01.20.07
sharing
Just sharing a couple scriptures that stuck out today while reading.
Proverbs 29:23 – A man’s pride shall bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Proverbs 30:5 – Every word or God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
I need to keep my mind on these promises. As you all know I’m leaving Monday to go to a physical rehabilitation campus for a two week stay for now. I am nervous already about being alone for those two weeks but moreso I am having to leave while something major in my life is going on here. Reading those scriptures earlier reminded me that it’s okay if I’m not here because I have given it all to the LORD and he will never fail me, he can’t.
I want to ask that all of you out there reading this pray for my husband and our marraige. I don’t know why but I feel that he is in the need of prayers. GOD be with him, whatever he’s doing or thinking. And remind him that I love him with all my heart. Remind him of what he told me an the promises we made to one another and the vows we took in front of you, LORD. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen, and Amen.
01.10.07
Your Spouse Is NOT Your Enemy
I know I have posted this before but I find these words so inspirational that I’m posting it again. Read the words and listen as they speak to you.
Your Spouse Is NOT Your Enemy…
Have you ever wondered who caused your spouse to walk away? Satan
binds people’s minds. He diverts their attention by instilling
wrong values and priorities into their minds; by suggesting to their
minds selfish reasons to reject the truth. He does this in the
following ways: by contrary suggestions, by argument of others, by
social pressures and distractions, and by a huge arsenal of other
weapons that he has to direct against people’s thinking.
From 1 Timothy 3:6-7, and also 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, we learn that
some of satan’s traps are pride, a bad reputation, lust of the flesh,
rebellion, and an unforgiving attitude. Some or all of these traits
will show up in your wayward spouse.
It is important that we correctly and thoroughly understand satan’s
control over people who are affected by him. Your spouse is not your
enemy; he or she has been deceived by satan. He does this in various
ways and to varying degrees, including: oppression, obsession, and
possession. Here again, almost all of satan’s influence over people
is actually exerted by demons, not by satan personally although it is
still satan’s work and he is responsible for instigating and leading
it.
So how has satan been working in your spouse’s life? One of the most
familiar and successful tactics is temptation. He is repeatedly
referred to as the tempter. He has tempted and deceived your spouse,
and if you are not careful he will do the same to you.
As believers, we must put on the whole armor of God, including
picking up the shield of faith, by which we will quench all the
flaming darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:10). We are instructed
to resist satan. We do not have to defeat him, Jesus already did
that.
The enemy has been working in your spouse through disobedience and
rebellion. Wittingly or otherwise, he or she does what satan wants
him or her to do. He knows how to manipulate them through their
personal desires, ideas, prejudices, and ignorance. He is “the ruler
of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who
are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2 NIV).
Who would have ever thought that your spouse, this same loving spouse
who proposed to you or accepted your proposal and made those vows,
would turn around, after all these years, saying they’ve made a
mistake; telling you they don’t love you anymore, saying they want a
divorce, telling you to get on with your life and that you need to
start dating, saying “I am in love with someone else,” etc. Who
would have ever thought your spouse would be saying these things?
Your spouse said these things because YOUR SPOUSE HAS BEEN DECEIVED
BY THE ENEMY!
Satan is the wicked one in Matthew 13:19. In verse 23 and 28 he is
identified as the enemy. Bear in mind your spouse is not your enemy.
The enemy is called the adversary, the devil. Jesus called him a
liar and a murderer (John 8:44). He is the arch-deceiver and has
lied to your spouse.
To resist satan, we must “be sober; be vigilant” (1 Pet. 5:8). If we
are careless, we will not successfully resist the devil. Verse 9
urges us to resist him “steadfast in faith.” “The faith” is a
definite, revealed body of truth to be believed and lived. It is the
truth of God’s word.
My friends, if your spouse has walked out on you, this is enough
evidence that he or she is under the control of satan. We have been
praying for them to be set free from this evil. Paul declared that
God had sent him to declare the good news to the nations. “To open
their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of satan unto God, that they may return to their vows and
receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 26:18).
This is what we have been praying for. These prodigals are like
drunken men sleeping on the railroad tracks. Suddenly they wake up,
feel the ground vibrating under them, look up and in horror see the
locomotive bearing down on them. Immediately they jump up and dive
out of the way.
It is the same with these wayward spouses. Suddenly, their eyes will
open and they will return to their covenant spouse. Yes, they will
return, because greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the
world.
Finally, in spite of the power and authority that these wayward ones
give satan by yielding their obedience to him, he is a defeated foe!
DO not delay my friends, keep praying, DON’T GIVE UP. Marriages are
being restored. Get yourself ready, prepare yourselves, because
suddenly your spouse will awake from his or her stupor and will
return to you. Because, my friends, no weapon that is formed against
you will prosper. If God be for you, tell me, who can be against
you? Tell me, who?!
Be encouraged
Pastor Doreen
12.23.06
How To Be Happy
“How to be Happy”
Rachel Olsen, Senior Editor Online Devotions, P31 Speaker and Author
Key Verse:
“Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Devotion:
“Happy Thanksgiving!” people wish me repeatedly this week. Seems like everyone wishes for happiness. Everybody wants some. Everybody seeks it. Many people pretend to have it, yet few seem to truly possess it. Why is happiness so hard to find?
Pssst … lean in closer… I will whisper where to find it … the fourth chapter of Philippians. Look up and read verses six through thirteen, or read them below in the Power Verses section.
Notice in verse six, Paul gives three clear instructions for finding lasting contentment. He says:
1) not to worry
2) pray about everything
3) thank God for everything
What if today we took this instruction to heart and put it into practice? What if today we decided not to worry about anything? What if when we found ourselves worrying, we stopped and handed the situation over to God in prayer? What if we then thanked Him for taking care of the issue? In fact, what if we spent most of our mental free time today thinking about what good care our awesome God takes of us? What would happen then?
Paul says in verse seven, if we begin to live this way we will experience amazing peace – a kind of peace we can’t even imagine. This kind of peace is so powerful that it has a protective function on our hearts and minds – which only makes it easier and easier for us to stop worrying and be thankful. That sounds like a state of happiness to me!
In verse eight Paul elaborates on what to think about instead of our worries – whatever is good, true, honorable, pure, lovely, praise worthy, and right. Many things can fall into these categories, but Christ encompasses them all! This is not just “positive thinking,” this is spiritual thinking.
Further down in Philippians 4:10-13, Paul goes on to attest personally to the truth of this 3-step process as he writes from a Roman prison. From behind bars Paul says, “I’ve learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little … I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (Phil. 4:11-12). Did you catch that verb? Paul LEARNED how to be happy and content. It didn’t just happen once he reached his goals. In fact, he claims his ability to be happy had nothing at all to do with his circumstances, but rather his increased trust in Christ.
So happy contentedness is not something that comes once our waistlines have slimmed, our wrinkles are erased, our houses are clean and well furnished, our children are successful, our husbands dote on us, or our dreams are fulfilled. Instead it is learned as we become prayerful (verse 6) and thankful (verse 6), as we practice spiritual thinking (verse 8), and as we trust utterly in Christ (verse 13).
I can’t think of a better day to start practicing Paul’s process of prayer, thankfulness, and “spiritual thinking” than today. Happy Thanksgiving!
My Prayer for Today:
Dear Lord, I’m turning over all my fears and problems to You to handle today. I can’t fix a single thing by worrying about it – but you can fix anything because nothing is impossible for You! Thank You for my blessings, big and small. Thank You for Your loving care for me. Thank You for being in charge of my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Get out your Bible and highlight Philippians 4:6-7. Memorize those two verses.
Reflection Points:
Do I think about what is good, lovely, pure and right, or do I think about what is depressing, frustrating, unfair and wrong?
Does thankfulness characterize me?
Power Verses:
Phillipians 4:6-9, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (NLT)
11.21.06
What are you thankful for?
What to write, what to write. More random thoughts on this Monday night.
Wednesday is a special date. Some shout outs… Happy Birthday Gevin! Happy birthday Mom!
Wednesday is also the day a year ago that hubby went to jail. Not a very memorable day. I remember when he called the night before and hearing him say that he loves me and bursting out in tears while trying not to let him hear. I was so afraid that would be the last time I heard him say that. I was so afraid for him and his safety and sanity for the next nine months. I am so glad that it is over with now.
As we all know, Thursday is turkey day! A national day of thanksgiving. For GOD’s children though every day should be thanksgiving. This year what are you thankful for? I promise if you sit and think about it each of you have a lot more to thank GOD for than you might think.
For the next few nights I am going to be blogging about things I am thankful for.
Tonight though I have to cut it short and go to bed. Gotta go to the doctor tomorrow, so good night everyone!
Goodnight Christian and Wally. I love y’all!
Just some inspirational thoughts from a group I’m in.
“Get Yourself glory, Lord, through my stand, through believing Your Word is true when it says, ‘Let no man put asunder what God has put together!”
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we
do not see….And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:1,6
1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.
John Haggee says that marriage is like mashed potatoes. You take two individual potatoes, you wash them, peel them, slice them up, and put them in boiling water. Then you take the potato masher and mash them,add some milk and butter, and some salt. When you’re done, can they be separated into two individual potatoes? Well, you can make two separate helpings out of them, but each helping takes a part of both potatoes with them.
11.05.06
Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Romans 8:28-31:
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] whohave been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined,he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified,he also glorified. 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us.
Goodnight Wally. I love you!
11.04.06
The Covenant of Marriage
Okay, first off I want to give a special thanks to Jan, the leader of Women of Passions, for giving me permission to add this which is from the ministry website to my blog. I know there are others out there going through this with me, and though it be different circumstances for us all, GOD is the same GOD for every single one of us and HIS WORD is also the same for one as it is for the other. Everyone read this. If you’re praying for restoration of your marriage or not I think it will help us all at some time in our lives. Whether you be married now, engaged, or far from either just yet, read this and remember it in your daily walks of life.
Covenant
Marriage Restoration
DOES GOD REALLY CONSIDER MARRIAGE
TO BE A COVENANT RELATIONSHIP?
Let’s look at this from the Word . . .
In Proverbs there is a reference which appear to relate to the covenant of marriage, Solomon writing that …
Quote: “…wisdomwill enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.Discretion will guard you. Understanding will watch over you, todeliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversethings; from those who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in theways of darkness, who delight in doing evil, and rejoice in theperversity of evil, whose paths are crooked, and who are devious intheir ways, to deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteresswho flatters with her words that leaves the companion of her youth, andforgets the covenant (beriyth) of her God… (Proverbs 2:10-17)
Althoughone might interpret “forgets the covenant of her God” as a reference tothe Mosaic covenant with its prohibition against adultery (Ex 20:14),the context favors that this statement is a reference to the marriagecovenant of the adulteress.
Dr. John MacArthur for example comments that…
Quote: Ina wide sense this could be the covenant of Sinai (Ex 20:14), butspecifically looks to the marriage covenant of Genesis 2:24, with itscommitment to fidelity.” (MacArthur, J. J. The MacArthur Study Bible.Nashville: Word Pub)
Godconsiders marriage to be a covenant relationship. Furthermore marriageis a God-sealed Covenant for in (Mark 10:8-9) Jesus teaches that GodHimself joins the husband and the wife together.
Quote: “ANDTHE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; consequently they are no longer two,but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together (suzeugnumi yokedtogether as oxen and so coupled together as a team), let no manseparate (put space between, isolate one from the other).”
Theverb joined together is in the aorist tense which speaks of a definitecompleted action (in context in the past) and active voice indicates He(God) actually did this! This is a mystery but it is truth.
* * * * * * * *
Ina parallel passage which also emphasizes the truth that God considersmarriage to be a covenant, the prophet Malachi explains to his Jewishaudience why Jehovah was paying no attention and taking no pleasure intheir offerings, writing…
Quote: “Yetyou say, ‘For what reason?’ Because Jehovah has been a witness (thusGod is able to speak of their violation of covenant since He hadwitnessed their matrimonial pledges of mutual loyalty) between you andthe wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously,though she is your companion (this Hebrew word is derived from the roothabar meaning to fasten together, to join together or to unite and incontext implies harmony and working together to achieve life’s goalswhile sharing the hardships, pain and joys; LXX = koinonos = derivedfrom koinos which means that which is in common or shared by all.Koinonos thus describes one who participates with another in anenterprise or matter of joint concern!) and your wife by covenant(beriyth = a serious, solemn, binding oath).” (Mal 2:14)
God goes on to add…
Quote: “Ihate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covershis garment with wrong,” says the LORD of hosts. “So take heed to yourspirit, that you do not deal treacherously.” (Mal 2:16)
The same verse in the Amplified translation reads…
Quote: “Yetyou ask, ‘Why does He reject it?’ Because the Lord was witness [to thecovenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth,against whom you have dealt treacherously (this verb conveys the ideaof unfaithfulness in relationships like marriage, as in Jer 3:20) andto whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife ofyour covenant [made by your marriage vows].”
Sowhy did God reject Israel’s “worship” as “worthless”? In this contextit was because they had not been faithful to their marriage covenant!Is God serious about the covenant of marriage! The tragedy is thattoday so many view marriage as a contract, (a business arrangement forthe supply of goods or services at a fixed price: Merriam-Webster) notas a covenant founded on Biblical principles. If the contract does notwork out, the parties involved mutually agree to terminate theagreement and go their separate ways, and a divorce ensues. TimeMagazine had an article in 1993 stating that it was easier in theUnited States to walk away from a marriage than from a commitment topurchase a used car! This is a tragic statement! Most contracts cannotbe unilaterally abrogated, but marriages in open minded America can beterminated by practically anyone at any time, and without cause.
John MacArthur comments that this verse in Malachi
Quote: “accentuatedthe iniquity (of violating their marriage vows) by mentioning thelegally binding nature of the marriage contract, a covenant made beforeGod as Witness.” (The MacArthur Study Bible. Nashville: Word Pub)
Thomas Constable adds that
Quote: “Themarriage relationship is a covenant relationship, and those who breaktheir vows should not expect God to bless them. God Himself acted as awitness when the couple made their covenant of marriage in theiryouth.” (Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible)
R C Sproul adds that…
Quote: Marriagesare our closest human relationships and should emulate most nearly ourfellowship with God. The rise and fall of marriage in a society acts asa barometer by which to measure the godliness of that culture…
Marriageis a covenant. This is the keystone of the analogy Paul makes inEphesians 5 between earthly marriage and the relationship betweenChrist and the church. The bond between Jesus and His bride forms theNew Covenant, the spiritual reality of which human marriages are atype. Malachi 2:14 explicitly makes the connection between marriage andcovenant. But what does that mean? We should consider several aspectsof a covenant.
First, a covenant establishes a bond betweentwo parties, in this case the husband and wife. At the heart of thisbond is a promise, the promise of faithfulness.
Second, acovenant establishes obligations. A primary obligation in marriage isfidelity. The husband is obligated to lead his wife in love, and she isobligated to submit to him in the fear of the Lord.
Third, acovenant is public. It is contracted before witnesses. There is a greatdifference between the whispered pledges of a boy in the back seat of acar and the solemn vows of a young man before God and witnesses in theceremony of holy matrimony. This public character of the covenant meansthat marriage is a social institution that society has an interest inpreserving. As an institution, marriage is regulated by the Word ofGod. That the marriage covenant is not simply a private affair becomesclear when we consider divorce. Divorce wrecks the lives of children.Divorce destroys peace of mind and damages the effectiveness ofemployees. Divorce upsets friends and family. For Christians, anungodly divorce forces the elders of the church to exercise discipline.Marriage is the closest possible relationship between two depravedhuman beings. Thus, marriage is potentially a wonder of grace or thescene of intense pain.”
Sproul adds that
Quote: “peopleare no longer familiar with the nature of covenants. Covenantsestablish relationships publicly and create accountability. If twopeople are simply living together, either partner may abandon the otherwithout accountability. The covenant involves a promise to obey God andto be faithful—and also involves a curse: May God judge me if I breakthis pledge. People avoid the covenant of marriage because they want tohave irresponsible relationships, but such relationships are hazardousto human life. God has created us so that we blossom as human beingswhen we conform to God’s covenantal structures. When we liveirresponsibly, we destroy ourselves and others…Living by covenants isGod’s method to anchor our lives and provide security against theprevailing cultural disintegration. (Sproul, R C: Vol. 4: Before theFace of God: Book Four: Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; LigonierMinistries)
Jack Hayford has an interesting comment on Malachi 2:14 writing that…
Quote: GodBacks Up the Covenant of Marriage (Mal 2:13,14,16). When two peoplemarry, God stands as a witness to the marriage, sealing it with thestrongest possible word: covenant.
“Covenant”speaks of faithfulness and enduring commitment. It (the covenant ofmarriage) stands like a divine sentinel over marriage, for blessing orfor judgment. Divorce is here (Mal 2:13,14,16) described as violence.To initiate divorce does violence to God’s intention for marriage andto the mate to whom one has been joined. Yet, where husband and wifelive according to their marriage vows, all the power of acovenant-keeping God stands behind them and their marriage. What aconfidence, to know that God backs up our marriage. His power andauthority stand against every enemy that would violently threaten itfrom without or within.” (Hayford, J. W., Hayford’s Bible handbook.Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers)
* * * * * * * *
InIsaiah God addresses faithless Israel, figuratively portraying her asHis wife with whom He had a covenant relationship. Note the languageindicating God’s commitment to His “marriage vows”. Jehovah declares…
Quote: “Foryour husband (Hebrew = baal = marry, have dominion, or to rule over) isyour Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; and your Redeemer is theHoly One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. For theLORD has called you (Israel), like a wife forsaken and grieved inspirit, even like a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected,” Saysyour God. “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassionI will gather you (the final fulfillment of this promise will be at theoutset of the Millennial reign of Christ). In an outburst of anger Ihid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness(Hebrew word “hesed” which is loyal, steadfast love of covenant) I willhave compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. “For this is likethe days of Noah to Me (referring to the unconditional promise to notagain destroy the earth with water. This promise has been kept and is atestimony to God’s faithfulness to keep covenant), when I swore thatthe waters of Noah should not flood the earth again, so I have swornthat I will not be angry with you, nor will I rebuke you (so just asGod has kept His promise in covenant with Noah, so too He will keep Hispromises to His “wife” Israel). For the mountains may be removed andthe hills may shake, but My lovingkindness (hesed – loyal love) willnot be removed from you, and My covenant of peace (referring to the NewCovenant described in Jeremiah 31:31-37) will not be shaken,” says theLORD who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:5-10)
Isaiah tells us that the Lord will regather Israel the way a man would take back his wife.
Commenting on this passage, J Vernon McGee writes that
Quote: “Ifyou feel that God is going to break His covenant which He made withAbraham, Isaiah would have you know that you are wrong. God will notbreak His covenant; He will never break it.” (McGee, J. V. Thru theBible commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
In Jeremiah we again see God referring to His covenant relationship with Judah in terms of marriage…
Quote: “Behold,days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a New Covenantwith the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like thecovenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by thehand to bring them out of the land of Egypt (the Mosaic or OldCovenant), My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband tothem,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:31-32)
* * * * * * * *
InEzekiel 16 we again see the picture of the covenant of marriage (readthe entire chapter – Ezekiel 16 – to see the depths to which Israelsunk in breaking the Mosaic covenant they had agreed to obey, Ex 19:8),where God reminds Jerusalem (representative of the nation of Israel) oftheir betrothal, declaring
Quote: “Ipassed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love(refers to the marriageable state); so I spread My skirt (Hebrew =kanap = common noun for a wing, the skirt or corner of a garment andconveys idea of to cover) over you and covered your nakedness. I alsoswore to you and entered into a covenant (referring to Mosaic or OldCovenant) with you so that you became Mine.” declares the Lord GOD.”(Ezekiel 16:8)
Thisverse describes God’s betrothal to Jerusalem and their covenant ofmarriage. The spreading of one’s garment over the other party was asymbol of a betrothal. Notice who the nation of Israel belonged toafter entering into this covenant! We see the same picture in the bookof Ruth, during the night time encounter between Boaz and Ruth in theharvest field. Boaz is awakened by Ruth’s presence at his feet andsays…
Quote: “Whoare you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread yourcovering (Hebrew = kanap = same word as in Ezekiel 16:8) over yourmaid, for you are a close relative (ga’al = a kinsman redeemer).”
Mostcommentators agree that the spreading a skirt over someone was acustomary way of committing to marry and to provide for someone in thatculture. A similar custom is still practiced in some parts of theMiddle East today.
In summary, from these Biblical examples,it becomes readily apparent that God considers marriage to be acovenant relationship. It behooves every saint therefore to understandthe significance of covenant. Most believers could name most of themajor covenants and add a variable number of “facts” concerning eachcovenant (e.g., conditional/unconditional, everlasting, etc) but mostchurch leaders and members fail to grasp the depth and profundity ofthe term “covenant” unless they have performed a serious study.
Andrew Murray adds that men made covenants, because they understood the there were advantages such…
Quote: Asan end of enmity or uncertainty, as a statement of services andbenefits to be rendered, as a security for their certain performance,as a bond of amity and goodwill, as a ground for perfect confidence andfriendship…So valuable was covenant, that they would cut them inblood!
“Covenant was above all to give man a hold upon God asthe Covenant-keeping God, to link him to God Himself in expectation andhope, to bring him to make God Himself Alone the portion and thestrength of His soul”
Murray concludes stating…
Quote: “Ifeel confident that if I can lead any to listen to what God has to sayto them of His Covenant, and to deal with Him as a Covenant God, itwill bring them strength and joy.”
Is there any doubt that marriage between two Christians is considered a covenant, binding, irrevocable, and eternal?
Does God join together, say, two athiests?
Godwill NOT join himself to unbelievers. A marriage between twounbelievers is simply a legal contract and not a covenant. The termcovenant may be used, but the covenantal promises and provisions arenonexistent.
This is a difficult question because there are manyvariables. But from what we can discern from the Word of God, twounbelievers can be married in the eyes of man, but no true covenantexist. If one becomes a believer after marriage, then God binds himselfwith the believer in the new covenant of His love through the new birthand will use the obedient believer to win the unbeliever to make thecovenant three-fold.
I believe this is what 1 Cor 7:12-20 isreferring to — the believer being in covenant relationship with Godand thereby sanctifying the unbeliever:
Quote: 12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife whois not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must notdivorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer andhe is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 Forthe unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and theunbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband.Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man orwoman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live inpeace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband?Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man alreadycircumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Wasa man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’scommands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
Weneed to take the whole counsel of the Word here. Verse 20 spells it out– “Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when Godcalled him”. As I understand this, it goes on to say if you were aslave, be a slave; if you were free, continue to be free. In otherwords, if you were married, continue to be married . . . because “Howdo you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do youknow, husband, whether you will save your wife?” (v. 16)
Rememberthat covenant includes blood . . . in the New Covenant, the blood isthe blood of Christ. There can be no covenant with God without theblood of Christ. When one spouse becomes saved, the blood of Christenters into the relationship and covenant is cut.
The Lord islooking for those who will join themselves to Him in covenant. Theythat dwell in love, dwell in God, and God in them. All it takes is oneand God is there making covenant with them!
How do we know when we’re in covenant relationship?
Ifyou’re a Christian and you’re married, you’re in covenant relationshipwith your husband and God, even if your husband is an unbeliever. It isGod who initiates covenant, it is He who sets the conditions forcovenant, and it is He who pays the price for covenant. Our role is tolive in agreement with His conditions for covenant which Paul prettymuch outlined in 1 Cor 7 above.
Another interesting note is thatthe Hebrew word for “covenant” is “beriyth”. Actually, tucked withinthe translation of this word is a reference to “determination”. Inother words, God is DETERMINED to keep covenant! That’s why you feelthe call to stand for your marriage — God is DETERMINED that thecovenant relationship between you and Him and your husband cannot andwill not fail except by our (the Christian spouse) sheer disobedience.
Youknow, that’s exciting to me! When we give our hearts to the Lord, weare in covenant relationship with Him and He is DETERMINED to keepcovenant with us! That’s why He can say, “I’ll never leave you norforsake you!”
Our God is a covenant-keeping God! Hallelujah!!!!!
Ifwe were not saved when we married and then got saved afterward, theblood covenant for salvation also includes the marriage — EVERYTHINGis redeemed and our sins are cleansed by the blood of Christ. We arebound by covenant. God can and sometimes does sovereignly release usfrom that covenant if He knows, in His omniscience, that our covenantspouse will never repent or return. However, if God has not released usand has called us to stand bound to that covenant, we know that He hasonly victory in sight for us.
There are some cultures whobelieve so strongly in the marriage covenant that instead of using aring to signify the eternal love and faithfulness of their covenantpromises, they actually either cut their left ring finger where thering should be or they wear an irritant so that there is an unremovablescar on that finger in place of the ring. To them there are novariables — marriage is forever.
We (in our modern-day culture)have a hard time fathoming a forever-anything, let alone a forevercovenant relationship with a spouse who is not the young pretty thingthey married 20 years later. The lust of the flesh and the pride oflife have turned the hearts and souls of people outside the covenantrelationship to seek another to satisfy their flesh. Sadly, thishappens even in Christian marriages.
Whatever thecircumstances, remember that God is a restorer of those things theenemy has torn apart. God is a healer and a mender of the ravages ofthe enemy. God is ALWAYS able to put the pieces back together again andmake the vessels new — as though they had never broken. All it takesis a heart willing to believe Him and obey Him!
For theChristian there is never an excuse to break a covenant. The enemy willoften have us question whether or not we’ve been called to stand for atroubled marriage. Standers KNOW they’ve been called — they know thatthey know that they know! For them to give up their stand for theircovenant marriage would be disobedience and sin.
Trust God foryour marriages! It’s more than just a legal agreement to live togetheror a license to have sex! Marriage is the most important relationshipbetween a man and a woman — it’s one of the most importantrelationships in the mind of God to reveal to us the mysteryrelationship between Christ and the Church. Can you see why the enemydoes so much to tear marriages apart?
If you’re struggling in your marriage, please join us in our Marriage & Family Forumwhere you will find others standing for their marriages ready andwilling to encourage you, pray for you, and help you through the roughtimes!
11.02.06
covenant
God considers marriage to be a covenant relationship.Furthermore marriage is a God-sealed Covenant for in (Mark 10:8-9)Jesus teaches that God Himself joins the husband and the wife together.
Quote: “AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; consequently they are no longer two,but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together (suzeugnumi yoked together as oxen and so coupled together as a team), let no man separate (put space between, isolate one from the other).”
The verb joined together is in the aorist tense which speaks of a definitecompleted action (in context in the past) and active voice indicates He(God) actually did this! This is a mystery but it is truth.
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10.08.06
Doreen’s Daily – October 7th, 2006
Are We Calling God A Liar? These Are His Promises
When our circumstances seem out of control, do we believe; "in all
things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been
called according to His purpose"? (Romans 8:28). Do we really
believe that as we love Him, God works for the good in All things?
And when we feel alone, do we really believe God’s promise to always
be with us; "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you"?
(Hebrews 13:5).
When you read the Bible it will give you vast insight to the loving
and forgiving nature of God. YOU MATTER TO GOD! Seek Him with all of
your heart and you will find Him. Ask, and He will be there for you.
He promises, and HE NEVER FAILS.
When we are afraid or live in fear, God’s Word tells us: "Be strong
and courageous. Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed for the Lord your
God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10).
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and
says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13).
When we are brokenhearted, God’s Word tells us: "The Lord is close
to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A
righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from
them all." (Psalm 34:18-22).
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never
let the righteous fall." (Psalm 55:22).
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has
anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind
up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release
from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s
favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown
of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah
61:1-3).
When we feel that we have absolutely no hope left; when we are
desperate and say, "I just can’t go any further;" when we are without
a purpose in life; and even if we say, "I don’t want to go on living
anymore," God’s Word tells us:
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen
to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart. I will be found by you." (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John
3:16).
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39).
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God
is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can
bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so
that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager
expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." (Romans 8:18-19).
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit." (Romans 15:13).
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone
is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my
refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to
him, for God is our refuge." (Psalm 62:5-8).
"Praise be to the Lord, our God our Savior, who daily bears our
burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes
escape from death." (Psalm 68:19-20).
"The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon
me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name
of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!" The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my
soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have
delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from
stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the
living." (Psalm 116:3-9).
"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My
comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life."
(Psalm 119:49-50).
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6).
"He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have
young." (Isaiah 40:11).
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting
God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or
weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to
the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow
tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope
in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like
eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be
faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31).
"I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will
carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (Isaiah 46:4).
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the
gall. I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yet
this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; Because of the Lord’s
great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They
are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself,
"The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
(Lamentations 3:19-24).
"But as for me , I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my
Savior; my God will hear me." (Micah 7:7).
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 1:6).
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing
a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making
a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals
honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the
desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my
chosen,…" (Isiah 43:18-21). Depression debilitates us emotionally
and physically. It is bondage and we are the unwilling captives.
The Lord desires to free us from those chains. His Word says, "I,
the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your
hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the
people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to
free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who
sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:6-7).
We are constantly under spiritual attack, but Jesus Christ gives us
victory over that evil. God’s Word says:
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the
one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
(1 John 4:4).
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the
full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil
comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
every thing, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled
around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of
peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with
which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take
the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:10-18a).
Sometimes it is just plain difficult to hang on with all we have to
deal with in our marriages. Let the Lord’s strength be yours. The
Bible says:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7).
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
(Philippians 4:13).
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches
in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you
will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one
will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased
with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are
destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:36-
39).
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love him." (James 1:12).
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may
lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7).
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).
"How about the promises of being content (Philippians 4:12), or being
given the peace of Jesus (John 14:27), or the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22-23) – can we really "do everything through Him who
gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13).
These are God’s promises. He does not lie; His Word is true and His
promises are real! Let’s praise Him all the rest of our days and let
our lives demonstrate we REALLY believe – let’s make sure our actions
and decisions, fears and anxieties, are governed by truth and NOT
based on calling God a liar because He says, He will supply all your
needs; and this includes healing and restoring your marriage.
Be encouraged
Pastor Doreen
2778 NW 193 Terr. Miami, FL 33056
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09.19.06
dinosaurs
Tonight I have been participating in a very heated discussion on dinosaurs, the Bible, and the idea that those first six biblical days were actually billions of years per day span. I am curious to hear all you readers’ opinions on these topics. When were dinosaurs here and what happened to them? Were the first six days of the world mentioned in the Bible actual 24 hour days, or were they time eras that consisted of billions and billions of years?
Here are a couple of my replies on the forum.
This was a reply to a girl who said there was no sun in the beginning so those "days" had no 24 hour intervals to be timed by.
GOD made the day and night before animals, so there was a 24 hour day.<BR><BR>Genesis 1:16-19<BR><BR>And GOD made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day (the sun), and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. <BR><BR>And GOD set them apart in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, <BR><BR>And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and GOD saw that it was good.<BR><BR>And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.<BR><BR><BR>Fifty years ago, the idea of a biblical day being billion of years rather than a day like the Bible says was unheard of. The Bible was the world’s main history book for so many hundreds of years with little questioning. But when scientists come up with the idea of the world being billions of years old they make the world "think" there are truths between the actual words in the Bible. They try to conform the statements in THE TRUTH to fit into their ideas rather than make their ideas fit into the one and only UNLIMATE TRUTH. <BR><BR>One day, coming soon, everyone will know the trut
And this was a reply to a girl who said that science is nothing but a study for the world to be able to know how GOD created everything.
True. But science in itself can be destructive to the soul, or that is how I see it. What was Eve told not to eat from? And what did satan use to cause the fall of man? The tree of knowledge of good and evil. I think one of satan’s greatest strengths is knowledge. Some knowledge that perhaps we were never supposed to have. And he slips all this false knowledge in, false knowledge that is pure evil and causes us, GOD’s children, to question all that he wrote for us. The way I see it, the more knowledge we as a race obtain, the farther we seperate ourselves from our maker. Especially when we believe all that false knowledge. In the past one hundred years look at how much smarter the world has become. Now look at this same world in the past one hundred years and how much more evil and destruction there is.
Let me know what all of you think about these topics. I’m very curious about all of this. My little boy just loves dinosaurs, and I would like to be able to explain to him about them the truth instead of him learning in school the first day of pre-k that they are prehistoric from billions of years ago. I think if the Bible can’t be taught in school then neither should the world being billions of years old or evolution. The BIBLE went against some people’s religious right, what about thosed of us who what is being taught goes against what we KNOW?
Goodnight Christian. I love you!
Please join my discussion here.
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09.12.06
The Ant and the Contact Lense
cliff, and now my sight is blurry."
She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the
ledge. But it just wasn’t there.
She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed
for calm, and she prayed that she may fin! d her contact lens.
clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm
now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly
see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes
of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."
She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know
every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please
help me."
Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the
cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the
cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact
lens?"
Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber
saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock,
carrying it!
The story doesn’t end there. Brenda’s father is a cartoonist. When
she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact
lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the
caption, "Lord, I don’t know why You want me to carry this thing. I can’t
eat it, and it’s awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I’ll
carry it for You."
I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don’t know
why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it’s
awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will."
God doesn’! t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He
keeps me functioning
each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him..I can
do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
This is a simple test. If you love GOD and are not ashamed of all
the marvelous things He has done for you, send this to ten people and the
person who sent it to you.
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