LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

MILLION DOLLAR BABY!

A few years ago, Clint Eastwood made a movie called “Million Dollar Baby.”  It won a lot of awards at the Academy Awards.  What made this movie unique was a woman was being trained to box.

Today, cage fighting was the biggest-selling event on pay-per-view TV.  The fighter wins by knocking out or putting the opponent in a submission hold by which the opponent gives up, or “taps”, or by decision.  The sport embraces several different fighting techniques which usually involves punching and kicking, the clinch, and grappling.

More women are starting to train for this sport.   A trainer said that one out of 100 women that come in to train, will have “what it takes.”  There is hitting , choking, biting, broken bones, black eyes, and internal injuries as well.

Yuk!   Yuk!  I can think of a lot of other hobbies that would work.  Start with basket weaving.  Lol!!

Many times we find wives using fighting techniques like a cage fighter.

The following is a list of brutality that should never be used in your marriage.

1. Isolation.  Do you isolate your spouse from their family?
2. Intimidation.   Do you intimidate through looks, actions, and gestures?  Do you destroy your spouses’ personal property or give them a look like wait till you get home?
3. Name calling.  This is a prime feature of emotional abuse.
4. Threats. Do you direct threats to your spouse, your spouses’ family and friends, or threats to harm yourselves to get your way?
5. Economic abuse.  Do you control family finances and keep your spouse on a weekly allowance while you have financial freedom?  Do you withhold family bank accounts from your spouse?
6. Minimize violations.  Do you minimize the harmful violations that you are feeling guilty about?  Do you tell your spouse that what you did or said was “No big deal?”
7. Blaming your spouse.   Do you tell your spouse that they provoked you to behave the way you did?
8. Using the children.  Do you use your children to send intimidating messages to your spouse?

(Some of the above items from the list were taken out of a book called “Surviving Divorce” by Pamela Weintraub & Terry Hillman)

The behaviors above are found in abusive relationships that very often end in divorce.

If anywhere in the above list you find yourself, there is so much help that can be applied to your life.

The Holy Spirit (your guide, your teacher, your comforter, etc.) desires to help rebuild your marriage and it only takes you to call on Him.

If you feel convicted right now about your behavior, don’t condemn yourself.

In 1Peter, we have the answer.

1Pet.5:8-10  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.”

The word “sober” in the Greek means TO WATCH.

The word “vigilant’ in the Greek means TO KEEP AWAKE.

You are not a CAGE FIGHTER!!!

The ROARING LION is!!

Don’t you let him tell you that you will never change.

We can all change!

You were not setup for failure.  You are an OVERCOMER!!

Get out or the CAGE!!

Give God a chance!!   I did!!!

Now I have power to tread on roaring lions!!

God PROMISES us in his word to strengthen us!

Note:  Don’t miss tomorrows post.  Daily there is a new post.

TALKING CHECKBOOK

We can talk as spiritual as we want, but if God wants to know what our priorities are, all he has to do is peek in our checkbooks.

Our checkbook has a “blabber mouth”!!

Finances are one of the number one causes of DIVORCE.

God knows this and that is why 10% of the bible is about money.

The bible contains more verses on money than any other subject including prayer.

There are verses on lending, borrowing, saving, selling, buying and contentment on a godly life.

It is vital concern to God that you know how to EARN and MANAGE your own money or you will end up in the devils trap.

In handling money, Jesus talked about money in 16 out of 38 parables.

All money belongs to God.  Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Hosts.”

Ok girls, here we go!!  Stay with me!!

I didn’t say that the silver and gold belongs to God, HE DID!!

IF, the silver and gold belongs to the Lord, why are you fighting with your spouse over it?

Money should never be allowed to divide you and your spouse.  Psa.9:10 “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

You and your husband will never totally agree on how the money should be spent.   So what do you do??

Agree to disagree, lay your concerns on the table, and ask the Holy Spirit to intervene.

This needs to end on a WIN-WIN!

Not just end with you getting your way, but both of you giving and getting.

Your spouse is not in KINDERGARTEN and you are not his mother.

He has a mother so QUIT acting like one.

Remember girlfriend, we have talked about this, HE WORKS HARD!!

LET HIM ENJOY LIFE!!

LET HIM BUY RIDICULOUS TOYS!!

You do!! Let’s peek in that checkbook!

They say wives buy a lot of little things.  Men buy one big thing.

CASE AND POINT:  I know a wife that would not let her husband purchase an investment that he wanted.  She told me he was nuts to spend that extra money.  I told her that it wasn’t silly to him and I actually thought it was a pretty good investment.  She said NO!!  Today they are not together.

In my experience, if a wife won’t let her spouse enjoy his earnings every now and then, what else does she control?

A very spooky thought.

Wives many times are better at being frugal.  Your husband doesn’t care about after he is dead and your second husband having enough spending money.

HE WANTS TO HAVE FUN WITH HIS FAMILY NOW!!!

Wives financial beatitudes

1. Blessed is the wife who is debt free—for she is truly free.
2. Blessed is the wife that seeks godly counsel—for she shall receive wisdom.
3. Blessed is the wife who works as unto the Lord—for she shall stand before kings.
4. Blessed is the wife of integrity—for she shall have a clear conscience.
5. Blessed is the wife who tithes, saves and shares—for she shall be able to provide for her family.
6. Blessed is the wife who shares mercifully—for she shall receive money.
7. Blessed is the wife who budgets—for she shall have enough at the end of the month.
8. Blessed is the wife who is a good and faithful steward—for she shall be content in every circumstance.

(Note:  The beattitudes above was tweaked and parts taken from a book called “Woman-a formula for victorious living)

Eccles. 5:10-11 (LB) “He who loves money shall never have enough.  The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness!  The more you have the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income…”

DON’T BE A FOOLISH WIFE!!!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post.  Daily there is a new post.

IT’S SHOWTIME!

Sometimes us wives just fall asleep on the job.

We forget how IMPORTANT our position is in the life of our spouse.

Judges 5:12  “Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song…”

Who is Deborah?

Right now I would like to tell you that if I had to tell you what woman I think is the greatest woman who ever lived, I would have to say Golda Meir.  She was the Prime Minister of Israel.  She was in office when the Six Day War happened in 1967.  The Arabs were always a major threat to the Jews during her duration in office.  The Arabs were going to wipe out all the Jews in Israel but God used her to get the weapons at the last minute so they could defend themselves.  SHE WAS TRULY A WOMAN OF VALOR.

Golda Meir has a remarkable life story!

SO DO YOU!!!!

In Judges 5:12, why were they singing this song to Deborah to wake up?

Who is she?   Is she that important?

Judges 4:4-5 “…And Deborah a prophetess…dwelt under the palm tree…” Deborah was a prophetess who was resting and minding her own business.  She was well known because people would go to her to hear a word from the Lord.

She sent for a commander of the army, Barak, and gave him a message from God.  That message was to get ten thousand men, go after the captain of Jabin’s army, and God would deliver him into Baraks hands.

In verse 8, his response to her was that he would go do it if she went with him and the army.  If she would not go, then he would not do what God wanted him to do.

Deborah told Barak that she would go with him to war, but because she had to go, God was going to let a woman kill Sisera.  Deborah went with the army but it is not recorded that she fought with the men.    In Judges 4:21, a woman named Jael killed the captain of Jabin’s army just like Deborah said the Lord told her.

Why did I mention this story?

It isn’t every day that we hear about a woman being used in such a DANGEROUS POSITION.

Also, God made it a point to have it placed in the Holy Scriptures so that everyone would know about it.

Obviously, God could have used anyone, but he chose to use these two women.

This was SPIRITUAL WARFARE!!

2Cor.10:4  “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”

God has placed at our disposal SPIRITUAL ARTILLARY.

The word “warfare” is taken from the word stratos. The word stratos is where we derive the word strategy.

Spiritual warfare is STRATEGICALLY PLANNED.

Fight like a soldier!

We are to partner along side our husbands and go to war, with God leading the battle.

2Cor.6:1 “We then, as workers together with him…”

In the Greek, it describes workers who are “connected” and “joined” to each other in the pursuit of a shared goal.

You and your husband are not working alone, you are fellow workers with God.

You are not working by yourself for God.

God is with us, working on the same task, at the same time and he is cooperating with us as a PARTNER.

This is exactly why the verse says,  “…workers together with him…”

Barak went to Deborah because she was a professional and not an amateur.

He knew that she was a woman of valor and would stick with him through the battle.

God went before them and gave them VICTORY!!

God is trying to put professionalism in our lives.

In wartime, a THEATER is a region in which active military operations are in progress.  It is the BATTLEFIELDS!

AWAKE!  AWAKE!  AWAKE!

IT’S SHOWTIME !!!!

NOTE: Don’t miss tomorrows post!  Daily there is a new post.

MARRIAGE – 10 COMMANDMENTS

I.     Thou shalt not marry in haste or thou mayest have to repent at leisure.

II.   Thou shalt have a home of thine own, no matter how small.  By your marriage you transfer your allegiance from your father’s house to your own.  Keep it there and avoid being double-minded.

III.  Thou shalt establish a family budget and live up to it.

IV.  Thou shalt observe birthdays and anniversaries and continue courting and you will stay out of court.

V.    Thou shalt practice thy religion at home.  If it doesn’t work at home there’s either something wrong with it or with you.  Look  for the best in people–not the worst.  Show appreciation to your spouse and overlook his faults.

VI.  Thou shalt beware of the little things that hurt marriages such as sharp words.  Thou shalt put thy spouses’ needs before thine own and be unselfish.  It only takes one match to start a fire.

VII.  Thou shalt have a family altar.  If you are too busy to read God’s words and pray every day, you are so busy that you grieve God.

VIII. Thou shalt serve the Lord in His church.  You live in a city with churches so if you want the Lord’s blessings, be willing to share in the church’s responsibilities.

IX.  Thou shalt have suitable recreations with Christian friends.  Keeping up with the Jones’ begats coveting, just as all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…but all play and no Christian work is worse.

X.   Thou shalt regard thy children as a direct gift  from God.  Treat them as such.

SATURDAY – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question #1. When a husband and a wife are constantly talking about each others failures in their marriage, openly in front of others, especially their children, how does this affect the child’s view of marriage?

Answer #1. Will bring insecurity to that child’s life.  The children will live with the fear that their parents will divorce.  There was a couple that fought all the time.  One of the children would tell people that they never wanted to get married and have children because they saw how miserable their parents were.  The child that made that comment, ended up a homosexual.  Children have to feel secure in a loving home to develop and become successful.  Without a loving atmosphere, children take problems into their own marriage when they grow up. Talking about your problems only glorifies the devil.  Arguing couples quench the Holy Spirit.  If you have an argumentative spouse, step into your restroom and start praying.

Question #2. How can you repair respect for your husband once you have “broken” it or crossed “the line?”

Answer #2. It will take time and you need to have patience.  The Holy Spirit wants to partner with you to repair this.

1st, tell him you are sorry.  Be specific about what you are sorry for.

2nd, tell him you will never do that again.  Let him know that you not only hurt him, but you hurt yourself.  You are one in Gods eyes.

3rd, do random acts of kindness.  They say for every bad thing you do, it takes 20 good things in order for the person you hurt to let it go.

4th, do what I call “open up an account for them in heaven.”   This is asking God to give you opportunities to do nice things for them.  Don’t let them know.  It is not even necessary that you let them know you did the nice things.  Just do them!  If they find out that you did something nice with out tooting your horn, it makes it more pleasurable for them.  God knows that you are caring for the spouse he has given you.

5th, buy him a gift.  Not expensive.  Just a treat or two at the right time.

6th, you might even ask him what you can do to make it up to him.  Humility always works for God.

7th, “lots of luvin”

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post.

PAYBACK DAY!

Everyone LOVES payday!

Especially, if there is a shoe sale going on somewhere within a 20 mile radius.  Well, for the girlfriends anyway!

Many women get that same “rush” on payback day.

What is payback day?  That is the day when you get to act like a “junkyard dog!”

Has your husband ever done something that got you so FURIOUS?

You have decided that when you are through with him, he will never mess with you again.

You start to contemplate EVIL.

The apostle Paul has a word from God for all us “out of control” wives.

1Pet. 3:9  “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

In this verse, Paul is talking to married people with DESTRUCTIVE actions in progress.

The Greek words actually mean “Stop it!  Don’t do it anymore!  You should never do this!”

The word “evil” projects the ideas of INSULT, INJURY, HURT, and DAMAGE.

This would be a spouse that considers herself mishandled, violated, defiled, or humiliated.

I’m not going to tell you that no marriage is PERFECT!

But, NO marriage is perfect!

Luke 17:1 “Then said He unto his disciples, it is impossible that offenses will come…”

This is our warning that we, definitely will be offended by our spouses at some time or another.

God is trying to give us INSIGHT here.

He knows that satan will use bait as an opportunity to draw us into a pit of unforgiveness.

So how am I suppose to act when I am violated??

1Pet.3:8  “Finally, be ye all of ONE MIND, having COMPASSION one of another, LOVE as brethren, be PITIFUL, be COURTEOUS.”

This is a list of FIVE ATTITUDES desirable in Christian marriages.

First, spouses should be united in a common outlook and with common interests.

Second, spouses should have compassion, which basically means “suffering together.”

Third, spouses should love each other as brothers in the family of God.

Fourth, spouses should be tenderhearted or affectionately sensitive.

Fifth, spouses should be courteous or humble-minded.

A right word from you can TURN YOUR WHOLE MARRIAGE AROUND.

Do you really want to attack and tear down your spouse?

If you let the Holy Spirit have His way in your life, you will speak BLESSINGS over your spouse.

Your words will become the very FORCE that will turn your marriage around.

DON’T, DON’T, DON’T ever participate in PAYBACK DAY!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post!!    Daily there is a new post!

MY BARREN WOMB

For women who conceive very easily, it is very hard for them to understand the plight of a woman who is involuntarily childless.

I will cover some statistics from different sources.  Most will come from a chapter in the book called, “Woman: A formula for victorious living” by Lu Ann Bransby.

Nearly 1 out of every 6 couples in the U.S. suffer the anguish of being childless.  For millions it’s a physical problem or hormonal.  About two-thirds of infertility cases can be REVERSED through new medical techniques.

It’s the husband who turns out to have the physical problem in up to 40% of all infertile couples.  Some men have a severe reaction because he falsely believes he is not a complete man since his masculinity is involved.

Infertile couples can pursue other alternatives knowing that God will BLESS every effort they undertake in His name. Many couples clam up about their situation but this is the time that they need to receive from other Christians.  Women should not feel they are a disappointment to their husbands.

Couples who put all their faith and trust in God find their relationship strengthened.  Their situation brings them even closer together.

Some couples become consumed with their infertility.  Their longing for a child swallows up the joy in their lives.  Being childless is not the end of life, health or happiness.

Infertility is NEVER hopeless.  Eph.1:11-12 “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

Those words remind us that everything is in conformity with God’s purpose and will, even infertility.

A couple’s infertility will somehow serve God’s purpose and bring GLORY to the Savior’s name.

What do infertile couples do?

Being childless can be met head-on by Christian couples in exactly the same way that they might address any other challenge in life.

Call on God in PRAYER.  Phil.4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Prayer can help infertile couples to deal with insensitive people.  Prayer reminds Christians that God holds all of us in the palm of his hand.

It isn’t wrong for a childless couple to long for a child.  Jesus promises, “Everything is possible for him who believes” Mark 9:23

They can be happy also knowing  that God has a PLAN for their lives as well.

Contentment with your path in life is always God-pleasing.

A barren womb is never God’s fault!

God wants women to have children. Psa.113:9 “He (God) makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.”

The Lord promises BLESSINGS on all who reverence, trust, and obey Him!  Psa.128:2-6 “Their reward shall be prosperity and happiness.  Your wife shall be contented in your home.  And look at all those children! There they sit around the dinner table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees.  That is God’s reward to those who reverence and trust him.  May the Lord continually bless you with heaven’s blessings as well as human joy. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren!”

What barren women should do.

1.  Pray consistently for God to heal you or your husband’s body.

2.  Constantly read the scriptures.

3.  Take complete inventory of your lives.

4.  Make sure there are no signs of unforgiveness in your heart, past or present. (Lk.6:27-38)

5.  Make sure you do not have a judgmental spirit. (Lk.6:37)

6.  Ask God to direct your path daily.  (Pr.3:5-7)

7.  Do not blame God for your condition.  (Dan. 9:9)

8.  Do not blame your husband for your infertility.  (Mat.7:3-5)

9.  Do not rob God of His rightful share of your money.  (Mal. 3:8-10)

10.  Make sure there is no form of occult activity in your life.  (Mat.6:24)

11.  You should fast.  (Mat.6:16-18)

12.  Cast all fear out of your life.  (2Tim.1:7)

13.  Don’t read anything the secular world has against Gods teachings. (Matt.6:22-23)

14.  Let God be your strength and power.  (2Chron.16:9)

15.  Get rid of sin in your life.

16.  You must yield yourself completely to God.  (Rom.6:12)

17.  Trust God completely.  (Col.4:12)

18.  Obey God completely.

19.  Put all bitterness aside.

20.  Be patient.  (Jas.1:17)

21.  Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.  (Jas.1:19-22)

22.  Take authority over Satan.  (Mk.8:33)

23.  Have complete faith and do not doubt.  (Mk.11:22-23)

24.  Put on the whole armor of God.  (Eph.6:11-15

THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE A WOMAN WHO IS BARREN, OR HAS HAD A MISCARRIAGE, IS INTERCESSORY PRAYER!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post!  Daily there is a new post.

GOOD FLAME-THROWER

A flame-thrower is a potent weapon with great psychological impact upon unprepared soldiers, inflicting a particularly horrific death.

I know you must be thinking what kind of person it must take to do such an ugly thing to a person.

Well, Gods word lists people who do such things and it says that the person who does harm deserves death.

Rom.1:28-32 “…since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent (disrespectful), arrogant (prideful), and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these things but also approve of those who practice them.” (NIV)

Rom.1:32 “…they not only continue to do these things but also approve of those who practice them.” (NIV) God condemns anyone who embraces a lifestyle of sin.

WHO IS KNOWN FOR DOING THIS!!! Wives!!!!!

You gossip and slander about your husband and you think it is in secret but it isn’t. In heaven every word is being recorded.

YESSSS!!!! You go to your mother or sisters house and you have a flame-throwing session.

YESSSS!!! You go to your best friend, or friends or work and you have a flame-throwing session.

YESSSS!! You go to your church or social engagements and you have a flame-throwing session.

You think it is ok because he is YOUR husband. No! No! No!

He is not yours, He is Gods!! It is your job to protect his reputation.

PROV.31:11-12 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her…She will do him good and NOT EVIL all the days of her life.”

What is more severe MURDER or GOSSIP? The apostle Paul said they are both sins equally worthy of death.

Can any wife find me a verse that differs from what I’ve found so we can all start slandering and gossiping about the love of our life. The one who provides and protects us. The father of our children. The one we took vows with.

Wives many times gossip to gain attention or to be noticed.

DON’T GOSSIP ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND TO ANYONE! I DON’T CARE IF IT IS A RELATIVE OR BEST FRIEND!!

Okay, now you made me yell!

How would you like to go to a family event, or your husband’s work, or a social event, and have everyone stare at you like you were a REAL IDIOT because of things your spouse has said behind your back.

That is EXACTLY what they think of HIM.

“Well everyone vents and so do I. I don’t mean any harm!”

You are hurting GOD!

His word, is His word!!

Gossiping about your spouse could end or break up your marriage. Prov.16:28 “A forward man soweth strife: and a whisperer (gossiper) separateth chief friends.

Gossipers are not very intelligent; they tell everything that happens. Prov.29:11 “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise keepeth it in till afterwards.”

Stop the gossip! Prov.26:20”Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Proverbs 26:20 talks about “fire”. A flame-thrower.

Let’s put this to practice: Eph.4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths (about your husband), but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Listen up spouses!! ARE YOU A GOOD FLAME-THROWER??

Are you GOOD at it? Are you GREAT at it?

Put down the AMMO!!!

Get another HOBBY! You are hurting GOD!

NOTE: Don’t miss tomorrows post. Daily there is a new post.

MASTURBATION & WIVES

The definition of Masturbation is the manual stimulation of the genital organs (of yourself or another) for sexual pleasure.

Most researchers found 40% to 80% of women do this on an average of once a month.

I am not aware if these percentages are the same for Christian wives, but I am aware that I have had to counsel single Christian woman on this subject.

Since this is a sensitive subject putting the words masturbation and Christian together, I will let you know that God put it on my heart to address this subject.

Masturbation is done in the context of lust, so this verse is important.  Matt.5:27 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time.  Thou shalt not commit adultery”

Lust is wrong inside or outside of marriage.

Before we are married, it is our desire for a mate that leads us to marry.  This is normal and natural.

1Thess.4:3-5 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.”

Paul is telling them that part of sanctification is abstaining from sexual immorality.

Sexual appetite, outside of marriage is sinful.

For a single person the choices are abstinence or marriage.

Prov.25:28 “A man (woman)  without self-control  is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.”

Masturbation falls under the category of “uncleanness.”.

MASTURBATION = SELF ABUSE.

1Cor.7:3-5 “Let the husband render unto the wife due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

The wife violates her husband when she masturbates.

People who masturbate often imagine themselves in wild sexual situations.

You can develop self-control!!!!!

It doesn’t solve anything to IGNORE the problem.

Let God be your closest confidant.

Gal.5:16  “This I say then, Walk in the (Holy) Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

1.  Repent.

2.  Fall in love with God!

3.  Ask the Holy Spirit to totally control your body daily.

4.  Praise God all day, without ceasing.

5.  Read your word and make it personal.

6.  Surround yourself with prayer warriors.

Eph.6:13-17 “Wherefore take unto you the whole ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your LOINS GIRD ABOUT WITH TRUTH, and having on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  Above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the HELMET OF SALVATION, and the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post.  Daily there is a new post.

TRIPLE DECKER

Everyone has heard of the statement “The more, the merrier!”

When I was a little girl, there was a comic strip called “Dagwood and Blondie.”   Everyone read the comics every Sunday.  Dagwood always ate stacked sandwiches.  So a big sandwich was called a “Dagwood Sandwich.”

When it comes to an ice cream cone or a sandwich, a “triple decker” is cool.

When it comes to Christianity, a “triple decker” could mean something else.

Let’s see what Jesus was teaching His disciples on this subject.

Matt.18:21-22 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Jesus was giving them a teaching on forgiveness.

This was not an easy thing for the disciples as it was not for us when we realized we had to forgive people we didn’t want to forgive.

Right now I want to look at “compounding sin.”

FIRST lets’ talk to women who are on their second marriage.

How often has your husband done or said something that has infuriated you because that was what your first husband did and you hate it.

You told yourself that you would never take that again from any man.  You married your second husband because he was different.  You were sure he would never act like that and if he did.  There is the door.

Sucker once but not twice!

So you DEVOUR him.  How dare him!  You sucker punch him!

You contemplate LEAVING him or having him leave.

You are hurt.

You are COMPOUNDING someone elses sin and putting it in your husbands’ back pack!!

Your poor husband is “sucker punched” because he has no idea what got you so mad.  He has no idea what he has done.  He loves you but now he thinks he is married to a nut!!

Get it OUT of his backpack!  It is not his and don’t let him carry it.

Bury it in the deepest part of the ocean.

SECOND, you may have grown up in a home where your dad was very abusive to your mom.  Physically or mentally.

You decided that you are not ever going to be like your mom.  A small part of you is a man hater but you will never admit that.

Not all men.  Just the ones that act like “dear ol’ dad.”

All of a sudden, your husband says something or does something that triggers off a thought.  He is just like dad!

He better not think I am like my mother and will put up with his garbage.

No!!  Not me!!

I’ll show this dude right now who I am and who he isn’t.

When I am done, he will never do or say that again!

No!!  Not to me!!

You hit him with everything you have.  You make sure he is down and will stay there for quite a while.   How dare him!

Poor guy!  He is not your dad!   Get a grip!

You have just been “sucker punched” by a lying devil.

This is exactly why Jesus said to forgive “seven times seventy.”

Jesus knows every trick of the devil and he wants you to live in peace.

That is how much he loves you.

You are COMPOUNDING someone elses sin and putting it in your husband’s backpack.

Don’t make him carry that UGLY thing around!  He didn’t do anything wrong.

Maybe you are mad at someone at work or at home.  Maybe you are mad at a friend or relative.  Why are you COMPOUNDING that on his back.

Well, he does that to me!?!   Forgive “Seven times seventy.”

Your forgiveness of others is the condition for God to forgive you.  Mark 11:26 “”But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

CASE AND POINT:  As a new Christian, I was very upset with my child who kept doing what I asked them not to.  Every time they did it again, my anger would rise higher than the time before.  It finally got to a point where they no longer were being disciplined for their action.  They were being disciplined for all the other times they had done that same thing.  God convicted me about COMPOUNDING.  I knew I had to let it go and just deal with the one incident.

FREE your husband from “triple decker” COMPOUNDING!  You will free yourself.

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post.  Daily there is a new post.