Marriage. . the ultimate challenge?

Is Marriage, the ultimate challenge. . .
In today’s article, our question is: why is marriage such an ultimate challenge rather than becoming the ultimate solution to companionship.

In our world today,with 21st century technology, we now have created and present to the world, the convenience of councilors, books, blogs, and even websites to help us research and offer the male and female the opportunity to choose the most compatible person for our lives who may share the same goals, ideologies, hobbies, recreations, passions, family values, sex drives, educational preferences, and many times the same religion.

We have even developed laws as I refer to as the “just in case laws”, that actually provides the marriages to excuse the “till death do you part” and grant equal shares of the gatherings during the relationship; be it a short time or with many years and siblings attached.

So why then are we still struggling with reluctance and fear that marriage some how is still the ultimate challenge. Well, if I may be so bold as to point out the missing piece to the puzzle is its sacredness. That’s right, when you talk about marriage you are talking about something sacred and spiritual that should never be taken lightly or with mediocrity.

Marriage is however, the ultimate commitment; it is the ultimate surrender, and most of all it is the ultimate union and I might add the ultimate security only backed by God ‘s promise that it will last a life time if embarked upon using the right support systems.

Yes my dear friends, these support systems are all found in the Holy Scriptures of course.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

As you can see, dear hearts, God always relates success with obedience to His instructions; and with out a doubt, He is definitely including marriage. Our marital longevity and success is incumbent upon our willingness and our obedience to God’s word. It is the true foundation for marriage. It is the quintessential relationship if you will, a match made in heaven some might say.

Now, the real “Ultimate Challenge”. . . . Is including God’s word in your marriage; and the best part about it is: it’s never too late to start. Rocky marriages, failing marriages, inconsistent marriages, weak marriages; you name it; God’s got the antidote for it. It’s all up to you to take the “ultimate challenge” and give your marriage an injection of hope, love, security, and most of all happiness. It’s in the Word of God folks!

Now, let’s see if you can remember this: with God’s Word. . . . .


You Are Blessed!

A Reply to a comment!

My dear precious reader who commented on my previous article:

First and foremost, I believe that you may have totally misunderstood my article. I never suggested that the participation of the old testament Levite's was mandatory as it relates to the New testament believers.

Bible scholar or not, your conviction of giving to the church is only relevant to your personal relationship with God. ( perhaps you missed that part)
Secondly, the example that was mentioned in the new testament and old had absolutely nothing to do with tithing!!
Nevertheless my dear friend our ability to commit to the leading of the Spirit should be the driving force of our christian walk with God.

I do however agree that the teaching of how a person should give to the church is in fact wrong. Still the entire scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation should be taught in relation to Rightly dividing the Word of Truth
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Since it is the Lord's job is to judge and ours as Christians is to love, it makes more sense to me that we approach every difference of opinion and topics of controversy in a more peaceful and loving manner.

After saying that, please let me say this: if my article has offended you in any way, please accept my sincere apologies, that was not my intention. The article was written to answer one individual's question and does not reflect the ideology of the church and it's giving policies. I do hope however you continue to read my writings in Marriage God's Way as they are my passions.

Marriage God's way is an exciting way of life. Married or not, it's concepts are fulfilling and life-changing as they pertain to God's Holy Word.

Please have a wonderful day and always remember. . .

YOU ARE BLESSED!

THE CONVICTION OF TITHING

A reader wrote in about tithing; to ask whether it was right to tithe an entire paycheck.

Well let’s begin with a scriptural reference of tithing : Malachi 3:10 bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Of course tithing has always been a basic Bible principal, since the beginning of time. However, let’s look at what actually is a tithe. The Bible says that it is 10% of what you have received. Nevertheless, we must take a closer look at the principal.

The wonderful and undeniable thing about God is this: each of us as human beings is individually unique in our being and in our relationship with God. As unfair as it may appear, every individual may have different requirements of the Master. Example:
When Jesus was speaking to the rich man in the book of St. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. . . .He was simply testing that man’s loyalty to see what was more important; faithfulness to the Lord’s principals or his money. After all, God has no use for money; it was merely a test of character.
In the old testament, a similar incident took place in the book of Genesis 22:2
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. . . .As you can see, here is another example of a test of obedience and a test of faith for that father Abraham. Surely God didn’t really want Abraham to kill Issac, his only son and by the way; (his promised by God son). As you read further in the chapter you will find God’s real reason for such an unreasonable request.
Genesis 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Now to address the initial question: it should be perfectly clear that each of us have a personal accountability to our selves in whether or not we choose to establish a relationship with the Lord. At that point it is what’s in our heart that determines the criteria that God requires of us. We are all not the same. What it may take for one will not even apply to another. Perhaps tithing an entire paycheck is what God requires of one individual, and from another He requires only the tithe. It is now important to know the leading of the Spirit concerning your individual convictions and relationship with God, and what is required of YOU.

The question now is Conviction. What’s yours? Will it take all, or just a tithe? Time to look inside your self.

Always remember, YOU ARE BLESSED!

Unconditional Love. . . .

UNCONDITONAL LOVE: The bridge that connects all life!

My dear faithful readers; as I am recovering from my life threatening illness, I have decided to begin a segment with a most profound topic: "Unconditional Love".
In marriage, or in fact, in any relationship that requires love and commitment; should it be based on a criteria, or should it be unconditional? Good question eh?
Well let's examine it a little closer.

Many relationships have stood the test of time and survived but only to find out that there were clauses. Let me explain. Marriages are much like contracts. Contracts of course have specific guidelines, that if breached or in the case of unforeseen conditions arising, there becomes reason to end the relationship or in other words, make the contract void.

Let's see what God says about that? First of all, I can say this: There has never been a contract that has ever been broken by God. Why. . . "Unconditional Love". Listen to the scriptures: Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Wow!. . what a commitment. How wonderful would our marriages be if our commitments were that strong!

How important it is my dear friends to establish your marriage or relationship on the unconditional love that God speaks about in the Holy Scriptures.
It is the foundation of life, "Unconditional Love". It is the fountain of your existence.
My dear readers, don't fool yourselves, you have purpose and destiny, it's not by chance. Think about it! Unconditional love is why you are even here. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

That's right, It is what God expects your principles to rely upon. After all, since we are made after His own image; shouldn't we posses some of His attributes?
Herein lays the common denominator, your ability to display unconditional love!
Without it, our relationships are merely episodes of time that have no substance.

In short, I say: examine your base, search out your heart, and see if the ingredient of "unconditional love" is present. It'll make all the difference in how you deal with life as well as how the destiny of your relationship will impact others as well as you environment, believe it or not!

There will always be many challenges of life and love; but the greatest testimony you could ever have is that of "Unconditional Love". Try it, it'll bless your entire life. It sure has blessed mine.

Always remember: You are Blessed!