May 7, 2000 Humble Messenger

Humble Messenger
Volume 8, Week 19 May 7, 2000
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Building Better Families srf

"Nourishes and Cherishes" Her
"So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church." (Eph. 5:28-29).

"Nourish"
To "nourish" is to "supply what is necessary for maintaining life." (The American College Dict.) So, a man provides his wife food (the kind he likes) and clothing, but provides himself guns, a new truck, a computer, games, and spending money. Does he "love" her? The love commanded is, "as their own bodies" and "as Christ also does the church." This points to plentiful, caring, unselfish provision. Providing her the bare necessities to "get by" while freely spending on oneıs own pleasures will not satisfy the demands of the text, nor the God who gave them. Provision will be limited by ability, but the godly woman will happily accept less if she has a husband who evidences his love for her by putting her welfare and happiness before his selfish indulgences.

Is "nourish" limited to physical needs? The same word (ektrepO) is used by the same writer in the next chapter to refer to the moral and spiritual needs of a child: "bring them up (ektrepO "nurture them" ASV) in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (6:4). The thoughtful, godly, and informed husband recognizes that his wife has more than the physical needs of food, shelter, and clothing.

She needs attentive affection. Lacking that facet of her husbandıs love, Leah said, "the Lord has seen my affliction."  (Gen. 29:31-34). Desiring to "supply what is necessary to maintaining" a healthy emotional life, the loving husband will work at "nourishing" his wifeıs emotional needs, just like he works to provide food, shelter and clothing.

She may need encouragement. She tries to be a devoted wife and mother. She works to grow in Christ and serve in the kingdom. But it is not always easy. Sometimes she wonders if she is doing the right thing. The husband who loves his wife will encourage her by his example and his words. The thoughtful and godly husband will "praise" his good and godly wife (Pro. 31:28). Desiring to "nourish" her, he is attentive to "supply what is necessary" to help her overcome self-doubt and despair.

She needs social interaction. Man is a fourfold being, including the social aspect of life (Luke 2:52). Woman was made to complement his need, to be his companion. Aware of his wifeıs need, the husband who loves his wife will purpose and make time to supply that social interaction she needs‹talking with her, listening to her, doing things with her.

"Cherish"
"Cherish" means "1. to hold or treat as dear 2. to care for tenderly" (The American College Dict.). "To cherish is to prize or treasure, but connotes greater affection for or attachment to the thing cherished." (Websterıs New World Dict.) In 1 Th. 2:7 it is translated "tenderly cares": "as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children."

The man who tenderly cares for his wife will strive to be sympathetic to the problems she must deal with, to understand and appreciate the work she does, and to be considerate of her health. Instead of always criticizing her, he will look for opportunities to commend her, e.g. "good supper," "the house sure looks nice," "youıre a good mother." Caring about her feelings, he will not forget to say "thanks" for a job well done. Tenderness will compel him to help her in times of ill health and stress. Holding her dear will motivate him to those special acts that say, "I love you" (flowers? eat out? date?). He will give her, not only things, but time and interest. He will be considerate of her need of emotional and social interaction as well as physical.

Godıs man must "nourish and cherish" his wife in love. A man may prize a good employee or a good maid, but his wife is so much more. She may keep books, but she is not his accountant; she may help him, but she is not his employee; she may keep his house, but she is not his maid; she may tenderly care for his children, but she is more than a nanny. She is his wife, his lifelong companion, and he is under divine obligation to "nourish and cherish" her.   

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NEWS
Zelma Bobbitıs brother, J. W. Stalcup, passed away last week . . . The evening assembly today will be devoted to prayer. There will be no sermon . . . Visitation group number one will meet briefly in the
high school class after the evening assembly . . . If you can get free on Wednesday mornings, come join us in a Bible study from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. You may be surprised what you may learn! Our current studies are designed to establish us in the faith and better equip us to teach others Godıs simple but widely misunderstood plan for the salvation of the soul. . . May reports from Carlos Capelli and Wayne Chamberlain are available in the foyer . . .Our next gospel meeting is scheduled for August 4-6, 2000, with Chuck Durham doing the preaching. Why not mark this on your calendar now so you will not inadvertently plan any conflicting events?ŠThe following email (adapted here) was sent to a list of brethren via the internet. "Brethren, I am writing to inform you of critical situation in the Philippines, specifically in General Santos City (GENSAN) on the large island of MindinaoŠAs you may have read in your own newspapers, rebel Muslim forces are creating a very dangerous situation there. Many have been taken hostages. Buses have been stopped and people robbed and taken hostage. Roads have been closed while the rebels are trying to take over the ancestral land of their forefathers. We have received many e-mails from brethren over there requesting our prayersŠ There are 1000s of Christians in the area that may be affectedŠBrethren, this is a critical situation. Please pray earnestly for their safety and that there will be a quick resolution to the uprising. If the rebels are successful, the Christians will most likely be next. They will be forced to become Muslim or lose their livesŠ Steve Lockair, locklair@deltech.net"

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Wednesday Evening Close  
May 10 John Lowrance
May 17 Rob McCaskill
May 24 Lynn Michaels
May 31 Craig Moore

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 Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt    
                        MAY   
Sun. 7 pm E & E Osteen
Wed. 10 pm
Sun. 14 pm Cannons
Wed. 17 pm
Sun. 21 pm E & E Osteen
Wed. 24 pm Michael Gove
Sun. 28 pm E & E Osteen
Wed. 31 pm Rocky

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SCHEDULED TO SERVE

Wednesday May 10
Song Leader: Dwight Osteen
Close: John Lowrance
Sunday AM, May 14
Announcements: Gregg Hutson
Song Leader: Boyd Hurst
First Prayer: Jim Crain
Lordıs Table
_ Bread: Kris Emerson
_ Fruit of the Vine: Bill Faulkner
_ Contribution: Fred Ferguson
_ Assistant: Michael Gove
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: David Dickey
Sunday PM, May 14
Song Leader: Gary Tuttle
First Prayer: Larry Legg
Lordıs Table
_ Bread: Kris Emerson
_ Fruit of the Vine: Bill Faulkner
_ Contribution: Fred Ferguson
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: Mike Head
If you are a scheduled song leader but know you will be unavailable, please notify Jim Crain.
If you are scheduled to serve in any other capacity but cannot serve as scheduled, please notify Boyd Hurst.