Temptation

Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. He was there for 40 days and nights – almost 6 weeks –without eating or drinking. At he end of that time the bible says He was hungry. Immediately the Devil jumps in at Jesus’ weakest point, (don’t forget Jesus was a man) and says “OK You’re hungry. Turn these stones into bread, if You are the Son of God.” The implication is feed Yourself. Become a miracle worker. Feed the world. Jesus answers” It is written – Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that God speaks.
The next bit is kinda worrying , if it’s true (and the Devil is the father of lies.) He takes Jesus to a high mountain, and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world. “All these have been given to me, to do with as I please” (See what I mean?) “I will give them to You if You bow down and worship me.” Jesus said “it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.”
Lastly Satan takes Him up to the top of the temple and quotes Scripture “It is written, He will give his angels charge of you to watch over you and lift you carefully in their hands, lest you hurt your foot on a stone. So, throw yourself off, if you are the Son of God. You’ll be OK”. Again by implication – what a crowd puller that would be. You’d be seen as the Son of God straight away.
Jesus also quoted Scripture – You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.

Be grateful therefore. Temptation is not a sin. Jesus was tempted, and He did not sin. Giving in to it is a different matter, but Jesus, because He Himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrew 2.18).
Finally, be aware that Satan can quote Scripture.

God bless you.

Times Change

The second bailout. People are getting used to this, just waiting for the Hyperinflation to start. The majority of the poor souls in the U.S ar un aware what will happen soon. When you print money and the government is buying back it own bonds with its own printed money you know we have a huge problem. So I pray for the people in the United states to prepare thier minds, souls and body’s for what is coming. God is going to judge this nation and unfortunately will be brought down to 3rd world status and Americans will see how most of the world lives. Please open your hearts and souls to God almighty and Jesus because the time for repentance is now. Use the links on my site to study the true gospel. Praise be to God almighty.

Love: what a useful little word

Love: what a useful little word. I love you. I love chocolate cake.
I love my friends. I love playing guitar. I love my wife. I love to sit and read. What does love really mean? As Valentine’s day is on the horizon, the
whole  “Love” industry is gearing up to help us spend our money. Flowers, chocolates (guys, you have got them sorted, haven’t you) a romantic meal for two – even proposals of marriage. It’s all there in the name of love.
Let’s face it, this kind of love is a good and necessary thing. Without it, the human race would die out. It is after all, God’s plan for the continuation of life on Earth. The Greeks had a word for it : Eros.
However, if you read the Bible, Jesus talks about a completely different type of love, The Greeks called this one Agape.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that Whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.
That’s not a romantic “aaawww” kind of love. That is sacrificial love. God gave up his Son for us.
What did Jesus say? John 15:13 “Greater love has no man than this; that a man lays down his life for his friends.”
Jesus showed that greatest love of all – He laid down His life for his friends, and His enemies. If you are a Christian, Jesus laid down His life for you. If you are an atheist, Jesus laid down His life for you. Whatever shade of religious opinion you hold, Jesus laid down His life for you.
It is His free gift to you. Not flowers, not chocolates – life in heaven with your sins forgiven. We pray that it is a gift that you will accept.

Are you ready? Matthew 24

Jesus said:  “Watch, therefore, for you do not know what day your Lord is coming”

Over here in the UK, we have suddenly been inundated with snow. Traffic has ground to a halt, homes are without power, and schools are closed. Many people are saying that the government and the local councils should have been more prepared. The weather forecasters warned of the coming snow, but no notice was taken. The result has been chaos. No-one was keeping watch.

Jesus said: “If the man of the house had known when the burglar was coming, he would have kept watch and not let his house be broken into.
Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming in such an hour as you do not expect.

In the past, there were signs of Jesus’ birth – the star, the angels, and so on. Most people knew nothing about them, except for the wise men and the shepherds, but His birth still happened. When Jesus was crucified, there were signs that something unusual had happened – the temple curtain was torn, dead walked the streets. The centurion in charge of the crucifixion squad said “Truly, this Man was the Son of God”.
Most people were unaware at least until the earthquake.

Are you ready? When Jesus returns as He says He will, are you going to be ready? Are you watching for his return? If you belong to him is your lifestyle worthy of your King? If you don’t, then please think about what he said, and be ready.

Patience and Kindness Prayer for relationships

“Heavenly Father,

Knowing you want us to have a relationship that is beautiful and characterized by the fruit of patience and kindness, show us ways in which we can bless one another with kind words and loving actions. Give us creative ways to add spice and enjoyment to our marriage, those things that will make it a pleasure ro be together.

During those times when anger would be the easiest reaction, help us respond with a kind tone of voice and pleasant expression on our faces. Allow that kindness to draw us together. Help us remember that we are on the same team!

In those moments when we are frustrated and under stress, help us to be patient with one another — the way You are patient with us. Teach us to treat one another with the same courtesy we easily extend to our friends — so that we might create a deep, meaningful, lifelong friendship, with our loved one.

Amen”

Reference: Celebrate Love:Heartwarming Storiesm Inspirational Sayings, and Loving Expressions for Couples.  (Bordon Books, Tulsa OK 2006), 34.

5 ways to show your loved one patience and kindness

1. Be supportive

When your loved one calls you and asks you for help with a task your sweetheart has started. Don’t make a fuzz and nicely help, but don’t take over and try to do it yourself.

2. Applaud a job well done.

We all need to feel appreciated. Remember when you were in elementary school and you did good on a project? teacher gave you a praise she even sometimes gave you a sticker with the shape of a star. Did you feel on top of the world? it feels good to be praised when you accomplish something. So be that cheerleader to your husband or wife. Praise them for their good works even if they seem to be small and insignificant.

3. Voice your appreciation for even the most mundane task.

This is part of the last point. Even if the accomplishment seems to be insignificant praise them, say something. Ladies, if you want your husband to help more around the house, don’t nagg (I know its hard sometimes) but do the opposite. Have you heard of positive reinforcement? when your hubby takes out the garbage, praise him, say thank you. Make him feel appreciated and praised that he is doing something good. Most likely he will do it again because psychologically everyone likes to feel appreciated and we will do things again and again to feel that way.

4. Pick up the phone and call your beloved when you are running late.

This task is one that I struggle for my husband to do. For me, is in my nature to do it. I automatically call, but it is not in my husbands nature to do it, so as I wife I have to be patient and have understanding that he is different. Something that comes natural for me might not come natural to him. This is where patience comes, but at the same time I need to explain to him that calling if you are running late will peace my mind and I don’t think that he is under a bus or in a hospital…. be kind to your wife, call if you are running late. Be patient with your husband, speak to him why it is important that they call.

5. Verbalize a genuine compliment.

Sometimes we get caught up on the routine of life. We stop dating our partners and just work, sleep, work sleep. Take a day of the week to do something that you both enjoy. Tell her that she looks beautiful, (we never ger bored of hearing that). Tell him that he looks strong and handsome. Just verbally say all those nice things that passes through your head when you see your partner.

God wants us to have good relationships, he gaves us the tools to do so.

“Clothe yourselves with tendernhearted mercy,kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s fault and forgive the person who offended you,… The most important piece of clothing you mus wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14

Frankie’s Story BELIEVE…

Frankie is my friend April’s cousin. He was in a terrible accident but the lord is healing him every day. He has hope and faith as well as support from all of us who care about him very much.

April sent me the below email and I just wanted to share it with all of you….

Dear Friends, Family and Supporters,

As you all know, my cousin, Frankie Iovino, had a terrible dirt bike accident on October 28th, 2007. The impact of the accident shattered his fifth and sixth vertebrae, leaving Frankie paralyzed from the waist down with no use of his legs. Frankie has spent the past 16 months in medical and/or rehabilitation facilities either having tests performed on his body or working out to the best of his ability to regain strength and an ounce of feeling. Many doctors who evaluated Frankie said that he would never regain feeling, that he will spend the rest of his life in that wheelchair with no hope in sight. We BELIEVE different, we KNOW that there is HOPE and with hard work and prayers anything can happen.

Although Frankie’s spirit and determination remain intact, the cost of uninsured treatment and recovery-based therapies is staggering. Along with Kansas City Chiefs, WR Dwayne Bowe, a fundraising campaign has been established with the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) for Frankie’s uninsured injury-related expenses.

Many of you have known Frankie for more than half of his life, so you remember him not only walking, but running, riding his bikes and living his life to the fullest. Please help him make the dream of an active physical life come true again by contributing to NTAF in Frankie’s honor. All contributions are administered by NTAF exclusively for injury-related expenses. Your tax-deductible contribution will help Frankie his recovery.

Make checks payable to: NTAF Midwest/West Spinal Cord Injury Patient

Note in the memo section: In Honor of Frankie Iovino

Mail To: NTAF

150 N Randor Chester Road, Suite F-120

Radnor, PA 19087

For credit card contributions, call NTAF at 800.642.8300 or visit www.catastrophicfund.org.

The Dwayne Bowe Foundation will be holding several fundraisers to benefit Frankie. For more information please call or email me. It is never easy to ask for help and now is certainly no exception. However, if we all pull together and BELIEVE, Frankie will walk again.

With Sincerity and Gratitude,

April Merola – The Dwayne Bowe Foundation Dwayne Bowe – KC Chiefs, WR

305.720.6339 305.720.6339

aprilmerola@yahoo.com aprilmerola@yahoo.com

www.dbowe82.com www.dbowe82.com

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. This campaign is administered by the National Transplant Assistance Fund, a 501(c)(3) non profit fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients. Information: 800.642.8399

Understanding the Gifts of God

As we explore the gifts of God and it’s great value and benefits for mankind, it is only proper that the gifts we receive from God be used for the benefit of others and to the glory of God the giver. God’s gifts are not for our own selfish reasons such as profit for oneself, for we “received free” and we are under obligation to “give free.” (Matt 10:8) The greatest gift that one can offer to another is the true understanding of God’s Word, for this can lead those who receive the Word to everlasting life. (John 6:26-27) Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:!7) As to receiving gifts from God, He is the most generous in giving, allowing both the righteous and wicked to benefit from the sunshine and rain. (Matt 5:45) In fact, He gives to all of us life and breath and all things. God’s gifts, including food and drink and seeing good from one’s hard work, are for our enjoyment. But as we are enjoying our life, let us not forget the fatherless, the widow, and the poor.

When the Israelites were harvesting their crops, they were not to reap the edges of their fields completely nor to glean their fields, olive trees and vineyards, for the gleanings were for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow. In turn God blessed them in all the works of their hands . (Deut 24:19-21) We as Christians are not only obligated to help the poor through giving material gifts, but we also can give our time and abilities to edify and build others up mentally and spiritually, which brings God’s blessings.

One of God’s gifts is the holy spirit. The gift of the holy spirit not only brings revelation and understanding of God’s will but also energizes us to accomplish things in accord with that will. The holy spirit acts as a driving force that moves and impels us, even as Mark says the spirit “impelled” Jesus to go into the wilderness after His baptism. (Mark 1:12) The holy spirit can be like a “fire” within us, causing us to be “aglow” with that force, in a sense building up pressure in us to do certain works. When we receive God’s gift of the holy spirit, the power of the spirit affects our minds and hearts so that we can cooperate with it’s active force given us.

The holy spirit is a free gift from God. The free gift which He gladly grants to those who sincerely seek and request it. (Acts 2:38) A right heart is the key factor (Acts 15:8), but knowledge and conformity to God’s requirements are also essential factors. (Acts 5:32; 19:2-6) God imparts the holy spirit as a gift to us, enabling us to avoid the degrading works of the flesh and to cultivate instead the fruitage of the spirit, namely, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:16-25) The holy spirit is a sure guide and supplies power beyond that which is normal, aiding us to fulfill our God-given assignments regardless of the pressures brought against us.(John 16:13)

As joint heirs with Christ, who are due to be raised up from the death in a spiritual body bearing His heavenly image, we should live on earth as “one spirit” in union with Him as our Head, not letting the desires of immoral tendencies of our flesh be the force controlling us, such a thing even resulting perhaps in our becoming as “one flesh” with a harlot. (1Cor 6:15-18) Jesus assured us the that the holy spirit would teach us all things and bring back to our minds the things He had taught us as well as help us to make a defense even before rulers. (John 14:26; Mark 13:9-11)

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding are also gifts of God. He actually invites us to pray for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge, as Solomon did. (James 1:5) Nevertheless, to gain knowledge, effort in studying what God has made available by the gift of His Word is required. (Prov 2:1-6) But a study of God’s Word in itself does not guarantee receiving God’s gifts of knowledge and wisdom. True knowledge and wisdom are available only through Jesus Christ and with the help of the holy spirit. (1 Cor 2:10-16)

The gift of Godly wisdom serves as a protection and a guide in the way of life. (Eccl 7:12) The wisdom that stems from God is distinctly different from worldly wisdom, which is foolishness from God’s standpoint and also harmful in that it leaves God out of account.(1 Cor 1:18-21) But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical.” (James 3:17)

God’s greatest gift of love and undeserved kindness was in giving His Son that ‘whoever should believe in Him might have the gift of life’ would not limit the application of the ransom only to those whom God chooses for the heavenly calling. (John 3:16) Jesus has “been tested in all respects like ourselves [his spirit brothers], but without sin.” Therefore He can sympathize with the weaknesses of us who are conscientiously trying to serve God; and His associate kings and priests have been tested in the same way. (Heb 4:15-16)

God’s grand purpose is founded on and centered in His Son, Jesus “has become to us gifts from God.” Carefully concealed in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. (Col 2:3) Only through Jesus and by faith in Him, can salvation and the gift of life be attained. God’s undeserved kindness in providing His Son as a ransom sacrifice is a priceless gift, and those exercising faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice can thereby gain the gift of eternal life. (Rom 6:23) This indescribable gift of God evidently includes all the goodness and loving-kindness that God extends to us through Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 9:15)

Through exploring some of the gifts of God, we can come to a true understanding that every word that comes forth from God is in fact a truly great gift. From the time we take our first breath to adulthood to everlasting life. Apart from God, man could not exist, for we originated from God and God made man in his own image.

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The 4 Basic Principles about Marriage

Does your Christian marriage need help? If so, take a few minutes to step back and consider this basic Christian marriage advice – straight from the Bible.

1. Give Your Marriage to God

Most “Christian marriages” are Christian in name only. One or both spouses claim to be Christians, and they assume then that their marriage is likewise “Christian.” It doesn’t work that way. To be a Christian is to be not only a believer in, but also a follower of Jesus Christ. Does your marriage truly believe in Christ? Does your family follow Christ?

The first thing you must do is dedicate (or re-dedicate) your marriage and family to God. Put your marriage on the altar. Give it to God. Don’t try to “control” your marriage or your spouse. Give it all to God. From this day forward, your marriage must be God’s marriage.

2. Re-commit Yourself to God

Before you re-commit your marriage to God, you may need to do that with your own life. In fact, we should put ourselves on the altar each day (Romans 12:1-3). Are you living for yourself? Are you trying to make yourself happy and/or expecting your spouse to make you happy?

As bestselling author and pastor Rick Warren puts it: “You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” Give God back the keys to your life. Give Him control.

3. Pray Without Ceasing

Prayer is not so much about petitioning God and asking Him for things. It’s about spending time with God and bringing yourself into a deeper relationship with Him. Truly effective prayer is not possible until you have done the preceding step, which is to give yourself to God. Once you’ve done that, pray without ceasing.

Pray. Pray. Pray. Never stop praying. Pray in the morning, during the day, and at night. Pray while you’re driving. Pray in the good times and in the bad times. And, right now, if you’re trying to put your marriage back together, then pour yourself out to God every day (as David does in the Psalms). Give all your burdens, cares, and stresses to the Lord.

4. Love Your Spouse Unconditionally

This is the tough part. You must love your husband or wife unconditionally. (Side note: If you are in an abusive relationship, especially one that is putting you in danger, get out of the house and seek help! You should still love your spouse, but you don’t need to put yourself in any more danger). Assuming that you are not in any physical danger, you must commit to loving your spouse unconditionally – and expressing that love in consistent, practical ways.

If you want to know about unconditional love, consider the example of Jesus. You should also read I Corinthians 13. By putting these four principles into practice, you will see positive results in your Christian marriage.

Start transforming your marriage today! Click here for your FREE copy of “Secrets of an Amazing Marriage,” plus a free 7-day Marriage Transformation e-course, and more! Take action. Don’t delay. Grab your free “Christian Marriage Helper” resources above – and start improving your marriage today! Brian Tubbs is a pastor as well as the author and course manager for ChristianMarriageHelper.com and the Feature Columnist-Editor for Protestantism at Suite101.com.

The 3 Biggest Secrets For Staying Married For Life

Managing your marriage doesn’t have to be difficult. It takes a few initiatives on your part to get yourself into the proper prospective of how marriage really works. Marriage is about living your purpose and attaining your goals that are related to that purpose.

1. Marriage Takes Team Players

Marriage takes team players working together to accomplish the same objectives. It doesn’t matter what those goals are, but what does matter is how you play the game. For an example, a wife should not go her own way, and not consider her husband and the husband should not go his own way without considering his wife. What is that anyway? That’s not the intention of Gods design for marriage. I think that’s downright selfishness.

In marriage there is no room for selfish actions. Each spouse should look for ways to build each other up for the good of the marriage. When you work with your spouse, helping them and encouraging them when they need it, you are helping the marriage to become all that it can be. Do you realize that marriage is a gift from God?

God gave Adam and Eve the gift of each other. Eve was a beautiful sight to behold for Adam and the marriage was consummated when he became one in flesh with her. The gift to us is that a man will leave his parents so he can be united to his wife, and become one in the sexual joining together with her. This is what marriage is!

If you could imagine for moment, the person you married as a gift from God, then your actions would begin to work towards building up the gift you have been blessed with, instead of doing things that would tear down the gift and damage the marriage union.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:22-24

2. Marriage Takes Commitment

In marriage commitment is finishing what you start? When you stand at the altar, making promises and stating your vows to the person you love that is the starting point for your commitment to stay married for life?

How well you keep those promises and vows shows your level of commitment to the marriage. Are you still married to your first love? Commitment is not difficult to achieve when we make marriage an important aspect of our life.
We can follow God’s design meant for marriage or we can follow the flawed design of society.

The culture of today has shown us how to throw marriage aside as if it means nothing. But God’s intention for marriage is a commitment for life. At the beginning of the world God created the union of marriage between a man and a woman to be permanent until death. Treat your gift with the commitment it deserves.

3. Marriage Takes Respect

Respecting the person you married takes action. Respect is submission, humility and appreciation all rolled into one. The flawed view of this is that couples believe these things need to be earned. Earning points to be treated with respect is wrong. This is what conditional love is all about. But God’s design for marriage is based upon unconditional love for each other. Submission is voluntarily cooperating with your spouse out of love and respect for them.

…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:5-6

Bottom line is if you work together, commit yourselves to the marriage and respect one another the devil cannot come in and devour your marriage.

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By Angie Lewis writes on subjects such as love, sex, and intimacy between couples. Her marriage books center on the biblical foundations that God outlines for couples to follow for an exceptional marriage. Angie writes numerous articles and e-books covering such issues as adultery, addictions, temptation, and forgiveness in marriage. Angie writes a weekly column for EzraWeb.com and a monthly column for “Keepin On” Christian magazine. Check out Angie’s website for additional information about her books and online marriage ministry.