Showing posts with label spouse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spouse. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

The Love that We Share

Psalm 90:14
O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness
in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may
rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad in proportion to the days in which
You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have
suffered evil.
16 Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to
Your servants; and Your [glorious] majesty to their children.
17 And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord
our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--
yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it.

In this Psalm we are directed to prayer!
I always hear my husband pray for our meals, and over our family, home and that which God has given to us as in the job (finances), a vehicle for driving to work, a place to attend church to worship our God and especially that extra time to have with our grandchild and family. We plan to come together with our love ones at different times during the year. But it was just over the weekend, I heard my husband speak, "the love that we share".

I told my husband that is important for the love we all share for the Lord, binds us together. In thinking and praying on this for today, I was brought back to Moses who prayed this for the whole of those who would ultimately die in the wilderness. There were many who were not going into the Promised Land. And Moses prayed a prayer.
Take a look back at the entire prayer in Psalm 90 and think on the wilderness, and the surroundings. The only people were those they had known in Egypt. Moses had brought them out of bondage under the leading of the Lord. Moses had obeyed to do what the Lord showed him to do in his connecting with Pharaoh, to the plagues, and to ultimately bring them all out. Moses prayed from what we read here from Psalm 90...and verse 11-12...."Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of you, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

In dealing with people, as to living around large volumes of people, and being in contact with many different ethnic groups ( men and women alike) we are to have a love that can only come through knowing Jesus and His love. It is having the wisdom of God.  Like Moses and his leadership ability, much was gained by hearing and obeying God and His directions. He had much to contend with and mostly was due to a people who were "slaves" to their own thinking, their lack, their depending on making bricks, and not looking for the "new" to life!
If we take note and look back for a moment we can see that which Moses probably saw for all that was recorded. Persecution was to come, and it came in the Garden of Eden. In all that was recorded and we can read here in the Holy Bible, we can see Cain kill his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8), Ham the son of Noah, mocked Noah (Genesis 8:20-23). We also see in the time of Isaac the son of Abraham being mocked by Ishmael.(Genesis 21:8-10)
8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." NIV

 Esau had wanted to kill his own brother Jacob. (Genesis 27:41-42)
41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob." 42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you.
NKJV
And we come back to that of Joseph who was the exalted in Egypt and became the deliverer to bring food to a people and a famished land. Forgiveness!


It was by harassment and bitter hate that Joseph was given over into a pit, to become a slave and become the deliverer for his family and many others in a time of severe famine. It was in that love he had for them all, the ability to forgive, that allowed him to move forward in live and see a life that was beautified by the glory of the Lord.

We see Joseph as the fourth son of Jacob. It was the not the first son or the second son of Jacob, but the fourth who played such a great role in the history. Yet, the tribes are all important in the foundation of the family of God and those who would follow.

Yes, the love that we share.

We may not understand the thinking of some we come in contact with, but surely God gives us wisdom to understand our fellow man or fellow woman!

In Matthew 25 we find this: 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison and you came to me [ignoring personal danger].

37 The the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?"

40 the King will answer and say to them, ' I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.' 41 "Then He will say to those on His left, 'Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons);42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care]' 44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, ' Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?"

45 Then He will reply to them, ' I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.' 46 Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [ will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life." Amplified Bible

Now in all my years of hearing and being taught, I always heard this as for doing for those who are lacking, sick and without........anybody.. especially those you did not know.......BUT.......never heard it as verse 45 speaks..............the "followers" of Jesus. Now that takes or makes a shift in another direction.
Let's see, if we start in the "home", are we seeing after ........say not only those within our home, but what about those who live far away and maybe alone?  (you know a relative) What about those who are the saved, and in need of some help and  ministering care?
It is interesting that the whole chapter is talking about two kinds of people. In light of the teaching, we see people who are to be lights to the world. As the Gospel is presented to us, we too, look for those outlets to minister that same light to others. It begins within us and then to others. It begins in our character of that which we boast. Is our boast in the Lord or in our own goodness and  what you might do for me?

Let's look first in the home: as the spouse, do we look out after our spouse? Do we see where we might help them in their day, in their work, or around the home? Will we see after them when they are not well, see after them when they are not around.......say, like at the work place? Then do we help in the way of laundry, doing dishes, or maybe planning and preparing a meal, the wife usually prepares. How about taking the "kids" to school even though they ride the bus? What if we took some extra time to show those of the house of God, those "followers" of Jesus we care about them even when they are not around!
To that spouse, do we say........"I appreciate you". "Thanks for all you do to help me!"? Do we take time to text them that message of how important they are to us? Will we take time to mend a favorite shirt, a little girl's princess dress, or how about designing something of ribbon over a neckpiece for earbuds that you do not use, but is a help to another? What about calling someone to invite them out for dinner with your family?
Then the "follower" of Jesus you go to church with, will you invite them over for a holiday? If they are alone most of the time, what if we had them come for dinner on Sunday or maybe a barbeque on Friday evening?

There are all kinds of harassment going on right now! One surely has a view whether on the roadway, in a mall, at school or in the workplace. At some point today in a given moment someone is being bombarded by those who will hate and harass, and seek their own agenda. But ours is suppose to be that like Jesus........and to love no matter what.
I believe that the Psalm 90 that Moses prayed for those who would die in the wilderness was a prayer for any who live out their lives in knowing nothing but slavery, although God has the way through His mercy and grace. I believe he desired the children of these people to see and know of the miraculous that their God had done for them in that wilderness. Yes many died there. But many went into the Promised Land to see and know more of God. Our choice is choosing that which is or should resemble Moses that he cared for those given into his hand for keeping watch. They brought a lot of heartache and much time in prayer to Moses for them.

In our coming in and our going out, may we speak with peace to others with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May we speak grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. It is the Lord Who gives grace to the humble!
May we respect those who work hard and who is over us in the Lord and who admonishes us. (2 Thessalonians 5:13-24)  In close encounters with family and those of the family of God, we desire to hold each in the highest regard in love because of his work.  We pray to be those that would encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone making sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Praying for those of the body of Christ to be joyful always (verse 16) to pray continually (verse 17) to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.
Today, may we, "the beloved" build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit and to keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. To guard and keep ourselves in the love of God, expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) which will bring us unto life eternal. And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you ( or us) and on some have mercy who waiver and doubt. We strive to save others, snatching [them] out of the fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality. [Zechariah 3:2-4) It is to the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be the glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all ages of eternity). FOR IT IS THE LOVE THAT WE SHARE!  Amen. (so be it.) Amplified


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV





Wednesday, September 30, 2015

LET NOT MAN SEPARATE

Mark 10:1-12
10:1 Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her." 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'  7'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,  8'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."   NKJV


The hardness of heart against someone can surely produce bad results!
Jesus tells the Pharisees that Moses wrote them this precept because of the heart issue.
Man is to leave his father and mother. Simple!

Man is to take a wife(female) and be joined to her. And what God has joined together.......let not man separate.

Have you been around a family member, and they appear to speak kinder words to the "said" parents or siblings than they do to their wife and/or husband? Have you even seen a group of family members join with another family group, and one member spends more time with their own family from birth than with the entire group?

Certainly, as one gets older, and prayer is a part of their lifestyle, you can see more vividly those images from gatherings past and see a pattern or image forming. In rehearsing the Word of God and setting up that "tent" over that scripture or passage, we can see from God's revelation of what it is saying: plain and simple! 

I was wondering today how many couples really talk with one another............or if they just talk at one another! You can certainly see it at the grocery store, the specialty shop or even at special restaurant.
Little over a year ago, we were having an anniversary. We had picked the perfect spot in the mountains, with fireplace and special foods we like. My husband had made the reservations and we were prompt in arriving some 15 minutes ahead. The lighting was beautiful. The fireplace had a beautiful warmth that was inviting on that windy, cold night. We were seated, and had drinks festive for a cold winter night. Yes, something warm was good.
I had noticed a couple seated on the opposite side from us but still in full view of the fireplace. They had a table like ours with the beautiful white linen cloth, napkins and table setting. Yet, this couple sat across from each other. Each had their phone in hand, but the husband had shut his off, but the wife kept looking or should I say focused on her phone. They were nicely dressed for the evening. He tried conversation, but alas he got her hand raised up to him as to say,'wait a minute'. SHE WAS FOCUSED on the entire phone texting for the length of the meal.
Meanwhile, we are being served our food. Delicious indeed! I always enjoy the appetizers there! Then our steaks were served. And the third couple came in. Aah too, it was a special evening for this young couple. She was looking longingly into his eyes as they were seated.............and her chair could not get any closer than it was without sitting in his lap. She would smile at him and he at her as well. The waiter comes, the young man tells him that he had proposed marriage to his young lady...earlier in the afternoon........and of course, the waiter must take a look at the beautiful ring, as well as Shelley did too, I might add! Yes, it was beautiful. They ordered some wine to toast and then ordered their food.

Yes, three couples that night and each was celebrating. Ours of course was of many years married, and the other couple well,the lady was happy with her phone indeed! And of the third, well love was all-around and I am certain they could hear birds singing and bells ringing.
The couple at the first table, lady with cell phone left. We were probably there an hour and half, and we too departed to bliss of our home and little dog awaiting our arrival. As for the third couple, I figured they closed the place.
I had remarked to my husband, how we had laughed and tried the food and enjoyed the great flavors. We enjoyed each other's company and did not think about the other's family members as mother, father, sisters or brothers, or neighbor next door, or church friend, but really enjoyed being with one another.

Yes, that was some months ago, and I revisit that night and wonder if that one couple is together anymore. For he certainly wanted to visit with her and talk but she was just too darn busy texting SOMEONE ELSE!

I remember when I was working, and one lady or two would talk about their evening at length. They would mention that they called their parents and spent a length of time with them on the phone, but the other spouse knows nothing of it or the conversation. I always wondered what the secrecy was all about!
I always tell my husband when I am calling family, as he tells me the same. We always try to have it when we are together, but sometimes it does not work so well to do that. But in regard to our spouse, do we keep them in the loop when communicating with others?
I remember hearing this occur: man of 40+ years goes over to visit his mother ( and she is not sick) all afternoon instead of working and wife does not know about the visit till the mother-in-law mentions it some days later. Yes, I have seen that as well. Why did it need to be a secret? But after these many years of reading and looking into that perfect law of liberty, I reflect on instances when one spouse telling the other of a phone call seemed to cause said person much grief to the point of being sick about it.
And I am always drawn to this scripture........that man is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife.


Genesis 2:24
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.    KJV

It does not say to be his "housekeeper", but his wife that is one flesh to him!

When a man takes a wife..........that bond is to be stronger than those set up in nature as the mother of the child. And that is a strong bond indeed, as the mother KNOWS when the child needs her attention immediately!  When that child is grown, that umbilical cord should be cut. Surely our children are to have consent of both sets of parents to marry, but the relationship then is the man with his wife. Leaving mommy and daddy behind and to have a life that raises children to do the same. Go and take dominion over the earth. And not be dominated by the technology of cell phones, or any other device.
The husband should be one who will revere his wife as the one and only woman in his life.
I have also heard excuses why they call "mommy and daddy" so much. They are much too long to list here, but certainly the heart is involved in the communication.
Again, how much do we communicate with "mommy and daddy" and is it more than with husband or  with wife?

We can look at the Creation and see Adam and Eve. And there is no mention of mommy dearest or dad.............BUT it mentions God very clearly. So in scheme of things, and marriage takes place by consent of both set of parents of the couple, then clearly, the Head is to be God, And Jesus as Lord, and husband and the wife. That too me, would be the communication line. And if it is not, then there is a problem. It is a BIG PROBLEM!

Ultimately, the husband is to find a love with the wife the Lord has given him. His helpmate is walking beside him, so she should know what his every move would be, not find out some days or months later.............like "oh yeah, did I mention mom and dad are wanting us to come for a visit on...............(this date)?" Being a teenager, I paid attention to a lot of things, and I always wondered what was wrong with people just talking to each other. To me, communication was a big thing in attending school and in class participation. Those who surely did not want to do that oral book report, well, you would know them well, and they were generally those who were the very last ones who would make their way to the front with a hand grip on paper that would bend it into two halves and they would never look at the audience all the while speaking. I always wondered what they found on the floor that was so interesting.


Walking beside him, the wife should know what is on his mind, and what his thought process is. Her being the more gentler of the two, still is the mate who should soothe the brow of husband. She should have the sympathy or any affection ready...........and they should have the common interests, but if husband (or wife) finds more interest in said family they left when getting married, then again one should look at why that is happening.

I should not give more attention to another than my husband. He foremost is my husband, and head of our home. But he also has to know God, and have a relationship with Him. He is to consult the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the day, and have conversations with me about the decisions which must be made . Now counsel is good............and godly counsel is highly recommended but not above, or over the wife or husband. If there is an umbilical cord found in all this..........then it is certainly time to cut it off NOW!


Where we seek to find solace, yes any comfort in a time of distress or sadness, should be in bosom of the wife and not in a board room with many people listening in or on the phone with parents or others we might want solace with. What goes on with the husband/wife should remain in their own house/household and not sent out like an email blast on Facebook!

In the blog I wrote: Love By Subduing What? I wrote about the helpmate. Here read a portion:
In scripture, we find God assigning men to have a "helpmate". Her worth was to be his help, assist him in accomplishing goals in subduing the earth.....to encourage him, and partner with him in producing children to populate the earth they would subdue. Said husband cannot do that with mommy and daddy!
God did not want Adam to be alone. 
Is the man subduing, as to working in the field, the place he is called? If he is taking his role seriously about being the man God created him to be, then are you and I , as women, taking our role seriously and filling it? In working alongside our husbands, we find relationship and not only that, but we find a man who leaves his mother and father......joins with his new wife, his partner for life in the grace of God and fulfill the assignment given to them. They join forces! They join together what God had always planned to do. He does not bring along all the ideas or thoughts his folks had........no, he joins forces to find what God planned for him and his "helpmate".....they join together. He knows his wife and her family. THE HUSBAND LEADS LIKE JESUS LEADS!

to cleave: to stick together like glue

Interesting that cleaving is sticking that close as compared to glue.
This use of dabaq is given in Strong's as to cling or stick to. This is what we find in Genesis 2:24.
Their being "one flesh" was intimacy in love. This was a love that was 24/7 in our days of 365 in a year. Yes, year in, and year out, they were joined together. They are one! We are to be the committed who will not quit when things are not right and the going gets rough! Committed always means being patient with your "mate".  So reality is having one heart with that person. It consists of BEING willing to admit any wrongs...........and always ready to forgive the other for anything!

Bringing others into the cleaving means (you are ) allowing others to dictate your life. That is bringing "others" in that intimacy that God planned only for husband and wife. So that being intimate is changed to include others.........and allowing them a say when the spouse knows absolutely nothing about what is agreed on with others apart and away from "the cleaving" God desires for His children.

Only God and His counsel should be considered. Certainly each should have friendships, but not to the point of shoving "mate" into corner or raising the hand while texting...........just so you can text your favorite"peep". If that "intimacy" is not established early on, then when tribulations come, and it will come, and it will be harder to maintain that intimacy or even find it. In that relationship, if the security and commitment are not there, then certainly when all falls apart, one of the said couple will feel abandoned. It takes a commitment to discover that wonder that is marriage and know that God has a better plan for you, than say, "your best "bro" or even maybe " the folk's " do!


Father, today, we are holding Your Word up and speaking clearly with expectation!
Father,  as a couple today, we pray for Your divine intervention on this unity and harmony within our marriage.  We are contacting YOU the Author and the Finisher of our faith and put this Word into motion. This Word will not return void, but will accomplish where it is sent. We are totally leaning on YOU and learning of YOUR wisdom, drawing on Your strength and filled with Your quietness……that is bringing the Results we believe for our marriage that would be one of unity and harmony.
We pray for our eyes to see where we might have missed the mark in heeding a godly marriage. Help us to be available to our spouse. May we bring glory to YOU Who created marriage for the man and woman. Help us to cleave......like glue and not like velcro for velcro will wear out and pull apart and away from its duty. Our desire is not to quit, give up and just leave, no we value our marriage and pray for it to be established in the love You God meant it to be. May we bring glory to You in and through our marriage. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!



You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

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