The Acceptable Day – Part 1

Romans 5:3-5 “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

This week, Michael writes: God always honors faith but He never honors fear. Although there will always be ‘wars and rumors of wars’ and unexpected events in this life, Jesus said, “Fear not, for I have overcome the world.” Cataclysmic events are often our “come to Jesus” moments. We have to be brought to our knees to acknowledge that we cannot help ourselves. On our knees, we have no control over our own situation. 

The story of Johnny Bash is a story of turning to God for deliverance in the midst of the storms of life. Johnny was a successful young man in the eyes of the world. He was an athlete who had a thriving business. While on vacation on the Colorado River, he dived from the boat into the river. The river was shallow and in that catastrophic moment, Johnny suffered a spinal cord injury and became a quadriplegic. These are the times that try men’s souls. The trials of life challenge us not only when we ourselves have been broken and in need of help, but also when God calls each of us out of our comfort zones to minister to those among us who have been broken. As Jesus said, “In that you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me” – Matthew 25:40.

John White, a minister and evangelist with “Firefighters for Christ,” is another Believer who has recently been brought to his knees. John reminds us that God is in the business of healing relationships. He and his wife, Jane, have been married for many years. As a fire fighter, John spent years training and drilling how to react and rescue others in the “line of fire.” He disciplined himself so that in the midst of a crisis situation, his actions to save others would kick in automatically. However, John like most men, had never been trained how to react as a husband. John knew that his wife was a godly woman who loved him despite his faults and failures. After twelve years of marriage, John finally read this command to husbands In Ephesians 5:25: “husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church.” John made two vows to God …  the first was to love God above all. The second was to love his wife Jane as Christ loved the church.

Learning how Christ loved the church is a lifelong lesson. John often asked his wife, “What can I change to love you more?” As a godly woman Jane always answered from a heart of unconditional love, “not a thing.”

Let’s continue Michael’s message on “Loving our spouses … and significant others” tomorrow, on the next post. In Christ, Brian