Scriptural Secrets for Marriage

1) Words Make a Difference
Proverbs 12:18, “Reckless words pierce like a sword.”
What you say to your spouse is creating in them images and attitudes. This can be good or bad. People who ridicule or use their spouse as a source of jokes are wrong. Proverbs 11:13, “A gossip betrays a confidence.” Certain information about the marriage relationship does not belong in daily conversation with other people. If you are having a disagreement with your spouse you should talk about it with your spouse.

2) My wife is my best friend Genesis 2:24, “they will become one flesh” speaks of the unity of the couple’s soul and body. Spending time together and sharing conversations will enhance a relationship. It is sad when men need to have men’s night out to get away from their wife, the very person they should want to share their life with.

3) Guard your Heart because Love is not Magical. The phase “falling in love” gives the impression that falling in love with someone cannot be helped. Our culture gives the impression that love is an outer force beyond our control. No! We need to guard our hearts. If a man “falls in love” with another woman while he is married this is not magical, it is wrong. A married person cannot allow a relationship to grow outside of marriage. Don’t be deceived; guard your heart.

4) Learn how to Argue Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin.” Anger and disagreements are not sin, nor are they wrong. Some things should make us angry. Sin occurs when the argument begins to focus on destroying the other person and not resolving the problem.

5) Love begins with the Husband Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” A wife will respond to a love like that.

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com

Cease Fire, Inaguration and now this . . .

"Three massive offshore oil reserves discovered off Israel's coast."
"Discovery of the natural gas field 90 km. offshore from Haifa."

From the business section of Sunday's Jerusalem Post:
Jan 18, 2009 10:54 Updated Jan 18, 2009 23:49
Huge gas reserves discovered off Haifa

News Video

Article in the online edition of the Jerusalem Post

The Jerusalem Post reports:

• "A historic natural gas reservoir found offshore from Haifa is poised to meet Israel's natural gas demand for about 15 years and reduce the country's dependence on gas imports from Egypt and offshore from Gaza. "
• "If the Tamar site opposite the Haifa coast succeeds in producing the significant quantities of natural gas predicted, we are talking about a revolution which will have an impact on the Israeli economy for the coming generations."
• "The vast reservoir is poised to bring down electricity prices, reduce the country's dependence on gas from foreign countries, in particular from Egypt, and thereby turn Israel from a gas importer into a gas exporter."
• "Big celebrations are still premature. It needs to be remembered that the drilling is complicated and production possibilities are not yet completely clear. In addition, gas transportation is a much more complex and expensive process compared with oil transportation."
• Shares of Delek Drilling, which holds 15.6% of the Tamar prospect, jumped 41.7%.
• Shares of Avner Oil Exploration, which holds another 15.6%, surged 21.4%.
• Shares of fuel exploration company Isramco, which owns 28.7%, leaped 123.8%

We have been talking about an event like this happening before Russia invades with the terrorist states for several years. We will wait and see. A cease fire, Obama and now, Israel's own natural gas.

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com

First, Save the Vessel

If a ship with valuable cargo had sprung a leak would it be better to move the cargo to a higher level on the ship or fix the leak in the ship? Is the cargo safe at a higher level of a sinking ship? If the leak is not fixed is the plight of the ship inevitable? Is not the cargo going to be destroyed eventually if the leak continues to be ignored?

The answers seems simple. The crew’s efforts to save the cargo to the upper deck of a sinking ship is wasted effort. The only fruit of their labors is a false sense of security and the temporary satisfaction of being busy.

Every crew member is going to realize that there is a problem when water starts to leak into their ship. How each individual crew member responds will depend on their perspective. A shortsighted crew member may try to rearrange the cargo or move it to a safer place on the sinking ship.

The best action would be to repair the damage to the ship. When the vessel is secure then the freight is safe.

Most churches and believers see problems in our world, our nation, our homes and our lives. Like the crew we rush around trying to preserve our world, our society, our marriage, our kids, our finances, even our lives. Churches and believers often fail to secure the vessel. The vessel is the Word of God. The Word of God is the foundation for every area of our lives and every decision we make. The Scriptures reveal God, his plan, his ways and his Son, Jesus Christ. For situations in God's creation to have meaning and to make sense we must have the correct perspective.

Indeed people and societies are frantically looking for answers just like the crew is frantically moving cargo. But, until the people understand God’s revelation to them in the Scriptures they will not have understanding or insight. All of our attempts to rearrange their lives will only be rearranging the cargo before the disaster.

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com

The Six Tests of a Spiritual Man

The use of the term “spiritual” in some groups may describe someone who does not dress like the world, or appears to live absent from reality, or speaks in tongues, or feels close to God. Galatians is about this very issue.

Judiazers had come to make believers “spiritual.” The Judiazers’ favorite method of obtaining a superior spiritual status was circumcision and other outward signs of the law. Paul explains that true spirituality is not found in methods or rituals. It can only come from God. If a person is trying to produce an imitation spirituality, the result will always be a work of the flesh such as jealousy, selfish ambition, factions and envy. (5:19)

Paul stresses the need for a person to become a “new creation” (6:15) and then to express that new nature (5:6) by producing the fruit of the spirit (5:22-23).

Since our new life is from the Spirit we need to “keep in step with the Spirit.”(5:25)

In Galatians 6:1-6 Paul tells his readers six things a spiritual person will find themselves doing.

First, “if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” “Restore” is used to refer to setting a broken bone. The spiritual person will be able to correctly diagnose and fix a spiritual “broken arm” of sin. In contrast, the unspiritual believer might tell the fallen brother to simply stop having a broken arm or give them a list of exercises to strengthen it or kick them out since they are useless with a “broken arm.”

Second, “Carry each other’s burdens.” “Burdens” is the word that refers to a load that is naturally too heavy for one person. We all have times in our lives where emotionally, financially, physically or spiritually our burden is more than one person could ever carry. The spiritual believer meets needs, they do not create needs.

Third, “take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.” Each of us has a gift we use. We can know we are doing it successfully without comparing ourselves to the “lesser” believers. Nor do we feel inferior due to the “great” believers.

Fourth, “Each one should test his own actions.” With a mind renewed to the word of God we can judge and correct our own hearts and attitudes.

Fifth, “each one should carry his own load.” This is a different word than “burden” used above. This is the weight of the supplies and equipment of a soldier. We each have been equipped to do our job. Do not expect someone else to carry your spiritual backpack of responsibility in the body of Christ.

Sixth, “share all good things with his instructor.” The spiritual person realizes the value of the sources that cause spiritual growth. Food, cars and possessions do not cause spiritual growth. The things that lead to spiritual growth will be defended and supported by the spiritual man.(6:1-6)

Galyn Wiemers
http://www.generationword.com