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The Real Prize
May 25, 2011
I’ve been amazed at the impact that my wife, Martie, has had on the lives of our kids. Very few roles demand the kind of unconditional, self-sacrificing perseverance and commitment as that of motherhood. I know for certain that my character and faith have been shaped and molded by my mom, Corabelle. Let’s face it, where would we be without our wives and mothers?
It reminds me of one of my favorite memories in sports history. Phil Mickelson walked up the 18th fairway at the Masters Golf Tournament in 2010 after his final putt to clinch one of golf’s most coveted prizes for the third time. But it wasn’t his victory leap on the green that had an impact on me. It was when he made a beeline through the crowd to his wife, who was battling life-threatening cancer. They embraced, and the camera caught a tear running down Phil’s cheek as he held his wife close for a long time.
Our wives need to experience the kind of sacrificial, selfless love that has been shown to us by the Lover of our souls. As Paul put it, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:25). Prizes come and go, but it’s the people you love—and who love you—that matter most.
A man who finds a godly wife
Is blest beyond compare;
She is his greatest prize in life—
A treasure rich and rare. —D. De Haan
Life is not about the prizes we win, but the people we love.
Read: Ephesians 5:22-33
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. —
Ephesians 5:25Ephesians 5: 22-33 KJV
22.Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23.For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24.Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25.Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26.That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27.That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28.So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29.For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30.For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31.For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32.This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33.Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
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Both husbands and wives have responsibility and accountability here. (not in fashion with the mores of today).
This is from the New Testament. We are to follow it's commands. God's plan is always the best plan, remember this. It makes for a life of peace. A house divided can not stand.
