Great Marriage Story

Something to think about!

Morning Story and Dilbert

My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature, and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders.

Three years of courtship and now, two years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness.

I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings, I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband, is my complete opposite, his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about love.

One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce.

“Why?” he asked, shocked. “I am tired, there are no reasons for everything in…

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Ashamed No More!

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jews (the chosen nation) first and then to the Greeks (those who chose to believe by faith)” (Romans 1:16 paraphrased).

This declaration made by Paul lets us know that even though he had been a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus and those who promoted the good news, once Jesus revealed himself to him, he became a believer and a promoter of the good news, openly.  Paul understood the law and knew that God had chosen the nation of Israel for His own, but when they chose to reject Him, He opened the door to any who chose to believe Him and abide by His commandments.  First God chose, then we chose–He has always given us the power of choice.

God revealed Himself to the nation of Israel in mighty works so they would know how much He loved them.  He reveals Himself to us, still by doing mighty works in our lives when we allow Him to do so.

I remember a time when I persecuted anyone who tried to get me to believe in the Bible.  I challenged them to explain how they “knew” whether or not the words were interpreted accurately, who was the witness that could confirm it, and on and on.  When I reached a place in my life where I had nothing else to read in my house, but the Bible, I read it.  I have always been an avid reader of almost anything, but at the time I read my bible, I was in financial straits and could not purchase books the way I once had.  I worked hours that curtailed my ability to get to a library and so here I was–wanting something to read and the Bible was there.  It took me two months to read (starting with the Gospel of John) through the New Testament and then I worked my way back through the Old Testament to get a better understanding of what was said in the New.  God’s plan worked!  I now understood why things had happened the way they did.  When I received the gift of salvation and speaking in tongues, I knew I had been wrong and was so ashamed, I wished I could go back and find those people I had taunted.  But God in His infinite wisdom (and sense of humor) used me to promote the Gospel by encouraging people to read the bible for themselves and then open themselves to hear Him, revealing understanding of His Word.

Though I never had anyone tortured for their beliefs, I can certainly relate to Paul’s words.  I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the power to renew life, retain joy in the midst of trials, the avenue to having a personal relationship with God and ability to have communication on a brand new level.  I am ashamed of my behavior and conduct to those I once taunted for their beliefs, but I am not ashamed of who I am or whose I am and I will tell it–from the valley to the mountain-tops–and if people do not receive it; that is not my responsibility.  My job is to tell it, their job is make a choice to receive what I say or not, the end result is on God!  Hallelujah!

Answered Prayers!

“as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:11 NIV).

As Paul relates problems encountered by him and other disciples to the church at Corinth, he also encourages them to pray and thanked them in advance for their continued prayers for others. 

“Then many will thanks on our behalf…” Are there many people giving thanks today for the those who are praying on their behalf, even when they don’t know it?  Sometimes, we have to pray for people we don’t even like–not for us–but for them, so they will have reason to give God thanks for the answers, solutions, to their situations. Do we have to know the situation for every person?  No, we just have to be faithful and pray–without ceasing, always giving thanks to the Father what He does.

I know there are some–a little skeptical about the power of prayer–who after watching the news day after day and see tragedy after tragedy would not see any need to pray.  But there is a need. “The fervent (passionate) effectual (specific to the problems) prayers of the righteous avails (results in answers) much. Let’s try it, now!

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask You to touch the lives of everyone who reads this prayer and move upon them to seek You on the behalf of people everywhere–who have suffered trials and tragedies and comfort their hearts.  I ask You to open the spiritual eyes of all who have a need today and give them direction by showing them all You have prepared for them so that every need is met.  I bind the thoughts of the enemy who would dare to feed them negative thoughts and attempt to influence them in unbelief.  I declare healing for every person who will receive it right now. Speak to the hearts of saints everywhere and remind them to show love everywhere they go so all will know, who we are and whose we are. Help us, who know You, to be a living letter, a walking testimony of Your goodness,  mercy, and grace. All these things I ask and thank You for, in Jesus’ name and declare it done!  Amen!

Now, only believe–all things are possible–when we only believe (without doubt)!

Light Walking!

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,and the blood Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NIV).

Why are we encouraged to walk ‘in the light’? In the previous verse of scripture, we are told that if we ‘claim to have fellowship and yet walk in darkness, we lie’. Wow!  When I think about all of the things that those who proclaim to be Christians do–that belie having fellowship with Jesus–I get a greater understanding of why we are not in pure fellowship with one another.  How do we walk in darkness? With the sins that so easily beset us and are usually committed in the dark or under cover of some “politically correct rhetoric” that refutes God’s Word in order to accommodate those who desire to pacify flesh–the carnal ones–keep people in darkness from The Truth.

But if we walk in the light–everything we do is exposed to the light of day and nothing attempted to be hidden by a cloister of words that mislead and we promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ–we can have embrace one another–in love–in spite of differences of opinion, gender, race, or faith.  When we can have pure fellowship with one another, we walk in fellowship with Him who is The Light.

Come on!  Let’s do some Light Walking today!

Stay Strong!

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in The Lord” (Psalm 31:24 NIV)

Staying strong in the face of adversity, persecution, and ridicule takes courage.  And courageous people are stronger than those who are full of pride and arrogant.  How do we know?  Those who are arrogant–so full of themselves that think rules don’t apply to them–or think they know everything–eventually discover the end of themselves when they realize–the rules do apply and they don’t know everything.  Those who are full of pride–who think they do not need anyone but them or are too ashamed to ask for help–eventually fall under the pressure of their pride.

But those who dare to stand up–to the bullies, to injustice, to fight for the rights of others, to withstand the ridicule of fools (for The Word says,”the fool has said in his heart, there is no God”), who face enduring illness with determination, who will maintain their faith in God, no matter what–those are the strong.

Think about your reaction to life–the good and bad things that occur almost on a daily basis; are you the strong?  Take heart!  If you are willing to keep your focus on the hope you have in Christ Jesus, your determination will strengthen you and you will know–the hope of glory!

We Used To Do It!

Reading for today, Colossians 3:4-10, I am reminded of the things that I used to do.  Paul tells the Church at Colosse that when Christ appears, we will appear with Him in glory (raised with a glorified body), but he also reminds them of the things they used to do and should not still be doing because of the new self created in Christ.

The point of this passage of scripture is simply this:  We have a past–used to do some things that were ungodly, illegal, immoral, and unethical.  We used to lie, hold onto anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. But that was then–when we did not know we had a Savior who loved us enough to die for us.  Now that we know, who He is and who we are in Him, none of those things we used to do (in opposition to God and self) should be a part of our new nature. If they are, are we really a new creation or have we just taken up a facade (external attributes), but our thought-life, our inner nature, has not changed?

God knows those who are His and if we are attempting to fool anyone; the only person we fool is ourselves.  When the enemy plants thoughts in our minds, remind him–“I used to do those things, but they are no longer part of my life!”

Now, we can start doing some new things–those things that will glorify God–and assure us of our new nature and then we can look the enemy in the face and say, “Look at me now and see what I am doing right now!” We can defeat the power of the enemy, by not dwelling on the things we used to do, but preparing to do all that God has planned for us!

When cloudy days or thoughts interfere with what you need to do–now, just remember those clouds will go away, when we think brighter thoughts.

Thank Him for Sharing!

Remember to Tell Others!

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10 NIV).

I’ve often wondered (now that I know for myself) why people take the stance they do in opposition to God.  Then, when I read passages from the Old Testament, I am reminded that this current trend to oppose God is just history repeating itself.  When Joshua died and the generation after him died who had first-hand knowledge of what God had accomplished for the Children of Israel, the people (another generation) forgot to keep telling it to others and they chose to do what they wanted to do.

What happened to the generation who didn’t know the Lord?  They served idols and did what the other nations did who did not know God.  Then, God became angry and allowed them to suffer at the hands of the other nations and when He made Himself known to this generation, they repented and once again knew the blessings of The Lord.  And as long as they remembered to tell those who came behind about the great things God had done and were obedient, He continued to bless them as a nation (until He relented to their constant grumblings about having a king, but that’s another discussion).

For those of us who are concerned with this generation and their opposition to God, we need not worry. God is not a god of trends.  What He has done in the past, He will do again.  When people–as a nation–realize that He is not pleased with their trends (idol worship, doing things their way), and get tired of suffering, they will hear God’s messengers, repent, and He will hear their cries and heal the land.  We must remember to tell others about all God has done–His love, mercy, and many benefits for all who receive what He has to give!

The ultimate sacrifice has been made–(Jesus on the cross) there is no other sacrifice needed to get God to smile upon us other than–obedience in being a witness--telling of His goodness!  Hallelujah!

The Light

Don’t allow dark times to keep you blinded.  There is a Light that shines brightly in the darkness!

God vs Idols!

“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.  “Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen…”(Isaiah 41:21,22 NIV).

For just a moment, imagine we are spectators in the court of life and we hear Isaiah speaking for God to the lost–those who have turned their backs on Him.  In earlier verses, God has already declared what He will do–make the barren places come alive with growth, provide for the poor and the needy, so they will know that it is Him who is their provider.  And now, it is time for the people to explain what their idol gods will do.

The case being made here is that any idol (anything we worship over God) can do very little on its own.  No statute, no beads, no job, no car, no amount of wealth (anything we make with our own hands or a facsimile thereof) can operate on its own and will do nothing to benefit mankind. The children of Israel had been warned time and again about what would happen to them if they put their trust in man.  I can imagine–when put to the test and if they had been smart–they would have immediately destroyed all the idols–the gods they worshipped in the hills or sacrificed children upon–would no longer exist and they would have benefitted from God’s mercy and love.

But what did they do?  They ignored the warnings–the reminders of what God had done in the past for them and the prophecy of what He would do in the future.  In fact, they detested what God had to say so much that they later sawed Isaiah in half–thinking that would stop God from talking.

God has always and will always have someone willing to speak on His behalf.  He will never be silenced and as He has proven in the past, if we will not speak for Him, He’ll use an animal or have the rocks cry out in praise of Him.  For whom will you be a witness of today?  God or the idols?  I refuse to have use an animal or stones to speak when I have a tongue and a voice that I can raise loud and long in praise of Him, who has done all things marvelously well, on my behalf.  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!