The gift
But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is (her) man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3
I like to give gifts. Whether it is for birthdays, Christmas or some other special occasion, it is just one of the greatest joys for me to be able to bless others with some kind of gift. My favorite time to give is when there is no special reason at all. Just because I want to make someone feel special and let them know I am thinking of them. Usually, they are not overly expensive things, just a little something to bring a smile to someone’s face.
I’ve come to realize that the reason I like to give is because I learned it from my Father, my Heavenly Father. He has always been a giver and it brings Him such great joy to give to His people and His children. The very first gift He gave after the gift of life, was to Adam. It was a very special and precious gift . . . a wife. Adam was alone in the garden that God had made for him to live in. He had many animals surrounding him, but there was no other person like him. God saw that Adam needed a companion, friend and someone to help him accomplish the things that God had planned for them to do in the earth. Namely to be fruitful and multiply. Adam certainly couldn’t do that by himself.
God put Adam into a deep sleep so He could take a part out of Adam and make another person from the same material. Then when Adam woke up, God presented him with the greatest gift that Adam could have hoped for at that time. A helper, a wife. Adam had seen how all the animals had a mate like themselves and it was obvious that he didn’t have one that matched him. I love how it is written in the original language. It says God formed man, but He fashioned woman. He made her extra special because she was a gift and God wanted His man to know how much He cared and loved Him.
This brings me to today’s point. The scripture for today says that the head of the woman is that man. Many women take issue with being expected to submit to this role and to be subject to her husband. It doesn’t say that she has to submit to every man, just her husband. That is the only man that is head over her. Most women do not realize that they were created to be a present/gift to her husband. A helper. They also do not realize what a position of great influence they have been given when they submit all to their husband. It is really one of God’s secrets and one that will defeat any enemy that comes against a marriage. When a man and woman come into agreement in the order that God created them to be in, the is no thing or person that will ever be able to stand against this force of power in unity.
Today I want to encourage first of all husbands. Love and cherish your wife as a great gift from God. If you treat your wife as the most precious person and voice in your life, she will have no trouble at all submitting to you. Recognize that submission is a voluntary thing, and a husband cannot force his wife to submit. Otherwise, it is not submission, it is oppression. I want to encourage wives to honor and respect your husband. As a most precious gift to him, it is up to you to be that precious gift in the way you speak and care for him. You are a gift, but a wife must make the decision to act like a gift that her husband wants to have around him all the time, not one that is set aside and thought little about. Together surrender all your life to the Lord and help one another to complete the mission you were called to while you have your time together in this world. God made you for each other and for Him, get the order right and you will be successful in all He has for you to do.
Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 11:3-16
3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.
5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man.
9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.
10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.
12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.
13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.
16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
The Daily Dose 