Jezebel By Any Other Name

Someone referenced the news article, Bill Cosby’s wife says accusers ‘consented’ to drugs and sex, saying that her stance is an example of unconditional love.

This is not unconditional love. If you don't take anything else from this blog, I hope you get this absorbed into the deepest part of your being: the requirement for love to be present is selflessness.  If someone is pursuing their own interests, reputation, pleasure...that is NOT love.

Neither does this show that Camille Cosby is a "ride or die" chick, as she is being called by some now.  What this really presents is a glimpse of the behind the scenes reality when sodomites marry, presenting only an illusion/mockery of the institution of marriage (if you don't know what that means, see the link).

You have the weak, lust-filled man who is up front as the puppet, while the hard, "without natural affection" woman pulls the strings.

It is tragic. It is sickening.  It is damnable.

Like many in my generation, I grew up with a lot of respect for Bill Cosby, and I always thought his wife Camille was stunningly beautiful and very intelligent.  Yet, this is not about the flesh, but the spirits which use flesh to fulfill their own perverse desires.  I have no firsthand knowledge that these are actually Camille's words or feelings, but I am taking them at face value because they reflect the truth of what is going on in 99.9% of the homes in this nation...and it is UGLY.  In this portrayal of Bill & Camille Cosby is the same perpetuation of Ahab and Jezebel.

Review the Scriptures below and then read the news article linked above.  Do you discern the spirit at work?  Consider the article's comments (emphasis added by me):

Mrs. Cosby is “a proud, dignified but stubborn woman. You can say that she’s standing by her husband, but really, the more people stand against him, the more she perceives it as an affront to HER and all that SHE'S done to make him a star...”

Camille Cosby...demanded last week at a crisis meeting with advisers that their lawyers and p.r. specialists “get back out in front of this.” 

“I created him, I knew what I was getting and we’ll fix this.” she told the gathering... 

She “stopped being embarrassed long ago” by her husband’s affairs, the family source said, but cannot tolerate the “invasion of privacy.” She said every so often the couple goes through an “evaluation period” to determine whether the marriage should continue. “She even once talked to Oprah Winfrey about cleansing herself of baggage every now and again and how it always seems to lead her back to staying with Bill,” the family source said.

In the midst of this, who is calling the shots? Camille.  Is she doing so out of concern for her husband or even concern for the alleged victims?  No.  She is doing this to protect and defend herself; her reputation, and the empire she has built.

How cold. How calculating must one be to respond in such a manner?  If Bill is guilty of these vicious acts, then he indeed is a monster.  Whether he has nor not, Camille is not much better.

This is a marriage of convenience, a business deal, and that is the most that you can get when you marry outside of Christ. Two persons, motivated by and pursuing their own selfish ambition, and calling that marriage.  It can only produce a union of bitterness, distrust, and unfaithfulness.  Many people are living lives of Hell, looking for an answer.  Will you be one to bring the only answer needed: Jesus Christ?

Some will not like this post.  I DO NOT CARE.  It is time for this madness to end.  The entire kingdom of the enemy is built upon this upside down devolution of weak, effeminate men and hard, falsely-authoritative women.  Even in the churchworld, women and men are boldly trying to drag in this spirit by appointing female pastors and bishops in direct opposition to the word of God. Many instances, it is even more covert, with men as a figurehead while the women manipulate the men to do their bidding because the men are filled with lust. In the end, those who mock God in this perversion will be judged and will be damned. Both the beast and the woman who rides it will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.

It is time for the true Kingdom of God to be made manifest to the world, with real men and women born of God to stand for spiritual battle in these last days. Repent while there is time and ask the Lord to cleanse you from every remnant of these evil spirits.  God help us all.

"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it." I King 21:1-16

Additional Resources
The Matriarchal Mafia
Man Up
The Color Purple and Other Feminist Lies

Honor Your Father and Mother

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:34-37

A sister in the Lord contacted me recently in turmoil, asking how to honor parents who are not saved.  She could feel the oppressive tangles of the spirit of witchcraft vexing her soul when dealing with them (which is the spirit walked in by those who are not born again - this link is a Derek Prince study sheet download).

There always seemed to be manipulation, condemnation, control, and discord at work in those interactions.  There were even physical affects from those interactions, whether it was a terrible twisting in the gut, raised blood pressure, ulcer pains, etc.  All because the parents were not in agreement with their decision to live for the Lord and obey Him.

Things had so deteriorated that the parents were trying to use her children against her and her husband.  It had escalated to such a point where she felt like she needed to cut off contact with their parents altogether.

This is a situation - and a feeling - with which I was familiar.  I had even written about it once before. And while I believe the previous article to still be true, it is not the end of the matter.  Yes, choosing to serve the Lord will often bring about variance between you and those who are closest to you. However, what I learned is that the answer lies in the cause of the variance.

The sword is what we need.  It is the answer for how we are to still honor our father and mother, even when they do not currently belong to the Lord.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

The sword of the Lord not only brings potential discord between family members, but that same sword is working in you to remove inordinate attachments to them.  God may not change your parents right away because they do not belong to Him yet, but He can surely change you...and that is the goal!

God is killing off in you those cords which bind.  With the sword, He is dividing within you that which is soulish from that which is spiritual so that you can sincerely honor your parents without being unnaturally bound by them.  The areas where these bondages are attached are in your soul; your feelings, emotions, perceived shortcomings/injustices, pride, resentments, etc.  Once your soulish life is fully submitted to your spirit man, then you will be truly free to love.  Don't look at these tensions with your parents as evidence that you need to separate from them, but consider whether it is proof that there are still issues in your own soul which need cleansing.

So, your parents are not saved.  Tell me, what is the difference between your unsaved parents and your unsaved neighbor?  If you cannot deal with your unsaved parents, then how will you be an effective witness to your unsaved neighbor?  They are both unsaved!  The difference is that you feel a certain way about your parents, and they know how to push your buttons.  The issue is in you.

Your "self" life must die.  At that point, the things done to control you will not matter anymore. There will be no puppet strings to pull because the strings have been cut.  I have found this to be true in my own life. As I grew and matured in the Lord, those things that people used to do to control me - which truly got under my skin - just didn't have the same affect on me that it used to.

Yet, it is not merely my own experience which bears out the truth of this statement.  Look at the very next verses of Scripture.

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:38-39

After talking about the sword which might bring division in your family, Jesus immediately moves to speaking about the need for you to take up your cross and die to self.  This is because that is the key.  We need the sword of God's word to divide us asunder so that we can be led of the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh - even the lusts of envy, wrath, strife, bitterness, and hatred.  Only then can we forgive from the heart and be healed.

I'll share something else with you.  When it comes to unbelievers - or even just compromising Christians living in sin - you rarely have to bring about the separation.  If the Holy Spirit is not drawing them, then they will separate from you all on their own; especially once they see that they can no longer control you.  Yet, there should always be a spirit of reconciliation at work, ready to receive them again as the Spirit leads,

It is true that your family may not be able to receive the Gospel from you, being unable to move past who you used to be (Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4).  Yet, that is on them.  Let it not be unforgiveness in you which has become the obstacle.

Satan's answer is to cause permanent alienation.  After all, he cannot have you rubbing off on them or drawing them to Christ, right?  Yet Jesus' answer is to bring about healing...even if it is just within you.  Whether your parents ever change, you can be made free from everything which would make you captive.

Additional Resources:

Seven Steps to Revival - Volume 2 - *particularly the study guide Witchcraft in Disguise (this guide will download to your computer if you click it)

The Prayer of Desperation - Part 1 and Part 2

How to Live in a World Falling Apart - Part 1 and Part 2

The Cross Nullifies Witchcraft - Part 1 and Part 2

The Seeking of Control - (this guide will download to your computer if you click it)

Getting Your House in Order

The below message is audio from the second part of a sermon from Pastor Voddie Baucham on "Legacy" where he discusses the discipleship of our children.

• The most important tool used in the discipleship of our children - in terms of establishing and passing on multi-generational legacy - is the home.
• Like Israel going into the Promised Land, Christians are called to be a distinct people in the midst of a culture of opposition; otherwise, they would be completely absorbed into the culture and no longer bear their distinction.
• God had to raise up a Joshua generation to claim the promises after allowing the faithless generation of Israel to die off in the wilderness.
• The Promised Land was not simply a blessing for that generation, but was to make it possible for them to pass on to their children and their children's children the fear and knowledge of the Lord.
  
• To a born again Christian, the most important thing in their world is knowing & serving Jesus Christ; as such, the most important thing we can do is teach those with whom we have been entrusted by God to know & serve the Lord.
• There is no one more narrow-minded and intolerant than God.
• Adopting the religious practices of the people around them is what drove Israel away from receiving the blessings of God.
• Biblical love is completely at odds with the Greco-Roman myth of romantic love.  Biblical love is first and foremost an act of the will (love God with all your heart), accompanied by the emotions (with all your soul), and backed up by your actions (and with all your might).
• Love is about more than what we feel at a particular point in time.
• God commands us to teach the word of God to our children in our home because such is our job.
• Mark your family as belonging to the Lord by worshiping together as a family in your home.
• Don't forget God when He prospers you.

One Flesh

The following is part of the book, Why Adam Cannot Be Saved, whose sections can be accessed here.

Man’s Relationship with Woman

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

Here we see the institution of marriage being established for the first time as that which was created male and female is now husband and wife.

One might ask, “Why is Adam making such a statement? What did he know about a relationship with earthly parents or about becoming one flesh with his wife?” Yet, we know that Adam had access to the logos of God. The same Spirit which inspired him to name the animals enabled him to make that prophetic statement. These were not Adam’s words, but God speaking through Adam to proclaim His will for marriage.

“And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed.” Malachi 2:15a

In Genesis 1 & 2, God makes clear His purpose for the earth: it was to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord and reflecting His glory. Crucial to this objective was the establishment of the family unit. God would use the union of the husband and wife to produce a godly seed from which He would reap a harvest (James 5:7).

Is it any wonder then why Satan so ardently attacks marriage, and by extension the family? What Satan attempted in the Garden he still tries today: pervert the marriage union so as to prevent a godly seed. In all the days of creation, Satan did not rear his ugly head. Yet as soon as the institution of marriage is in place, he comes swiftly to deceive.

The world would have you to think that marriage is a civil liberties issue, to be defined as we choose. However it is not man who defines marriage, but God, for He is the one who established it. God says marriage is not a “right” one possesses as a function of government or civil law. Marriage is a covenant made before God covering the sacred union of one man with one woman which is meant to last a lifetime (Malachi 2:14).

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:4-6 (Also Mark 10:6-8)

It is God who determined to make man “male” and “female” and it is God who stated that they would be brought together to become “one flesh”. When governments say it is discriminatory to limit marriage to one man and one woman…when entertainers cross-dress for your amusement…when the media blurs the lines between genders and promotes androgyny…when the schools teach your children that there are many different kinds of families…when the President of the United States says that he supports gay marriage…know that you are seeing Satan’s continued attacks to prevent a godly seed.

The very thing God desires to see in the earth is that which Satan works against.

Question what God has decreed: Did God really limit marriage between one man and one woman? Didn’t Jesus say that love fulfills all of the law? Shouldn’t we allow any who are in love to celebrate that love in marriage? It’s just all about love, right? How can “love” be wrong?

Question even God’s righteousness: Is it fair that homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders cannot enjoy the benefits of marriage? Aren’t we all children of God? What kind of God would prevent people from being happy and enjoying life?

Satan will try to get you to do anything but believe and obey God’s words.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Man’s problems begin when he deems to take what God has created – even his own life – and thinks that they are his to do with as he chooses. Yet, everything God created was for His pleasure; and that includes the institution of marriage. While everything God has given man is good and for his good, there is a higher purpose for God's creation that does not revolve around what man wants or thinks.

“What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” I Corinthians 6:16-17

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:31-32

The union of one man and one woman in marriage contains a “great mystery”. It reflects how the church is brought into union with Jesus Christ. As the man and woman become one flesh, those united with Christ become one spirit. The family unit (one man and one woman becoming one flesh to produce godly seed) is a picture of how Jesus Christ joins supernaturally with His Bride, becoming one spirit to bear godly fruit (John 15:5). Apart from Christ we are barren, we can do nothing. Being made one with Him, we can do all things. The pattern of marriage is an illustration to us of God's desire for us to be in union with Him.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Ephesians 5:22

“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” Genesis 2:23

Do we not understand the mystery God has used the institution of marriage to reveal to us and the significance of the order which is imbued in it? It is all to glorify God, to manifest His great love for us, and to make plain the way for us to be joined together with Him in sharing that great love. It is for our benefit, but for His glory.  Christ claims us for His own and we become part of Him, just as a wife is joined to and becomes one with her husband.

Nothing was done by happenstance; not God’s determination for there to be “male” and “female” nor the joining of the two together to become one flesh. It all has meaning and purpose in making known to man the Kingdom of God in the earth and our role in that Kingdom. Any other union is an abomination primarily because of how it perverts the image of God. When we pervert the nature of marriage, we are by default perverting the nature of the “great mystery” of our redemption in Jesus Christ.  God not only desires the best for man, but He paid the price to enable us to have His best, even using the very creation He established to illustrate that best to us.

In Adam’s proclamation in Genesis 2:24, we see God’s intent in defining marriage between one man and one woman. Not only was such essential to the very survival of the human race (Genesis 1:28, 6:19), but it was the foundation upon which God determined to bring forth godly seed. He used marriage to reveal to us the mystery which would unfold of Jesus Christ reconciling man unto Himself.

Continue...

A Stand for Purity

As you may know, I am working on a book right now and it is my intent not to post anything but the contents of that book until it is completed.  However, the following video really touched my heart, so I want to post it here.

I also highly recommend the following for all young ladies: Set Apart Femininity.

Someone recently shared with me the following:

We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between a man who flatters her versus a man who compliments her.
A man who spends money on her versus a man who invests in her.
A man who views her as property versus a man who views her properly.
A man who lusts after her versus a man who loves her.
A man who believes he is God's gift to women versus a man who remembers a woman was God's gift to man...

And if I were to add to that, I would say:

We need to teach our sons to distinguish between a woman who has a pretty face versus a woman who has a meek & quiet spirit.
A woman who compliments him versus a woman who complements him.
A woman who pursues & seduces him versus a woman who exudes virtue & discretion.
A woman who puffs him up versus a woman who builds him up.
A woman who wants to lead him versus a woman who wants to be a help meet for him.
A woman who seeks to be glorified versus a woman who seeks to be a reflection of his glory.

Never settle for less than the best God has for you...in any area.  As a loving Father, we can truly say with confidence that our Father knows best.

May God bless you all and give you the strength and desire daily to walk in His will.

But I Am Right!

Are You Ready To Go To Hell Being 'Right'?

"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." I Peter 2:19-20

I was contacted by someone recently sharing a testimony about learning how to continue in love with others through difficult situations.  As someone who may have been quick to take offense before, this was a tremendous victory for them.  Yet, part of what made it challenging for them was a belief deep down inside that they in fact were the one who was 'right' in the situations.

Reading this testimony, reminded me of the snares we can set when we think of ourselves being 'right' in relation to another.  One thing to keep in mind is that it can be pretty hard for us to truly see ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 28:26; Hebrews 3:12). It is often a lot easier for us to see the 'perceived' shortcomings of others.

I have learned that a lot of times when I thought I was "right", I really haven't been. It is just that I have been more tolerant & accepting of my own faults than I have been with the faults of others.  I was quick to see wrong in others - and be offended by it - while giving very little thought to the error of my own ways.

I don't mean to be crude, but this is a relevant example.  When you perspire, you will smell.  However that smell is often not as offensive to you as someone else's because you are used to your own stink (so to speak).  You can say to a child, "Did you put on deodorant today, because you smell strong?"  And they can sniff their underarms and say, "I don't smell anything."   Meanwhile, the entire car is about to pass out due to the stench.  LOL

Our sniffers may not work so well when evaluating ourselves, but they sure seem to be sensitive when it comes to detecting others.  This is why the entire "being right" thing can be a slippery slope.

1. We do not always know God's plans, so we may not always know what is 'right' for others in a given situation.  If God's will is for someone to go through some sort of trial in order to learn more about themselves and/or God, then the 'right' thing for them to do is go through it.  Your 'right' position to help them avoid that situation may be the very thing which impedes their learning the lesson God intends.  
   
   
2. What we often perceive as 'right' or 'wrong' usually has more to do with how we think others are treating us than it does with us perceiving God's will for that person or in that situation.  The thought of being 'right' can be from a selfish motivation.  We can often default to feeling 'right' (or indignant) when we feel we have been 'wronged'.
   
   
3. The perspective that we are 'right' can create tremendous, hidden obstacles in relationships because it feeds a root of bitterness in our hearts.  As a result, we can become mistrustful of others and may not be able to receive from them, even when God is using them to accomplish good in our lives.  We might even become hard-hearted towards the person and be unable to deal with them in love, causing issues with our fellowship with the Father (I John 2:9-11, 3:15, 4:20). 
   
   
4. The view that we are 'right' can lead to self-righteousness.  By implication, the thought that we are 'right' means that the other is 'wrong'.  Yet, things are rarely that black and white.  This attitude can blind us to our own wrongs or to how God is working to bring the other person into a more full knowledge of Himself.  Do we trust God enough to allow Him to work out imperfections in others or are we quick to condemn & judge them based upon feeling as if we are 'right'?  Are we content to hold on to a grudge thinking someone "owes us an apology" versus deciding to take no offense even if we have cause to? (Mark 11:25-26)

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

Mind you, I am not saying that there is no such thing as right and wrong nor am I speaking of soundness of doctrine.  I am saying that there is truly but one person morally 'right' in comparison to others and that is Jesus Christ.  Our righteousness comes from Him alone.

Let's take care not to move into the sin of pride as we deal with others, but seek to be humbly led of God in all things.  If we remain mindful of God's mercies on our own lives and with our own faults, it will be that much easier to hear from God's Spirit and demonstrate God's love to others, even when faced with their faults...whether they are our children, our spouse, brethren in the Lord, or even the lost. 

We can hold on so tightly to the idea that we are 'right' that we can miss out on what God desires to do in & through us, for our benefit as well as the benefit of others.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." I Corinthians 13:1-7

Let Him Lead

The following article was written by Truly Faithful Ministries and I wanted to share here in case it blesses others.

Let Him Lead

A Message on Divine Order in Marriage

In 2005, my husband and I went to church very late.  We had been having a long conversation that lead over into the time of service as we were actually talking about leaving this church for various reasons.  When we walked into service, the pastor was calling for everyone to go to the altar.  When we got to the altar, we immediately fell to our knees.

The Holy Spirit began to deal with me right then as I heard Him CLEARLY say "LET HIM LEAD".  I listened to everything else the Spirit said, but that first statement stood out to me the most and I knew He was saying to let my husband lead in our marriage. But when I talked to my husband, I instead told him that the Holy Spirit said to let HIM lead - as in let the Holy Spirit lead us - which was NOT what the Holy Spirit meant.

So as time went on, I was trying to call all the shots in our marriage.  And that was because I was more college educated than my husband so I would really act as if I knew it all.  I had had a few businesses that had been successful, had known and met many successful people, had also been away to college on full scholarship and could also easily recognize business scams that my husband thought were legit.  So in my mind, I was much smarter than my husband, so I felt that I needed to make the bulk of the decisions.  My husband would say something and I would always find a way to make what he said even better, like it was my idea.

The thing was I wasn’t quite aware that I was doing that.  I didn’t realize I was really undermining his authority as my head. I felt since I had more experience in so many things that he should listen to me and not make any decisions unless he talked to me. (SMH)

But see this is what I love about God.  God made husbands the head no matter their upbringing, their financial history or their educational background. Whether they have a job or not; whether they are successful or not; whether they are the most intelligent or not; it doesn’t matter because when they become husbands, they still obtain FAVOR from the Lord and are the heads in the marriage.

The foolish thinking of those who claim to submit
to their husbands, yet really still try to control them.

Even though at that time I would TALK submission, I would not WALK SUBMISSION.  Because my fruit showed that I felt whoever was the more astute with certain things or the smarter one should make the FINAL decisions.  So in 2006 shortly after we had our first child, I heard the Holy Spirit again say “LET HIM LEAD”.  I even wrote it down and dated it as being that “WE” need to let the Holy Spirit lead us. Which to me meant to tell my husband what we should do and try to manipulate him with my smarts into doing what I believed was best.

In 2008 when I went to my husband about him leading, I heard the Holy Spirit say it again and yet I STILL did not take heed.  In 2010, I met two older wives in the Lord who mentor me now.  It was when I would talk to them that I realized I was not submitting to my husband but that I had been subtly trying to get him to submit to me.  I was in rebellion plain and simple.

So in early 2011 when I gave my husband a well thought out plan on what we should do after he lost his job, he rejected it.  I was floored.  Normally he pretty much went with what I came up with, but not this time. Though it was pretty obvious that he should go with my plan, he came up with his own and needless to say, it did not work just like I thought it would not.  I was beyond upset, he felt terrible and there our struggles started.

But I did not realize that God was reconstructing our marriage to be what He had meant for it to be.  I did not understand that God was not only pruning us, but testing our faith in Him and in our marriage.  I did not realize that God was doing a NEW THING in us, but THE SAME THING He does to all marriages that are His; which is purge us so that we can bear more fruit (John 15:2 )!  In 2011, everything I thought was right turned out to be terribly wrong.  Even now as I write this, the Holy Spirit is revealing more as to why everything happened the way it did.

1. God showed me that He had been warning me since 2005 to LET MY HUSBAND LEAD.  I knew within my spirit that’s what God was talking about, but I kept lying to myself and rejecting God’s Truth.
   
2. God wanted my husband to lead no matter if I agreed because God has a divine order for marriages. And even though my husband is to love me as Christ loves the Church, he does not submit to me but to Christ. And the Lord began to show him that every time my husband went against Christ and did what I said, we would have “the Fall” in our marriage instead of the redemption of Christ. (Remember Adam went with Eve's decision and disobeyed God).
   
3. God also showed us BOTH that it is HE WHO PROVIDES ALL WE NEED, not my husband. Because every door that we thought would open for us in order for him to get another job was closed. So we had NO CHOICE but to endure.
   
4. Either I was going to submit to my husband IN EVERYTHING, or be disobedient and out of the will of God in my life and in my marriage. And disobedience is a price I cannot afford to pay.

But even after all of that I still wondered why we had to go through so much.  Then God showed me that everything was set in order to happen just the way it did to get us (mainly me) to repent.  Remember the 2 older wives in the Lord that I met in 2010?  It was NO ACCIDENT that I met them as God showed me that He sent them to me to TEACH ME HOW TO LOVE MY HUSBAND (Titus 2).  Then I had a dream showing me that my husband would lose his job for no reason and sure enough a month in a half after the dream, my husband lost his job almost exactly how I dreamt it.

My husband did not go with my decision even though he really FELT that he should have.  That also was a part of the plan because God wanted my husband to be led by the Spirit and not his "FEELINGS".  But his decision was poor so how did that help anything?  God showed me that it was actually not a poor decision but a decision to WAKE US UP!  Especially ME!

So let’s go back to those two older wives in the Lord.  It was during this time that they encouraged me a GREAT deal.  I would call them, cry and pour my heart out about how I was angry with my husband and they would minister to me like never before with the word of God.

But it was ALL IN HIS PLAN which is why God placed them in my lives.  And he also placed two older husbands in the Lord in my husband’s life as well.  God knew we BOTH needed the men and women of Titus 2 to help us get through what God had to do in our marriage.  Because in the end, it’s not about us it’s about God and doing His Will.

So all of this came from me trying to be what I was not made to be.  That is why I say it takes the Holy Spirit to submit to a fallible man.  But I got it.  I got that I am to play the role of “The Church” in the marriage and the church submits to Christ IN EVERYTHING!  My husband is to play the role of Christ in the marriage and he is the Head and is to love me as Christ loves The Church.  So yes I got it now!  And I will not go back to what I was before; A woman who TALKED submission but did not WALK submission.

But today I can honestly say with the peace of God, that I am totally submitted to my husband (placing myself under his authority) as unto the Lord. THANK YOU LORD!  For loving me enough to take me through all of this to get your point across instead of letting me stay in my rebellion and disobedience!  He loves me because he chastens those He Love. #SoGladHeLovesMeEnoughtoCorrectMe

Wives just remember no matter how much smarter you think you are than your husbands or if you think you can make better decisions than him, don't forget our husbands are our Heads REGARDLESS! Just know that we are HELP MEETS, NOT HEADS so, "LET HIM LEAD"!

1 Cor 11:3, "But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God".

Heb 12:6, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth".

Are Your Friends God's Enemies?

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Psalm 1:1

Someone sent me an article written by their "friend" who had twisted Scriptures and put forth lies in order to justify the rebellion of matriarchal authority in the Church.  In spite of the error of the article, my highest concern was for the person who sent it to me.  I let them know that I would never call any person who could so deliberately pervert God's word a "friend".

Similarly, another person had a "friend" on Facebook who was forwarding vulgar and perverse items under the guise of them being "funny".  However, the truth is that such persons merely delights in perversion and finds amusement in that which is vulgar.  The things which are offensive to God is entertainment to this "friend".

In this day and age, it is common to call everyone a "friend", especially on many of the popular social networking sites.  However, we must be very careful who we let into the inner circle of our lives.  Not everyone we meet is sent to us by the Lord, but some are sent by Satan in order to derail us from the things of God.  We can be so concerned about offending others by not referring to them as friends, that we wind up endearing to ourselves those who are the enemy of God.

To understand the importance of this topic, here is an audio sermon by Min. David Wilkerson entitled, "Your Friends Matter to God."

• Your friends reflect what is in your own heart.
• A friend is someone you with whom you have a close affinity and are in agreement with.
• It is a supernatural and spiritual truth that birds of a feather flock together.  People who have the same spirit (whether good or bad) will supernaturally gravitate to each other.
• One of the most subtle tactics of Satan is to send an agent of Hell to Godly, tender-hearted Christians as a friend.
• David committed to God that his closest companions were those who reverenced and obeyed God.
• You had better examine your friendships by the Spirit of the Living God because you need to know whether they are really of God or whether they have been planted by the enemy to destroy you.
• Backbiting against Godly people, Godly leadership, and even one's spouse is a sign that such persons are not sent to you by God because they are filling you with poison.
• Someone who is really of the Lord will provoke you to righteousness, will speak honestly about your unChristlikeness, pray with you when you are down, and encourage you to be more like Jesus.
• A Godly friend will always stand on God's side, not just your side.
• There are three consequences for keeping unGodly friends:
• You get pulled into an unGodly war which is not your business
• You lose your spiritual discernment
• You end up with war in your own home
  
• Your friends reflect who you are.

Hey BFF!

I remember growing up and having "best friends".  I really didn't think much about it at the time. Yet at its heart, I can remember the depth of feeling that often went along with it.

It was like a claim of ownership & possession was being established in a sense of 'you belong to me'.  You were being set apart with and for the other person in an exclusive relationship to which others were not privy.  They were the ones to whom you were to share your deepest, darkest secrets. There was even an unspoken pressure to think alike.  It was as if we had to have the same mind. 

There were also certain obligations associated with being a "best friend".  You had to think of them first before any other when it comes to where to go, what to do, and with whom to hang out.  It was their opinion you would seek on what to wear and whom to date.  You also had to make the status of your relationship obvious to others through public demonstration such as always being seen together, wearing similar clothes and hairstyles, etc. 

Overall, the "best friend" was expected to be always on your side, always supportive, and always there for you.  They provided a sense of acceptance, validation, and dependability in life when there is so much unknown. 

After elementary school however, I just outgrew the need for a "best friend", preferring instead to just float among different groups of friends.  For me personally, I found such relationships too restrictive.

These days however, the BFF (best friends forever) craze has taken a life of its own...and I am speaking of primarily girls.  Everything evolves around having a BFF or who is your BFF.  I was even told last week that it is common for girls to call BFFs their wives; even updating Facebook statuses to indicate that they are married to their "wife" (BFF).

While initially shocked by these things, it makes perfect sense upon reflection.  While we didn't call each other wife, that is often what we were setting up in our "best friend" relationships from childhood.   What is wrong with just being friends?  Even being good friends? 

Even older women can have BFFs whom they are closer with than their own husbands.  I can remember grown woman BFFs saying to each other, "Men may come and go, but best friends are forever."   It is not uncommon for such persons to desire to spend more time with their BFF than with their husband, going out at night, going on vacations together, etc.  I am just not sure that the BFF connotation is as innocent, healthy, or normal as it can appear on the surface.  

The following article is from a young lady's blog entitled, "Never Too Young For Jesus Christ" as she delves into what God revealed to about BFFs and how our closet friend should be Jesus.  This is not just words or religious speak.  Can you honestly say that Jesus is your best friend or are you leaning on others in a way you should only lean on Him?

Our earthly friendships say more about us and our affections than we may know.  As stated in the video in her post:

"You tell me who your friends are and I will tell you exactly who you are or who you are about to become."

Flee Fornication

Keeping the Marriage Bed Holy

"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4

The above verse has been so abused that it is used to give a virtual "anything goes" approach to sex between married couples. It is often misinterpreted to read, "Everything sexual between married people is okay, but any sex between people who are unmarried is forbidden."

Yet, the distinction that this verse is dealing with married vs. unmarried individuals is a false one.  Does not adultery involve someone who is married?  Sure, they are not married to the person with whom they are committing adultery, but they are in a marital relationship.  The command against being an "adulterer" is relevant for the married person; so also is the command against being a "whoremonger".

The entire verse is addressing how the marriage bed is to be kept holy.  God is giving an admonition for married couples to keep their marriage bed undefiled by avoiding sexual perversion and adultery.  Several other Bible translations make the meaning of this text more evident:

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."  English Standard Version, Hebrews 13:4

"Let marriage be held every way in honour, and the bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers will God judge." Darby Translation, Hebrews 13:4

"Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous." Amplified Version, Hebrews 13:4

The latter half of Hebrews 13:4 is not primarily for the unmarried, but for the married.  It is possible to be married, yet be an adulterer.  It is also possible to be married, yet be a whoremonger.  In both instances, the marriage bed is defiled and brings about the judgment of God.

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints...For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Ephesians 5:3, 5

Part of the confusion in this area is that many do not understand what the New Testament refers to as "fornication".  Fornication - as appearing in the Scriptures - is not simply a reference to sex amongst unmarried persons.  The word for fornication in the New Testament is the Greek word porneia.  It is where we get the English word pornography from, and it is detestable to God.

As early as the 6th Century B.C., Greece had a flourishing sex trade which comprised of their setting up porneias or houses of prostitution.  The word porneia literally means "illicit sexual intercourse" and refers to all acts of sexual perversion including adultery, sodomy, bestiality, incest, etc. - anything which the Lord our God has condemned as an abomination (Leviticus 20:10-21). 

Scripture not only condemns illicit sexual relationships, but also illicit sexual acts.  Who's to say what is an illicit sexual act?  God is to say.

For example, although sex was given as a gift by God to be enjoyed in marriage, even the union between a husband and wife during times of her menstruation was determined by God to be unclean (Leviticus 20:18).  Clearly God has never had the view that "anything which is done in the marriage bed is holy and acceptable".  Similarly, while same sex attraction is condemned by God, so are the "unclean, vile, unnatural, and unseemly acts" performed in such relationships, i.e. oral/anal sex (Romans 1:24-27).

When Christians practice acts of porneia - even in the bounds of marriage - they become whoremongers according to Hebrews 13:4.   The word for "whoremonger" is pornos which means "one who practices porneia or unlawful sexual intercourse".  Such acts are not to be found among the saints of God (Ephesians 5:3).

"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?" I Corinthians 5:9-12

The mind of man has become so perverted, that even that which God calls unclean and defiled is justified in the modern day churchworld.  Man has wandered so far from God, that many can no longer even recognize what is holy vs. what is profane...even in the midst of the church!  

I pray that those with a heart to truly serve the Lord in Spirit & in Truth seek Him in this matter and ask for spiritual wisdom regarding how to honor marriage and keep the marriage bed holy. 

"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." I Corinthians 6:18

How to Build a Godly Home

I wanted to share with you sermons from Pastor Zac Poonen on how to build a Godly home.

There are so many misconceptions in this area.  From those who seem to have no regard for a family rooted in God to those who try to exert legalistic control over families in order to give the appearance that their home is rooted in God.

It is the same in the church, which is the family of God.  A fellowship cannot have a disregard for Godly character and neither can it impose legalistic ordinances in the hopes of developing Godly fruit.  Both of these approaches is the antithesis of Godly authority and is of the flesh.

The type of life needed in the home is the same as what is needed in the church: it is the life of the Spirit of God.  It is only when we are seeking and submitting to the leading of the Spirit - and not simply the whims of man - that Godly families (both physical and spiritual) are birthed.

May God keep us from the deception of believing that the works of the Spirit can be counterfeited by works of the flesh or that appearances count more than spiritual substance.  Pastor Poonen does an excellent job in expounding upon these basic tenets of faith as it is reflected in our families.

You can click below on each topic's header to hear the sermon or click on the link above to see the whole list of sermons in this area.

 A Home Built by a Godly Couple

• Not having an inordinate attachment to children.  The closest relationship must be between husband and wife, not parents and children.
• Establishing a household which is open to hospitality so that your union can be used to minister to others.
• There is a difference between true fellowship and religiosity.  In speaking of a home bible study which God led Pastor Zoonen to end, he says "We can sit in a house and discuss all types of things, but be wasting everybody's time."  God wants homes like Aquila and Priscilla, not simply dead works.
• Respecting Godly order in the home, including proper submission.  It is the wife who brings the spirit of submission into a home and it is the same which drives away the spirit of rebellion in children (Proverbs 14:1, 29:15).  The root of rebellion in the children is rebellion in the wife.  
• The importance of having men who act like men (I Corinthians 16:13).  Men must not give up headship in the home due to a fear of war.
• If you have children, make it a priority to raise them in the way of the Lord.  "Let me see how your children behave and I will tell you what type of person you are.  You can fool other people, but you cannot fool your children." 

God's Plan for an Excellent Marriage

• The world is upside down, with wrong ideas of marriage.  
• Marriage should take one's life from "not good" to "very good" in terms of the type of blessing God intends it to be (Genesis 2:18; Genesis 1:31).  This can only happen when we follow God's ways.
• The first one who tried to "put asunder" the marriage union was the serpent.  Discord in marriage - dictatorship by the husband or independence by the wife - gives a stronghold to Satan.
• Man must pursue the lifelong goal of loving his wife as Christ loves the church, which speaks to an ever-increasing love being perfected in him.  How is a man to do this?  By being a leader like Christ; laying down his life for her.  The "ego", the "self", the "I" must be crucified.
• The importance of a submissive spirit in a wife in deeply respecting and reverencing her husband.  Submission by the wife is not about the perfection of the husband, but the perfecting of the wife.
• The two must become "one flesh".  Leave, cleave, and become one.  Cut the umbilical cord to parents so that you can be properly attached to your spouse.  Don't let relatives run - or RUIN - your lives!
• Be quick to forgive.
• Don't minimize coming together in sexual union, but understand that sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed in marriage.

Parents' Responsibility for Their Children

• One of the qualifications for eldership is the ability of a man to raise obedient children (I Timothy 3:4, 12; Titus 1:6).  
• Don't try to justify yourself regarding your children's shortcomings.  "Whatever area you justify yourself and find an excuse for your failure, you will continue to be defeated in all your life...Whatever area you acknowledge your failure in, it can go well with you."
• None of our children are perfect; they make mistakes.  Don't try to hide the mistakes of your children or make them appear to be perfect, for you will only raise Pharisees.
• Abraham was chosen by God because He knew Abraham would "command" His children and his household in the things of God (Genesis 18:19).  The only commandment God gives children is that they obey their parents. 
• It is the parent's responsibility to properly raise the children and teach them the practical things of godliness, including the importance of being truthful and considerate to others.
• Stay away from favoritism or partiality with the children, for it only breeds enmity, jealousy, and strife in the home.
• Don't seek to please your children, but seek to please the Lord. 
• If you have made mistakes in the raising of your children - and we all have - cry out to God and ask for His mercy on them.   
• The possession of Godly character is to be valued far more than top performance, intelligence, or cleverness. 
• True fellowship between parents and children is the foundation for relationship with them. 
• Your children may not be called to your ministry, but they should be inspired to follow the Lord by your Godly example. Does your example draw them closer to the Lord or push them further away?

Women, Reverence Your Husbands

This post was originally made in another forum based on a conversation we were having about marriage.  However, I believe it is important enough to post here.  For the purposes of this message, we will be using the Amplified Version of the Scriptures.

"Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands... 

However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]."  Ephesians 5:22-24, 33

Is that not a mouthful or what??  This is the basis for having a Godly marriage.  It is certainly a tall order, but it is indeed possible if we allow the Lord to guide our hearts, minds, and souls.  As our Creator, He knows how He has designed both man and woman, and it is with a purpose in mind.

Marriage is a beautiful, poetic, and symmetrical reflection of the relationship we have with the Lord.  God loves us, and because He does, He gave His life for us. In response to that unselfish love of placing us even before His own life, He deserves our respect and reverence. He is a Father and a Husband to us regarding our relationship with Him.

Similarly, in a marriage, the father and husband (the man) is commanded to love his wife and lay his life down for her as a show of that love. In recognition of that sacrifice, the wife is commanded to reverence her husband. 

How many times do people fight against this?  How often is it that we pretend being "free in Christ" means being free from the commands in God's word?  There no longer being "male nor female" in Christ does not mean there are no longer distinctions, but that there are no longer divisions in Him.  Yet, there still remain roles He has designated for each, and again He does this for a purpose. 

"Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord." Colossians 3:18-20

What God has outlined in the covenant of marriage is what is needed to produce a godly seed (Malachi 2:15).  This not only is true for physical seed, but spiritual seed as well.  The family is a reflection of the Godhead (Ephesians 5:32), so perverting the nature of family by default results in a perversion of God.

Yet as society has walked further and further away from that which is Godly, many have rejected such "traditional roles".  I say that unless we return to the old pathways and follow what God has prescribed, then society will continue to reap what has been sown: rebellion, chaos, and anarchy (Isaiah 3:12). 

A sister in the Lord recently shared some insights that she uses in her desire to reverence her husband. I thought they were right on point and am sharing them here in case they edify you as well.

Things To Keep In Mind About Reverencing Your Husband

• He is my priority next to God in my life, not other relationships, children or friends.
  
• I seek counsel from him first before my pastor or anyone else.
  
• I do not interrupt him when he is talking.
  
• I do not correct him in front of others. If the error is not life threatening, I wait to talk to him about it when we are alone.
  
• I do not make jokes at his expense.
  
• I encourage my children to honor him and I do not undermine his authority...either in his presence or in his absence.
  
• I do not reference him as one of my children.
  
• I try to focus on the things that are important to him and not the things that aren't.  This way, I don't have wonder whether he appreciates what I do.
  
• I make him a priority in my day and try to be available & rested for intimacy in our relationship. Being tired all the time is not a good excuse.
  
• I do not allow my family members (parents or siblings) to speak disrespectfully of him

These are certainly not laws which we have to obey, but in the light in which they were shared, I do believe it gets to the heart of what it means for a wife to reverence her husband.  I pray that as you seek to see God exalted in your life and in your marriage, that you will ask Him to give you a heart set after His.

"IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].  It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]." I Peter 3:1-6

Put Your Family on the Altar

Time is Short.  Don't Set Your Hopes on Marriage.

"But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction."   I Corinthians 7:29-35

This message from Pastor Tim Conway is simply awesome!!!  I pray that you take a minute to watch this video and take the words to heart.

"Those of us with families, those of us with wives, husbands, children...We should live as if we have NONE, because it is all passing away."

Now is not the time to get caught up in what your spouse is doing, what your children are doing, what your family and friends are doing.  Now is the day of salvation and the time to seek the Lord with your whole hearts.

Instead of spending these days trying to fulfill your own desires, seek what God desires.  Place your time, your attention, your efforts on that which is of the Lord. Please do not waste time on things which have no eternal value.  I am not saying not to marry or not to care for your families...neither do I believe that this is what Pastor Conway is saying.  I am speaking of not placing your hopes, your joy, and your fulfillment in things that are temporal.

God has a calling for you and a work for you to do.  Redeem the time now to find out and do what God has for you. Time is short.