By Faith. . . .

Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. That's right my friends, the King of Glory will come into your marriages.

In today's marriage segment, we are highlighting a very important element in your marital walk. That element is called "Faith". Faith in God and faith for your marriages.

One may say well, how is it exercised? Simple, by standing firmly on the Word of God concerning every issue of your relationship. You see, only those who are wise will seek help for their situations; while others that are full of pride find no solutions. Listen to this scripture: Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Let's face it, if knew all the answers of life, we wouldn't need God. Fortunately don't; instead, we have our precious Lord: Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

How awesome that is, to know that God knows and cares about our situations. Our marriages are not hopeless. We have been given choices. . . Praise God!

Now the Bible defines Faith like this: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. . . .which simply means that if we lay hold on the instruction from the Holy scriptures, whether we can see it happening or not, it will yield the right results; thus giving us the confidence we need to know that whatever God says, He is able to bring it to pass! We need simply to believe Him and trust Him.

In other words. . . . . FAITH! That's all faith is. We don't have to understand it; we just have to believe it!

I'm sure there are those that say: "well, I can't believe things I don't understand". . . . here is my answer to that: when you can explain how a brown cow that eats green grass and produces white milk, or perhaps explain 85 degrees on Christmas and snow on Easter, or even why you have five fingers on each hand and not six.

My point is this: there will always be things that are not understood or explained; nevertheless they are just a part of life. Faith is a part of life too! If you utilize it correctly, it will benefit your life greatly.

Our marriages are in need of benefit and support; and that support comes from the instruction of God's word. However, it is only effective if we (through faith) pursue it!

Faith is the catapult for the progression in our marriages. Faith is the strength we need to endure those difficult situations. Faith is the blessed assurance that no matter how challenging we are able to persevere and come out victorious!

Why not grab hold of Faith today! In fact, why not make it one of the ingredients of your marriage relationship. You just may see something you've never seen before.

Faith . . . . . I use it everyday . . . . . you should too!

Always remember. . . . . .You are Blessed!

How Much Does Marriage Cost?

In today's segment, we look at the responsibilities, dedications, and commitments for our marriages. In fact, in all sincerity, true marriage will require of both parties. . . everything!

Allow me to explain. . . .the mere fact that Holy matrimony is the covenant between two individuals; and is the life long commitment to relinquish each other's self, both naturally and mentally is the ultimate price for this union. In God's eyesight, it is the completion of unity!

Most marriages today suffer the unfortunate disease of "lack of commitment". 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. How important that is for our marriages to adopt that mindset.

With all of the outside forces, temptations, and challenges that marriages are confronted with on a daily basis, it wise and necessary to understand our roles as "no more twain but one".

The scriptures tell us regarding spiritual warfare to: Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Likewise it is the same when we refer to marriages. We need to do everything necessary to ensure the health, happiness, and strength of our marriages against these forces and challenges of life.

Repeatedly I am asked, "how in the world did you stay married for 39 + years to the same woman"; my answer of course is as always, only by the goodness of God and His instructions through His Holy Word! Luke 14:28 (Whole Chapter) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

In marriage, you must be determined and willing to give all of yourselves to each other and be willing to submit to the guidelines set forth under the marriage bond of faith. What is the marriage bond of faith? . . . .simply this: it is the belief that once you have decided to take on the bond of Holy matrimony in wedlock, then you have also determined or believed that "forever" this union will be your destiny for you both, before God and man! It's almost like a declaration, if you will.

How much does marriage cost? . . . .it cost your life time commitment and agreement and understanding that this marriage will last!

My dear readers, it not a secret or some mystical formula. It's a matter of choosing from the heart, mind and soul to follow the instructions of life and success, happiness, health and healing, deliverance, restoration, and fulfillment right out of the "Book of Life" the Holy Bible.

When you position your marriage under the parameters that I have just mentioned, you have paid the cost for Marriage God's Way!

If you have read this today, I know beyond a shadow of doubt, that: You are Blessed!

Priorities. . . .Priorities. . . .Priorities.

Priorities, priorities, priorities; are sometimes misappropriated when it pertains to our marriages!

Today's topic relates to those priorities. Exactly where do your priorities lay. Is it your job, your church, your children, your husband, your wife? Is it money, impressions, status, or are all these in no certain order!

In any event, our priorities are most important in the building of our marriages. Listen to this scripture: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also; and subsequently, where your heart is will determine your priorities.

Did you know that in marriages where there are children, the wife's priority should actually be to her husband first and not the children. Shocked? You should be. Many marriages wither because the right amount of attention isn't given to the husband. It actually makes a man feel that his authority or headship is of no value. Likewise men, "the game" should never be more important than your wife wanting a little attention. Women need to feel wanted! It's just a fact of life.

Marriages are strengthened by the involvement of the two parties. No one wants to feel that they are taken for granted, so taking time to prioritize that involvement is a vital part of your marriages. Proverbs 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. . . .even if it means re-prioritizing!

Historically, marriages were premised on the idea of spending more time with your mate; however, as time has evolved to a fast pace society, we have found ourselves with not enough time to interact. How sad! . . . .which now leads us to our priorities! What's more important, you should ask yourself! Especially in christian marriages where there are responsibilities of ministry. Well I hate to bust your bubbles, but your first ministry is your family, particularly your spouse. You see when you operate outside of the parimeters of the marriage bond' you are actually in error! Believe it or not, there are guidelines for marriages, and they are found within the context of the Holy scriptures. It may not set on you well, but it's the truth and a fact: Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

As it is done in so many marriages today, we err not really knowing what God has to say about our priorities! We hide behind some religious ideology that's not even scripturally sound and think that we are doing God's work. You are dead wrong! 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: and in case you didn't know it; prioritizing in marriage is a part of righteousness!

Absence doesn't make the heart grow fonder, that's just an old saying! Interaction makes the heart grow fonder! You need it, and it's important.

Marriage is not a business, and you shouldn't treat like one. Marriage is the ultimate parallel of God's plan of salvation for mankind. Becoming one with God is the purpose of the Gospel. Becoming one with your mate is the purpose of Marriage.

When you fail to prioritize the things that are important in your marriage, being: time for each other first, you handicap your ability to build a strong loving and holy relationship. After all, your marriage becomes a holy union, after you have put things in their proper perspective.

Take time to prioritize or re-prioritize if needed the things that are right for your relationship. You will have then obeyed the voice and instruction of the Holy scriptures as well as bringing joy, love, and fulfillment in this union called "Marriage"

God Bless you today and don't forget to Prioritize!

Always remember: You are Blessed

The Deception. . . Part II

As we look at today's society and it's horrible acts of murder, molestations, unnatural desires, and false ideologies, we sense that the world is getting worse. Well in fact, it is.

These are all signs of the deception of the enemy, the devil; and whether you face it or not, these acts are happening more frequently than ever. Call me a judgement preacher if you want, but it does not make these things go away!

In today's segment, if you allow me, I want to reconstruct your thinking through the Word of God to counter-act these deceptions of whoredoms!

In the book of : Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. That is so very important. Recognizing a problem is one thing, but doing something about it is another.

Our marriages have been purposely attacked by the enemy for the simple reason that it causes havoc and confusion, unhappiness, heartbreak,and disapointment. Scripture. . . . . 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. so clearly you can see that anything that brings confusion, does not come from God!

In fact, anything that brings separation, debate, resistance, calamity, turmoil, confrontation in your marriages has come from the enemy. You see, anything that is unnatural and becomes more prevalent than the thing that is natural is a sure sign that it has definitely come form Satan. It's like living "inside out". 2 Timothy 3:1 1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

My dear friends, these scriptures were written over 2000 years ago. The question is, how do we escape these things? . . . well to be honest, you can't, and you won't; however, you can counter-act them through God's Holy Word!

Mankind is no match for Satan!! You must defeat him with the power of the scriptures.That's right, God's Word is the only defense mechanism for Satan. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth; and without God's power in your life, your marriage will suffer!

Do you honestly think that divorce is natural? Think about that! Why on earth would you pick a mate to spend the "rest of your life" with and then divorce them? Why? Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Wow! I'd say that's pretty serious; and you are right, it is serious. Our marriages should be flourishing with joy, peace, and happiness and wealth, instead we are flooding the divorce courts. Something is wrong. There are just as many single mothers as there are married couples. Something is definitely wrong!

Don't get this wrong my dear readers, it has nothing to do with religion! It's all about going back to basics and doing what is right. ( in the eyesight of God, not man) Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. These are things that are not spoken across the sacred desk; so God has very strategically placed His messengers across the globe through, preachings, live services, books, blogs, media, and many other vehicles, to get this message out to marriages, and then to mankind. 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Now stop the devil's hype. . . . .nullify his deceptions. . . . reach out for God's help. It's all a matter of choice, Your choice! Bring Christ into your marriage! Your relationship will change forever!

Always remember: You are Blessed!

The Deception. . . !

In the book of Revelation, our Lord talks about the "great white throne judgement" and in particular, the destruction and judgement of Satan, the devil, who had deceived mankind in the world from the beginning of time through this whoredom. ( in layman terms: the lust of the flesh). The deception however, was through an act called Whoredom.

In today's segment, we we will address this whoredom as it pertains to the destruction of marriages.

The scriptures teach us in: 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. . . .and because we live in our human bodies, we are all challenged by the devil through our " flesh".

You see my dear readers, the devil can only attack you through your senses; because these are attributes of your flesh. He is not able to attack you in your spirit because that is the part of you that belongs to God; and it lays dormant until you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life. Only then will your spirit be awakened and become a part of your everyday life. (very important to know)!

Now after saying all that, it is important that you understand that once you have now. . .a God-conciseness, you become a target for the devil. If you are married, you then become a major target. Simply because of the authority you carry as . . . ."no more twain but one" as a married couple. Pretty deep eh? It gets better!!

Since your marriage is now a "major target" of the devil, you both are under attack through your flesh and the lust thereof; and I might add, even if you are saved. ( born again believer).

Believe me, without receiving the "salvation of the Lord" through faith in Jesus Christ, you actually have no defense for Satan's attacks. THIS MESSAGE IS TO BOTH THE SAVED AND UNSAVED!, so listen closely! Think about it, and most of all, let's be real and truthful.

The strategy of Satan is to make you think that you are not satisfied in your marriage. Therefore through lust, he entices you first, through the eyes. Come on men, even though you're having lunch with your wife and across the room is this sexy, pretty, and enticing women, surely she has caught your eye. The world however says: it's OK to look, just don't tough or pursue. That's the biggest lie the devil could ever make you think. It's not OK. That is the beginning of the lust. Listen to the scriptures: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. You see, it's a part of your flesh; and the only way to combat it is through the power of the Lord. (if you have Christ in your life) Take it or leave it. . . it's the fact.

Women, you as well. It is the same for you. The devil fights your thoughts too! It is a human trait that can only be overcome through the power of God through your inner spirit man!

The deception of the devil is to make the married think that their mate is "not enough". That's called lust; and to make sure you understand this, you must always look at it's attributes. Lust is never satisfied. Lust can affect you in many different ways. Addictions are simply attributes of lust. Your decision to find another mate is only "lust". It's not natural.

Well . . . . it looks as though I have run out of time. In our next segment, we will discuss the antidote for this deception of the devil and bring exposure and solutions for these "lusts" that have destroyed our marriages.

Nevertheless : Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. . . .so remember:

You are always Blessed!