am working for the Lord - lazy!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me love and treat Lisa with respect.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.