Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)
 
The word submit makes me want to cringe. Often it is used as a reason for women to obey their spouse regardless of what they say or how they treat them. This is not the case.

Submission can be seen in two ways in a military context we submit to the leaders who are over the unit. However, your spouse is not in a military regimen with just you and them. It would be difficult to conquer a nation with just the two of you. Submit here is used meaning a voluntary attitude of cooperating, assuming responsibility, and obedience. It is voluntary not mandated. Your spouse has a choice in cooperating in what you are requesting of them, they get to decide if they want to obey or assume responsibility. The decision rests with them. The spouse is a cooperative partner. A partner in your relationship.

“As is fitting in the Lord.” The type of love that is fitting in the Lord is one of sacrificial love that Christ calls for husbands to led by. They are the example as the head of the household of how to protect those under their care, support them, and sacrifice for them. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father. The aim of submission is unity. Jesus submits to the Father to bring mankind into a right relationship with the Father. Spouses submit to each other to create a stronger family unit.
 
Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1

Today it is hard to believe when something happens. We rarely take anything on just someone’s word. If my friend says they can deadlift 300 lbs, we want them to prove it. If our kids learned their first word we try and make sure they say it again so there is proof they know the word. Your aunt’s banana pudding is the best. The proof is in the pudding. There is a lack of trust since we must prove everything.

The definition of faith is what is hoped for but, a proof that is unseen. It is a reality of what you have hoped for there is a conviction, of what is not real but is true. It is not wishful thinking “I hope this is going to happen” but a firm conviction that what you have hoped for will happen.

In Indiana Jones the Last Crusade Indiana is told he needs to take a leap of faith. There is a point where he is looking into a chasm and is terrified since he cannot see the bottom. It looks like if he takes the step he will fall to his death. He instead takes a step of faith and steppingstones appear beneath his feet. It gives a great picture of faith. To take a step when we think it will lead to our death but, have faith that there are stones underneath our feet even when we cannot see them.

God calls us to have this kind of faith. Although, we cannot see Jesus we believe in him. We believe in Jesus, not like a blind leap of faith in the dark but, because we have a reason too. He died on the cross so that we can have a relationship with God. Restore our relationships with each other. To set us free from any sin that we are facing. Faith in Christ is a firm foundation. For he is the true definition of faith.
                 
Heavenly Farther, God it is hard to live by faith. Help me to live by faith today, to live with an assurance and conviction, confidence in you and your word.

Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins

“The Lord examines the righteous, but he hates the wicked and those who love violence.”
- Psalms 11:5
 
Video games can be helpful, they can help promote learning. There are some computer games that help people learn typing skills, creativity, and even problem solving. However, there have been some controversial video games such as Mortal Kombat, Death Race, Grand Theft Auto. When these games came out many parents fought against these games since they promoted violence. Some parents believed that these games would influence their children to become violent. This was not always the case however, there are some people who love violent games and are not violent towards others.

When we love violence and hurting others, we are not thinking of others in the image that they are created. Everyone is made with inherent worth no matter how different they are from us. We may believe stealing is not against a person’s worth, but we are taking away from their livelihood. We are to think of others and what good we can do towards others. The Lord examines our hearts and can change us If we have a violent behavior tendency, we can learn to use healthy ways to express our anger such as take deep breaths and calmly talk about the situation. We can budget to save money for the items we desire instead of stealing.

If you have been violent in the past God hates that you have been violent and turned away from him. God loves you and wants to see that you do God in your life and work towards building a better community.
 
Heavenly Father, I have lived a path of violence and stealing for some time. God help me to change my ways and see everyone as you see them as children who are loved by their father.
 
Praying for you,
Stacy Watkins