Marriage

 

Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. This is a sacrificial act, just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the church. Men this means when you want to watch John Wayne and she wants to watch a chic flick, you watch the chic flick. Marriage isn’t a convenience it’s a sacrifice. Sacrifice is defined as giving up of one thing for another, putting her needs before your own.

Marriage is a sacred and mysterious, the two shall become one flesh. It is mysterious to me because God puts so much importance on this union. It is a covenant between two people. I personally think it is one of the most important things going on in Gods Kingdom. That is why Satan is devoting so much time to destroying it. One of the biggest distractions in a marriage is selfishness. When we are on our own, we are our own boss. Go were we want, when we want, with whom we want. A willing heart in marriage can change all of that, the two become one.  You see the world has convinced us that we want, what we want, when we want it. Our brains are bombarded constantly that we need the fastest car, the pettiest wife, the best cloths, the most expansive cologne. While I do have a pretty wife, all the other stuff, is just that stuff.

When you signed on to marriage did you ever consider what you were getting into? Most of us did not. It can at times be a daily struggle. Every morning when I get up before my feet hit the floor I thank the Lord that He has given me a caring wife that is genuinely concerned about me and loves me as I am. I also pray, that He shows through me, His love for her. I’m no saint, I just know a gift from God when its given to me.

” Love is patient; love is kind.  Love does not envy; is not boastfull; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does npt keep a record of wrongs.” Posted by Steve Waltrip

Commitment

 

Michelangelo was and still is regarded as a brilliant painter.  His work in the Sistine Chapel is considered by many to be a master piece equal to none other.  But did you know Michelangelo started out as a sculptor?  He said of himself that he was born with a stonecutter’s tool in his hand.  At the age of twenty-one he completed his Pieta and David.  In his early thirties he was called to Rome by Pope Julius II to sculpt something for the Vatican,  but was asked to paint something instead.  At first he refused, but was later talked into it by the Pope.  The sculptor turned painter, turned out four hundred figures and nine scenes from the book of Genesis.  Not to mention the twelve apostles. Even after his eyesight was failing he was still commited to complete his work.

Michelangelo’s talent can not be disputed.  But if it were not for his commitment to his work we would never have known the impact of this great artist.  Once in a dark corner of the Sistine Chapel, he was asked why he was putting so much effort into something no one would ever see, he replied, “God will see”.

Whatever you are involved in, if your not committed to it, you will most likely not succeed.  If your not committed to your wife, your marriage will not succeed.  If your not committed to your kids they will not succeed.  If your not committed to Christ your doomed.   If your not committed to your church you will float around.  Determine what it is in your life that deserves commitment and commit.  Any athlete, that ever achieved greatness did not reach that level without commitment.

I got the story of Michelangelo from a book called,’ The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader‘ by, John C. Maxwell;  posted by Steve Waltrip

Election Day

 

 

Several years ago congress passed a law that said pastors could not state their political opinions from the pulpit.  While I am not a pastor, it is not my intent to air my political preferences.  I will share what I think the Bible says about choosing our leaders.

 

God gave Moses instructions on choosing leaders. Ex.18:21 “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain;…”  I’m not going to comment on the gender thing.  That’s not the point I’m trying to make. Is the candidate you have chosen fall under the criteria that God told Moses to follow when choosing a leader? 

 

May is just a primary month, but November will be here before you know it.  I have developed a few guidelines for choosing a candidate. I am registered with a major political party, but I vote on principle above all.  The economy is not going very well right now, but I think an opponent of abortion is more important than the price I pay for gas.  Does the candidate follow the intent of the constitution, or do they have their own agenda?  So do a little research, find out what the candidates think, I have.  Pray for guidance. But please vote.

 

I’ve been looking for a verse in the Bible that says. There is not a leader that God has not placed in that roll.  If you know where that is please help me find it.  Posted by Steve Waltrip

Do you need to “shout all the more?”

Mark 10:46-52

“46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

 51“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
      The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

 52“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

Jesus healed this man….he was blind and then received sight!!!

This experience has many lessons.  Sometimes we desperately need a touch from the master and unfortunately sometimes we may be the ones rebuking those that need help…either intentionally or unintentionally.

Thankfully, Jesus does not see throught fleshly eyes.  He sees us for who we are.  He understands our hurts and our feelings.  Sometimes we are rebuked, sometimes we feel all alone and sometimes we feel the warmth of the master as he wraps his arms around us, gives us rest and heals us.

“That is the way the healing ministry of Jesus works–yesterday, today and forever: He sees people before the father.  He manifests outwardly what He sees in the spirit.  That is glorious!”   MacNutt 

If the noise of this world loud and there are those that appear to be hindering and rebuking, follow the experience of blind Bartimaeus………”Know that Father God has a divine appointment waiting for you, call out to Jesus….if needed, shout all the more!!!!!”

Written by Chris Dennis