It seems that no matter where we turn some are self-appointing themselves to ministry. Some are calling themselves prophets despite the fact that what they say does not come to pass and often is not predicated upon the Word of God. Others call themselves apostles even while they have no church homes and have planted no churches. Even more are simplistic in their self-anointing referring to themselves as ministers, evangelist or missionaries yet there are no signs following them, no one is brought into the Kingdom  and the only missions fulfilled is the pulling together of the evening meal. Even more, many of these “ministers” are married and neglect to tend to the most important ministries of all, their spouses.

     The reason the above groups are hypocritical at best is because they tend to ignore not only the Word of God but also the vows they have taken. If a minister is married, be that minister male or female, his first and primary ministry is to his spouse. There is no more important relationship other than that between Christ and the Church. As such the relationship between Christ and the Church as the example ministers need to follow in marriages. Too many marriages are falling apart in the Church because one spouse spends more time in “ministry” than actually ministering to the spouse. God is not pleased with this. In fact He is angered by those that choose not to honor His Word. Consider the words of Ephesians chapter five as it relates to marital relationships.

     With this in mind consider just a few things the “minister” can do which are actually ministry. If you are on the phone with your best friend and your spouse has need of your attention the friend can wait. Hang up the phone and listen to the heart of your spouse. If the friend does not understand then the friend is not really a friend. And, do you have to go out with your friends every Friday night. What if that spouse wants to have a candlelight dinner with you?  Will the answer be no? I should hope not. Wives need to understand what it means to be submitted to their husbands. Submission is a choice to honor and obey with all respect. It means not going behind his back when he has clearly made opposition to a matter rather it is giving him due as head of the house.

     Now, it is certain that these words seem archaic in this modern society but much of the reason there are problems in households is because the wife often does not understand submission. It is not being a doormat but it is the intentional surrendering of selfishness in order to please the husband. It is the same thing that is required of the Christian in respect to Christ. It is not that the Christian is forced to serve Jesus rather he chooses to follow Jesus because of the love he has for his Deliverer. With this the husband is not excused from doing what is right. He is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church. This means that he will not ignore her needs rather will do all to meet those needs. He will not be her commander-in-chief but will be her leader and protector. His wife is not his servant rather she is his lover so that she walks with him and not behind him.

     The point of this brief missive is simple: if you count yourself a minister and neglect your spouse in any way you are not a minister. You are a fraud because there is no greater ministry than ministry to your spouse.      

^WC Deuteronomy 28

King James Version (KJV)

28 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

^WC Now, who said Christianity was not under attack? http://ow.ly/gw9aQ

http://ow.ly/d/YzJ ^WC This is the one of my newsletters that published last year. You will receive this and so much more as we grow into a magazine. And, there is no cost to you. Just send an email to preachercarter@gmail.com stating your desire to receive this informative, introspective and challenging production. I am looking to hear from you.

^WC To any and all that desire to receive free copies of my newsletter “The Christian Perspective” simply send me an email stating such. The address is preachercarter@gmail.com so come on let’s get reading, studying, discussing and growing.

The Danger of the Fringes.

^WCI am hoping to get some responses from this post. Here is the thing; I have no consistent sponsors for my monthly Newsletter. As such I am considering delivering it electronically as well as digitally. As such if you are interested in receiving “The Christian Perspective” please send your email address to preachercarter@gmail.com so that I can complete a database of recipients. If you are uncertain as to the types of articles found in the monthly production visit my blog https://atomic-temporary-41693309.wpcomstaging.com/. Also, I don’t mind you sharing this information if you choose to.

^WC And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7

http://ow.ly/d/XX1 ^WC I am sending this message on behalf of the Meade family. This family lost the lady of the house due to a massive heart attack last Wednesday. It is my hope that as many as will share this information so that those acquainted with Michelle might have opportunity to show support to the family while showing final respects.

Thanks in advance for all that help pass the word.