Marriage Will Work If God Is In It

I'm not a professional in any way and I don't try to analyze people. I just know what works and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Now that we have that out of the way let me tell you how sad it is to hear so many young women and men speak of marital problems. They don't know how to deal with the problems they are facing. Having children at such a young age and feeling like you don't have a life any longer. You argue more and more often. You start to wonder, do I even love him/her any more. He or she is dragging me down.

You're not the first one to get married so young. You're not the first one to have a child at such a young age and you are not the first one to have marital disagreements. You surely won't be the last. Does this make getting married or having a sexual relationship at a young age ok? Of course not. But what do you do next? How do you handle the situation? The best recommendation I can give you is put your marriage in the hands of Jesus Christ. Build your faith as a couple with the Lord. Take your problems to the Lord in prayer. Wait upon Him, Jesus Christ, to answer your prayers. His timing is not our timing.

[Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.]

[Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.]

[Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.]

Don't be quick to throw your marriage away but be quick to give it to God and wait for upon him to answer your prayers. Get involved in a local church and begin family prayer at home. Isn't your family worth protecting? Involve your children in church activities and make sure your with your children at church. There's a saying, "THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER!" Prayer does make a difference. God is your only answer.

When Part of The Body Hurts or Is Damaged

I have been having problems for a month now with my left arm. My doctor says it’s diabetic related and offered me physical therapy. I refused and went back home. I was in terrible pain over the weekend. Tears were forced by the pain so back to the doctor I went the following Monday. I had to see a Nurse Practitioner who did not give me time to refuse physical therapy but made an appointment for me to go. I’ve been going faithfully except for what time I spent on vacation. What is my point? A member of my body is in tremendous pain causing my body to be less strong and restricted in what I can and can not do. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we become part of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. When a member of the body hurts the whole body is affected. As Christians we need to be aware of a member in pain. Sensitivity is not my best virtue but I try to be sensitive to other’s needs. The Lord wants us to be spiritual so we can be sensitive to the spirit.   Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. I know you have read or heard me repeating what a dear friend  said to me once, “Christians are the first to kill their wounded”. This appears to be so true. I actually wonder if Christians aren’t the first to spread rumors and run their mouths more than a lost person. Are you guilty of spreading rumors? Are you fast to repeat something you heard or saw?? My husband knows no strangers. It does not phase me when he talks to another male or female. I know before he leaves their side he will have shared God with them. Someone once told a family member that they saw John flirting with a lady in front of a local park in our hometown. When I was asked about this I couldn't help but laugh. I will trust my husband until I have reason not to.  The person who told this to a family member claimed to be a Christian.  We need to be careful of trying to destroy someone’s testimony. A true born again Christian would never have done this. I know we all make mistakes but telling such lies are not a mistake. That is an intentional act on one’s behalf.  It’s so sad that we allow Satan to have such a hold on our lives. Don’t ever give him opportunity to cause you to sin. Never repeat anything that you can not back up with facts or proof.  And even then we should keep our mouths shut. God tells us in His Word,   Matthew 18:5 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Our world is cruel enough. Let your Yeas be yeas and our Nays be nay. Step forward and be the “Big” person. Reach out to a brother or sister who may be hurting. Don’t ask them anything about the situation, pray for them, with them. They will tell you what they want you to know but if they do share with you,  please, please don’t repeat to anyone. They are telling you because they trust you. Help someone heal so the body can be whole and at peace again. You know that is the kind of Christian you want to be. Ask God to help you be a peacemaker and a trusting Christian. If you don't know God as your Saviour then you are missing out on a wonderful spiritual life. Won't you give your life to God today. He's only a prayer away.

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THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

One of my child hood songs in church other than “Jesus Loves Me’ was “This Little Light of Mine”. Now that I am much much older I still think of that song often because God tells us in his word, Matthew 5:15—Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. What good is light if it’s not on when the world is casting darkness all around us? I saw a bumper sticker which said, “Coal keeps the lights on”. This is a very true statement but once again I ask, what good is light if it’s not on. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour he places a light within us. A light unlike any worldly light. We are to be the light of the world. John 9:5—As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When we accept Jesus as Lord of our life then his light is within us. That light should be revealed to everyone we come in contact with. That light should be so bright each person we meet or come in contact with should see Jesus in us. Yes, we make mistakes, yes we have “bad” days, yes Jesus is aware how he made us but please please do not use this as a crutch. During our storms, during our bad times, during our bad days Jesus Christ should still be in the forefront. I know for many who has went to church all their lives it’s like the “same oh, same oh” but don’t let Jesus beome a “same oh” in your life. He is real, He has feelings, he has suffered for everything he knows you are going through now. Jesus has never been a fairy tale. He isn’t to be taken for granted. Come on Christians, I challenge you to stop “playing church”. I challenge you to stop the “repetiveness “in attending church.  Go to church because it is a place to worship; not a meeting for cooks, not a meeting for sales, not a meeting for gossip, not a meeting for bashing people, not a meeting for fashion, not a meeting for “if it wasn’t for me” type conversations. Luke 19:45-46 And he went into the Temple, and began to cast out them that solde therein, and them that bought,  46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. I know we can get caught up in hearing “Jesus is coming soon” but what many of us are thinking is, “yep, he is someday” and we are really internalizing the truth in it all. Jesus is coming soon in a time we think not. He will come as a tief  in the night..  2 Peter 3:10—But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. I don’t know what it will take for us to  treat Jesus Christ as we treat or should be treating each other. Sometimes when I say this I am talking about myself also. I ask myself, do I recognize Jesus Christ like I should? Do I honor him the way he wants me too? I have many questions myself. I want to be what he wants me to be that so many days I find myself yearning to feel his presence close to me. I don’t know how to explain it but I will try. It’s like missing someone so bad. You just want to be held by them. Can anyone relate to this? We think we are going to stand before God and bat our eyes , give our best pouty look and it’s not going to work. God is the one who created tough love. You are no better than I am and I am no better than you are. We just may be “better off” because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  I know there are many who are seeking God’s face daily. You are not who I’m talking about. Can you imagine if we  all bound together, got on our faces before God, cried out for our lost, our backslidden, our addicts, etc...until we couldn’t cry no longer what a miracle could happen. God tells us in Matthew 18:19, 20—Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Jesus said if two of us touch anything that we shall ask it will be done for them of the Heavenly Father. People that’s shouting ground!!!! Hallelujah!!!!! We have the power through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour! Wow, such a powerful scripture. It’s time we wake up and really live our Christian lives!!!!  Let your light shine!! Help me help you help others to step out on faith and take God's word for what it says. The world needs to see our light shine. Don't hide your light under a bushel, I don't intend to! God bless you!   counters

GATHERING UP THE PIECES

Reminiscing about the past can bring back fond memories. Children, after they become adults. confess more things, we, as parents, would NOT like to know. The past can also remind you of struggles that didn’t end so well.  When family and friends gather at family reunions, parties, etc….. reminiscing can’t be dodged. The whole purpose of gatherings is sharing memories.  Most people enjoy sharing the past. Sharing hurtful pasts can send  many away feeling just as hurt as if it happened that very day. It may be the loss of a loved one, divorce, or domestic violence. I love my family and friends dearly but would never pry into hurtful things I know about or those I’ve only heard about, or question them about things I don’t know anything about.  I love enjoying my time spent with a friend or family member whenever we can grab a moment away from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. I like going to bed at night with a peaceful mind knowing everything that day stayed focused on the positive.

I have failed so many times when it comes to this area. I’ve had my feelings hurt too many times to count and mostly by Christians.  I’ve been personally attacked by people I thought loved me. I’ve been lied on and have been shocked the other person was believed over me. But thank you Jesus!!! I’ve been able to overcome. I am an Overcomer!!!! I’m sure I’ve done my share of hurting and many times over had to repent and ask God’s forgiveness. I will not use the famous term, “we’re only human” even though I’m very aware of that but that excuse doesn’t work with God so I’ve let it go out of my vocabulary. It’s a “cop out” phrase to make ourselves feel better for being so mean.

 I’ve put a burden on my family in the past because of dumping my pain and hurt on them. God wouldn’t allow me to approach the person who hurt me. I’ve asked about the scripture where it says, “go to him and him alone”. God has assured me “I” was not in the right mind frame to go to anyone at that particular time. I was biting nails and could say some very hurtful things. I’ve cried out to God telling him it’s not fair that they get by with it. God knows what’s best for us and his reason for our not fighting back is more important than our reason why we should fight back. God instructs us to not let our good be evil spoken of. Some people profess God but their hearts are far from him.  One thing God has showed me in my christian life is not to get involved with those who whisper and talk between their teeth. Nothing good ever comes out of that person when they do those things. I’m thankful my family has been my covering, my protector and they let me bounce off them (not always a good thing). I should say they tolerate my annoying tantrums. They don’t always agree with me but my family prays with me and they pray for me. I’ve been given  a “good talking to” from my husband and son who knows God’s word very well. I take to heart their instructions though I don’t like what I hear and at times even feel they joined forces with the other side  but I know they will not lead me astray.

I thank God for the ability to pick up the pieces in “His name” and go forward. For I have been broken and I have been shattered into many pieces. God weeds people out of our lives. I don’t mean he wants us to shun them but you should never confide in or bring this person into your inner circle of friends. They ‘ARE NOT’ doing a God service when they are cruel to you. You can pray for them but keep them at a safe distance.  It doesn’t matter what has happened in your life or who has hurt you. God will deliver you. You will be an overcomer if you trust in God and not turn to your own ways.  When I’ve been broken or abused I have a tendency to go into silence. God doesn’t allow me to talk much during this time. He knows my mouth can be my downfall.  When I’ve been questioned for being so quiet I’ve told people I’m in my desert place and God is teaching me something, he is wanting me to learn something. God has been teaching me that I’m not the easiest person to get along with. I know I can be critical and I absolutely love those who are not afraid to tell me they don’t agree with me but yet don’t get mad at me. At least I know our cards are on the table and we are communicating. We are agreeing to disagree so to speak.  I may disagree with you but I’ll still respect you for taking a stand on what you believe. I will NOT talk about you behind your back. It’s not disagreeing that is the problem. It’s how we disagree. If you’re going to be hateful and argumentive I’ll leave you to yourself. I don’t need it. Being mean to others is not my way of communicating.  Disagreeing can be done in a civil manner and still remain friends, family, or acquaintances.

It doesn’t matter what you have went through in your past or what you are presently going through. God will help you pick up the pieces and make you an overcomer through him. Open yourself up and allow him to take control. If you have never accepted him as your Savior then you should do that first then you simply need to pray and study his word. Allow God to make decisions for you. Go gather up your pieces.

FOR WOMEN ONLY

Speaking is a gift from God. At times I don’t think we really realize just how much we take being able to talk for granted. I have never, as much as I’d like to, learned how to talk with sign language.  It must be very difficult for those who cannot speak or even hear. It breaks my heart how I, myself, take having the ability to talk for granted. Speaking may come natural to you but not to everyone.

I’ve been reading “Becoming A Titus 2 Woman”.  I don’t know at times while reading if I’m glad God put the book, on my heart or discouraged because my sins are being revealed to me.  I thought reading the Bible or God’s soft voice speaking to my spirit was how he’d reveal my sins but now I know it can be revealed in many ways. I’m pretty confident that is why God’s ways are not our ways.

Here is a paragraph from the book that tells us, as women, that our words should be edifying and not destructive: “Edifying words build up the other person. They are not a false, manipulative form of giving praise. They are spoken for the purpose of helping the other person be strong in the Lord or to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. They may be encouraging or they may be a reproof. It depends on what would be appropriate. Such words are honoring to the Lord and have an eternal purpose and worth.” [Becoming A Titus 2 Woman, Page 37]

God expects us to be gracious in our speech and not malicious gossips. I Timothy 3:11—So must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  We, as sisters in Christ, are to uplift one another but also reproof in a godly manner when necessary.  When attending my church I need to know that no matter what I face in my life I can confide in my Christian sisters and be reproved or motivated in Christ.  I, in turn, need to be there for my sisters in Christ. I don’t want to be found a gossip or a destroyer of another’s testimony. I think too many find joy and self gratification in speaking ill of the other.  I have become so turned off by negativity that I have to really pray and ask God to allow me to discern between someone being negative or actually hurting. I do struggle with this because, and I don’t know if you feel like this, but when someone is always negative then it affects me as a person. I feel so dragged down.

Another passage from the books says: When an older woman befriends a younger woman, she is likely to influence the younger woman’s thinking and actions. That can be good news or bad news. For example, it is bad news when the older woman leads the younger woman into heresy. It is good news when the older woman is doctrinally sound. It is bad news when the older woman rebels against the authority of her elders in her church or her husband. It is good news when she is graciously  under their authority. It is bad news when the older woman is a gossip. It is good news when she is like the “holy women of old” (I Peter 3:5) [Becoming A Titus 2 Woman, Page 31]

I know many women won’t care for that passage where it speaks of rebelling against her husband and I understand because I use to be bad for that but God has worked wonders in my marriage and where I was once stubborn, I now can speak with my husband about most anything. I’m still working on my stubbornness but I never thought I’d see the day I’d ask him, “Can you tell me what I’m doing wrong?” But I do because I want him to be honest with me and help me be the best I can be. I’m not right all the time and I want to be doctrinally sound. I want to be like the “holy women of old”.  I want my life to be of a good report. I don’t want to be looked upon as a malicious gossip. I don’t want to be marked as a “trouble maker”.  I want to be subjective to my husband. He is a great man of God and I know he will never teach me anything that is not sound doctrine. I want to be subjective to the elders of the church who knows God’s word and will reprove me or support me in times of need.  As we gain new young women in our church I want them to see me as someone they can confide in, who will pray with them when they need prayer.  I thank God for the women he is adding to our small church. These women are not only our future, they are our “today”.  This is why teaching should never end. Women should never feel like because they are to be subjective to their husbands or the elders in the church that they are not to know the scriptures as the husband, preacher, or elders know the scriptures. God holds us all accountable to know the word and not twist it to suit our situations or what we choose to believe. Jesus fought Satan with the word of God and that is how we are to fight Satan also. He is the destroyer of all things good.

I know as I continue to read “Becoming a Titus 2 Woman” the Lord will continue to reveal what I need to work on in my character, sound doctrine, and ministry. I’m learning to be humble and not rebellious. I don’t want to be “who I am” or “how I am”. I want to be “who I am” and “how I am” in God. There is too much negativity in the world and too many people who like nothing more than to drag others down or destroy their testimonies. I don’t want to be part of that. If it means being a “loner for God” then that will be me. I’m living proof that the more we, as women talk, the more we get ourselves in trouble. So don’t be a do-gooder but do good in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you one more time. May God guide you in everything you do and may your life be richly blessed each day.

Don't Believe in Shouting? Read Your Bible

I’ve not been watching the basketball games on TV lately. By reading my Facebook wall and my son calling  to let us know, UK Wildcats moves into the Final 4. Even though I don’t watch the games, and of course it has nothing to do with my religious beliefs, many Christians do watch. Matter of fact I’ve never seen so many  get so physical with shouting and jumping up and down over the games. I have no intention of judging so please forgive me if you get that impression. I can’t help but wonder if someone can get extremely excited over a game that is here today, gone tomorrow, why they can't get that excited over a risen Saviour who is eternal and has delivered them from Hell. I’m only trying to understand. Is it because we are afraid of what others will think of us in church? Is it because we may attend a denomination where shouting or jumping may be forbidden? 

If you have a desire to shout to the Lord or jump with spiritual excitement and it’s forbidden in your church then maybe you are in the wrong church. God is so worthy to be praised. We need to regroup ourselves as Christians and know it’s ok to shout to the Lord, not for the purpose of being seen or heard from fellow Christians but because we adore Him, we praise Him with voice, we worship with movement. We need to stop being a “stick in the mud”. We need to allow God to take control of our lives. We need to re-evaluate our Christian walk and put our priorities in the right place.  

Listen I  have no problem with music. Gosh, I don’t know how to say this because  I love most  types of music. I think when music is sex related or cursing throughout the song or even play electronic games with cursing and a lot of violence then we are crossing the line in our service to God. I feel the same with TV shows or movies.  If we’d rather listen to worldly music, watch worldly shows or movies we are crossing the line in our service to God. God should be first in everything.  

Again my intentions is not to judge. However, I feel very strongly about saying what God has laid on my heart.  To be truthful with you this message is correcting my spirit also.

Again, it’s ok to shout and dance before the Lord.

Psalms 5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever SHOUT for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalms 35:27  Let them SHOUT for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Psalms 149:3  Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalms 150:4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

We should never fear what others think of us. It is what God thinks of us that matters. We need to be focused on our Heavenly Father. 

I challenge each of you who reads this newsletter to begin a Bible study regimen. We need Bible study groups in our churches and if that doesn’t work for you then have one in your home. Gather a few friends and set one hour one day a week to fellowship and study. 

I feel very urgent in saying this to someone who is reading this newsletter. You know if it’s you. If your life isn’t where it should with God. If your life is not lined up with his will for your life then you need to correct this. Only you and the Lord can make it right again. Please don’t  put it off. Don't be afraid to shout and/or dance before the Lord. He is worthy to be praised!

A Road Worth Taking

I get so tired of complaining because I hurt all the time. My joints ache, between my joints ache, I hurt all over. I don't like the person I've become. I liked me much better when I could do more things with less effort.  I miss being the positive person I once was. I miss being with friends, laughing together, and having good times. These days I'm more secluded, going out only when I must. I don't move as much as I use to which my husband says contributes to my aches and pains. I've become a quieter person. I've become a prayer warrior. 


Praying for others is something I know I can do without being in pain. I can lift others up in prayer spiritually without hurting myself. But who in the world would want me to in this 'state' I'm in. I so enjoy being around people who are positive, uplifting, and aggressive in a good way. I've always told my children there is someone out there in worse condition than you are. We are never as bad off as we can be or as we think we are. 


Jesus Christ grew up to be tormented, abused, and mocked. His clothing was torn off him, his head was encased with a crown of thorns pushed down so hard upon his head that blood ran like a stream. He was beaten until his back was a blood bath with meat stripped exposing bone.  His hands and feet nailed to a cross and his body radically shaken as the pole was jarred into the ground. All this for what reason? All this was done so you and I could be saved. You never asked him to do this for you, you say? You should be glad he did. He did this knowing we had the free will to ask him to be our Lord and Savior or to reject him. Jesus could have came down from the cross. I have no doubt in my mind that he could've said, "ok, that's enough, I'm through." Yet he didn't. He suffered it all and why? Because of love. Love is a very special and powerful word that we in today's society abuse and use extremely loose. 


Jesus offered us a road into Heaven or a road into Hell. We have the freedom to choose what road we will take. Now who in the world wants to make a decision like that when you can come and go as you please, party hard, and have sex like eating candy (any time you want it)? Fun only lasts for a while then what? The love Jesus Christ offers is eternal. We learn so much being Christians. We learn sex isn't like candy. There is a time and place for that kind of relationship. It's called marriage! You can party with your Christian friends,  it's different kind of partying. You don't have to worry about someone getting hurt but if they do you can join in prayer asking the Lord for help.  You don't have to worry about someone overdosing. Living a Christian life brings you spiritual peace. There will be a  calming of the spirit you'll never experience any other way. Every day won't be a party nor will every day be an easy day. Your day can be approached with wisdom and knowledge as you study God's word to find out what he wants you to do that day or what you should say to others. Being a Christian isn't a scary way of life. We learn each day and yes, we make mistakes. 


Being a Christian isn't a perfect life but it's a forgiving life. We don't intentionally hurt someone then ask forgiveness. We learn how to get along with others rather Christian or non-Christian. We learn how to love one another with a love only God can give us. We learn how to  lift each other up during bad times and not stomp them into the ground. Christianity is a forgiving way. Christianity is a road worth taking . You have the promise of living in Heaven for all eternity. You can also choose to burn in Hell for all eternity too. I don't think that is the road you'd rather take, right?  Who wants to burn and be in excruciating pain for ever and ever? The Bible tells us  Revelation 14:11  And the SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night...   I wouldn't want to go there. Why would you? Forever is eternity, no coming back, final call. You don't give up anything by being a Christian. You just don't want to do the same things anymore that you use to do.  When I feel all alone I'm reminded that Jesus Christ is only a prayer away. He's there to comfort me in a way no one else can. 


Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will be one of the greatest decisions you'll ever make in your life. After accepting Jesus as your Savior then you can begin looking for a church that meets your needs. Look for a church that teaches you discipleship. Discipleship is an important part of being a Christian. Being a Disciple is being a follower. We must follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. We must learn to be good servants. By being a good servant you will learn to be a great teacher. 


So with my aches and pains I will continue to follow my Lord and Savior. I will be a prayer warrior and lift up those around me. It's not my place to tear anyone down. There are too many so called Christians who do that already. I want to be a supporter of those in spiritual need. I choose the road that leads me in the arms of Jesus Christ. What road do you find worth taking? 


Thank you for allowing me to share with you today. I so love writing what the Lord lays on my heart. The road I have chosen is a road worth taking. God Bless you and yours.