What is God’s will for our lives? God’s purpose for our lives should always take a precedent over our own desires, and that includes all aspects of our marriage, work, career, family, and play. If we are not sure if we are doing the will of God, then we need to carefully consider our actions and pray about it. I know it is difficult to make God first in our lives, but He has shown us how we can make Him first place in our hearts.
So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” Or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31 NIV)
I do know that by pondering over our earthly and spiritual treasures it gives us an idea of what our priorities are. What do you treasure now for your life? What values do you have over your material possessions? If someone said you had to give up all your material possessions before you could go to heaven, what would you do? What spiritual possessions do you have embedded within your character now that you apply into your daily life?
God is a compassionate and loving Father because He does not ask us to give up the material things that we have, he only asks us to make Him come first over what we have! Have you done that? Can you do that? That is what Christian priorities is all about; learning to let down our pride and let God. We have all erred in this way – no one is immune to portions of greed, selfishness and pride, or basing our life upon our own understanding of “what we think is right”. This is how many of us sin without even realizing it.
We are so caught up in the world’s amoral and corrupt ways that we have not stopped to see that we Christians sin every single day of our lives! We may not be committing sexual sins, and other abhorrent atrocities, but what we are doing may even be worse! We’re supposed to be God’s servants, God’s messengers and God’s ambassadors, and yet, how can we do those things, if we have not placed God first in our lives? What are we showing others about our lives?
Where do your treasures lie? When friends and family come over to your house, what do they see? More importantly, what do they see in you? If we remember that we are to first seek God’s Kingdom on earth and His righteousness over us, then we will surely be doing the will of our father in heaven.
So for the Christian our treasure is in heaven first, which is knowing what our spiritual gifts are and then applying them into our lives in whatever capacity and purpose that God has set out for us. And then, and only then can we be a blessing to others, to our family and ourselves.
…But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:10-11 NIV)
Heaven Ministries Copyright 2007
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Who Is Your Spouse Talking To On the Internet?
There is a lot of talk about unfaithfulness in marriage. I’ve written my fair share about cheating spouses and infidelity in marriage. This article will focus on a different kind of unfaithfulness, emotional infidelity. What is emotional infidelity? Emotional infidelity is interacting with the opposite sex, besides the person you are married to, on an intimate and emotional level on the Internet.
Emotional infidelity is not a new issue, it has been going on for years, but since the advent of computers it has become a more prevalent practice among men and women, many of whom are married. It is so easy to just get online and meet people in chat rooms, dating sites, forums, and email, that relationships can be sparked without even getting up from your computer desk. It starts out harmless, but can eventually lead up to something other than just innocent chat.
Yes, the Internet does encourage cheating but that certainly does not mean a morally upright person is going to fall for someone on the Internet. Many places we go every day encourages cheating, such as the coffee shop, the Internet café, the pub down the street, and the place where we work. So what! If someone is going to cheat, they are going to cheat; we certainly cannot blame the Internet for those who cheat.
Emotional unfaithfulness happens when one or both spouses are emotionally disconnected from one another. In other words, when they feel they are not getting the validation and support they need from each other, they seek out someone who will give it to them. The Internet is a convenient and easy way to meet other people that will help you feel better about yourself. The strangers on the other end of the conversation will feed the empty spaces of your heart, giving you reason to continue the relationship. But is this a wise thing to be doing if you are married?
Internet relationships can be dangerous. You never really know whom you are divulging your private and personal information to. Whoever it is you are interacting with, they too have a need to reveal themselves for the thrill of emotional intimacy, and then sometimes not revealing who they really are. I’ve heard of a case where a woman thought she was talking to a man for over six months, and together they shared secrets, intimate and romantic about each other through email. Come to find out, it was another woman she was getting steamy with all along.
Internet predators, of all kinds, stalk the Internet, looking for innocent, vulnerable and naïve victims to captivate and do what they want with. If they want to meet with you somewhere on a physical level, I’d be VERY leery of that. Even though these relationships are not sexual in the physical sense, it can still become sexual in every other sense of the word. This is why it is called emotional unfaithfulness because it is just as unfaithful as the sexual act, if not worse.
Lust is sin. It is impossible to fall in love with someone you have never met. Feelings tell you that something feels good and you may automatically think it is love. Just because something feels good, doesn’t make it right. The feelings you are feeling are lustfulness mixed with hopefulness, mixed with a little bit of euphoria, plain and simple.
I believe that with the proper communication between husbands and wives there wouldn’t even be the temptation to involve themselves with the opposite sex. And of course, as innocent as it may seem at first, it is still wrong to become intimate with someone other than who you are married to.
http:/www.heavenministries.com
Emotional infidelity is not a new issue, it has been going on for years, but since the advent of computers it has become a more prevalent practice among men and women, many of whom are married. It is so easy to just get online and meet people in chat rooms, dating sites, forums, and email, that relationships can be sparked without even getting up from your computer desk. It starts out harmless, but can eventually lead up to something other than just innocent chat.
Yes, the Internet does encourage cheating but that certainly does not mean a morally upright person is going to fall for someone on the Internet. Many places we go every day encourages cheating, such as the coffee shop, the Internet café, the pub down the street, and the place where we work. So what! If someone is going to cheat, they are going to cheat; we certainly cannot blame the Internet for those who cheat.
Emotional unfaithfulness happens when one or both spouses are emotionally disconnected from one another. In other words, when they feel they are not getting the validation and support they need from each other, they seek out someone who will give it to them. The Internet is a convenient and easy way to meet other people that will help you feel better about yourself. The strangers on the other end of the conversation will feed the empty spaces of your heart, giving you reason to continue the relationship. But is this a wise thing to be doing if you are married?
Internet relationships can be dangerous. You never really know whom you are divulging your private and personal information to. Whoever it is you are interacting with, they too have a need to reveal themselves for the thrill of emotional intimacy, and then sometimes not revealing who they really are. I’ve heard of a case where a woman thought she was talking to a man for over six months, and together they shared secrets, intimate and romantic about each other through email. Come to find out, it was another woman she was getting steamy with all along.
Internet predators, of all kinds, stalk the Internet, looking for innocent, vulnerable and naïve victims to captivate and do what they want with. If they want to meet with you somewhere on a physical level, I’d be VERY leery of that. Even though these relationships are not sexual in the physical sense, it can still become sexual in every other sense of the word. This is why it is called emotional unfaithfulness because it is just as unfaithful as the sexual act, if not worse.
Lust is sin. It is impossible to fall in love with someone you have never met. Feelings tell you that something feels good and you may automatically think it is love. Just because something feels good, doesn’t make it right. The feelings you are feeling are lustfulness mixed with hopefulness, mixed with a little bit of euphoria, plain and simple.
I believe that with the proper communication between husbands and wives there wouldn’t even be the temptation to involve themselves with the opposite sex. And of course, as innocent as it may seem at first, it is still wrong to become intimate with someone other than who you are married to.
http:/www.heavenministries.com
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Influence of Society on the Christian
Are the influences of society too difficult to stay away from? Are you getting yourself pulled in by greed, lust, and pride? This is just a few of the ways the master of lies persuades Christians into his world. That’s why as believers we have to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Don't let temptation get the best of you!
Who are you serving? If you are serving Christ then you must be living in His spiritual Kingdom here on earth. If you say you are a Christian then you must be living for Christ, right? There is no other way, unless you are fooling yourself. Can someone say they are a Christian, and then live a different life than who they say they are? Could it be this is how the evil one deceives people – he is so cunning and wise that he will trick you into believing you are serving God when in effect you are only lip-serving. But that isn’t enough for God – He wants action-serving.
The bible clearly points out how a Christ One is to live his or her life. There is no straddling the fence, you either are or you aren’t. Which are you? Believers in Jesus Christ have to be smarter and wiser than satan if they want to be able to really do God’s work. Let’s look at some subtle ways that we may become distracted from actually serving God.
1.Greed
Greed is the desire for money, status and power. Having expensive cars and homes that are way beyond our means just for appearances sake. Indulging in selfish practices and accumulating more stuff that we do not need. What is that? It’s a lie! People are so busy living this lie they have no time for serving the Lord.
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely spout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5 NIV)
God does not want believers to spend their time chasing after wealth and status, instead we are to get wise in Him by storing up our treasures in heaven, for our treasures in heaven can never be stolen or lost.
In fact, Jesus said in Luke 12:33,34 - NIV, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.
The problem with selling your possessions is most people don’t even own what they have! They are in debt. Their homes are getting mortgaged and their vehicles are getting reclaimed. Their stuff is sprouting wings and flying off to the sky just like an eagle - just like scripture says!
2.To Concerned With Outside Appearance
Many Christians appear to be happy and content with their life. They seem to have it all, happiness, love, nice home, wealth, beautiful children, great careers, etc. These same people really are not what they seem. Appearances are deceiving. Do you see what really goes on behind closed doors? Church is only two hours one day a week. Do you really see what is going on with the life of these people every single day?
Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:27,28 NIV)
3.Pride
What is pride? Pride believes in self more than in God. Humanistic behavior feeds on pride and spiritual behavior feeds on God. That is the difference. Behaving prideful is part of the appearance thing. Some people do not behave as they really are - they are afraid of what people will think and so keep up appearances. I see a lot of this going on over the Internet and in forums, although it does not only happen on the Internet, but anywhere where people feel the need to look righteous to others.
But you see, anyone can talk. Don’t think God is not watching – He knows if you are walking your talk or not. Whose praise do you seek? The religious leaders enjoyed great stature in Israel, but their stamp of approval meant nothing to Jesus. He was concerned about God's approval. This is a good principle for us. Even if the highest officials in the world approve of our actions and God does not, we should be concerned. But if God approves, even though others don't, we should be content.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. (Mark 9:35 NIV)
4.Worshiping and praising People and Self Over God
Does you Church worship Jesus Christ as the Leader? Does your Church preach the Kingdom of Heaven is here now for all who believe? All believers of Christ Jesus should be living in the spiritual Kingdom of God now! Are you a member of God’s spiritual Kingdom now? What are you waiting for?
So, do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father KNOWS that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-34 NIV)
Who are you serving? If you are serving Christ then you must be living in His spiritual Kingdom here on earth. If you say you are a Christian then you must be living for Christ, right? There is no other way, unless you are fooling yourself. Can someone say they are a Christian, and then live a different life than who they say they are? Could it be this is how the evil one deceives people – he is so cunning and wise that he will trick you into believing you are serving God when in effect you are only lip-serving. But that isn’t enough for God – He wants action-serving.
The bible clearly points out how a Christ One is to live his or her life. There is no straddling the fence, you either are or you aren’t. Which are you? Believers in Jesus Christ have to be smarter and wiser than satan if they want to be able to really do God’s work. Let’s look at some subtle ways that we may become distracted from actually serving God.
1.Greed
Greed is the desire for money, status and power. Having expensive cars and homes that are way beyond our means just for appearances sake. Indulging in selfish practices and accumulating more stuff that we do not need. What is that? It’s a lie! People are so busy living this lie they have no time for serving the Lord.
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely spout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5 NIV)
God does not want believers to spend their time chasing after wealth and status, instead we are to get wise in Him by storing up our treasures in heaven, for our treasures in heaven can never be stolen or lost.
In fact, Jesus said in Luke 12:33,34 - NIV, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.
The problem with selling your possessions is most people don’t even own what they have! They are in debt. Their homes are getting mortgaged and their vehicles are getting reclaimed. Their stuff is sprouting wings and flying off to the sky just like an eagle - just like scripture says!
2.To Concerned With Outside Appearance
Many Christians appear to be happy and content with their life. They seem to have it all, happiness, love, nice home, wealth, beautiful children, great careers, etc. These same people really are not what they seem. Appearances are deceiving. Do you see what really goes on behind closed doors? Church is only two hours one day a week. Do you really see what is going on with the life of these people every single day?
Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:27,28 NIV)
3.Pride
What is pride? Pride believes in self more than in God. Humanistic behavior feeds on pride and spiritual behavior feeds on God. That is the difference. Behaving prideful is part of the appearance thing. Some people do not behave as they really are - they are afraid of what people will think and so keep up appearances. I see a lot of this going on over the Internet and in forums, although it does not only happen on the Internet, but anywhere where people feel the need to look righteous to others.
But you see, anyone can talk. Don’t think God is not watching – He knows if you are walking your talk or not. Whose praise do you seek? The religious leaders enjoyed great stature in Israel, but their stamp of approval meant nothing to Jesus. He was concerned about God's approval. This is a good principle for us. Even if the highest officials in the world approve of our actions and God does not, we should be concerned. But if God approves, even though others don't, we should be content.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. (Mark 9:35 NIV)
4.Worshiping and praising People and Self Over God
Does you Church worship Jesus Christ as the Leader? Does your Church preach the Kingdom of Heaven is here now for all who believe? All believers of Christ Jesus should be living in the spiritual Kingdom of God now! Are you a member of God’s spiritual Kingdom now? What are you waiting for?
So, do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father KNOWS that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-34 NIV)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Good Deeds Won’t Save Us – Only Faith in Jesus Will
Most of you reading this article already know that good deeds will not help you into heaven. I could help all of my neighbors financially, and I could feed and clothe all of the hungry and poor in the world, but that is not what God wants from me. What does God want from me? God wants me to have faith in Him! And the funny thing about that is, faith is a gift from God.
God wants us to “believe” with all of our being that Jesus is who He says He is, and then God will bless us with faith. It’s not that God does not want us to do good deeds and help our neighbors, friends, brothers and sisters in the Lord, but that is a given of being a Christian. On the contrary, it is our Christian responsibility to always do what is right. But first, to be responsible stewards, we must believe in and love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul.
Did you know that as a believer you have a duty to “go” and preach to all nations about the awesome power of Jesus? There are many different ways a Christian can evangelize. God has given us all gifts to use for His purpose. Find your gift and use it to help build up God’s earthly kingdom – the Kingdom of God.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. (Matthew 28)
The most important aspect of our Christian walk is for us to realize, we are not the only Christian (family, individual) working for Christ – it is not about us and what we do and what we say – it is about Jesus and what He has done for those people who have faith to believe in Him as their personal Savior.
If it was about the Christian then he or she would have the authority to moderate others faith and tell them what to believe and how to believe. But it is not about us!! It is about Jesus. It is about building up God’s earthly kingdom and doing it in love. If we do not encourage and love others then what kind of faith is that?
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of a man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God”. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)
Unfortunately, there will always be dissection within God’s kingdom because personal opinions and judgments cloud love. Where love is clouded boundaries are made segregating God’s people from each other. Then…the self-righteous attitude gets in the way of ever breaking that boundary and loving one another in the ways of the Lord. What kind of faith is that?
“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there also must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
(1 Corinthians 11:17-19)
Good deeds, gifts, abilities, and talents are of no use to God unless done in love. Good
Stewardship must make love its foundation; otherwise we are only feeding our self and not God. But it is not about us; it is about Jesus and what He has done for us. To have love we first have to have faith to love. When Christians finally have the faith to love that is when boundaries will be broken and God’s love shine through in the Christian so that God’s kingdom can be built up on love rather than selfish indignation.
“And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all of my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”.
(1 Corinthians 13:2-3)
God wants us to “believe” with all of our being that Jesus is who He says He is, and then God will bless us with faith. It’s not that God does not want us to do good deeds and help our neighbors, friends, brothers and sisters in the Lord, but that is a given of being a Christian. On the contrary, it is our Christian responsibility to always do what is right. But first, to be responsible stewards, we must believe in and love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul.
Did you know that as a believer you have a duty to “go” and preach to all nations about the awesome power of Jesus? There are many different ways a Christian can evangelize. God has given us all gifts to use for His purpose. Find your gift and use it to help build up God’s earthly kingdom – the Kingdom of God.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. (Matthew 28)
The most important aspect of our Christian walk is for us to realize, we are not the only Christian (family, individual) working for Christ – it is not about us and what we do and what we say – it is about Jesus and what He has done for those people who have faith to believe in Him as their personal Savior.
If it was about the Christian then he or she would have the authority to moderate others faith and tell them what to believe and how to believe. But it is not about us!! It is about Jesus. It is about building up God’s earthly kingdom and doing it in love. If we do not encourage and love others then what kind of faith is that?
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of a man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God”. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)
Unfortunately, there will always be dissection within God’s kingdom because personal opinions and judgments cloud love. Where love is clouded boundaries are made segregating God’s people from each other. Then…the self-righteous attitude gets in the way of ever breaking that boundary and loving one another in the ways of the Lord. What kind of faith is that?
“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there also must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
(1 Corinthians 11:17-19)
Good deeds, gifts, abilities, and talents are of no use to God unless done in love. Good
Stewardship must make love its foundation; otherwise we are only feeding our self and not God. But it is not about us; it is about Jesus and what He has done for us. To have love we first have to have faith to love. When Christians finally have the faith to love that is when boundaries will be broken and God’s love shine through in the Christian so that God’s kingdom can be built up on love rather than selfish indignation.
“And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all of my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”.
(1 Corinthians 13:2-3)
Monday, July 30, 2007
Codependent or Dependent on God
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being dependent on a spouse in certain areas of marriage. What makes it wrong is when it becomes negative dependency, such as threatening your spouse, or abusing them with words or fist, and or behaving selfish and needy. All relationships, no matter what kind, depend on another person for its subsistence; if it didn’t there would be no relationship. When one or both spouses behave in negative ways toward one another, society labels it codependency. I like to call it spiritual bankruptcy.
Actually, there is no such thing as codependency, it is a psychiatric term applied to people living in unhealthy relationships. Many of the mental health establishments like to stress that codependency is a disease but this only gives validation for people to continually treat their spouse and others badly and not seek inner healing for themselves or the relationship. When people think they have a “disease” they believe they are incurable and therefore will continue living in that behavior which is termed codependent and they will probably take antidepressants and, or other meds to treat the symptoms with.
We all have areas in our marriage and other relationships where we are dependent on another person for our needs getting met. But when one behaves destructively or negatively in their relationship does not make them diseased or codependent- it makes them spiritually lacking. God is our healer! Granted, carrying around negative and feelings can make us feel like we are diseased, and we may even act like we are diseased to others, but it is the lack of spirituality in ones life that causes one to be needy, selfish, destructive and dependent in a negative way on another person.
A healthy relationship first begins with a dependency on God. It is God who fills us up spiritually, so that we can be mentally and spiritually healthy to be givers, and to love others in the way God intends for us to love. Neediness, addiction, selfishness, self-righteousness, bad attitude, emotional turmoil, depression, and the list goes on, all stem from not having a person relationship with our source, Jesus Christ. We need to start focusing more on where our “life source” or “source for life” comes from. We need to be humble and ask Jesus into our life where He belongs, and ask Him for what we need.
Why are we addicted? Why do we abuse others with words and or with fist? Why do we get depressed? Why do we become needy and insecure? Why do we feel hopeless and emotionally in despair? Maybe because we are going to the wrong sources to fill our needs rather than getting filled up spiritually with the Love of God.
It is perfectly healthy to get filled up emotionally by our spouse appreciating us for who we are, and encouraging us in our endeavors in life. It is a no-brainer that we would be dependent on our spouse for our physical needs being met, right? So it is okay to be dependent, it is not okay to be needy, selfish, abusive, etc with our spouse. That is not codependence but someone who needs inner healing. Jesus Christ, being our life source, should absolutely be the head of the marriage and from Him being the foundation, couples can get their spiritual needs met, so they can be the loving and giving marriage partners they were intended to be for each other.
Actually, there is no such thing as codependency, it is a psychiatric term applied to people living in unhealthy relationships. Many of the mental health establishments like to stress that codependency is a disease but this only gives validation for people to continually treat their spouse and others badly and not seek inner healing for themselves or the relationship. When people think they have a “disease” they believe they are incurable and therefore will continue living in that behavior which is termed codependent and they will probably take antidepressants and, or other meds to treat the symptoms with.
We all have areas in our marriage and other relationships where we are dependent on another person for our needs getting met. But when one behaves destructively or negatively in their relationship does not make them diseased or codependent- it makes them spiritually lacking. God is our healer! Granted, carrying around negative and feelings can make us feel like we are diseased, and we may even act like we are diseased to others, but it is the lack of spirituality in ones life that causes one to be needy, selfish, destructive and dependent in a negative way on another person.
A healthy relationship first begins with a dependency on God. It is God who fills us up spiritually, so that we can be mentally and spiritually healthy to be givers, and to love others in the way God intends for us to love. Neediness, addiction, selfishness, self-righteousness, bad attitude, emotional turmoil, depression, and the list goes on, all stem from not having a person relationship with our source, Jesus Christ. We need to start focusing more on where our “life source” or “source for life” comes from. We need to be humble and ask Jesus into our life where He belongs, and ask Him for what we need.
Why are we addicted? Why do we abuse others with words and or with fist? Why do we get depressed? Why do we become needy and insecure? Why do we feel hopeless and emotionally in despair? Maybe because we are going to the wrong sources to fill our needs rather than getting filled up spiritually with the Love of God.
It is perfectly healthy to get filled up emotionally by our spouse appreciating us for who we are, and encouraging us in our endeavors in life. It is a no-brainer that we would be dependent on our spouse for our physical needs being met, right? So it is okay to be dependent, it is not okay to be needy, selfish, abusive, etc with our spouse. That is not codependence but someone who needs inner healing. Jesus Christ, being our life source, should absolutely be the head of the marriage and from Him being the foundation, couples can get their spiritual needs met, so they can be the loving and giving marriage partners they were intended to be for each other.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Move Mountain
Move Mountain
I believe the more hardships we endure in our lives, the more trials and errors we overcome, which make us better people for all others we have relationships with. Obviously if we don’t look for ways to overcome the hurdles in our life and we just move on to the next relationship or next transition in life, how will we learn? What is that?
I think hardships are a part of life and they are put before us for a reason. Maybe those reasons are so we can become the people God wants us to be. But before we can BE-come the person that God would like for us to be, we need to allow ourselves to BE lead into God’s kingdom here on earth. One way in which most people do that, by accident, of course, is by going through hardships and than eventually overcoming those hardships.
If I am addicted to alcohol, for instance, and I do not grow out from that addiction, what use am I to God and to others? In another example if I am stuck in a sin such as infidelity or living in anger, and I abuse and use others, what value would I be to society and my marriage? We are only what we think we are. Adversity is overcome while we are living now, and later we are rewarded with eternal life.
But if we overcome addiction and grow out from the selfishness that addiction has caused in the mind, and we learn to truly love others, than we have been blessed. If we overcome infidelity and learn to value ourselves as a person and child of God, and to treat others the same, then we have truly overcome, and have been blessed! To serve and help others without conditions is a blessing!
As children of God, He wants us to come out of our hardships and seek Him for our new life. Then, we truly become God’s children. God wants His children to not allow themselves to be overcome by the evil and wickedness of the world, but to overcome evil with what is good. So how do we do that? We do that by being true to our convictions, whatever they may be. (Romans 12:21 NIV)
When we live by the standards of society, what are we saying? We are saying that we have been beaten because societies standards lead to corruption of the heart and mind. What a man thinkith...
Christ Ones may live in society and walk among it, but they are not to be a part of it because they belong to Christ. What do you think is going to happen when we allow our heart and mind to become a part of “it”?
I believe the more hardships we endure in our lives, the more trials and errors we overcome, which make us better people for all others we have relationships with. Obviously if we don’t look for ways to overcome the hurdles in our life and we just move on to the next relationship or next transition in life, how will we learn? What is that?
I think hardships are a part of life and they are put before us for a reason. Maybe those reasons are so we can become the people God wants us to be. But before we can BE-come the person that God would like for us to be, we need to allow ourselves to BE lead into God’s kingdom here on earth. One way in which most people do that, by accident, of course, is by going through hardships and than eventually overcoming those hardships.
If I am addicted to alcohol, for instance, and I do not grow out from that addiction, what use am I to God and to others? In another example if I am stuck in a sin such as infidelity or living in anger, and I abuse and use others, what value would I be to society and my marriage? We are only what we think we are. Adversity is overcome while we are living now, and later we are rewarded with eternal life.
But if we overcome addiction and grow out from the selfishness that addiction has caused in the mind, and we learn to truly love others, than we have been blessed. If we overcome infidelity and learn to value ourselves as a person and child of God, and to treat others the same, then we have truly overcome, and have been blessed! To serve and help others without conditions is a blessing!
As children of God, He wants us to come out of our hardships and seek Him for our new life. Then, we truly become God’s children. God wants His children to not allow themselves to be overcome by the evil and wickedness of the world, but to overcome evil with what is good. So how do we do that? We do that by being true to our convictions, whatever they may be. (Romans 12:21 NIV)
When we live by the standards of society, what are we saying? We are saying that we have been beaten because societies standards lead to corruption of the heart and mind. What a man thinkith...
Christ Ones may live in society and walk among it, but they are not to be a part of it because they belong to Christ. What do you think is going to happen when we allow our heart and mind to become a part of “it”?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Divorce According To God
Divorce According To God
God considers marriage sanctified even if there is only one believing spouse. This does not mean the wife can save her husband or the husband can save his wife. It means that through the relationship, the husband or wife may come to be a believer and become saved on his or her own. So the wife should not divorce her husband and the husband should not divorce his wife.
If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, She must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her husband.
(1 Corinthians 7:12-14 NIV)
Sometimes stubborn couples cannot compromise with each other and fight constantly. This happens because neither one of them is willing to give in - both the husband and wife are controlling and demanding of each other. When neither partner submits, usually chaos ensues within the boundaries of that marriage. I would tend to believe that this is not a Christian marriage at all, but a worldly marriage based upon selfishness.
If a husband or wife wants to leave the marriage and insists on a divorce because they are too selfish to reconcile their differences, God has instructions for that too.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:15, 16 NIV)
This doesn’t mean to automatically go get a divorce. God prefers that couples work through their problems and remain married. This verse is so often misunderstood to be a loophole for divorce. It does not even say anything about divorce! If a spouse insists on leaving, what can you do? God does not want the believing spouse to undermine their faith while trying to preserve the marriage with an unbeliever – that would be worse than divorce.
Now, if a wife or husband divorce and remarry, according to scripture they will be committing adultery. The reason is simple – they are still married to their first husband or wife
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not that way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery. (Matthew 19:8,9 NIV)
This does not mean just because a man or woman has been unfaithful that God is allowing them to divorce. Jesus meant by “marital unfaithfulness” a man who has not and will not repent of his infidelity and wants out of the marriage. If a husband or wife wants to leave the marriage and insists on a divorce because they are too selfish to reconcile their differences, here is the scripture for that. (1 Corinthians 7:15, 16 NIV) Do not misread this scripture to mean it is okay to get a divorce.
Jesus focused on marriage rather than divorce. God intends marriage to be permanent and gives four good reasons why. (Matthew 19:4-6 NIV)
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment she is happier if she stays as she is – and I think I too have the Sprit of God.
(1 Corinthians 7:39,40 NIV)
…And a husband must not divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:11 NIV)
God considers marriage sanctified even if there is only one believing spouse. This does not mean the wife can save her husband or the husband can save his wife. It means that through the relationship, the husband or wife may come to be a believer and become saved on his or her own. So the wife should not divorce her husband and the husband should not divorce his wife.
If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, She must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her husband.
(1 Corinthians 7:12-14 NIV)
Sometimes stubborn couples cannot compromise with each other and fight constantly. This happens because neither one of them is willing to give in - both the husband and wife are controlling and demanding of each other. When neither partner submits, usually chaos ensues within the boundaries of that marriage. I would tend to believe that this is not a Christian marriage at all, but a worldly marriage based upon selfishness.
If a husband or wife wants to leave the marriage and insists on a divorce because they are too selfish to reconcile their differences, God has instructions for that too.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:15, 16 NIV)
This doesn’t mean to automatically go get a divorce. God prefers that couples work through their problems and remain married. This verse is so often misunderstood to be a loophole for divorce. It does not even say anything about divorce! If a spouse insists on leaving, what can you do? God does not want the believing spouse to undermine their faith while trying to preserve the marriage with an unbeliever – that would be worse than divorce.
Now, if a wife or husband divorce and remarry, according to scripture they will be committing adultery. The reason is simple – they are still married to their first husband or wife
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not that way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery. (Matthew 19:8,9 NIV)
This does not mean just because a man or woman has been unfaithful that God is allowing them to divorce. Jesus meant by “marital unfaithfulness” a man who has not and will not repent of his infidelity and wants out of the marriage. If a husband or wife wants to leave the marriage and insists on a divorce because they are too selfish to reconcile their differences, here is the scripture for that. (1 Corinthians 7:15, 16 NIV) Do not misread this scripture to mean it is okay to get a divorce.
Jesus focused on marriage rather than divorce. God intends marriage to be permanent and gives four good reasons why. (Matthew 19:4-6 NIV)
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment she is happier if she stays as she is – and I think I too have the Sprit of God.
(1 Corinthians 7:39,40 NIV)
…And a husband must not divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:11 NIV)
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