TIME IS AT HAND ~ TICK TOCK ~ TICK TOCK

TIME IS AT HAND

TICK TOCK - TICK TOCK

We have an antique grandfathers’ clock that Dan’s mother gave us.  The clock stands in our living room next to the fireplace.  Every thirty minutes this clock chimes and of course on the hour it dongs the number of that hour.  If there is no other noise going on in the house you can distinctively hear the tick tock, tick tock.  Sixteen months ago, we moved out to the lake house full-time and soon after that began to realize the clock was not conducive for sleeping.  Due to the age of the clock, you can only turn off the sound by stopping the clock.  Therefore, for the last sixteen months, time has stood still for the grandfathers’ clock.  I often wish I could make time standstill, but time stands still for no man or woman.  Faded memories of days gone by, those very special moments you wish could last forever, become more distant with each tick tock, tick tock. 

When I was a young mother, the words of older women always irritated me when they would say; “the kids will grow up before you know, enjoy them while they are young”.  Now I find I am the older woman saying that ~ sigh. 

We have all been given the same 24 hours a day to do with as we please.  Some of us use those hours wisely, others waste their time on meaningless trivia.  All of us wish there were certain things in life we could redo.  However, we can only move forward and make the most out of today and tomorrows. 

I feel like many of us have grown very numb to what is happening around us because we are so wrapped up in our own world and yes, life is busy.  Time is at hand and all of creation is crying out begging for our attention pointing to the most amazing event history will ever portray.  Yes, the Lord is going to return just as He promised.  Urgency of this moment is begging us to pay attention, why are we numb?  Why are we not seeing what is surrounding us, screaming in our deaf ears.  I am just as guilty as the next person is.  Lord Jesus wake up your Bride, do not let us sleep!  Stir up our spirit to attention and enable us for the Kingdom work!

We are to keep watch:

(Mark 13:19 NKJV)  "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.

(Rom 1:20 NKJV)  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

(Rom 8:19 NKJV)  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

(Rom 8:21 NKJV)  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

(Rom 8:22 NKJV)  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

(Mat 24:42 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

(Mat 25:13 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

 (Mark 13:33 NKJV)  "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

(Mark 13:35 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming; in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning;

(Mark 13:37 NKJV)  "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Mark 24:  20 NKJV  "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

21  "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22  "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

23  "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.

24  "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

25  "See, I have told you beforehand.

26  "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.

27  "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

28  "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29  "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

30  "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31  "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(Luke 21:36 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

(Rev 3:3 NKJV)  "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Not only are we to keep watch, we have been commissioned:

Mark 16:  17 (NKJV)  "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18  "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

19  So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

20  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

(Mat 10:7 -8 NKJV)  "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Now I do realize we do not all have the temperament of an evangelist but the Bible does say: 

1 Cor. 12:1-11  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

2  You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.

3  Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

4  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

6  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

8  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Tick Tock, Tick, Tock it is time to find your sweet spot.  How you can flourish in proclaiming the kingdom of God?  We have all been given gifts….time is at hand.



RETIRING THE BOXING GLOVES

RETIRING THE BOXING GLOVES

Have you ever felt like putting a pair of boxing gloves on and duke it out with your spouse?  I am sure we have all been there.  A truer statement would be; “duct tape their hands behind their back, duct tape their mouth shut, put on your gloves and have at it.  I certainly would not be an advocate of that type of behavior, although truth be told it has run across my mind more than once!  Why is that?

In James 4:1-3 (NKJV) it says:

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Our human nature is very self-centered, which is why the Bible encourages us to die to self and put others first. As we grow and mature in the Lord and in years, we learn the great necessity of dying to self. Unfortunately, even the most spiritually mature person will succumb to the flesh and need to apply conflict resolution to their marriage. We all deal with anger from time to time. Some people have learned to control this emotion; others let anger control them. Anger is a secondary emotion. There is always an underlying cause. We must choose as individuals to control anger and not let it control us. Because anger is internally created, it can be internally managed. The anger often stems from an unmet expectation that was unrealistic in nature. Anger in and of itself is not sin. How we express anger determines whether or not we sin.

According to Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV) it says, “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Couples must make a plan on how they are going to resolve issues in a mature manner that does not break down or destroy the other person. We must make ourselves adapt a calmer lifestyle. Many times a release of anger in outburst has nothing to do with why we are really angry. We take advantage of the opportunity to let off steam usually with the one we love, even if they had nothing to do with why we are really angry. We express anger toward this person because it is convenient, instead of dealing with our emotions and searching our hearts as to why we are upset or angry.

The first step in conflict resolution is to analyze ourselves. We all have physical signs in our bodies that take place when we start to become angry. Some of the physical characteristics a person may have are: sweaty hands or face, dry mouth, tension headache, nausea, heartburn, tight jaw, confusion, red face, uncontrolled chattering, and laughing inappropriately, to name a few. Do you recognize any of these in yourself? At the first sign of your physical indictor of anger, you must call for a time out. A time out is when both individuals agree to separate for a time of self-searching and analysis of your motives. This is a time to seek the Lord. Conflict resolution will only work if both individuals agree to apply it. If one person calls a time out and the other person is following them with an avalanche of words, this is not a time out…….

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)

……….Endeavoring to resolve issues can be like the clashing of two cymbals together that are out of sync with the music. When cymbals are brought together at the appropriate time during a concert, they add a beautiful climax to the symphony being played; however, clash them at the wrong moment, and it can destroy the symphony. We have heard it said “it’s all in the timing,” and this is true when it comes to resolving conflict.

Many facets come into play when resolving conflict. Mastering two of the greatest principles of our faith will enable us not only to resolve conflict but also allow us to live in harmony. Repentance and forgiveness are paramount in our life if we want to be able to resolve conflict and establish good communication skills. Without repentance and forgiveness, there will be no lasting resolution to issues couples may face.

Today I encourage you to retire the boxing gloves and turn them in for; repentance, forgiveness and conflict resolution God’s way.  This blog was taken from excerpts of WE PROMISE ~ 18 Foundational Stones for an Unshakeable Marriage.  For detailed information on conflict resolution read the chapter entitled:  CLASHING CYMBALS.

LIONS AND TIGERS AND bear den! Oh My!

 

Michiganders have a fever right now.  The Lions and Tigers are on a winning streak.  Dan has been down in his bear den watching the big screen and hoping the games are aired on peasant vision (we do not have cable only rabbit ears, so we call that “peasant vision”).  I have been hearing noises drifting up the stairway, a little growling going on down there.  With all these games on TV lately, it has taken me back to my cheerleading days.  This also reminded me of what Dan encourages the young women to do, whenever we teach a pre-marriage class.

Any couple who has attended one of these classes has heard my husband say; “Ladies if you want a champion become his cheerleader, he needs you to be his biggest fan”. 

In marriage we have all been tempted or have fallen into ruts.  Those days where we go through the motions, taking life for granted and letting the “little foxes steal our grapes”, resulting in bitterness.  Despite of what we feel like doing we can always overcome these emotions that try to dictate us, push past them and choose a better way.  Once we have pushed past these emotions and acted rightly we will begin to reap the fruit of this labor of love.  People say; well he or she does not deserve it because they have been doing this or that.  (Please see disclaimer at the end of this article)

Ephesians 5:2(TMSG)
Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

Edification:  according to Webster means; to build, establish, instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge, uplift, enlighten, inform, inspire, nurture.

Let’s take a look at a few verses and learn about edification from the Word of God.

Psalms 34:13-17(NKJV)
    Keep your tongue from evil,     And your lips from speaking deceit.
    Depart from evil and do good;     Seek peace and pursue it.
    The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,      And His ears are open to their cry.
    The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,     To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
    The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,      And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Romans 14:19(NKJV)
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

Romans 15:2(NKJV)
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 

Hebrews 3:13(NKJV)
but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 

1 Peter 3:9-17(NKJV)
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 
For      “He who would love life     And see good days,     Let him refrain his tongue from evil,     And his lips from speaking deceit.
    Let him turn away from evil and do good;     Let him seek peace and pursue it.
    For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,     And His ears are open to their prayers;      But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”  
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Let’s cheer our spouse on today, go ahead - go on a winning streak!

Please read this disclaimer, no amount of edification will work with abusers and where domestic violence is occurring.

Disclaimer: Domestic violence is a grave darkness. As many as one in four women are a victim of domestic violence.[i] These stats are the same for the churched as well as the un-churched. Submission principles as well as conflict resolution will not work in domestic violence. Safety is of the utmost importance. God never intended a woman to be covered with violence. Read Psalm 55 and Malachi 2:14-16. For more information on domestic violence visit: www.abigails.org and www.ndvh.org. If you are a victim of domestic violence, do not access these websites from your home computer.

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[i] Lynette J. Hoy, Safe Relationships, Women’s 10-Weeks Series, 2004. 5.

 

MAGICAL MARRIAGE MOMENT ~ SOS

THE SCENE:

You nicely fall asleep …then it hits.  Literally, sawing logs is in motion (snoring).  Three things cross your mind at this very moment.

1.    Take the pillow and beat your spouse with it.

2.    Leave the bed and go to the couch to sleep for the night.

3.    Fake snore as loudly as possible until your spouse wakes up.

This truly can be turned into a magically moment.

THE MOMENT:

Gently roll your spouse on their side, so they are facing away from you.  Put in earplugs, I personally have been using them for years.  Then cover your spouse in prayer.

SOS:  Sleep Over Snoring

Psalm 3:5 (NKJV)  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 127:2 (NKJV) It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Proverbs 3:24 (NKJV) When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

Isaiah 29:10 (NKJV) For the LORD has poured out on you The spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets;  And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (NKJV) The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP IS...

A few days ago I was endeavoring to think of something cleaver to say for a book signing event that was advertised.  This event was to take place at Disciple Café and I had said; “The best part of waking up is Disciples Café coffee in your cup and reading your copy of WE PROMISE”.  For the next few hours the Lord began to speak to me about my heart.  Every morning I have the same ritual.  As soon as I get out of bed I go directly to the coffee pot and make coffee.  I will do nothing else for the next three minutes while I wait for the coffee to brew.  Then I will sit like a zombie and drink 1-2 cups of coffee while I wake up.  I have walked through this morning habit for at least the last 30 some years. 

The Lord began to impress upon my heart that drinking coffee as soon I get up had become a very important precedence in my life.  I then felt the sweet voice of the Lord say to me; the best part of waking up should be; Jesus fill my cup.  Reflecting upon this I realized I had put the Lord Jesus second and morning devotions were not the first most important part of my day, coffee was (and I long for the black stuff every morning).  I am now challenging myself.  When I get out of bed I will directly go to the Lord Jesus, His Word and spend time in prayer.  Well I have tried this now for two days unsuccessfully.  I would like to say I was wide eyed awake and bushy tailed, I was not and felt I could hardly focus my eyes.  So I reevaluated this issue.  If I am to make time with the Lord the most important step of a new day, I do need to comprehend what I am reading and not fall asleep while I am praying.  The heart is the issue for me.  I recognize just as I yearn for that cup of coffee I should be yearning a whole lot more for that intimate time with the Lord Jesus.  You see, I will have devotions but it is when I want to sit down for a break in my morning. Since being awake is a must in order for me to reap benefit from this time with the Lord then conditioning my heart is the critical link.   I will not give up, and I am excited to see what the Lord will do with this new change in my life!  I hope I will keep my part because the Lord will not fail to show me how this new devotion will impact my life.   Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me (PS. 51:10 NKJV). Who will join me?  Are you up to the challenge?  The Lord Jesus 1^st…coffee second, heart change a must.

Psalms 63:1(NKJV) O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

Is. 26:9 (NKJV)  With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;  for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.    

 
2 Chron. 7:14 (NKJV) if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 
As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.’

Ps. 84:10-12 (NKJV) For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.   I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Psalms 1:1(NKJV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.