Monday, March 7, 2016
Day 42 02/02/2016: What's on earth am I here for?
7/3/2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
The 12 Secrets of a Great Marriage
Each couple had mutual respect for each other.
2. Trust
Trust was an essential ingredient and seemed to be a natural result of giving each other respect.
3. Belief in God
The couples may not all agree on who they believe God to be, but they certainly all believe in a Higher Being, someone greater than themselves, and they have a healthy fear of disappointing God in relation to their spouses.
4. Laughter Is the Best Medicine
Each of the couples have fun with each other and laugh a lot. They don’t take themselves or each other that seriously, and each can make jokes about the other without offending that spouse. Their relationships are lighthearted in nature.
5. Keep Outside Interests
Each couple (especially the wives) pointed out the importance of having interests (hobbies, work, etc.) outside of the home and outside of their family. A separate identity is important and keeps each person from “smothering” the other or becoming bored with the other.
6. Create a Daily Ritual
Every couple I interviewed had a daily ritual they’ve maintained for decades. Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, port and appetizers every night, etc. The purpose of these daily rituals was to connect daily and to always know what’s going on with the other person. These daily “connections” build trust day by day.
7. Date Your Spouse
Regular dates were always a must, even (or perhaps especially) when kids entered the picture. When the kids were young, many couples did not maintain weekly date nights, but they all continued to date each other throughout their marriage and to impress one another as they had when they were initially dating.
8. Support Your Spouse
Each of these couples supported one another through school, life changes, career changes, hobbies and interests, and goals and dreams. They constantly built each other up throughout the years. Sometimes the husband supported the household, and sometimes the wife did. Which spouse brought in more money didn’t matter. The respect and support of one another is what mattered.
9. Friendship Is Essential
Above all else, these couples are all best friends. Each person’s spouse is his or her number one confidant. They all have friends outside of the marriage, but their greatest friendship, the one they’ve spent the most time building over the years, is with their spouse.
10. Nurture Your Marriage
This is controversial, but every couple put their marriage as the number one relationship in their lives. Even those who temporarily made their children and spouse number one at the same time agreed that the elevation was temporary. Once the kids were in high school, they’d want to be left alone anyhow, but the marital relationship would need to continue to grow.
11. No Plan B
Each couple decided at the outset that they’d have no plan B. They subtracted divorce from the marital equation, and by doing so, they found they had a much greater level of patience with each other. Disagreements didn’t need to be resolved immediately because husbands and wives would be together and would find common ground over time. Sometimes they just agreed to disagree, but when that wasn’t the case, they approached their differences with more patience because they knew they had until the end of time to resolve every challenge together.
12. Choose Your Friends Wisely
Surrounding yourself with others who build up your marriage rather than attempt to tear it down was a must. People who believe in the power of love and the ability of a marriage to last a lifetime, these are the ones who were allowed into the inner circle of these couples.
13. Bonus: Happy Wife + Happy Husband=Fountain of Youth
This is not a principle but my own observation with each couple. If these couples are an indication of the general population, it would appear a happy marriage knocks ten to twenty years off one’s looks — no matter where you live in the world. The couples I interviewed are energetic, they look young, and they are all extremely active.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does prove that love is alive and well around the world and represents some universal elements of a great marriage and being a happy wife.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
WHY LOVE LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE BACHELOR
PRAYING FOR YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND, PRAYING, HUSBAND,
31 Days of Praying for Your Husband
Day 1 –
Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)
Day 2 –
Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)
Day 3 –
Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)
Day 4 –
Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)
Day 5 –
Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)
Day 6 –
Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)
Day 7 –
Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)
Day 8 –
Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)
Day 9 –
Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)
Day 10 –
Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)
Day 11 –
Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)
Day 12 –
Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)
Day 13 –
Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)
Day 14 –
Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)
Day 15 –
Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)
Day 16 –
Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)
Day 17 –
Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)
Day 18 –
Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)
Day 19 –
Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)
Day 20 –
Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)
Day 21 –
Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)
Day 22 –
Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)
Day 23 –
Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Day 24 –
Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)
Day 25 –
Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)
Day 26 –
Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Day 27 –
Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)
Day 28 –
Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)
Day 29 –
Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)
Day 30 –
Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)
Day 31 –
Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)
Saturday, January 30, 2016
30/1/2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Day 40 23/01/2015: What's on earth am I here for?
LIVING A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
Rick Warren
BECAUSE I WAS.... MY PURPOSE IS TO:
1. Planned for God’s pleasure WORSHIP!
2. Formed for God’s family BELONG!
3. Created to become like Christ GROW!
4. Shaped to serve God SERVE!
5. Made for a mission BRING & GO!
LEVELS OF MATURITY ORIENTATION CLASS
The Crowd Worships
Our Congregation Fellowships Membership 101
Our Committed Discipleship My Maturity 201
Our Core Ministers My Ministry 301
Our Commission go on Mission My Mission 401
5 QUESTIONS FOR A LIFE OF PURPOSE
1. WORSHIP: WHAT WILL BE THE CENTER OF MY LIFE?
Who and what I'm live for?
Whatever you center your life on is what you worship.
Whatever you think about most.
Husband, wife, kids... Career... Hobbies... Traveling...
But they don't belong of your center of your life.
Whatever your center of your life, which you can't lose.
If you don't have a solid thing as your center of your life, you gonna fall apart.
You must have a core in your life that does not change.
If you put a man made thing as a center of your life, you don't have a center to hold you when you stress out.
Only thing in life that doesn't change is the relationship with Christ.
“If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.” Ps. 62:10 (NLT)
Jesus is the filling of the pie, not just the piece of the pie.
Everything you let Jesus to fill, he will bless.
When You worry... Is the warning light which you replace it as the center of your life.
“Christ’s love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focusedcenter…” 2 Cor. 5:14 (Mes)
“Instead of worrying, pray… It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Phil. 4:6-7 (Mes)
Pray or panic? Worry or worship?
Don't worry, PRAY.
Worry is doing something you can't control.
Anger should be motivated by love not hate.
Jesus also will get angry, but is out of love, not hate.
SELF-CENTERED or GOD-CENTERED?
2. FELLOWSHIP: WHAT WILL BE MY COMMUNITY OF LIFE?
“Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Gal. 6:10 (Mes)
“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Rom. 12:5 (NLT)
We not believer, we also belonger
1. We belong to each other.
2. We need each other.
Start with a small group.
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy it if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” James 3:18 (Mes)
SPECTATOR or PARTICIPATOR?
3. GROWTH: WHAT WILL BE THE CHARACTER OF MY LIFE?
God is concern about our character.
“For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him... should become like His Son.” Rom. 8:29 (LB)
God decided we like Christ.
“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5 (NCV)
If you want look like Christ you need to know how Christ act and think.
Then you need to know the words of God.
Reading the bible is reading God's mind.
Growing spiritually take times...
Fruits depend on the tree.
Love joy peace kind sell control.... Fruits of spirit.
Grow of the tree, need food and drinks...
Word of God is the food.
Fertilizing by unloving people, trials, problems....
Start with choice...
Choose to do th right thing or wrong thing.
“Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given. Complement your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (Mes)
Practical tips...
Be Men and Women of the word.
COMFORT or CHARACTER?
4. MINISTRY: WHAT WILL BE THE CONTRIBUTION OF MY LIFE?
My Ministry: Using my S.H.A.P.E. to help others.
“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” 1 Peter 4:10 (LB)
“It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Eph. 2:10 (LB)
GETTING or GIVING?
Giver or a taker?
What do you do with my son?
What do you do with the gift that I give you?
5. MISSION: WHAT WILL BE THE COMMINICATION OF YOUR LIFE ?
Bringing, Going, & Sharing my Life Message
“Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word… The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message!” 1 Th. 1:8 (Mes)
“Live in such a way that you are a credit to the message of Christ...” Phil. 1:27 (Mes)
“Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love.” Acts 20:24 (LB)
PROMOTING MYSELF or SHARING CHRIST?