Seven Secrets for Wives – Day 2 – Secret #1

SUBMIT TO YOUR HUSBAND’S HEADSHIP.

I guess we might as well start with the one that most women want to avoid! However,it’s one of the secrets so I can’t leave it out! We may not always like what God says but it’s the only way that works. Let’s find out more.

1) Submission is Biblical.

Many couples today believe they can get along doing things their own way, rather than standing on God’s truth. But man’s way doesn’t work. I listened to a preacher the other week who quoted the fact that the percentage of divorce amongst Christians is now higher than the world. How devastating! But this is the fruit of man’s ways.

You can read the Scriptures again: 1 Corinthians 7:3,4; 14:34b; Ephesians 5: 21-24; Philippians 2:6-10; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-6. The word “submission” is “hupotasso”. It comes from two words – “hupo” which means “under” and “tasso” which means, “to set in order.” Therefore it means, “to place in an orderly fashion under something.” Husbands cannot demand submission from their wives. We place ourselves under our husband’s protection and leadership “as unto the Lord.” It is something we do of our own accord, because we want to do His will.

2) Submission is a heart attitude.

Submission is not an outward act that we do under sufferance. It is a heart attitude. It is an attitude that is worked in us by the power of the Holy Spirit as we yield our will to the Lord. Most of us don’t learn this lesson easily but as we continually yield it becomes more a habit of our lives.

3) Submission is for our protection.

God did not devise submission to bring wives into bondage. No, it is for our blessing, protection and covering. God’s ultimate plan is for His female creation to be under protection throughout their entire lives – under their father’s protection as a single person and then under their husband’s protection when they marry. We see an understanding of this in Numbers Chapter 30.

4) Submission is a kingdom principle.

The word “submit” does not belong in Satan’s kingdom. It is antipathy to everything that belongs to the kingdom of darkness. The key word in Satan’s kingdom is “independence.” It was the spirit of independence and “I’ll have it my way” that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven, and he continues to corrupt the world with this same spirit today. It may feel good at the time but independence always brings destruction. This is why we now have such an epidemic of divorce. On the other hand, submission may not feel very natural, but it is a principle of the kingdom of God. The reason it doesn’t feel natural to our flesh is because it is supernatural. It belongs to a kingdom of truth, light and holiness. Most of the time we don’t feel like submitting because it goes against our fleshly nature. However, as we die to the flesh and yield to the power of the Holy Spirit we will have the grace to submit. As we flow in this kingdom principle, we will walk in the power of the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom principles work and no others.

5) Submission is a picture of Christ and the church.

Does the bride of Christ order him around and tell him what to do? Does she wear the pants? Is not He head of the church? God planned for the marriage relationship to picture this truth to the world. Is our marriage a clear picture or distorted? Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:15-19; 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:22.

6) Submission wins the victory.

Submission is not weakness; it is power. Submission is for the mature. It is a three-year-old mentality to stamp your feet and demand your own way. Jesus Himself is the example. He sweat drops of blood as He anticipated His submission to His Father’s will. He cried, “Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” In submitting to the Father’s will He won the greatest victory in the universe. He redeemed a people. He won a bride. He won the victory over death, hell and Satan. When you are sweating it out, remember that you have not yet “resisted unto blood.” Matthew 26:39; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 12:2-4.

7) Submission takes faith.

In 1 Peter chapter 3, we read the example of godly women who submitted to their husbands, even though their husbands were not Christians, and even at times when they were wrong. But these women had a secret. They exercised the grace of submission toward their husbands, but they trusted in God! Even when they couldn’t trust their husband’s decision, they trusted God. Dear wives; God is bigger than your husband! Remember that. When you think he is wrong and leading you down a wrong path, trust God. God will work for you as you put your trust in Him. Twice Sarah was taken into a harem, but she put her trust in the Lord and God delivered her!

When you walk in a spirit of submission, you will receive seven blessings in your life. You will have…

1) Sensitivity to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.
2) Serenity – Soul rest and peace in your heart. Matthew 11:28-30.
3) Security and Stability in your life.
4) Sweetness in your life.
5) Soundness of doctrine.
6) Strength of character. And you will be…
7) Saved from deception. 1 Timothy 2:14-15.

~Nancy Campbell~

Seven Secrets for Wives – Day 1

I have come across a wonderful devotion that will strengthen your marriage. It is written by one of my favorite ladies, Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies. It is rather lengthy so I am going to split it up a bit. The title is Seven Secrets For Wives. Today I will give you the introduction and on the following days I will post one of the seven secrets. I think you will be blessed. Please stop by everyday, take these things into your heart, look to the Word of God, and be prayerful concerning them, and may your marriages be strengthened, blessed, and honoring to the Lord.

On the 2nd March 2000 Colin and I celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. Where has the time gone? Colin was 60 years old on the 1st April 2000 (yes, April Fool’s Day!) and I follow next year. In the early years of our marriage I remember attending a silver wedding anniversary of a couple in our church, and I thought they were old! When I planned a Ruby Wedding anniversary (40th) for my parents years ago, I thought they were getting very old! Now it won’t be long before we celebrate our ruby anniversary. But age is more a matter of the mind than years, isn’t it? I feel younger than I ever have in my life. However, I do trust that I have become a little wiser and more mature as the years have gone on.

Colin and I have been blessed with a faithful and committed marriage. I can remember thinking before I married, “What on earth it would be like to live with a person for all your life?” Wow, these years have seemed like one day – and now we’re ready for another 37 years! The following are some of the secrets I have learned over the years. They are all biblical concepts. I am sure you must be getting used to the fact that I always resort to the Word of God for the foundation of my life, so back to the Word we go. Here are seven “S’s” for you.

~Nancy Campbell~

So what do you think? It sounds to be a good devotion doesn’t it?? Make sure you check back each day for the entire series and please leave your comments. Hopefully we can encourage one another to make our marriages stronger.

Weekend Kindness

I am posting over here today. Stop by and read some of the many great things over at Weekend Kindness.

A Quiet Moment

When my husband and I were newlyweds there were things that we just did not understand. We often poked fun at those old couples who wore the same shirts whenever they went out. We have since learned that when you have been married for several years you begin to think alike more than you realize.

There have been several days when I would emerge dressed only to find my hubby already wearing the same t-shirt or the same color shirt! It actually bothers me enough that I go and change. We never plan to wear the same thing, there are just days when it happens. I find it a bit frustrating but mostly humorous.

Just like dressing alike there was another thing we have always tended to notice and say it was never going to happen to us because it is such a sad and horrible thing! Have you seen the older couples in the restaurants who sit and eat their dinner and have no more than two words to say to each other? We all have seen them. Most of us probably, if honest, would say that we feel sorry for them. This is never going to happen to us!

Our older children are at an age where they can babysit the younger children. This has been a great blessing for us. Several months ago my husband and I took the opportunity to go on a date so we could have some time together before my hubby went back to work after almost 6 weeks of leave. It was also a good break because we had some little ones who were not feeling well, who needed care that week and I had been ill also. As we sat in Chili’s Restaurant waiting for our food I began to feel like something horrible had happened. Here I was, out with my husband and we were not talking! Had we turned into a sour, old couple who had nothing left to say to one another?!

At the exact moment I was about to say something, anything, just to keep from admitting that had happened; my husband spoke. His words gave a whole new light and perspective to the situation. He said, “You remember how we used to feel bad for those quiet couples who never talked. Well, you know it is nice to know that it is ok to just sit here and enjoy being with you.”

I had never thought of our silence as being a good thing. I saw it as a sign of something bad on the horizon. I now realize that it is ok to enjoy the quiet company of your spouse as much as the talkative times. It is good just to be with someone who loves you. Especially when you are a bit tired and feeling a little drained. Allowing your spouse to know that it is ok and that you enjoy even their quiet company can be a strong statement of your love for them.

We shared a quiet meal and mentioned all of the younger couples. (NOTE: we are not old..36 and39) We chuckled with each other as we imagined what they were thinking of us as we sat there obviously tired, with sporadic conversation, enjoying a few quiet moments without all of the activity of the children. I will not look at a quiet couple the same way again. I will choose to believe that they are simply enjoying the quiet company of one they love.

A Daughter’s View of Courtship

Today I am posting over at Weekend Kindness. We were to share something from the mouths of our children. I posted one of my daughter’s papers on finding a spouse. I think you will be blessed by reading it.

Take a moment to read it and comment. I would love it if you came back here are let me know what you think too!

Fruit of Spirit Kindness

The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. This dependence must be in every area of my life.

When I started blogging a year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow.

The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipped to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.
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