When a Man Loves His Wife—It’s a Beautiful Thing!

It is the duty of the husband to toil for her support; to provide for her needs...to attend on her in sickness to go before her in danger; to defend her if she is in peril; and to be ready to die to save her.

On Father’s Day, what is the best thing a man can do? Love His wife! American comedian, Jack Benny, was married in 1927. He and his wife, Mary, remained together for 47 years, until Jack died in 1984. One practical way Jack showed love for his wife was through giving her a rose every day of their marriage. The day after Jack died though, Mary received another rose. After contacting the florist, she learned that Jack arranged through his will for Mary to continue receiving daily roses until her death, which continued for eight years until 1983. What an example to his daughter and grandchildren. Does loving your wife mean giving her a rose every day? It did for Jack Benny.

Where does this idea of men loving their wives come from? You might think, “Well, duh, it is just common sense.” If it is, then why do not all husbands do it? Why do some abuse their wives and cheat on them? Because loving your wife, it is not common sense for every man. Read this important truth--all that is good, right and beautiful has one source—God. The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives…” (Ephesians 5:25) The idea of a husband loving his wife, originates from God. He created men with an instinctive desire to marry and love their wives. However, there is one thing which has complicated that—sin. It is the inner spiritual curse within every human being that causes us to do wrong; from evil thoughts, prideful attitudes, to selfish actions. This is why many men do not love their wives as they should, and one indication of that is how they view marriage and family. Some view their wives as maids to cook and clean for them, and raise the kids so they can work long hours to achieve their career goals, or have time to spend in their man-caves. Other men may view their wives as merely business partners, bookkeepers, or someone to pleasure them on demand.

How are men to love their wives? “…as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (Eph. 5:25) Love your wives, the way Jesus loved the church. Jesus is pictured as the husband, and the church as His wife, and when Jesus suffered, died, was buried and rose again from the dead, it was like a husband doing that for his wife. What is this communicating? Husbands are to love their wives with a self-sacrificing spirit. They are to love with a wholehearted, fully devoted and unconditional attitude--no matter the personal cost, and no matter if their wife is grateful for it or not. This is a revolutionary idea in a world of selfish and domineering, as well as passive, men.

One writer explains this idea of a man’s self-sacrificing love for his wife, “It is the duty of the husband to toil for her support; to provide for her needs; to deny himself of rest and ease, if necessary, in order to attend on her in sickness to go before her in danger; to defend her if she is in peril; and to be ready to die to save her. Why should he not be? If they are shipwrecked, and there is a single plank on which safety can be secured, should he not be willing to place her on that, and see her safe at all hazards to himself?” Do you love your wife this way?

The Bible says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition [but let] each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) As men, all of us at times have been guilty of selfishness, and because of that, there has been heartache in our homes. Today, God is calling you to live differently. He sent His only Son to die and rise again for you. Trust Him, for He can make a way.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I admit my failures before you as a man and husband. I make no excuses. Please help me to change my ways. Through Jesus, make me into the man you want me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is There Life After Death?

A man told me, “When I die, I’m just going six feet under. That’s it. No more.” Is that true? Is death really that final, or is there something more? - Clint Decker

As a little boy I stood with my parents at a graveside service when a small plastic shovel was presented to me. I was asked if I wanted to scoop some dirt and toss it on the casket. I turned my head downward, then nervously backed into my mother and declined. As a I child I did not know what to make of death. It scared me. Even though my dad was a pastor and I was in church every Sunday, it did not make sense. I feared death. One reason why is that I did not understand it. It seemed so final. One day, someone is here, then the next day we are having a funeral for them. (Image by Slater Funeral Funeral Service)

When I was a pastor, a man told me, “When I die, I’m just going six feet under. That’s it. No more.” Is that true? Is death really that final, or is there something more? Let us explore what happens at death, and ask the question, “Is there life beyond the grave?”

Upwards of 73% of adults believe in some type of afterlife, while 17% are adamant there is nothing after the grave. And when we explore different religions, they have their own ideas. So what is the answer? This is where I turn to the Creator God and His Word to ask questions, for He is the source of truth.

1. We will all face death. God says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once…” (Hebrews 9:27) In 2025, 63 million people died worldwide, or an average of 173,000 a day.

2. Upon death our eternal soul will depart from us. The Bible shares the story of Rachel who was giving birth to a child as she was dying, “...as her soul was departing…she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried…” (Genesis 35:18-19) We are both physical and spiritual beings. At the moment of death, while our physical body remains, the spiritual part of our body (soul) departs from us into another dimension.

3. Our soul will depart into the afterlife. God explains, “…many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) The moment a person dies, they immediately awake into the afterlife, where they are either in utter joy or horror with no chance to go back and make any changes. And no prayers on their behalf can change their fate.

4. We will all face eternal judgement. After death, everyone will eventually be summoned to stand in the great courtroom of eternity, presided over by the Supreme Judge of the Universe, Jesus the Christ. The Bible says, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

It is certain that death will come to all. It is also certain that there is life after death, either a life of eternal torment under the judgement of God or an eternal life of beauty and majesty in the presence Jesus forever.

The Bible is very clear in how to prepare for this. One must admit their disobedience against God and turn from it at once. Then one must place their trust fully in Christ, who died and rose again for them. It is simple, but hard, and will cost you everything. But through it, you will receive the gift of forgiveness and the indwelling power of God’s Spirit. And when you are transformed like this and walk faithfully with God, you will face death with confidence, certainty and with a joy of what lay beyond the grave.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will prepare people’s hearts and lives to encounter death’s door. May they not fear, but face the prospect of it with peace, knowing it is well with their soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Why You Should Remember The Fallen

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived. - General George Patton

Nearly one month after the surrender of Germany in World War II, one of the most iconic U.S. Generals, George Patton, said on June 7, 1945, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” (Image by Pixabay)

One role of government, which God created, is to defend its citizens from enemies within and without. The Bible says, “But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he [government] does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4) This is why governments have standing armies and weapons of war, to always be prepared to carry out their God-given responsibility to defend their nation.

When times like this happen, it becomes a necessary burden for the government and its people to take up arms and fight a just cause in defense of their country. In some cases, they may be fighting for their very survival. In those dark moments we should thank God for the soldiers who have lived and died, that we might be free.

One such soldier was 20-year-old Sergeant Daniel Brown from Stamford, Connecticut. He became a decorated war hero at the end of the Revolutionary War (1775-83). May 3, 1783, he was awarded the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington, who created the award (later it became the Purple Heart). Brown was one of only three soldiers to receive the commendation. He served with the 5th Connecticut Regiment and led soldiers on a dangerous mission to take Yorktown, in Virgina, from British forces.

American troops were carefully preparing for an attack on Yorktown. They had scouted out where the fortifications were that needed to be breached for a successful campaign. Troops were in position, waiting for the signal to attack, when the enemy spotted them and British soldiers began firing. Then immediately, while under fire and with only bayonets, Graham led his men over obstacles to an assault on a key fort at Yorktown. Browns citation reads, “…on the evening of the 14th of October 1781, [Sergeant Daniel Brown] conducted a forlorn hope (a suicide mission) with great bravery, propriety, and deliberate firmness, and his general character appears unexceptionable.”

Because of Brown’s extraordinary bravery in battle, British General Earl Cornwallis had his defenses cut off with no hope of retreat and was forced to surrender. That battle was the last military engagement of the American Revolution.

Americans, as well as citizens of every nation, should be grateful to God for soldiers like Sergeant Brown, who are willing to sacrifice themselves to fight for their homeland.

Why should we remember soldiers who have lived and died among us? Why should we remember their heroic deeds? Because it reminds us that we live in a world of good and evil, light and darkness, God and Satan. It reminds us of the reality that there are still ruthless leaders and vigilante groups who conquer and destroy with much bloodshed. It reminds us that we need godly men and women to boldly stand against such evil. It also reminds us that war is ultimately a spiritual battle, which is where we can have hope. For when the good news of Jesus Christ is declared, it can change the vilest of men. Through Jesus, the hardest of hearts, the cruelest of souls, the darkest of minds can be touched by the Master. How? Through Jesus’ death and resurrection. His greatest act of love, courage and self-sacrifice has brought hope to the world. For it is written about Jesus, that He, “…disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them...” (Colossians 2:15) And because of this, one day in the future, there will be no—more--war!

A prayer for you – Lord God, I thank you for our brave men and women who have given their lives for the defense of our nation. Protect those who are serving today. And I pray you will send your good news of Christ into war-torn areas, that souls might be transformed by the power of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.