The Gift Series, Part 2, 2020

 To all the men out there.

Yes. I'm speaking directly to you. You are the head of your household. You are the responsible party. You and you alone are the final decision maker, authority, and law. I know, I know, some of my more liberal friends will take issue with this. Some men I know do not want this role. They would rather the woman handle all things. Or? They have been conditioned to believe that marriage is where the two become one, and all things must be agreed upon by a family meeting and even the children must have a say.

I understand that some see this as old fashioned, outdated, or even oppressive and chauvinistic. However, this does not change the fact it is true.

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3

Am I saying that the Woman must submit to abuse and or suffer at the whims of her Husband? Of course not. What I AM saying is that it IS the MAN'S responsibility to be the Hunter, Gather, Protector, Provider, Comforter, Decision Maker, and Leader. Men, your Wife is a gift from God.

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:"  Proverbs 31

 I am Blessed enough to say, that I found a Wife that matches this description.

From Eve, the woman has always been, is, and always will be a gift from God. She was created FOR man. To be "a help meet for him." That is to say "one who helps." The Bible teaches that it is the wife's duty to help her husband. God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone." Therefore He gave Adam the gift of woman. Men, you are to see her as such.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That 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. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:" Ephesians 5:25-29

Christ laid down His life for the church. We should have that love for our wives. Be willing to do anything. Honor her. Love her. Protect her. Cherish her. Never be abusive. Jesus was never abusive to His bride, or, the church. That is the point.

However, YOU, men, are responsible. You are the captain of the ship that will take you both through the years on this voyage called life. Adding children along the way. Where are you taking them?

Whatever your decision is, it will affect all of you. Under your God-given authority. You accept the gift of salvation, your entire household is covered. Don't believe me?

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." 1 Corinthians 7:14

In 2 Timothy, we see that once Faith is received into a family, it remains. It is passed down. Remember, God tells fathers to raise their children in The word. 

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

 Faith can become hereditary.

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well." 2 Timothy 1:5

I'm getting to it. What about those households without a father, husband? Then the Mother becomes the household leader and the responsible party.

Now let's spend some time in Acts talking about Timothy. Timothy's mother was a Jew, who believed in Jesus. However, his father was a Greek, who did not believe. Yet, God was able to bless their house and rise up a saint, because of Timothy's mother.

"Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." 

Now again, we see one person accepting the gift, and the entire household being covered. Being baptized even. Continue on...

"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." Acts 16:1-34

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Then it tells us the guard "was baptized, he and all his, straightway." This is why it is so important men, you accept the gift. If you do not, perhaps your wife will. But do not blame the woman, men. It didn't work out well for Adam. It will not for you either. Women, if there is no man in your household, then the responsibility lays at your feet. raise your child in the ways they should go.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16

Men, YOU are responsible for your family. But if you fail to assume the role, God will use your wife. Women, if you are absent a male in your household, you become IT. But either way, we see that not only is "The Gift" the Greatest Gift you can ever receive but that your entire household can be covered as well, through YOUR Faith.

Once you receive "The Gift," it is then vitally important to lay a solid foundation of faith and truth of God, in your children. This brings us to part three. We have discovered that "The Gift," is salvation. eternal life. Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, His death, yet rather, His resurrection from the dead, so that you may live everlasting.

We have also learned that "The Gift," not only covers you but your entire household and can become hereditary, if you will, as well. Growing and spreading for generations. Remember, God has a plan and a purpose for your life and the life of us all. He may be dealing with you today so that He can call your son or even grandson, tomorrow.

So a gift this important? What do you do with it? Do you receive it with great joy, then put it in the corner to be forgotten? I think not. God says He wants you to always be prepared.

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

What does this mean? We'll talk about it next time. Have you received "The Gift?" Are you and your Household covered? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." Romans 10:9 You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!