This day and age marriage is not viewed a long lasting covenant between a man and a woman. The world will marry and when it gets hard will get a divorce. They go into marriage saying, "we will see how it goes". Marriage is HOLY because of the covenant between the couple and God. Marriage can be the most satisfying relationship.
Charity touched on 4 points about Marriage and Sex:
1) You need to highly esteem marriage. You value your husband when you esteem your marriage. You and your husband become one flesh when married.
2) Swallow your Pride. Learn to say 3 little words, "I am sorry".
Some people say that when he changes - I will change. Prov. 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Eph5:33 states, "However, each one of you almost must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." You need to regard and notice our husbands - consider them. You choose to do what is right. Whatever you want for yourself, give to your husband.
She suggested a great book by Dr. Laura, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.
3) Don't keep score
We are to compliment each other. Gen. 2:18 says, "The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him." God made us different for a reason. We are not the same and shouldn't be the same. Men are providers and women are nutures. This does not mean women cannot work or men cannot stay home. Don't try and make your husband like you - stay out of your own way. Marriage is not 50/50 it's 100/100! Give all you have in your marriage and worry about your own end.
4) Control your tongue
Prov. 31:26 says, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction in on her tongue. This verse is talking about the Proverbs 31 woman. Notice it says "she speaks". It doesn't - "she speaks when spoken to". She speaks with wisdom! As a wife/mother - you need to pray for wisdom. In one translation it says she speaks wisely and nicely and gives counsel and instruction. Counsel is giving adivce and instruction is telling someone how something needs to be done.
We always have our way of doing things and we think it is the best/only way and - you know - your husband has a different way of doing things but STILL gets the job done - give it up- and let him do things.
-Don't share arguments wtih others - keep it private.
-Don't mother your husbands. Sometimes when you are used to being in "mommy mode" it's easy to be that way to your husbands.
-Nuture your relationship
- love and affection
- have a common hobby
- give back rubs
- sex - you cannot separate sex and marriage. It is a vital part of marriage. Good sex = good marriage, bad sex = bad marriage
1 Cor. 6:16
Sex makes a bond between you and your husband
God gave men a greater desire - Prov 5:19, "...may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love."
Don't withhold sex from your husband. 1 Cor. 7:3-6, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to the husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. When you don't have sex you are opening a door for temptation. Prov 31:11, "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." It's for both of you to enjoy not just your husband.
Men want quality vs quanity. They truely desire to make their wives happy.
God honors your choices not your feelings. (there maybe times when you don't "feel like it" so don't lay there like a dead fish - make the choice to enjoy your husband and you might have some fun too) Charity said this - not me. :-)
Remember this - you are modeling marriage for your children!!! Ask yourself this, "Do I want my boys to marry a woman like me?" If you can't answer yes then you have work to do.
"The best thing a man can do for his children is to love his mother" - quote by someone
Thursday, June 26, 2008
thinking God's thoughts about yourself
Hebrews 12:1&2 says, "....let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector (love that) of our faith...." In this weeks study of God's thoughts we are to throw off the things that weigh us down. These things that weigh us down may not be necessarily sin but we need to throw them off and fix our eyes on Jesus. Our race is our day to day walk. It's not the times of special occations but in the everyday race of life.
Charity address 3 weights that beset women:
1)Weight of Defienciency: we get caught up in the things we can't do
Ex 3:7-22 - 4:1-17 talks about how God wanted Moses to go to Pharoah and bring His people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses had his doubts all through chapter 3 and 4 saying, "Who am I, that I should go to Egypt." But God told him, "I will be with you." Then Moses said, What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, "The Lord did not appear to you." Then in chapter 4:10 Moses says, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to you servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Then in verse 12 Moses was begging God (like God had made a mistake in the one he had chosen) to send someone else to do it. But God sent Aaron his brother to be Moses mouth and it was going to be like Moses was speaking and as if Moses was God to him. Moses was stuck in his insufficiency when he should have been focusing on God's sufficiency. Moses truly thought God did not have the right man - I can't do this, what if this, I have not been able to talk - you must send someone else you have the wrong guy. But in all this God knows us and he knew Moses better than he knew himself.
Colossians 2:10 says in one tranlation says,..."we are complete in Him..." The Lord fills in the gaps of our weaknesses.
In Ps. 68:4-6 says that God will be a father to the fatherless. God is our source and our sufficiency.
2)Weight of Discontentment
Phil. 4:11 says, "...for I have learned to be content whatever circumstances."
Contententment = Satisfaction
Discontentment brings nagging and complaining
This brings us to Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and was then put into prison. Joseph was content in whatever situation he found himself in - even in prison ( I know I would have been complaining but Joseph was content.) No, Joseph didn't want to be there but he knew the Lord was with him and would take care of him. The Lord knows where you are at and what you need in EVERY situation.
Learn to be happy with what you have, be content and learn to work with and make the best of what you have.
Be thankful and faithful with what you have (spiritual principle) Luke 19:17
3) Weight of Distraction
We need to prioritize things. Charity read an article about Martha Stewart and what extremes Martha goes through when she has guests over. Basically the whole visit of her friends is cooking them the best meal, having extra shoes and tennis rackets if needed, always having her high dollar coffee machine ready at any moment for her guest. The whole "jist" was that "things" are not priority - they are distracting - FAMILY is priority!
Focusing on someone elses "race" is NOT what we are suppose to do.
- Oscer Wile
God has equipped us with all the tools to run your race that He has set before you.
Phil. 2:13 says,"...you are to do HIS good pleasure."
We focus on other peoples race when we don't know what we are suppose to do.
Sometimes we belittle our gifts - DON'T DO IT! - God gave it to you!
Focus on doing your giftings with the BEST of your ability!
WHAT IS OUR GOAL?
I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my race...so that I can have the crown of righteousness and hear, WELL DONE!
Ask the Lord to reveal any weights to you that you need to throw off so that you may do His good pleasure.
Charity address 3 weights that beset women:
1)Weight of Defienciency: we get caught up in the things we can't do
Ex 3:7-22 - 4:1-17 talks about how God wanted Moses to go to Pharoah and bring His people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses had his doubts all through chapter 3 and 4 saying, "Who am I, that I should go to Egypt." But God told him, "I will be with you." Then Moses said, What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, "The Lord did not appear to you." Then in chapter 4:10 Moses says, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to you servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Then in verse 12 Moses was begging God (like God had made a mistake in the one he had chosen) to send someone else to do it. But God sent Aaron his brother to be Moses mouth and it was going to be like Moses was speaking and as if Moses was God to him. Moses was stuck in his insufficiency when he should have been focusing on God's sufficiency. Moses truly thought God did not have the right man - I can't do this, what if this, I have not been able to talk - you must send someone else you have the wrong guy. But in all this God knows us and he knew Moses better than he knew himself.
Colossians 2:10 says in one tranlation says,..."we are complete in Him..." The Lord fills in the gaps of our weaknesses.
In Ps. 68:4-6 says that God will be a father to the fatherless. God is our source and our sufficiency.
2)Weight of Discontentment
Phil. 4:11 says, "...for I have learned to be content whatever circumstances."
Contententment = Satisfaction
Discontentment brings nagging and complaining
This brings us to Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and was then put into prison. Joseph was content in whatever situation he found himself in - even in prison ( I know I would have been complaining but Joseph was content.) No, Joseph didn't want to be there but he knew the Lord was with him and would take care of him. The Lord knows where you are at and what you need in EVERY situation.
Learn to be happy with what you have, be content and learn to work with and make the best of what you have.
Be thankful and faithful with what you have (spiritual principle) Luke 19:17
3) Weight of Distraction
We need to prioritize things. Charity read an article about Martha Stewart and what extremes Martha goes through when she has guests over. Basically the whole visit of her friends is cooking them the best meal, having extra shoes and tennis rackets if needed, always having her high dollar coffee machine ready at any moment for her guest. The whole "jist" was that "things" are not priority - they are distracting - FAMILY is priority!
Focusing on someone elses "race" is NOT what we are suppose to do.
- Oscer Wile
God has equipped us with all the tools to run your race that He has set before you.
Phil. 2:13 says,"...you are to do HIS good pleasure."
We focus on other peoples race when we don't know what we are suppose to do.
Sometimes we belittle our gifts - DON'T DO IT! - God gave it to you!
Focus on doing your giftings with the BEST of your ability!
WHAT IS OUR GOAL?
I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my race...so that I can have the crown of righteousness and hear, WELL DONE!
Ask the Lord to reveal any weights to you that you need to throw off so that you may do His good pleasure.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
thinking God's thoughts
The Lord wants His thoughts to be our thoughts and His ways to be our Ways but with the stresses of life, the daily grind or even the things that we didn't think we would ever endure some of us forget that thinking the way God does can change our everyday lives. What are God's thoughts? God's thoughts are the Word of God - the Bible. Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success."
At my church, Charity Lawson is doing a bible study on 'Thinking God's Thoughts" and I would like to share that with you.
1)Defend your mind!
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else (take note of that), guard your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life." Charity began by stating that we must guard our mind. Guarding our mind = Guarding our heart. Whatever we put in our mind through our eyes, friends, internet, music goes right to our heart. To "defend" our mind we must know the scriptures.
**You need to know the truth (the word is truth) or you will not know that you are being lied to.**
Satan is the master of making you think and believe things are not true and if you know the word you can combat against him and his lies. 1Corinthians 10:5 says, "Take captive EVERY thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." Josh 1:8 says that the Word should not depart from your mouth - you speak with your mouth - so the Lord must want you to say the scriptures outloud. Make the word a part of your everyday vocabulary.
**Just thinking positive thoughts has no authority but the Word of God is the ultimate authority**
John 14:26 says that the Holy Spirit will remind us of the Words of God - but we must learn them first and then can he teach us all things.
Learn the Word - Meditate the Word - Speak the Word and God will remind you of the Word whenever you need it in your life.
2)People, Places, and Things
We must guard against things we listen to, the people we hang around and the places that we go to guard our heart. Take "vain imaginations" for instance. "Chic flicks" are full of vain imagination because they may portray this wonderful romantic life, a husband that just does these wonderful things all the time, or a life that is full of good things. Those movies are great and we like to watch them but they may be a "weakness" in your life a "window" of opportunity for satan to lie to you again. Vain imaginations are thoughts that make you think that something is missing in your life or that you could have this or that or you could have such a better life. These thoughts are the "side effects" they are not the real problem. You may have a different temptation in your life - everyone has them, everyone has a weakness they are tempted by. You need to avoid temptation - whatever effects you cut that area out of your life. If you remove the temptation then God can help you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Satan would like you to think that you are the only one going through your certain circumstances but you are not.
3)Shut out your circumstances!
Focusing on your circumstances takes away your hope and takes you away from the Lord and reminds you what you are going through.
**Your circumstances may be truth (fact) but God's Word is a GREATER TRUTH.**
You have things that have happened in your past, present and future - but you need to focus on God's Word. Isaiah 41:10 says, "...Do not be dismayed..." He will not leave you or forsake you.
We all need to know God's word so our thoughts will the Lords! I hope you enjoyed her bible study and that it encouraged you today. :-)
At my church, Charity Lawson is doing a bible study on 'Thinking God's Thoughts" and I would like to share that with you.
1)Defend your mind!
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else (take note of that), guard your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life." Charity began by stating that we must guard our mind. Guarding our mind = Guarding our heart. Whatever we put in our mind through our eyes, friends, internet, music goes right to our heart. To "defend" our mind we must know the scriptures.
**You need to know the truth (the word is truth) or you will not know that you are being lied to.**
Satan is the master of making you think and believe things are not true and if you know the word you can combat against him and his lies. 1Corinthians 10:5 says, "Take captive EVERY thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God." Josh 1:8 says that the Word should not depart from your mouth - you speak with your mouth - so the Lord must want you to say the scriptures outloud. Make the word a part of your everyday vocabulary.
**Just thinking positive thoughts has no authority but the Word of God is the ultimate authority**
John 14:26 says that the Holy Spirit will remind us of the Words of God - but we must learn them first and then can he teach us all things.
Learn the Word - Meditate the Word - Speak the Word and God will remind you of the Word whenever you need it in your life.
2)People, Places, and Things
We must guard against things we listen to, the people we hang around and the places that we go to guard our heart. Take "vain imaginations" for instance. "Chic flicks" are full of vain imagination because they may portray this wonderful romantic life, a husband that just does these wonderful things all the time, or a life that is full of good things. Those movies are great and we like to watch them but they may be a "weakness" in your life a "window" of opportunity for satan to lie to you again. Vain imaginations are thoughts that make you think that something is missing in your life or that you could have this or that or you could have such a better life. These thoughts are the "side effects" they are not the real problem. You may have a different temptation in your life - everyone has them, everyone has a weakness they are tempted by. You need to avoid temptation - whatever effects you cut that area out of your life. If you remove the temptation then God can help you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." Satan would like you to think that you are the only one going through your certain circumstances but you are not.
3)Shut out your circumstances!
Focusing on your circumstances takes away your hope and takes you away from the Lord and reminds you what you are going through.
**Your circumstances may be truth (fact) but God's Word is a GREATER TRUTH.**
You have things that have happened in your past, present and future - but you need to focus on God's Word. Isaiah 41:10 says, "...Do not be dismayed..." He will not leave you or forsake you.
We all need to know God's word so our thoughts will the Lords! I hope you enjoyed her bible study and that it encouraged you today. :-)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
just got inspired to blog
So here I am sitting in bed - it's 5 mins 'till 11 and I'm having my first "blogging" experience. My husband reassured me that he would stay awake to help me and told me to just keep talking. Well, can you guess what happened? Yes, he's asleep! I don't blame him - he has worked hard today...not that today is different from any other day.
This all began because as I was "googling" today on the internet I ran accross another mother's blog about her husband, two boys and her life in Cleveland. It caught my interest because she was so honest about her feelings and I seem to identify with her in some ways. As that pulled me in, I was hooked. I came back to her blog so many times today finding that I identify with this woman whom I don't even know. She is a mom, mother of 2 boys, and telling stories of her family that I have seemed to have lived somewhat before - just maybe in a different fashion.
I also had a close friend put a bug in my ear about how I need to blog. I have friends that blog and know that the internet is full of them but never have figured it out for myself - but here it is! I guess my only challenge now for blogging is to keep it up, right? We shall see how that goes.
As for my chosen title - I am a stay at home mom of 3, 1 dog and 2 cats - If that doesn't need caffeine I don't know what does. So, got caffeine?
This all began because as I was "googling" today on the internet I ran accross another mother's blog about her husband, two boys and her life in Cleveland. It caught my interest because she was so honest about her feelings and I seem to identify with her in some ways. As that pulled me in, I was hooked. I came back to her blog so many times today finding that I identify with this woman whom I don't even know. She is a mom, mother of 2 boys, and telling stories of her family that I have seemed to have lived somewhat before - just maybe in a different fashion.
I also had a close friend put a bug in my ear about how I need to blog. I have friends that blog and know that the internet is full of them but never have figured it out for myself - but here it is! I guess my only challenge now for blogging is to keep it up, right? We shall see how that goes.
As for my chosen title - I am a stay at home mom of 3, 1 dog and 2 cats - If that doesn't need caffeine I don't know what does. So, got caffeine?
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