A Godly Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN

Matthew Chapter 19

3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."11 But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."  Many cannot accept these verses of Scripture as a direct teaching against homosexual marriage.  I however believe that it is clear--yet I completely understand why they are in denial.  In verse 11, Christ stated they "cannot accept this saying".  The Word of God is not for everybody! It is for those who believe in Him and are his disciples.  Christ teachings regarding why divorce was "allowed" was clearly laid out here in these Scriptures--it was because of "the hardness of your hearts".  This is so sad--because that is what we have today---people who are "hard hearted" toward the Word of God.  There is only one kind of marriage ordained by God and it was not the idea of man--so man's "new" ideas can never overrule God's original plans for mankind.  May God help those who refuse to understand that marriage was God's idea -- a covenant between a man and a woman---where the two became one flesh.  PERIOD.    

Be about Something

All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke ~ There are many capable individuals who can say or do something to effectuate change in their communities, yet they do nothing. But the minute others try to make a difference they are the first to be a critic.  If you are interested in "doing" then by all means get busy "doing".  None of us need a "specific" cause, because all we need to do is look at those closest to us.  First we must see if there is a need within our own family, then we should focus our attention outwardly.  We cannot help the world if our home is out of order. Our responsibility is not to be helpful only to those who look and sound just like us, that is too easy.  Those that are lost or purveyors of evil, definitely stand in need of a friend, guidance or simply a kind word.  I am hopeful that one day we all would step up and be about something--and stop being just observers and critics.  Either we are a part of the problem or we are a part of the bringing about a solution.  Be encouraged to get involved in making a difference in your own way. May the Love and Peace of God be with you today and everyday.

Growing in Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (II Peter 3:14-18) The Bible states that those who are IN CHRIST, must "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". If you are not growing, then you are stagnant. Growth can only happen by reading The Word of God, then "seeking" understanding of the things you don't understand and then actually living The Word. Do you become perfect with growth? No, but you do live victoriously!!! Have a blessed day and May God's favor be with you today and everyday. Tomorrow may come, but it is not promised.

Appreciation

Dear Diary: (This post feels like a Dear Diary post, but I believe that it will help to share it others and besides---I don't have a diary)

Many times I wonder, why are people so unappreciative. It is not so much that you should do anything in order to gain appreciation, but it sure hurts when you do so much for others and they take you for granted. Saying thank you or showing your appreciation will always be welcomed by the person who helped you. I could speak on this subject for years--because it is my greatest pet peeve ever.

It is incredible how those that you have done the most for only remember your telephone number when they need something. This has happened to me so many times that I will just mention the most recent. Someone who I haven't seen in over five years called me to ask a tax question. I did not return her call within one day, so she called a second time. When I said---that it was strange that she found my number only when it is convenient for her, she was taken aback. Really now, do you blame me? I think not. The last time she called me--she reminded me that it was about a tax question three years earlier. In all that time, not once did she return any of my calls to her to say hello. If anyone truly knows me, they would know that I do attempt to keep in touch with my friends.

This post is really about trying to understand what happened to cause others to become un-appreciative toward others? The only way that I can answer this question is by my observations. Somehow many people have become "selfish". They refuse to put others ahead of themselves. It is an attitude of me, myself and I or What's in it for me? Serving others and showing appreciation is not on their agenda. I always think to myself--"how would I feel it this were me?" but I know that most people would never do such a thing. We should however, consider the feelings of others often.

One day my husband and I were out for dinner and we observed an apparent dinner/birthday party. Everyone in the group came to the table with a gift or flowers. We discussed how nice it was to see this. Then we talked about the many "events" where we observed people who were Christians and they didn't show appreciation. They never brought a gift or flowers. Technically, there are those in and outside of Christianity who seemed to have taken up the idea that they don't have to bring anything to a birthday, Anniversary, or Graduation, etc. That is sad because there are few special events that occur where others have an opportunity to show their appreciation so failure to do so is truly unfortunate. Personally, I don't even attend an event if I don't give a gift. I guess I understand the old adage "let them smell their flowers on this side of the dirt." Yes friends, it makes no sense to say wonderful things after someone is gone---tell them while there are alive. We all should show others appreciation by any means necessary, and never miss an opportunity to give a gift when the occasion warrants it. I WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK OR APPRECIATION--WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

What a Word to Christians!!!

I heard one of THE BEST SERMONS ever TODAY!! The Scripture used was John 12:24-26. Christians are expected to lose our lives in CHRIST. The Preacher stated that even amongst Christians, it is hard to find those who do anything without expecting to feel appreciated by someone or God. If we DO anything, we should do it because we love GOD and recognize that He loved us First. To know Love is to know the LOVE of Christ who died on the cross for us. To love others is to recognize that Love everyday. If you don't like being around people that you don't know, then you probably won't like Heaven. He spoke to a multi-racial congregation and told everyone that this is what Heaven will look like. (Never heard that before). It was a good Word regarding what we are called to do in Christ versus what we really ARE. Think about your actions----are they genuine, or do you always need to have others affirm, notice, or congratulate everything that you do?

I received this Word and I will never be the same. I knew that I would reflect praise for the things that I did to God, but now I will absolutely mean it now. I will be purposeful in what I do. I hope that this blog can bless someone in the same way that it has blessed me. TO GOD BE ALL BE THE GLORY

Blessed

If you say that you are "blessed", then you must know that "blessed" people don't live selfishly. "Blessed" people know that their blessings come from God and are always thankful and looking forward to sharing their blessings with others. In this Season of giving, those who are "blessed" are expected to give more than they receive. Sharing your blessings is more than just about money and gifts,"blessed" people also share their time, talent and abilities with others. The Bible teaches in Psalm 1, that a "blessed" man follows the laws of God and meditates on the Words day and night. It is impossible to know the Word of God and not strive to live them out. Sharing our God given blessings with others is one way to prove that we know what His Word teaches and that we know that God is the source of it all. His blessings don't ever dry up. WE all should want to live a "blessed" life. Have a great God blessed day.

Complaint Heard, Now let it Go!

It is so easy to find a reason to complain. It is a natural reaction when circumstances don't go our way. If you were to think about it, if things always went our way, we would probably still complain about it. So how about thinking what God hears when we complain---- "RAH, RAH, RAH," He has heard it all by now so all he probably hears is a sound in His ear. He listens anyway, because He is faithful and he loves us. But imagine Him saying back to you "Complaint heard, now let it go". I thought about that very thing this morning. I was complaining and then I realized that it didn't add anything to me by doing so. So, I let it go!! I thanked God for His goodness, His love and His mercy. When things don't go your way, instead of complaining---let it go. Be still and know that God orders the steps of those that He calls. Be Blessed.