“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.” —C.S. Lewis
If marriage doesn't end your selfishness, then selfishness will likely end your marriage.
You know that's what ends them.
If selfishness will keep you and or your "fiancé" from even properly marrying considerately, then that selfishness will undoubtedly end that relationship.
“God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the mind of (an unselfish) God.” —Max Lucado
Man's love is so small, and God's is BIG. God is love so when you run out of love, just go to Him and ask. He's unselfish and delights to pour His perfect agape love into your heart.
As 1 Corinthians 13 so says, “let all that you do be done in love.”
Fiancé and fiancée -- both words are correct. You know there’s nothin’ wrong at all with bein’ a fiancé if you really are right. What’s destructive - living as a fiancé in sexual immorality. Now, don’t get mad at me, tryin’ to help you.
It's amazing how many so-called fiancees never marry cuz of selfishness. One so often never has any intention to it says they do cuz of selfishness.
If a farmer's been enjoying free milk for decades, why should he fork over big money (or risk losing money later)..to buy that cow so to speak? Think logically, and be blessed long-term. Don't be unequally yoked with someone selfish and dead inside, or alive and selfish.
Take all the time you need. Sup with the timing -- is there really a right time for marriage? Are you in a unhappy marriage? My li’l sister was cuz she wanted some kids and found out her lover turned husband did not. She got murdered in her home in South Texas. Miss her a lot.
What should be different about your marriage, so it will be beautiful for you? Know and love the Lord more than your bff, or lover, or spouse. We love each other best when we know and love Jesus Christ most. You’ve heard it’s kinda like a triangle with you and one corner and your spouse at the other corner and with God at the top corner. The closer you get to God, the closer you will be together. It’s true. Come to...come back to him now.
“A man doesn’t own his marriage; he is only the steward of his wife’s love.” —Ed Cole
“When a man and a woman give themselves to each other in an act of marital love, they can know the love of Christ as no one else can know it.” —J. Vernon McGee
“There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage.” —Martin Luther
Joy comes in the morning. It's a good day to know the Lord and live well spiritually, and to make Him well known.
Lots of stuff will fail from time to time here, so much flawed and temporal, so much of mere man, or gone so corrupt, but......Your Love Never Fails, Jesus. Glad about that! You are my peace, my refuge in times of trouble and danger.
“Don’t fret and worry—it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing.”
Psalm 37:8-9
Take some time today to just wait upon the Lord to hear, and build up your intimate relationship with Him. Yeah, see if He would speak to your heart as you prayerfully open His Book again.
Without growing weary (like in that well doing), you have persevered thus far and endured many things for the sake of His Name. Let your heart be filled with hope again, with grace, with truth, with JOY and with songs. Keep your focus on you first love, Jesus (Revelation 2:4).
Toss not what’s holy or those pearls of yours so to speak down before those spiritual swine and dogs -- cuz they as some sheep even do.. like to bite. Listen, some people enjoy living closed without any assurance. They’re not interested in even looking at what’s so or at any evidence (you know, like our low and high US courts. Matt.
7:6).
No (spiritual) compromise! No time for it! Avoid the lying media, there’s so much of it in many locations (BTW CNN is now being removed from our International Airports YAY!).
Lean not on your own understanding when you see so much go sideways, south or whacko. Trust in the Lord and praise Him, beloved, that He will indeed cause all things to work together for good to those who love God.
God can bless again -- nothing is impossible with Him.
Wasn't peace in the Middle East also considered impossible. (2 Chron 7:14) If you’ve taken a stride from your first love’s side, ditch all the disappointment, discouragement and shame and begin to doubt your doubts -- do like that Beatles song and get back! Live stark (strong). Get home before dark.
“Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner But he knew it couldn't last Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona For some California grass
Get back, get back Get back to where you once belonged Get back, get back Get back to where you once belonged Get back Jojo
Go home
Get back, get back Back to where you once belonged Get back, get back Back to where you once belonged Get back Jo!“
Repent and repeat your first works. You were born to walk empowered, and in victory! In God's Spirit. You know this Spirit -- I say His first name is Holy.
Those of this corrupt world system want and seek to make you into a digital-non-person, believer.
Listen, it's about what's true, half true, and not true at all. What will ya do about their comprehensive scheme to marginalize conservatives, to silence all our voices, and to destroy our lives? Truth itself hangs in the ballance today -- fiction is masquerading. We need a good b a t t l e plan of our own huh. Hearin’ Dinesh D’Souza’s good podcast.
Do what You will but your Kingdom come please.. really want Your will to be done on USA Earth as it is in heaven.
Pour out your Spirit here again, more so than before please. Like watching a really important football game, US elections can get emotional!!!..but they're of course far more important. And walking tight with the Lord in his will his way.. is far more important than that.
Note to self: Let's be more concerned with who is in, or needs to be in God's house right with him, than who's in the White House cuz now we know about Dominion.
Help us Lord, cuz we get feeling concerned for those around us. You know that a Socialist-Democrat Nation with China pulling the strings in DC.. isn't at all good for anybody here. Want to bless the Lord more. Want to win a soul more than win an argument or win an election. Want to more so.
So, send an authentic biblical revival for your church, and a genuine Spiritual Awakening again.
Pure worship and ministering Your Gospel Message in the power of Your Spirit ..is far more important and simply a much better use of our time.
Do you get fighting discouragement from time to time? I’ve done some years of SoCal wave-surfing and have kicked out of a lot.
Sometimes the height of the crest of that wave in your life (so to speak) determines what the trough is like following right behind it.
Observation: Some of the guys that experience the highest wave-peaks sometimes find themselves really fighting discouragement after a big victory. (i.e., David Jeremiah says he does, or remember Elijah running away from a woman and then asking to die? It happened, but he didn’t stay down long.
More than one has said to me, "With networks and people cut off and so little communication, I just keep hoping that there is a smart plan to fix this mess!" Can so relate!
"O evil man, leave the upright man alone and quit trying to cheat him out of his rights. Don’t you know that this good man, though you trip him up seven times, will each time rise again? But one calamity is enough to lay you low." Proverbs 24:15-16
Perhaps you too have felt down, distraught, scared or discouraged? No time to wander in fear. Gird up the loins of your mind -- it's time to walk seeing so we each can make good decisions.
I feel like I understand, and really do hope..too. So many Americans do know what's going on -- many need some grace, uplifting-encouragement and comfort today. Many more will shortly, at least the Scriptural encouragement. Christ promised never to leave you nor forsake you, believer. Won’t ditch. He said he’d meet all your needs.
“Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more… It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1,3
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Do you feel like you’re down in a dark valley these days, or perhaps out walking in the sunshine up on a hilltop?
I say live as realist. Watch all alert...but don't just stop there. Hope in the Lord and pray for the best -- He's got your best interests at heart.
I opt not to be fatalistic, passive or neg-in-thinking. Currently, I feel concerned for sad friends wanting hope today. We have a living hope. Am kinda thinking there'll be a whole lot of people very surprised and disappointed in 8 days (on Jan 20th, namely Mr Q and all the Anons wherever they be). Where are they, someone needs to take smart action. Hope I'm wrong on em (help me, got some proof?) and on their "plan."
People ripped off in life, and those with fiery trials need tender encouragement down in the dark valley. God is there with you, believer. Hold on tight. To Him.
Reminds me of how more than once that anonymous prophet in the Old Testament warned King Ahab that Ben-Hadad’s army will strike again in the spring: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD’” (1 Kings 20:28).
"I've walked among the shadows You wiped my tears away And I've felt the pain of heartbreak And I've seen the brighter days And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place And I have held the blessings God, you give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life To the one who set me there In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone! You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys! God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone!
I've watched my dreams get broken In you I hope again! No matter what I know Know I'm safe inside Your hand
On the mountains, I will bow my life To the one who set me there In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone! You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys! God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone!
Father, you give and take away Every joy and every pain Through it all you will remain Over it all!
Father, you give and take away Every joy and every pain Through it all you will remain Over it all!
On the mountains, I will bow my life To the one who set me there (to the one who set me there) In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain aft, didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley end, no I am not alone! You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys! God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone! You're God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys! God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone!
And I will choose to say "Blessed be Your name, yeah, yeah"
A man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Arameans have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills, but He is not a god of the valleys,” I will give this great army into your hand, and you shall know [by experience] that I am the Lord.’ 1 Kings 20:28 amp
"You are my God. My future is in Your hands" Psalm 31:14-15
It’s been a weird time.. for a long time now. Wish I had some words? Really wish I knew how to encourage you.
When life hurts.. when things go south.. there is a Comforter.
When the outlook ain’t all that good there from your perspective (so sorry ‘bout that), try the uplook.
You’ve heard it so many times, but keep your focus and priorities in order. Trials come and go and God is still there for you. Draw close.
He can’t lose, not even for winning. Never can lose. He understands it all, still has a good plan and loves you. Not one of His Bible promises has failed yet. Never will. He never will.
Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God! Hour by hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me. Warm me, your servant, with a smile;en save me because you love me. Don’t embarrass me by not showing up; I’ve given you plenty of notice. Embarrass the wicked, stand them up, leave them stupidly shaking their heads as they drift down to hell. Gag those loudmouthed liars who heckle me, your follower, with jeers and catcalls.
Psalm 31:14-18 msg
We and the whole world just watched our VP betray his own leader?
God has felt that rejection before and a whole lot more (the pain of a lonely cross), and he understands how we feel seeing this happen. Has anyone told you.. Christ is alive today. Didn't stay dead in that cold stone tomb -- you can enjoy a meaningful relationship with him.
“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’” Isaiah 46:9-10
“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”Philippians 4:6–7 nlt
Feast on His word, wisely apply God's word, follow God according to His word.
The living word (the only Jesus of the Bible) said, "Follow me." Not talkin' about religion the way of the world here. If you love Him, keep his commandments--He'll help you. Turn away from all the meaningless vanity and emptiness..to Him. Take His yoke upon you and learn of him. What a great way to start 2021!
God has put you where He has put you cuz he wants you to reach out to Him, to get to know Him.. and know Him better. Cuz He wants you to reach out for Him. Even reach out to your friends to point them to the Christ of the Bible so they can be forgiven, born again and blessed as well. This is what His Bible teaches. See the book of Acts.
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to depend on people." Psalm 118:8 (That is found in the exact middle of the Bible. A central true idea for us. A favorite verse of mine).
Well Kurt, that’s a different topic you might say. Yeah, but it’s still great to think about. So, what makes for a truly great woman and what doesn’t? (We’ll take a look at great men later on, which is also very important)
A spiritually balanced, born again woman serving the Lord in a healthy Christian church lead by a great saved man..that's a great woman. Let's all follow Christ close and be blessed!
Life here is short. So little time really, but what is it that makes a person great and blessed while here? Christ does -- He forgives, He gives, and He guides willing people. What is it that makes a really great woman? A Person. Jesus does that in and through a woman as they pray and obey God's word. You can pray and obey Him.
"As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!' But He replied, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.'” (Luke 11:27-28)
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." ~ Jesus (in Matthew 7:24-26, Luke 6:47)
"Now the man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. And the woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and he was a Calebite,"1 Samuel 25:3
"She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her."Proverbs 3:15
Not talkin' about some foolish woman.. "As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion." Proverbs 11:22
"Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:26
I was watching my wife Liney teaching the li'l children this morning in church and that’s what started me thinking on this. She is great, she lives it, and she teaches great too. Led by the Lord who is. Yep. Am grateful!
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19-21 nkjv
The righteous women in the Bible who were great in God’s eyes lived as good examples of what people can do through biblical faith as they obeyed the Word.
Still today, a woman who consistently lives the Christian life like this.. starting in her thoughts and heart and then helps others to do the same is great.
If you want to be great in God's Kingdom choose to be the servant of all. Teach the people he leads you to.. His word. How to wisely apply His word. Serve wisely without spiritual compromise, not serving too much.
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: all of her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land ( Proverbs 31:19-23 ).
1. God has gifted both men and women to understand and to teach His Word (to different people), to care for others in God’s family, to organize and to properly lead people. The only question Biblically is in what sphere those gifts are to be used. God and His church have great use for the gifts and energy of qualified women, but not in the role or responsibility of teaching men or in leadership over the congregation in general.
2. Being a man does not qualify anyone for leadership in God’s church. Though I believe the Scriptures teach that men are to lead in the church, no one should think that gender alone qualifies a person. The character qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 mean that many or most men in the church are not yet qualified for leadership.
3. The Bible teaches male leadership only in the home and in the church. The Bible does not command male leadership in politics, business, the academic world, the community, and in other such institutions. God has special purposes for both the family and the church that go beyond pragmatism or efficiency.
4. God’s role and responsibility for men in the family and the church are not given because men are more inherently spiritual or gifted. Again, God has special purposes for both the family and the church that go beyond pragmatism or efficiency.
My friend in SoCal, Brian Broderson, says: “The two texts from which some have drawn the conclusion that women cannot teach in the church, meaning, they cannot give biblical instruction when both men and women are present in an assembly, are found in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15. We’ll take a look at them in order.Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Paul has already acknowledged (without disapproval) women praying and prophesying (speaking God’s Word) in the Corinthian fellowship (see 1 Corinthians 11:5). That has to be kept in mind when we try to understand his instructions in chapter 14.”
Great women are women of the Word that is Greater than all (Jesus the living word is the greatest). Listen great women, please stay strong in the Lord. Stay encouraged in the Spirit and word of God. Have the right priorities and stay focused on the promises of of God.
SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF. GOD DOESN'T CHANGE, SCRIPTURE DOESN’T CHANGE AND REMAINS THE BEST COMMENTARY OF HIS SCRIPTURE.
We need to trust that God’s order is good and to be followed, even when the fashions and opinions of our time would lead us in an opposite direction.
Only One Life - Live Great!
"Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." ~ C.T. Studd
Be a Person of Prayer. Women in the Bible exemplify faith by simply praying to God. Hannah’s prayers bring about a real warrior for God (1 Samuel 1:9-11); Anna’s prayers are rewarded with the promise of God’s New Kingdom rule (Luke 2:36–38).
Be One with a Great Support System. Look to God as your primary Source.. first. My wife, Liney, always spends her first hour in prayer and in the word each day. She always has. I always want her to love God more than she loves me -- we both love the Lord more cuz he is our Savior. Glad she never compromises spiritually for her husband -- I never want to for any, nor want her to for me or anyone. Together, Naomi and Ruth looked to God first. And they used Godly wisdom to secure their family’s future, and to literally change the course of history (See the book of Ruth in the Bible).
Be One with Godly Determination. To see her own condition cured, one woman endures the possibility of disdain, scorn, and banishment in order to connect with Jesus Christ. She allows nothing to deter her from her God and from the healing Power of God, giving us a shining example of unwavering faith (Matthew 9:20-22).
Be One with an Entrepreneurial Attitude. The impressive woman described in Proverbs 31 is a hard-working, enterprising, industrious entrepreneur who not only has her priorities right, but she’s willing to do what it takes to meet her children’s needs. She weaves her own fabrics (Proverbs 31:19), but from that fabric, she also “makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants” (Proverbs 31:10-31).
Be Practical as a Winning Warrior. Deborah won a war for her people. She knew what would save her nation from oppression. She told the male leader that God told him to go to war and yet he wouldn’t go without her. (Judges 4). She did what she needed to do for victory.
Be a Winner of Other People. Esther was willing to lay down her life for others..to see them saved. She was used of God via grace, fasting, and her own marriage relationship to save her Jewish people from extermination (Book of Esther).
Be a Leader of Leaders. The Queen of Sheba, she heard God’s wisdom, and she used wisdom and discernment in giving King Solomon her blessing (1 Kings 10:1-13). He didn’t really need her blessing, cause God had already blessed him, but she was a smart seeker of God and supporter of him.
Be Wisely Motherly (especially if God Calls You To Mother). Eve is the first woman – mother of us all (Genesis 3:20). And to Mary, a Savior is born, whose existence gave us a living example of our fullest potential in right relationship with the Father (Matthew 1:18-21). When you pray for people to get saved, when you plant seeds of faith in their hearts, when you water seeds of faith as the Holy Spirit leads you to, and then when they repent and believe in Jesus Christ.. they are born again babies in His Kingdom and guess what! He is the good Father God, but you can, by faith, help to nurture them along to full spiritual maturity in the truth and grace of God. Of course He causes the birth, but the Lord can use you to help his kids to grow up. Sure, but it all starts with you believing.
