Two Keys

My sister-in-law had given me a small booklet a long time ago. It was entitled "More Precious Than Jewels" and it was a handbook to be used along with a seminar or a women's Bible study. It was also just good alone for food for thought. She gave it to me right before I got married. Figuring I pretty much knew all there was to know about submission and honoring, etc, I skipped ahead to the one area that was foreign to me. (ahem...) Not till a few days ago while purging our book collection did I stumble upon this booklet again. This time I opened it and started at chapter one - not seven. :)

God has recently been exposing so many areas in my life when I have fallen shamefully short of his requirements as a wife. While I always view these times as ultimately for my good, they have not been pleasant to say the least. Mostly, God has been graciously humbling me to see all my faults that I, through my biased vision, have been unable to discern. My sins are great indeed. I've seen so many areas that I have not given to the Lord and have been trying to control through my own wisdom.

Beginning to read through this "Bible study" booklet has helped to confirm what is constantly a head knowledge, but not always quite a heart knowledge. The lady begins by reiterating the two keys that must be ever present to have a fulfilling life, marriage and relationships with those around us. I thought I'd share the two keys with you. Let's prayerfully consider these and strive to continue in these truths.

1st Key: Let Christ live His life through me -
a. We cannot imitate God's ideal. Without Christ we can do nothing. God can make His ideal a reality in and through me. (Jn. 15:5, Phil 2:12-13, Phil 4:13 & I Thess 5:24)
b. He must first be in me if His is going to manifest Himself through me. This comes by having a vital personal relationship and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rev 3:20, Eph 2:8-9, Rom 10:9-10, Jn 1:12)
c. We must choose to make ourselves available to Him, trust Him and actively obey Him. (Gal 2:20, Rom 12:1-2, Rom 6:11-13, Heb 11:6, Jn 14:15, I Jn 3:28, Rom 6:16)

2nd Key: Desire to have a growing love relationship with Jesus Christ
a. having a progressively deeper, richer and more intimate union and communion with Jesus in order to really know Him in our own personal experience.
b. knowing Him on this intimate level means spending time and concentrating on Him throughout our day.

And by following these two keys we automatically are pleasing our Lord and also our husbands!

I will probably be sharing some of my thoughts as I go through this self appointed Bible study with myself and my Lord. :) Please share insights and advice as the Lord leads. Thanks!