As I sat on my couch tonight watching a show on TV, I see commercial after commercial about marriage. I see the focus of so many, and whereas I fully understand that I have never been married before and therefore have no right to try and coach on the subject, I do have some opinions, and bible verses. ;)
I was thinking, when the question was brought to attention "What is the key to a successful marriage"? I didn't have to think very long. lol Jesus is to be the center of everything in our life and if He isn't the center, then things will not go well. There is a big difference in "things going well" and "things going well for God." Things can be going great with your life, but if we're not following Christ, then is it really worth having fake happiness and fulfillment?
Now the one worded answers people gave me for keys to a successful marriage are these:
- Trust
- Commitment
- Love
- Forgiveness
- Friendship
- Faithfulness
- Patience
- Compromise
Whew! What a list to try and keep! However, if you look at these things, you can put all of them into one word. God. If the center of our life, relationships, friendships, etc is God, then He will certainly bless it. The minute you take your eyes off of God, you will experience trials hard times.
So the question is this, how will we be able to have forgiveness, patience, and trust when that special person lets us down again and again? God. In our flesh we cannot do anything good. The bible tells us that our flesh is weak.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" -2 Corinthians 10:3-5
"Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." -Mark 14:38
We in ourselves cannot do anything needed for a good marriage. Only through God can we give the things needed. But also at the same time, we are to rely on God for all of our needs for love, mercy, forgiveness, trust, etc...because man IS weak in the flesh, and cannot fulfill the things we need. Again, God, God, God.
Also, when things get hard and we think what something somebody has done is just unforgivable, we must go back to scripture.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." -Luke 6:27-28
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."
-Romans 12:14
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
-Ephesians 4:32
"Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
-Matthew 18:21-23
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
-I John 1:9
"Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."
-Colossians 3:13
To be able to forgive one another in any relationship, it's an amazing gift from God. There will be times when people do things to you that will never be apologized for, but with help from the Lord, we CAN forgive them anyways! It's something we will have to keep turning over to Christ every day possibly even for the rest of our lives...but when we hold things that are unforgiven in our hearts, it hurts US more than it hurts the person we aren't forgiving. Plain and simple; forgive, forgive, forgive.
I think two of the best examples of what we should do as Christians are:
When Jesus hung on the cross;
"Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
And when Stephen was being stoned to death;
"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:59-60 )
Our Lord, the King and Creator...even as He hung on the cross being tortured, asked God to forgive the very ones who were causing Him pain. That means an awful lot to me. That while Jesus was paying for MY sin, He was already forgiving me as He hung there in agony. And Stephen! My goodness, for a human to ask God to not hold such an awful thing against another human...that was purely from God. He can help us overcome anything, and the more I see marriages falling apart, the more I see the root problem: pride. Nobody wants to admit being/doing wrong. We must humble ourselves before our Lord and ask for forgiveness each day...even things we have only thought of in our hearts.
One of the hardest things for me to do is forgive someone when they have hurt me tremendously. Then I think about all Jesus went through for ME, a lowly sinner...and I have to remind myself that I am no better than any other person on this earth...and I have to turn everything in my heart over to God so I can live my life. And you know what? When we hold grudges and hatred for another brother or sister in Christ, it eat at our body, mind and soul so much more than it does to them. Because I take so long to hand my bitterness over to God, I hurt myself. Oh, to just have the faith of a child and be able to trust to simply that God in fully and completely in control. I cannot wait to see what else He has to change in my life.
As a friend said awhile back, "God is breaking me, and it's beautiful." For the lord to break us should be something we desire. I so pray whenever I stray from Him that He breaks me to pull me back to Him. "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Lean not on your own understanding...but trust in God's all knowing power! :)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Strength and beauty
"What you gonna do when the bottom falls out, and you're left with nothing but your fear and your doubt to hold to, who will hold you? Where you gonna run when it's all on the line, and you're looking for someone to save your life, to save your life.
Love can hear you. Love can heal you, if you let it inside."
This song has encouraged me today. I hear and read that (among other things) God is love. It's an amazing promise to know that the God of love, mercy and peace can hear me and heal me. No matter what I'm are going through or have gone through in the past, God can heal anything. When I think things won't ever get better, or that I can't make it through a hard time, I have to remember that "God works all things together for good for those who love Him."
Life is rough, that's just a fact. But I don't have to be alone when things aren't going well because God has also promised that "He live never leave you nor forsake you." What a promise. To know that the God who created everything is there for me no matter what happens, all I have to do is call out to Him.
Maybe not in other people's eyes, but in God's eyes, I am an amazing creation. And no matter what Satan tells me, I am not simply a piece of junk that can't function in this world. I used to be a sinner on my way to hell, but since I have been forgiven by Christ, I am made new! It's simply mind-blowing to read in the bible that I am a treasure and jewel to God. I am still a sinner, but as I said before, now I am a sinner saved by the wonderful grace of God.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
-Deuteronomy 31:6
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."
-Psalm 9:9-10
Love can hear you. Love can heal you, if you let it inside."
This song has encouraged me today. I hear and read that (among other things) God is love. It's an amazing promise to know that the God of love, mercy and peace can hear me and heal me. No matter what I'm are going through or have gone through in the past, God can heal anything. When I think things won't ever get better, or that I can't make it through a hard time, I have to remember that "God works all things together for good for those who love Him."
Life is rough, that's just a fact. But I don't have to be alone when things aren't going well because God has also promised that "He live never leave you nor forsake you." What a promise. To know that the God who created everything is there for me no matter what happens, all I have to do is call out to Him.
Maybe not in other people's eyes, but in God's eyes, I am an amazing creation. And no matter what Satan tells me, I am not simply a piece of junk that can't function in this world. I used to be a sinner on my way to hell, but since I have been forgiven by Christ, I am made new! It's simply mind-blowing to read in the bible that I am a treasure and jewel to God. I am still a sinner, but as I said before, now I am a sinner saved by the wonderful grace of God.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
-Deuteronomy 31:6
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."
-Psalm 9:9-10
Saturday, June 4, 2011
I've given it over!
As I've been listening to K-Love (a radio station) I have realized one main theme: I am a sinner, one who had no chance of saving herself. I am still brought to tears when I think of how awful I have been all my life and yet, I am still forgiven because of the gift my God gave to me (and the whole world) over a couple of thousand years ago.
"I was lost, but now am found"
"I'm just a sinner saved by grace"
"Saved, I'm saved. My sins are now pardoned"
"Searching for the words to thank my King, humbled by my silent offering. Tears of joy well from the depths of my soul, there is no greater gift I know, I’ll ever know."
Jesus, the perfect being, the One who has never sinned, came to this awful sinful world to save ME. He came to save YOU. He will give the gift of forgiveness to anyone who asks of it. I feel like I get a big head sometimes, because I'm "a Christian." But you know what that means? It means I am just as sinful as the rest of the world, I have simply asked for God's forgiveness. No wrong that I have ever done has been any less of a sin than the murderers, thieves, liars, and adulteress. Nothing. If I think of them as being low for what they have done, then I MUST, by God's law, put myself there as well.
Whereas those who are not saved are "sinners" I am simply a "sinner, saved by grace." The perfect, loving, merciful grace of God.
It's so easy to judge everyone around me for the things that they do wrong, but God looks at the big picture, and sees every human as being a fallen race who knows nothing of a perfect life.
I might think I have rough times every now and then...and you know what? That is so very selfish. My Lord took beatings, whippings, and being hung on the cross all for me doing things that I would call my "everyday life."
There are so many people that use the gift that God has given us and run with it. They glow Christ wherever they go...even if it simply means smiling to everyone they come in contact with (the unsaved AND their brothers and sisters in Christ.) With as many people out there that are miserable today, smiling all the time means you have something amazing. I am ashamed of how often I have been around people and have just looked down and not smiled at a single person. How awful to hide such joy that I should have for all that has been given to me! I just don't realize how blessed I am unless I sit and think about it...and even then it's only every now and then. What I SHOULD be doing is, first thing when I wake up, sit and thank God for everything that He has given me and what He is going to send me that very day. Even if it's stressful and full of trials, I am still to be thankful.
- "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
- "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Job 1:21
- "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Romans 12:12
- "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
- "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
- "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance"
Romans 5:3
- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
- "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Romans 8:18
- "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds"
James 1:2
We must remember that tribulations help us grow, and God will never give us more than we can handle. We may think we're going through something unbearable, but we must always remind ourselves that God allows things to happen to us, but He does not wish for us to take them into our own hands and try to fix everything ourselves. This is one of my biggest faults. If anything bad or difficult happens in my life, I try to not "bother" God with my problems and figure I can fix them myself. WRONG. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times; God did not make us to handle the stresses of life. We are to give it all over to Him every single day. The past two weeks, for the first time in my life, I have been free of stresses and worries almost every single day. I never thought I would be able to let go of so many things, but God finally helped me release things into His hands, and now I no longer have to worry about it all!
I serve an amazing God that can work out and repair the most impossible things in our minds. But you know what? He works miracles; even today. So trust in Him! Have some of that faith we always talk about!
"I was lost, but now am found"
"I'm just a sinner saved by grace"
"Saved, I'm saved. My sins are now pardoned"
"Searching for the words to thank my King, humbled by my silent offering. Tears of joy well from the depths of my soul, there is no greater gift I know, I’ll ever know."
Jesus, the perfect being, the One who has never sinned, came to this awful sinful world to save ME. He came to save YOU. He will give the gift of forgiveness to anyone who asks of it. I feel like I get a big head sometimes, because I'm "a Christian." But you know what that means? It means I am just as sinful as the rest of the world, I have simply asked for God's forgiveness. No wrong that I have ever done has been any less of a sin than the murderers, thieves, liars, and adulteress. Nothing. If I think of them as being low for what they have done, then I MUST, by God's law, put myself there as well.
Whereas those who are not saved are "sinners" I am simply a "sinner, saved by grace." The perfect, loving, merciful grace of God.
It's so easy to judge everyone around me for the things that they do wrong, but God looks at the big picture, and sees every human as being a fallen race who knows nothing of a perfect life.
I might think I have rough times every now and then...and you know what? That is so very selfish. My Lord took beatings, whippings, and being hung on the cross all for me doing things that I would call my "everyday life."
There are so many people that use the gift that God has given us and run with it. They glow Christ wherever they go...even if it simply means smiling to everyone they come in contact with (the unsaved AND their brothers and sisters in Christ.) With as many people out there that are miserable today, smiling all the time means you have something amazing. I am ashamed of how often I have been around people and have just looked down and not smiled at a single person. How awful to hide such joy that I should have for all that has been given to me! I just don't realize how blessed I am unless I sit and think about it...and even then it's only every now and then. What I SHOULD be doing is, first thing when I wake up, sit and thank God for everything that He has given me and what He is going to send me that very day. Even if it's stressful and full of trials, I am still to be thankful.
- "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
- "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Job 1:21
- "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Romans 12:12
- "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
- "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
- "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance"
Romans 5:3
- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
- "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Romans 8:18
- "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds"
James 1:2
We must remember that tribulations help us grow, and God will never give us more than we can handle. We may think we're going through something unbearable, but we must always remind ourselves that God allows things to happen to us, but He does not wish for us to take them into our own hands and try to fix everything ourselves. This is one of my biggest faults. If anything bad or difficult happens in my life, I try to not "bother" God with my problems and figure I can fix them myself. WRONG. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times; God did not make us to handle the stresses of life. We are to give it all over to Him every single day. The past two weeks, for the first time in my life, I have been free of stresses and worries almost every single day. I never thought I would be able to let go of so many things, but God finally helped me release things into His hands, and now I no longer have to worry about it all!
I serve an amazing God that can work out and repair the most impossible things in our minds. But you know what? He works miracles; even today. So trust in Him! Have some of that faith we always talk about!
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