LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

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.

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 tomorrow’s 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.

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 tomorrow’s 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 tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

A DAY AT THE SPA!  HURRAY!!

I am sure that everyone knows what a SPA is but I will describe it for you anyway.

SPA is a brand name of a mineral water from Spa, Belgium.

But our idea of a spa is a thermal bath of warm water where the water is believed to have special health–giving properties.

When you arrive at a SPA you usually are given a robe, slippers, a drink and you are in the atmosphere of soothing music.  There are also an array of other services like a massage or a facial.

It is where you go to in order to PAMPER your body.

Let’s look at God’s word and see some verses concerning your body.

1Cor.6:19-20  “What?  Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God , and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

The Greek word for “temple” is translated a highly decorated shrine.

Because the Corinthians were Greek they knew how impressive shrines were.

CASE AND POINT:  In Moscow, Russia, they have a gigantic white marble  cathedral with golden domes that is called “Christ the Savior.”  It is the largest Orthodox church in the world.  It is a memorial to the sacrifices of the Russian people.   Anyone going into that city sees that cathedral because it is in the center of the city.

Every country loves to show off its shrines.

God is no different!  God desires to show you and your spouse off.

He says that your marriage is a “city on a hill.”

When the Holy Spirit came into your heart, His work inside you was so glorious it was called a marvelous temple of God.

If you have been dealing with a poor self-image, this is the greatest self-image BOOSTER.

He has built for himself a beautiful temple within your heart–and that is who you are right now.

Now live like the magnificently decorated cathedral of God’s Spirit that  YOU ARE.

Here is a list of the commands about the body (Romans 12:1):

1.  Yield it to God (Romans 11:1; 6:13-20)

2.  Make it a living sacrifices (Rom.12:1)

3.  Make it holy (Rom.11:1, 1Cor.3:17)

4.  Make it accepted of God (Rom.12:1)

5.  Make it full of light (Mt.6:22)

6.  Reckon it dead to sin ((Rom.6:11)

7.  Reckon it alive to God (Rom.6:11)

8.  Refuse its slavery to sin (Rom.6:12)

9.  Mortify its deeds (Rom.8:13)

10. Refuse to defile it (1Cor.3:17)

11. Make it a fit temple for the Holy Spirit (1Cor.3:16-17; 6:13-20)

12. Make it free from fornication (1Cor.6:12-13)

13. Glorify God in it (1Cor.6:20)

14. Keep it in control (1Cor.9:27)

15. Put off its sin (Col.2:11)

The Apostle Paul  is letting us know that he never wants to be disqualified.

He is pouring his heart out to us.

In the Greek, the word “castaway” refers to a person who was once HONORED and RESPECTED. He has now lost his testimony and forfeited his reputation and is now shamed.

By mastering your body, you can now use it as an instrument in your MARRIAGE.

God desires that you as a spouse, be a shrine.

Can I Get Real? Christ paid a price and made an investment into your life with His blood.  He has compelled you to live a righteous life so he can use you as a shrine.  In return for that, you get to spend eternity in heaven.  It doesn’t get any better than that.  He has left his Holy Spirit as a helper so you are not alone.  JUMP at the opportunity to be a SHRINE for Jesus!!!!!

ARE YOU WITH ME GIRLS????

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

TWIST & SHOUT

How do you act when your plans have been HINDERED?

I don’t know how you feel when your spouse changes your plans at the last minute but for me, it’s a fate worse than death.

I’m a planner, so when plans are changed on me at the last minute my head wants to spin around.  Lol!!  I like to be where I am suppose to be and be there on time.  In my mind, I feel like I am being rude and violating the person who is expecting me.

The common complaint from spouses is when the other one switches rails that their train is on.

CASE AND POINT:  The other day I was driving and there was a detour sign.  But there was another very big sign. It stated that during construction, if you disobey the traffic laws, the price of the fine is doubled.  I thought, “That sure is cold.”  First, you cut off my road, then if I make a wrong move, now I pay double fines.  I started laughing!  It’s a double whammy cause whenever a road is cut-off, everyone starts making illegal “U-turns” and all sorts of wrong turns.

Especially when you have PLANNED and are now ready to do something, then your spouse changes all your plans on you.

What do you do?

That is enough to make someone “twist & shout!”

What did the disciples do?

Jesus and the disciples were on the boat planning on going to the other side:

Mark4:37-40 “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awoke him, and said unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?  How is it that ye have no faith?

A great windstorm arose.

The Greek word “arose” means something that catches one off-guard.

Jesus and the disciples did not expect bad weather that night.  This event completely took them by SURPRISE.

Mark uses the Greek word “mega” which denotes something of massive proportions.

The word “wind” in Greek is translated a hurricane or cyclone.

It was a CRUSHING and OVERPOWERING type of storm.

This caused the disciples to do a lot of “twisting & shouting!”

When did a big storm come your way and you were not prepared for it?

In verse 38 it says, “He (Jesus) was asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him.”

Jesus was calm even though the environment around him was hopeless.

In verse 38 it says, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

We right away think our spouse doesn’t care at all about our AGENDA.

We sometimes think Jesus DOESN’T CARE that our spouse is being unjust.

What was the disciples’ problem??  NO FAITH!!!!

What is our problem when we get to “twisting & shouting”?  NO FAITH!!

For some of us, it takes a crane to turn us around.

CASE AND POINT:  I remember in the early 80’s we were missionaries in England.  Twice a year we went to Holland for a bible conference.  We went by car and crossed the English Channel on a car ferry.  We only had a certain amount of time to reach the ferry in Cali, France or we had to wait till the next days’ ferry to cross the English Channel.  I had it all timed as to how long it would take the van full of people to reach Cali.  I was the only one interested in getting there on time so needless to say, we left about an hour after the time I had expected to leave.  We had to go from Holland, thru Belgium into the coast of France.  My husband started speeding and I kept telling him that it was too late to speed.  I told him he should have left earlier and we would never make it on time.  He kept speeding.  We got to the dock and all the cars were on the ocean liner and the gates were locked.  He ran and pounded on doors and begged for them to let us on the car ferry.  I knew it was hopeless and I couldn’t wait to get him alone to tell him the famous words, “You should have listened to me.  I told you this would happen.  See, I was right.”   All of a sudden, he came running, jumped in the van, and said they were going to let us on.  The gates opened and sure enough, we were on the ferry.  I was so mad that I didn’t get to tell him he was wrong for not leaving sooner.  All of a sudden, in my anger, God spoke to my heart.  I knew in my heart that God was saying to me that these kinds of incidences will continue to happen till I learned to be quiet and TRUST GOD!!

Every now and then (lol!), I still need a reminder (Hah!).

Listen to Gods Holy Spirit instead of putting yourself in “attack mode”!

Don’t destroy your spouse when God might just be trying to make you into more like Christ.

Just like the detour sign said that if you violate traffic laws during construction, you will pay a double fine, God will allow you to go through the trial (or training) all over again, and again and again!

Let’s quit “TWISTING AND SHOUTING!”

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrows post!  There is a new one daily.