July 24

Let me remind you to be as careful to protect yourself from receiving infection from your family as of breathing it on them. You have a strong love for your wife, and that is good. But do not let it make the apple of temptation more desirable, when her hand holds it out to you. You love yourself and God too little if you sin for her sake. Even if you wives are submissive to your husbands, obey "in the Lord": do not turn the tables and put the seventh commandment before the first one. Obey God before you obey your husband. You might need to question your soul in this process: "Is it possible for me to keep God's command in obeying my husband's wishes?"

In business we first pay the biggest debts which are already due. Are you more deeply indebted to God or to your mate? Travel as far as you can with your relatives in God's company, but no farther-- because you do not want to leave holiness and righteousness behind. No one-- family or otherwise-- can ever repay you in the loss of those treasures.

A holy father, a gracious husband or wife-- even a godly maid or gardner-- the good from their holiness is like precious ointment which betrays itself wherever it lingers. Christian, if there is a holy person in your family, see what you can learn from watching how he behaves under affliction, how he worships and receives God's mercies, and how he directs his daily life.

Elisha asked the widow to bring all the vessels she could find or borrow to hold what would flow from the pot of oil in her house. Those who are poor in grace must take advantage of the holy oil of grace which drops from the lips and lives of their godly relatives. Set your memory, conscience, heart, and affections to receive all the expressions of holiness that pour from them.

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