Compliments to You. . .

In today's segment, we address the simplicity of compliments. Compliments of course for your significant other, ( your wife or husband) in most cases.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; and likewise: Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

In the two significant, scriptures above, notice that they both reference a responsibility of loving one another. How important that is. Not just in the sense of having love for each other, but rather showing that love in very simple ways. . . .one being: compliments!

Compliments show your companion that you are noticing them, that you are admiring them, and most important, that you recognize them as being a part of (this marriage).

Contrary to popular beliefs, compliments are ties that refuel a marriage. They create a sense of belonging and attachment. Although, females more so that males appreciate compliments, it is still always a welcome jester. Compliments have always been a sign of approval and confirmation, if you will. It is the detonator for the C-4. . . or in other words, it is the fire that ignites the explosion of love and passion for your marriage.

It is actually a joy to compliment your spouse. After all, you are a part of each other! Listen to the scriptures: Proverbs 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth; Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

You see, over and over again, the Bible encourages rejoicing, reverence, love, compassion, yes, and even compliments. These simple things, all develop your oneness, which the Bible declares emphatically, that your : "nor more twain but one" as Jesus spoke in Matthews, chapter 19, is the foundational principle for a marriage God's way!

Do you compliment your wife or husband? Have you ever looked in the mirror at yourself and admired your attire? Well, with the same enthusiasm, we should look at our mates. . . .and . . . .

just compliment them! You'll be surprised at the results!

God Bless your marriages today!

Skeletons in the closet ?

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. . . as noted in Galatians 6:3. Why this passage of scripture one might ask. Simply because it deals with the subject matter of today's segment. "Skeletons in the closet".

Skeletons in the closet refers usually to things that we have hidden from our past and sometimes present, that we really don't want others to know about us; and sadly enough, many times we hide these things from even our mates.
As referenced in the above scripture; when we purpose to betray something that we are not, we are in reality deceiving others as well as ourselves.
In a marriage relationship, that's even worse. The basic principles of marriage dictates that we should first display trust, not deception! In our marital experiences, our ability to be "upfront" with each other is the basis of a sound and lasting relationship. Anything short of that, usually ends up in calamity, falsehood , and distrust.
As becoming one in marriage, of course it is most important to establish trust, since we no longer belong to ourselves. . . . . 1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
As you have seen in the Holy scriptures, the husband as well as the wife have the responsibility of possession. . . . meaning there is no place for skeletons, or secrets from each other. As we are true to ourselves, we must also be true to our spouse.
Even in scripture we are compelled to display honesty:
1 Timothy 2:2 (Whole Chapter) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Always remember this, . . . .how you begin a relationship usually dictates it's well being and will always determine it's outcome.
Get rid of those "skeletons in your closets". . . .it just may make the difference in your marriages and develop a whole new heart felt marriage relationship!
Be true to yourself and then, be true to your mate. . . your marriage depends on it!
Now you are Blessed!

For Richer or for Poor. . . .til death !

Sound familiar? Well in today's segment, that's exactly what we are going to address: " for richer or for poor".

Typically in many marriages today, we don't usually have a problem with the "rich" part of our wedding vows; it's the "poor" part of it. The vow, although in it's context refers to finances, it is also symbolic to the unconditional commitment the husbands and wives make to each other in their wedding ceremonial vows. The scriptures refers to this unconditional act as cleaving.

The Holy scriptures refers to cleaving throughout the Bible. Here is just one of them: . . Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Notice the word "cleave" in the Holy scriptures as it pertains to your relationship with God. . . .
Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. As you can see, cleaving represents the unconditional commitment in your relationship with God as well as in marriage.

The marriage institution is a set of foundational principles, passed down by God, based on the commitment and our willingness to abide by them by choice. Your choice says: I will. . . . .and your commitment says: "for richer or for poor, til death". Did you get that?

No matter what the situation or the circumstance that may arise in your marriage relationship, your commitment to each other as husband and wife, declares to the world, (both God and man) that you will stand the test of life together!. . . and to put this commitment in an even more perspective, I refer to Paul in his writing to the church at Rome:
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:39 ) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is with question, the same commitment we have made in our marriages, believe it or not; so what's the message here?. . . . Marriage does not work without these commitments!

Your commitment (for rich or for poor) is the key element in your marriage that becomes the foundation and the vehicle for the enrichment of your relationship.

Take retrospect of your commitment in your marriage, it'll tell the true story. . . .after all God has already seen.

Be thou Blessed among all !

Damaged Goods !

In today's segment, we discuss a subject matter of a very important nature; "damaged goods".

What exactly is damaged goods, one might ask. Well, in the normal context of that phase, it is a product that just does not function properly; and in most cases, it is returned and replaced with another of the same product.

However, in a marital relationship, the same set of circumstances may exist (damaged goods: that person who is wounded in heart and spirit), but the unfortunate thing in marriage situations, we just can't return a person in for another. That's just not practical. In many such cases however, we are not able to give of ones self to the other completely, and not allowing that oneness to flourish in our marriages as it should, in other words, not able to function properly or as we should.

And in marriage, returning that other person in for a replacement, is just not reality, although many seem to try and do just that in today's society; so let's talk about the damaged goods in a marital relationship.

Many times we encounter situations and experiences in our lives where one of the two or both have been involved in an unpleasant relationship; either through infidelity, unfaithfulness, abuse, deception, heartbreak, desertion, and etc; you have then become "damaged goods".

The unfortunate thing however, is that we sometimes bring these hurts along with us into our marital relationships, causing an inconsistency in our ability to trust! (very important). Damaged goods prevent us from opening up to the other simply for the fear of opening old wounds. Suspicion is always in the forefront, and the intimacy is most likely conditional. It is almost literally impossible to build a marriage relationship with damaged goods. Let's face it, it's pretty hard to establish a good sound, heart felt relationship or even anticipate a new one if you have been (raked through the coals already), and even the Lord understands that! But I have some good news for you!

My dear readers, be of good cheer!. . . . God always has a solution for damaged goods. It's called "healing". Let's take a look at the scriptures and hear the instruction of the Lord and see what results it brings:
Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. You see, just as God was able to deliver His people out of the slavery, and the pestilence conditions (key word) of Egypt after so many years, He promised them healing as well as deliverance. Do you see that?

Damaged goods is a condition of the heart and mind; but God has promised a healing for you. . . .under the conditions of adhering to His word. How excellent is He. . .how faithful is He that has promised. Hallelujah!

Without question, my dear friends, there is healing for "damaged goods". Won't you allow the Lord today to change your damaged condition of hurt, disappointment, and dismay in your marriage? It's never too late. You see, the process starts with YOU. . . .trusting God. It is His creative power and love that desires to make you "brand new". Are you Damaged goods? Just in case you thought that you were at the end, and that there is no more hope, take these words and write them down and carry them with you:

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

It changed my life and marriage, it'll do the same for you!

How wonderfully Blessed you are!

One and One Equals Two Equals One . . .

Well I guess you're convinced that I didn't do so well in math at school. (smiles); but actually I did, it's just God's math that doesn't seem to add up!

As in today's segment, we discuss the miraculous results of 1 + 1 = 2 that really = 1. Sound crazy, it's not; it's just God's way of identifying marriage. I believe the Word of God explains it best.

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. You see, the mysteries of God are actually manifested in the simple things that don't make sense to the natural intellect of man. In fact:

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Now here comes the revelation; so marriage is actually a spiritual thing; and since natural mankind doesn't see it as spiritual, they abuse it; you know, marry for the wrong reasons, abuse on another, cheat on one another, divorce and remarry just to do it all over again.

Pretty strong eh? Well that's how God sees us not recognizing Him through and in the bond of marriage.

Please my dear readers, don't be confused, God has set in this world, the order of marriage, "no more twain but one" as described in the book of Matthew to demonstrate to mankind, not to rationalize that His math doesn't make sense, but to prove that through the act of obedience to His Word would bring forth the miraculous transformation of the life of two joining to become one! Praise God! Don't you get it . . . your anointing is birthed out of your obedience; your prosperity is birthed out of your obedience, the welfare of your marriage is birthed out of your obedience, even your deliverance comes from your obedience; and your healing as well, which is all ordained by God. Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. That's the real message today!

Now do you understand? Two operating as one. That's why 1+1= 2 = 1. That my friends is the institution of marriage God's way. Everything else falls in place.

Use God's math today. Your marriage will never be the same!

Don't forget, you are going to really be Blessed!