Copyright © 8/23/'96, Revised 5/20/07; 07/20/08; 08/24/11; 5/30/13;3/3/21 by Lee Tyler
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The keys to loving unity in family and fellowship are based on principles which Amy Carmichael derived from Scripture and taught as vital for any godly marriage, friendship, relationship and/or fellowship, monogynous or polygynous. In her book, The Gold Cord, she describes how in answer to prayer alone the Holy Spirit of God gave her over 20 million dollars over 50 years and the keys to loving unity in family and fellowship as her ministry grew from her solitary efforts to a ministry that included nurseries, schools, dormitories, sister quarters, bachelor quarters, senior quarters and a medical center – in remarkable peace, harmony and unity. The level of fellowship, unity and harmony described by Amy is miraculous and possible only with those who literally are so committed to Jesus and His Word that they are filled with the Spirit - - - - -and who consistently walk in the fruit of the Spirit:
***Ephes 5:18 . . . . be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
***Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. 25 The Spirit has given us Life; He must also control our lives.26 We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.
For those who wish to walk this closely to and with Jesus, Amy describes how the Lord led her to lead such a band of merry Spirit warriors in loving unity through whom Jesus did valiant exploits to God's glory, with miracles all along the Way.
Please understand that Amy Carmichael and The Dohnavur Fellowship do not and did not publicly endorse, support or subscribe to polygyny. They deal with it on an individual basis, as in Romans 14. I understand their position on polygyny to be that of 1 Cor 7, so that if Jesus called you in polygyny, you should abide therein with God. I don't believe Amy Carmichael ever encouraged anyone to be Biblically polygynous.
***10 I command the married—not I, but the Lord—a wife should not leave her husband. 11 But if she does separate herself, she is to remain single or be reconciled with her husband. Also, a husband should not leave or reject his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not leave or divorce her. 13 And if any wife has an unbelieving husband and he consents to live with her, she must not leave or divorce her husband [See verse 11]. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. . . . 17 However, each one must live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was someone already circumcised when he was called? Then he should not try to remove the marks of his circumcision. Was someone uncircumcised when he was called? He shouldn’t undergo circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one in the calling in which he was called—in this he should remain. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price, so do not become slaves of other human beings. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there he should remain with God. .. . 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin. It is just that those who get married will have the normal problems of married life, and I would rather spare you. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, . . .
Those hostile to polygyny would understand v.21 as follows:
'21* Have you been called being polygynous, it should not concern you; but and if you can become free [of polygyny], use it rather.'
Many ministries and denominations in Asia and Africa take the 1 Corinthians 7 passage to mean the following: I command the married—not I, but the Lord—a wife should not leave her polygynous husband. But if she does separate herself, she is to remain single or be reconciled with her husband. Also, a polygynous husband should not leave or reject his wife. To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any polygynous brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not leave or divorce her. And if any wife has an unbelieving and polygynous husband and he consents to live with her, she must not leave or divorce her husband [See verse 11]. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the polygynous brother or the polygynous sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. . . .Are you polygynously bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife in polygyny? Do not seek a wife in polygyny. But if you marry polygynously you do not sin, and if a girl marries polygynously she does not sin. It is just that those who get married polygynously will have the normal problems of married life, and I would rather spare you.
I believe Amy Carmichael or those of her Fellowship would never engage in public discussion of Biblical polygyny because of Romans 14:'1 AS FOR the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with [controversial] discussions. . . .
Given Amy's loyalty to Scripture, I believe her position for those called by God in polygyny would be that position described in Romans 14, here paraphrased for the polygyny application:
'1 AS FOR the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with [controversial] discussions. . . . 18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men. 19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another. 20 You must not, for the sake of food [or your own polygynous behavior], undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean and pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats [or by the polygyny he/she practices]. 21 The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [openly and publicly pracitice your polygyny] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him. 22 Your personal convictions [on such matters as polygyny]--EXERCISE/PRACTICE [them] as in God's presence, keeping them to yourself [privately and discretely]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what [polygyny] he approves [because of his/her convictions about polygyny based on the Word of God]. 23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating [or being polygynous], and then eats [or becomes polygynous], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith [based on convictions from the Word of God]. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith [based on the Word of God] is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful]. 15:1 WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves [by flaunting our controversial behaviors in front of the weak]. 2 Each one of us should make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. 3 For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]'
Given this information, let's consider what advice Amy has gleaned for us from her faith ministry in India and the fellowship the Lord used her to establish there in supernatural loving unity. Her fellowship included all ages, both male and female, and in her time was a remarkable demonstration of the power of God in Christian group living; just like her experience of God's miraculous provision, usually in answer to prayer alone in far away India, was a demonstration of the power of God in Christian group living. Consider her wisdom.
"No purer joy can be
Than to be one in Thee;
Bound by one golden cord
Of love to our dear Lord.
Together, together, together,
Made one in Thee,
All one in Thee,
Come let us flow together. . . . .">a
Eph 4: 1 ¶ I urge you, then--I who am a prisoner in the Master?s cause--to live lives worthy of the Call that you have received; 2 Always humble and gentle, patient, bearing lovingly with one another, 3 And striving to maintain in the bond of peace the unity given by the Spirit.
Psa 133:1 ¶ <<A Song of degrees. Of David.>> Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 Like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, upon Aaron?s beard, that ran down to the hem of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon that descendeth on the mountains of Zion; for there hath Jehovah commanded the blessing, life for evermore.
Joh 13:35 It is by this that every one will recognize you as my disciples--by your loving one another.
Singing is an evidence of the filling and unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and is a characteristic of a harmonious Christian marriage---” . . .be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
"(Eph.5 )
"There is a peerless joy in comradeship that the years can only
prove and strengthen. This joy has been ours. We know that
the Lord 'who knit us together, shall keep us together'. . . . . . . .
Comfort and joy meet in this vital union,
Shelter in storm and peacefulness in strife;
Thus to be knit in Thy pure love's communion
It is our life, O Lord: it is our life.">b
So wrote Amy Carmichael, the author of Gold Cord and founder
of the Dohnavur Fellowship in Tirunelveli District, S. India, that
continues to this day and began in the 19th century. She never
set out or intended to do more than to serve those suffering
about her, share the joy of her salvation in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and rescue children from becoming temple prostitutes in
worship of Hindu sex gods and godesses. As she did these
things the Lord provided not only her material needs, but
precious and wonderful coworkers, Love warriors, and a
fellowship was born that evidenced the supernatural peace,
harmony, unity, sharing, service, and unselfish compassionate
cherishing that is possible only in and by Jesus and His Spirit.
In the process, like Hudson Taylor of China Inland Mission,
George Muller of Bristol England and many, she decided that
she would not ask any mortal for funds or supplies, nor let any
mortal outside of the fellowship know their need for funds or
supplies, even when the fellowship had grown to over 500
residents with an on site hospital. She and those of the Gold
Cord agreed to ask only Jesus' Father for the funds and supplies
they needed, and in an age of no long distance phone service,
no computers and no quick telecommunications, Jesus' Father
provided them with all their needs, providing the fellowship
with tens of millions of dollars (at our current rate of exchange)
over the years before she went on to be with Jesus.
During Amy Carmichael's life at Dohnavur in the Gold Cord, there was
realized that blessed unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
anointed with a filling of the spirit that spilled over in song and
thanksgivings when they gathered together, male and female,
old and young, of many races, of many nations, of many
stations in life and over the decades. It is one of the greatest
and best documented proofs that God is, that Jesus is alive and
present in our midst, and that God loves us enough to be
intimately involved in our personal and corporate lives. And
so I offer her as a tried, tested and true expert on loving unity
in a family and in a fellowship.
The keys to a harmonious Christian family
lies in the relationship each member has with the risen and
soon to return Lord Jesus Christ. The keys to such family
harmony are essentially the same as the keys to any
harmonious and Loving Christian fellowship. Loving Jesus
with all our hearts, all our strength, all our minds and all our
soul (personality) first and foremost manifests itself in
loving and devoted obedience to Jesus. Such loving and
devoted obedience manifests itself in the unselfish and self-
denying compassionate cherishing of all who Love Jesus,
which would include the husband, wives and children in a
Christian family. Let's look at some of the
character traits that Jesus will work in us if we ask and let
Him, character traits that will make for a Loving and
harmonious Christian family.
Amy found certain character traits essential to the harmony of
the fellowship of the Gold Cord ministry: "truth, willingness for hard
work, a freedom from the dominance of money, and very
loving hearts. . . They were lovers of their Lord and servants of
His sick; they loved one another fervently, and money had no
power over them.">c What about the leader, the husband
in a family or the leader of a fellowship of bonded
souls, bound together in Spirit by a shared vision? He would
have to be a man of that vision, "one to whom the same
heavenly vision had been shown, so that he could not be
turned back from it or caused to doubt what he had seen.">d
"Only one who was so mastered by his convictions about
building in gold, silver, and precious stones could hold on
through what was sure to happen when there seemed to be no
material of that sort at hand, and the driving "must" of
apparent necessity to accept wood and hay and stubble was
upon him. But when convictions are inwrought by the Spirit of
God, they are not conquered by opposition, or shaken by
criticism or failure, or broken or weakened by disappointment.
The leader sent of God would not lose heart. For him we
prayed persistently.">e A godly single woman or widow should
pray persistently for such a husband. The godly wife should pray
persistently that her husband become such a godly man.
The Leader, yea the band, cannot be given to self-indulgent
comfort. A life of sharing is a life of self-discipline and self
denial because self does not like to share. In a bonded
fellowship or marriage, after sharing, loving service
to your partners is the next key to success. Sharing and service
are not naturally comfortable and often allow those exercising
such virtues little or no comfort. "Comfort, that stealthy thing
that enters the house as guest, and then becomes a host, and
then master. Ay, and it becomes a tamer, and with hook and
scourge makes puppets of your larger desires. Though its
hands are silken, its heart is iron. Verily, the lust for comfort
murders the passion of the soul, and then walks grinning to the
funeral.">f The selfish desire for one's own personal comfort
is an enemy of unity in a family/fellowship.
In most of the world today anyone considering being a part
of a Godly polygynous family must be prepared to suffer ridicule,
harassment, social and emotional trials, and even physical
suffering as happened to my friend Kane and his family in S E Asia.
Jealous men in his community got drunk and enraged and in burning
jealousy of him having four young and beautiful wives, they attacked
his house and family, kidnapped two of his wives and made them
their sex slaves. He and two of his wives escaped from the attack.
The government would do nothing about the attack and he and his
two surviving wives had to relocate immediately.
"Dead to the world and its applause,
To all the customs, fashions, laws,
Of those who hate the humbling Cross">g
Prayerfully consider the following facts when considering the importance of prayer for lasting unity in relationships..
“While that rate is still unfortunately high, when you add prayer into the mix, thoughts of divorce plummet. A 1998 survey by the Georgia Family Council found that among couples who prayed together weekly, only 7 percent had seriously considered divorce, compared to 65 percent of those who never prayed together.”
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/strengthening_your_marriage/commitment.aspx
“One of the outcomes of that study led to the National Association of Marriage Enhancement, in Phoenix, Arizona (www.nameonline.net) to report that when couples prayed together on a daily basis, less than 1% of those couples would end up getting a divorce. The numbers were 1 out of 1156. Pretty amazing when the divorce rate in the general population is reportedly around 50%.”
drstoop.com/the-couple-that-prays-together/
END OF PART ONE OF FOUR
https://www.facebook.com/notes/339281310804895
This is an ASCII text for unedited and unchanged distribution on the net and web, https://www.facebook.com/notes/1587227254796543
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/bib...spirit-in-any-family-a-t142.html#.TlXbLbv9Mdo
The keys to loving unity in family and fellowship are based on principles which Amy Carmichael derived from Scripture and taught as vital for any godly marriage, friendship, relationship and/or fellowship, monogynous or polygynous. In her book, The Gold Cord, she describes how in answer to prayer alone the Holy Spirit of God gave her over 20 million dollars over 50 years and the keys to loving unity in family and fellowship as her ministry grew from her solitary efforts to a ministry that included nurseries, schools, dormitories, sister quarters, bachelor quarters, senior quarters and a medical center – in remarkable peace, harmony and unity. The level of fellowship, unity and harmony described by Amy is miraculous and possible only with those who literally are so committed to Jesus and His Word that they are filled with the Spirit - - - - -and who consistently walk in the fruit of the Spirit:
***Ephes 5:18 . . . . be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
***Galatians 5:22 But the Spirit produces Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. 25 The Spirit has given us Life; He must also control our lives.26 We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.
For those who wish to walk this closely to and with Jesus, Amy describes how the Lord led her to lead such a band of merry Spirit warriors in loving unity through whom Jesus did valiant exploits to God's glory, with miracles all along the Way.
Please understand that Amy Carmichael and The Dohnavur Fellowship do not and did not publicly endorse, support or subscribe to polygyny. They deal with it on an individual basis, as in Romans 14. I understand their position on polygyny to be that of 1 Cor 7, so that if Jesus called you in polygyny, you should abide therein with God. I don't believe Amy Carmichael ever encouraged anyone to be Biblically polygynous.
***10 I command the married—not I, but the Lord—a wife should not leave her husband. 11 But if she does separate herself, she is to remain single or be reconciled with her husband. Also, a husband should not leave or reject his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not leave or divorce her. 13 And if any wife has an unbelieving husband and he consents to live with her, she must not leave or divorce her husband [See verse 11]. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. . . . 17 However, each one must live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. 18 Was someone already circumcised when he was called? Then he should not try to remove the marks of his circumcision. Was someone uncircumcised when he was called? He shouldn’t undergo circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one in the calling in which he was called—in this he should remain. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price, so do not become slaves of other human beings. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there he should remain with God. .. . 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin. It is just that those who get married will have the normal problems of married life, and I would rather spare you. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, . . .
Those hostile to polygyny would understand v.21 as follows:
'21* Have you been called being polygynous, it should not concern you; but and if you can become free [of polygyny], use it rather.'
Many ministries and denominations in Asia and Africa take the 1 Corinthians 7 passage to mean the following: I command the married—not I, but the Lord—a wife should not leave her polygynous husband. But if she does separate herself, she is to remain single or be reconciled with her husband. Also, a polygynous husband should not leave or reject his wife. To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any polygynous brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not leave or divorce her. And if any wife has an unbelieving and polygynous husband and he consents to live with her, she must not leave or divorce her husband [See verse 11]. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the polygynous brother or the polygynous sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. . . .Are you polygynously bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife in polygyny? Do not seek a wife in polygyny. But if you marry polygynously you do not sin, and if a girl marries polygynously she does not sin. It is just that those who get married polygynously will have the normal problems of married life, and I would rather spare you.
I believe Amy Carmichael or those of her Fellowship would never engage in public discussion of Biblical polygyny because of Romans 14:'1 AS FOR the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with [controversial] discussions. . . .
Given Amy's loyalty to Scripture, I believe her position for those called by God in polygyny would be that position described in Romans 14, here paraphrased for the polygyny application:
'1 AS FOR the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with [controversial] discussions. . . . 18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men. 19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another. 20 You must not, for the sake of food [or your own polygynous behavior], undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean and pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats [or by the polygyny he/she practices]. 21 The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [openly and publicly pracitice your polygyny] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him. 22 Your personal convictions [on such matters as polygyny]--EXERCISE/PRACTICE [them] as in God's presence, keeping them to yourself [privately and discretely]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what [polygyny] he approves [because of his/her convictions about polygyny based on the Word of God]. 23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating [or being polygynous], and then eats [or becomes polygynous], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith [based on convictions from the Word of God]. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith [based on the Word of God] is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful]. 15:1 WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves [by flaunting our controversial behaviors in front of the weak]. 2 Each one of us should make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. 3 For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]'
Given this information, let's consider what advice Amy has gleaned for us from her faith ministry in India and the fellowship the Lord used her to establish there in supernatural loving unity. Her fellowship included all ages, both male and female, and in her time was a remarkable demonstration of the power of God in Christian group living; just like her experience of God's miraculous provision, usually in answer to prayer alone in far away India, was a demonstration of the power of God in Christian group living. Consider her wisdom.
"No purer joy can be
Than to be one in Thee;
Bound by one golden cord
Of love to our dear Lord.
Together, together, together,
Made one in Thee,
All one in Thee,
Come let us flow together. . . . .">a
Eph 4: 1 ¶ I urge you, then--I who am a prisoner in the Master?s cause--to live lives worthy of the Call that you have received; 2 Always humble and gentle, patient, bearing lovingly with one another, 3 And striving to maintain in the bond of peace the unity given by the Spirit.
Psa 133:1 ¶ <<A Song of degrees. Of David.>> Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 Like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, upon Aaron?s beard, that ran down to the hem of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon that descendeth on the mountains of Zion; for there hath Jehovah commanded the blessing, life for evermore.
Joh 13:35 It is by this that every one will recognize you as my disciples--by your loving one another.
Singing is an evidence of the filling and unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and is a characteristic of a harmonious Christian marriage---” . . .be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
"(Eph.5 )
"There is a peerless joy in comradeship that the years can only
prove and strengthen. This joy has been ours. We know that
the Lord 'who knit us together, shall keep us together'. . . . . . . .
Comfort and joy meet in this vital union,
Shelter in storm and peacefulness in strife;
Thus to be knit in Thy pure love's communion
It is our life, O Lord: it is our life.">b
So wrote Amy Carmichael, the author of Gold Cord and founder
of the Dohnavur Fellowship in Tirunelveli District, S. India, that
continues to this day and began in the 19th century. She never
set out or intended to do more than to serve those suffering
about her, share the joy of her salvation in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and rescue children from becoming temple prostitutes in
worship of Hindu sex gods and godesses. As she did these
things the Lord provided not only her material needs, but
precious and wonderful coworkers, Love warriors, and a
fellowship was born that evidenced the supernatural peace,
harmony, unity, sharing, service, and unselfish compassionate
cherishing that is possible only in and by Jesus and His Spirit.
In the process, like Hudson Taylor of China Inland Mission,
George Muller of Bristol England and many, she decided that
she would not ask any mortal for funds or supplies, nor let any
mortal outside of the fellowship know their need for funds or
supplies, even when the fellowship had grown to over 500
residents with an on site hospital. She and those of the Gold
Cord agreed to ask only Jesus' Father for the funds and supplies
they needed, and in an age of no long distance phone service,
no computers and no quick telecommunications, Jesus' Father
provided them with all their needs, providing the fellowship
with tens of millions of dollars (at our current rate of exchange)
over the years before she went on to be with Jesus.
During Amy Carmichael's life at Dohnavur in the Gold Cord, there was
realized that blessed unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
anointed with a filling of the spirit that spilled over in song and
thanksgivings when they gathered together, male and female,
old and young, of many races, of many nations, of many
stations in life and over the decades. It is one of the greatest
and best documented proofs that God is, that Jesus is alive and
present in our midst, and that God loves us enough to be
intimately involved in our personal and corporate lives. And
so I offer her as a tried, tested and true expert on loving unity
in a family and in a fellowship.
The keys to a harmonious Christian family
lies in the relationship each member has with the risen and
soon to return Lord Jesus Christ. The keys to such family
harmony are essentially the same as the keys to any
harmonious and Loving Christian fellowship. Loving Jesus
with all our hearts, all our strength, all our minds and all our
soul (personality) first and foremost manifests itself in
loving and devoted obedience to Jesus. Such loving and
devoted obedience manifests itself in the unselfish and self-
denying compassionate cherishing of all who Love Jesus,
which would include the husband, wives and children in a
Christian family. Let's look at some of the
character traits that Jesus will work in us if we ask and let
Him, character traits that will make for a Loving and
harmonious Christian family.
Amy found certain character traits essential to the harmony of
the fellowship of the Gold Cord ministry: "truth, willingness for hard
work, a freedom from the dominance of money, and very
loving hearts. . . They were lovers of their Lord and servants of
His sick; they loved one another fervently, and money had no
power over them.">c What about the leader, the husband
in a family or the leader of a fellowship of bonded
souls, bound together in Spirit by a shared vision? He would
have to be a man of that vision, "one to whom the same
heavenly vision had been shown, so that he could not be
turned back from it or caused to doubt what he had seen.">d
"Only one who was so mastered by his convictions about
building in gold, silver, and precious stones could hold on
through what was sure to happen when there seemed to be no
material of that sort at hand, and the driving "must" of
apparent necessity to accept wood and hay and stubble was
upon him. But when convictions are inwrought by the Spirit of
God, they are not conquered by opposition, or shaken by
criticism or failure, or broken or weakened by disappointment.
The leader sent of God would not lose heart. For him we
prayed persistently.">e A godly single woman or widow should
pray persistently for such a husband. The godly wife should pray
persistently that her husband become such a godly man.
The Leader, yea the band, cannot be given to self-indulgent
comfort. A life of sharing is a life of self-discipline and self
denial because self does not like to share. In a bonded
fellowship or marriage, after sharing, loving service
to your partners is the next key to success. Sharing and service
are not naturally comfortable and often allow those exercising
such virtues little or no comfort. "Comfort, that stealthy thing
that enters the house as guest, and then becomes a host, and
then master. Ay, and it becomes a tamer, and with hook and
scourge makes puppets of your larger desires. Though its
hands are silken, its heart is iron. Verily, the lust for comfort
murders the passion of the soul, and then walks grinning to the
funeral.">f The selfish desire for one's own personal comfort
is an enemy of unity in a family/fellowship.
In most of the world today anyone considering being a part
of a Godly polygynous family must be prepared to suffer ridicule,
harassment, social and emotional trials, and even physical
suffering as happened to my friend Kane and his family in S E Asia.
Jealous men in his community got drunk and enraged and in burning
jealousy of him having four young and beautiful wives, they attacked
his house and family, kidnapped two of his wives and made them
their sex slaves. He and two of his wives escaped from the attack.
The government would do nothing about the attack and he and his
two surviving wives had to relocate immediately.
"Dead to the world and its applause,
To all the customs, fashions, laws,
Of those who hate the humbling Cross">g
Prayerfully consider the following facts when considering the importance of prayer for lasting unity in relationships..
“While that rate is still unfortunately high, when you add prayer into the mix, thoughts of divorce plummet. A 1998 survey by the Georgia Family Council found that among couples who prayed together weekly, only 7 percent had seriously considered divorce, compared to 65 percent of those who never prayed together.”
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/strengthening_your_marriage/commitment.aspx
“One of the outcomes of that study led to the National Association of Marriage Enhancement, in Phoenix, Arizona (www.nameonline.net) to report that when couples prayed together on a daily basis, less than 1% of those couples would end up getting a divorce. The numbers were 1 out of 1156. Pretty amazing when the divorce rate in the general population is reportedly around 50%.”
drstoop.com/the-couple-that-prays-together/
END OF PART ONE OF FOUR
https://www.facebook.com/notes/339281310804895
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