Free at last, high school over and living on her own with the hope of happily ever after -- a marriage. Sometimes spouses don't share the same hope. Lovemaking and a new life didn't come with commitment. Pregnant and her husband pursuing another lover in another home, what to do? Kill the unborn boy and sterilize herself?
She is Joyce Meyer and at the time she probably didn't feel loved or loving, maybe she even questioned where is the enjoyable, abundant life God promised His people in John 10:10.
God didn't promise us that our circumstances would always feel enjoyable. He promised us that His love and joy is always inside and surrounding believers. God would like for us to feel continuous joy and to live in continuous awesome circumstances, but sin gets in the way.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring except God? Love anyway. Joyce Meyer didn't abort her son or sterilize herself. Resist sin like dismembering bodies through abortion and mutilating bodies through sterilization.
Lovers are not hardhearted, hopeless or intent on harming people. Lovers are passionate, persevering and practical. Elaine Riddick was raped at age 13. While giving birth to Tony Riddick via a C-section she was also sterilized by the state of North Carolina. Elaine Riddick didn't ask for the rape or the sterilization. She has for many years been asking North Carolina to compensate her and other people who were forcibly sterilized. Pastor Bob Fu of ChinaAid was one of the lovers who helped wife and husband Cao Ruyi and Li Fu to avoid a forced abortion in China. Li Dahai is alive because of love in action, and Pastor Fu is still in action loving others.
God the Son Jesus Christ says in John 13:34-35 Amplified Bible, "I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]."
The human body is a divine work of art. God designed for spouses to become closer through merry, marital lovemaking and occasionally lovemaking will include the beginning of a new life through the union of egg and sperm. Sex is supposed to be sublime and sensational. God's plan is good. Other plans are bad (sinful). Sin is anti-social. Partner sex outside of marriage, rape, abortion and sterilization are sin.
Abortionist Abu Hayat sliced off the arm of Ana Rodriguez during an attempted abortion and tried to frighten Ana's mom into paying $1,500 for the abortion ($1,000 in cash, $500 in the collateral of her passport, green card and jewelry.)
God wants us to watch what we are doing. Satan is always trying to stop love. When you look over your life today are you living in sin or showing the love of God? Write to:
Michele F. Jackson
P. O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, Virginia 22195
Follow Michele F. Jackson on http://www.Twitter.com/Michelelove30.
Showing posts with label Joyce Meyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joyce Meyer. Show all posts
Monday, August 19, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
You Make Us Better?
"As I have already said, our number one goal should be to develop a close, intimate, personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Being in continual fellowship with God and learning to obey Him in all things will make you happier than you might ever imagine. Since God is Life, how can we hope to enjoy life apart from Him?" (Joyce Meyer, Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits 14 New Behaviors That Will Energize Your Life) Good, enjoyable relationships start with God who is love and expand to self and other people. "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 New Living Translation Bible.) 1 John 4:10-11 Amplified Bible says, "In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another."
Desmond Tutu and Nomalizo Leah Shenxane married on July 2, 1955. Almost 6o years later they are still married and still loving and enjoying God, each other and other people. Desmond Tutu is also involved in helping to free from a Chinese prison Chen Kegui, husband of Liu Fang, father of the little boy Chen Fubin and nephew to Chen Guangcheng, who is the blind, human rights activist who exposed forced abortions and forced sterilizations practiced as part of China's one-child policy and is continuing to work to end China's one-child policy and other human rights violations. Tutu writes about Chen Guangcheng in a June 21, 2013, Huffington Post article "Chen Guangcheng: Has NYU Bowed to Pressure From China?", "Chen Guangcheng has been one of the most outspoken of the Chinese dissidents abroad, taking a public stand against Chinese human rights violations, including the abominable practices of forced abortion, imprisonment and enslavement of religious minorities, and the unthinkable execution of prisoners for the harvesting and sale of their organs. He is also charismatic, intelligent, with a wonderful story -- a self taught lawyer who defended villagers against corrupt officials, who before gaining fame for his escape from house arrest was known ... in the villages as the "barefoot lawyer.""
When Jesus Christ lived on earth, He had a variety of relationships. Wherever He went, He sought to make people's lives better now and forever. What are some of the ways people are better off for being around you? Write to:
Michele F. Jackson
P. O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, Virginia 22195
Follow Michele F. Jackson on http://www.Twitter.com/Michelelove30.
Desmond Tutu and Nomalizo Leah Shenxane married on July 2, 1955. Almost 6o years later they are still married and still loving and enjoying God, each other and other people. Desmond Tutu is also involved in helping to free from a Chinese prison Chen Kegui, husband of Liu Fang, father of the little boy Chen Fubin and nephew to Chen Guangcheng, who is the blind, human rights activist who exposed forced abortions and forced sterilizations practiced as part of China's one-child policy and is continuing to work to end China's one-child policy and other human rights violations. Tutu writes about Chen Guangcheng in a June 21, 2013, Huffington Post article "Chen Guangcheng: Has NYU Bowed to Pressure From China?", "Chen Guangcheng has been one of the most outspoken of the Chinese dissidents abroad, taking a public stand against Chinese human rights violations, including the abominable practices of forced abortion, imprisonment and enslavement of religious minorities, and the unthinkable execution of prisoners for the harvesting and sale of their organs. He is also charismatic, intelligent, with a wonderful story -- a self taught lawyer who defended villagers against corrupt officials, who before gaining fame for his escape from house arrest was known ... in the villages as the "barefoot lawyer.""
When Jesus Christ lived on earth, He had a variety of relationships. Wherever He went, He sought to make people's lives better now and forever. What are some of the ways people are better off for being around you? Write to:
Michele F. Jackson
P. O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, Virginia 22195
Follow Michele F. Jackson on http://www.Twitter.com/Michelelove30.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Lasting Love
True love comes with faithfulness. Matthew 19:9 Amplified Bible says, "I say to you: whoever dismisses (repudiates, divorces) his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
Christian Actors Denzel and Pauletta Washington wed in 1983, and this year are celebrating 30 years of marriage. Denzel Washington says, "We live in a time--and it's not for me to judge anyone--when people give up too easily. It's a disposable society; get another [spouse]. I was talking to this guy when [we had been] married 23 years who said, 'Man, I've been married three times, and it still don't add up to 23 years!' Well, you got to work at it;" Pauletta Washington says, "For me, the 'love' in the love story is how you come through the trials. The passion, the lust--that's easy. The love story is how you come out in love after hardship" ("Staying Power," Ebony, August 2013, Shirley Henderson.)
A proverb from Ethiopia and Kenya says, "Hasty marriages bring hasty divorces." Marriage is for a lifetime, so why not take considerable time to get to know your future spouse before marrying? Pauletta and Denzel Washington dated for six years before they wed.
No matter how long or short you are together before marriage live a life of complete trust in God. God has a unique plan for each person.
Luke 11:4 New Living Translation Bible says we can ask God, "and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation." If you are divorced, had sex outside of marriage or committed some other sin, receive God's forgiveness, forgive yourself, forgive others and stop sinning.
The Chinese invented the kite. God wants His creyentes (believers) to live higher lives, not lives weighed down with sin or anything that hinders us from living the best life God set up for us before He created the earth. International Bible Minister Joyce Meyer had a divorce, but today she is enjoying a marriage with Dave Meyer that has lasted more than 40 years.
What are some other lasting love stories? Write to:
Michele F. Jackson
P. O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, Virginia 22195
Follow Michele F. Jackson on http://www.Twitter.com/Michelelove30.
Christian Actors Denzel and Pauletta Washington wed in 1983, and this year are celebrating 30 years of marriage. Denzel Washington says, "We live in a time--and it's not for me to judge anyone--when people give up too easily. It's a disposable society; get another [spouse]. I was talking to this guy when [we had been] married 23 years who said, 'Man, I've been married three times, and it still don't add up to 23 years!' Well, you got to work at it;" Pauletta Washington says, "For me, the 'love' in the love story is how you come through the trials. The passion, the lust--that's easy. The love story is how you come out in love after hardship" ("Staying Power," Ebony, August 2013, Shirley Henderson.)
A proverb from Ethiopia and Kenya says, "Hasty marriages bring hasty divorces." Marriage is for a lifetime, so why not take considerable time to get to know your future spouse before marrying? Pauletta and Denzel Washington dated for six years before they wed.
No matter how long or short you are together before marriage live a life of complete trust in God. God has a unique plan for each person.
Luke 11:4 New Living Translation Bible says we can ask God, "and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation." If you are divorced, had sex outside of marriage or committed some other sin, receive God's forgiveness, forgive yourself, forgive others and stop sinning.
The Chinese invented the kite. God wants His creyentes (believers) to live higher lives, not lives weighed down with sin or anything that hinders us from living the best life God set up for us before He created the earth. International Bible Minister Joyce Meyer had a divorce, but today she is enjoying a marriage with Dave Meyer that has lasted more than 40 years.
What are some other lasting love stories? Write to:
Michele F. Jackson
P. O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, Virginia 22195
Follow Michele F. Jackson on http://www.Twitter.com/Michelelove30.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Right Makes Might
Christian Minister T.D. Jakes writes in his book Let It Go Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven, "I am a lover of people who have big ideas! I love the way they envision the world as an expansive landscape of ever-growing possibilities. What others see as insurmountable mountains or treacherous waters, they view as giant-sized opportunities and limitless horizons. I love to hear them talk because through them my own ideas are watered and fertilized by my exposure to their way of thinking." Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was fighting apartheid in South Africa. Through the efforts of many apartheid fell. Apartheid comes from the spirit of fear whose author is Satan/the devil of the kingdom of darkness. Sadly the continent of Africa has many places where the spirit of fear lives. Gladly Africa also has many places where another spirit lives. Today Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is head of the African Union and is seeking the big ideas of Africa's development and the dismissal of the devil. 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."
Everyone needs to ask God for a new spirit. John 3:1-5 Amplified Bible says, "Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews, Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God."
When Angela Yuan was a new creyente (believer) she prayed, "Lord, give me strength to face this new day. Help me be the light of Christ in this family" (Out Of A Far Country A gay son's journey to God. A broken mother's search for hope.)
God wants us to pray and to push each day for His global goodness. Iran is ruled by the spirit of fear. Christian Minister and US Citizen Saeed Abedini is in Evin prison Tehran, Iran, because of his Christian faith and works. His wife, Naghmeh Abedini, is praying and pushing. Recently, Naghmeh Abedini spoke to the United Nations to pressure Iran to free Saeed Abedini. We can pray and push too by writing Saeed Abedini a letter and signing a petition to save Saeed Abedini at the website http://www.savesaeed.org.
Just do it now. Christian Minister Joyce Meyer writes in her book Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits, "I once heard a story about three demons who were graduating from their course on how to deceive people in the world and prevent them from knowing God. Satan was questioning each demon, and he asked each one how he would deceive people. The first one answered that he would tell people there was no God. Satan answered, "You won't deceive many because most people down deep inside of them do believe God exists even if they have not chosen to follow Him." The second demon said he would tell people that heaven and hell didn't really exist. Satan said, "You will deceive a few more than your coworker, but you won't get many souls either." The third demon said that he would tell people that there was no hurry, and they could put off the decision to follow God until another time. Satan got excited and said loudly, "You will reap many souls for the kingdom of darkness by simply telling them to make the decision later."
The spirit of fear from the kingdom of darkness can seem mighty and make some put off praying and pushing for its defeat and God's global goodness. Former US President Abraham Lincoln said, "It has been said of the world's history hitherto that might makes right. It is for us and for our time to reverse the maxim, and to say that right makes might."
Everyone needs to ask God for a new spirit. John 3:1-5 Amplified Bible says, "Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews, Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God."
When Angela Yuan was a new creyente (believer) she prayed, "Lord, give me strength to face this new day. Help me be the light of Christ in this family" (Out Of A Far Country A gay son's journey to God. A broken mother's search for hope.)
God wants us to pray and to push each day for His global goodness. Iran is ruled by the spirit of fear. Christian Minister and US Citizen Saeed Abedini is in Evin prison Tehran, Iran, because of his Christian faith and works. His wife, Naghmeh Abedini, is praying and pushing. Recently, Naghmeh Abedini spoke to the United Nations to pressure Iran to free Saeed Abedini. We can pray and push too by writing Saeed Abedini a letter and signing a petition to save Saeed Abedini at the website http://www.savesaeed.org.
Just do it now. Christian Minister Joyce Meyer writes in her book Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits, "I once heard a story about three demons who were graduating from their course on how to deceive people in the world and prevent them from knowing God. Satan was questioning each demon, and he asked each one how he would deceive people. The first one answered that he would tell people there was no God. Satan answered, "You won't deceive many because most people down deep inside of them do believe God exists even if they have not chosen to follow Him." The second demon said he would tell people that heaven and hell didn't really exist. Satan said, "You will deceive a few more than your coworker, but you won't get many souls either." The third demon said that he would tell people that there was no hurry, and they could put off the decision to follow God until another time. Satan got excited and said loudly, "You will reap many souls for the kingdom of darkness by simply telling them to make the decision later."
The spirit of fear from the kingdom of darkness can seem mighty and make some put off praying and pushing for its defeat and God's global goodness. Former US President Abraham Lincoln said, "It has been said of the world's history hitherto that might makes right. It is for us and for our time to reverse the maxim, and to say that right makes might."
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Who Is A True Advocate for Diversity and Equality?
God loves diversity and equality. Both Abraham and Daniel are mighty men of God. Abraham is a prophet and the patriarch of creyentes (believers). He had eight children. Daniel is a prophet. He had no children. Jesus Christ asked John the apostle to take care of Mary. The book of Luke chapter eight reveals that women took care of many of Jesus' ministry needs.
Some use prenatal genetic testing to seek out the disabled and kill them. Others use their disabilities to glorify God and do good works for people. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. While it would be wonderful to have arms and legs, he uses what God has given him to be an evangelist, motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur (http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org) and to live life to the fullest. Vujicic is also marred to Kanae Miyahara, and the couple have a son named Kiyoshi James Vujicic.
Some sickness and disabilities are acquired after birth. International Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer had breast cancer. Due to early detection, the cancer was caught when it was tiny. Today she is cancer free. Chen Guangcheng became blind due to a childhood illness. He is a self-taught lawyer who helped disabled people in China gain public benefits. He also filed a 2005 class action lawsuit against local authorities practicing forced abortions and forced sterilizations as part of China's one child policy. Guangcheng is active in multiple issues. Currently he is involved in the Defending Freedom Project, a coalition of governmental leaders and human rights groups working to free prisoners of conscience across the globe.
Has anyone seen any coverage of Pastor and US citizen Saeed Abedini in the major secular media? Pastor Abedini is in Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, being persecuted for his Christian faith. Write to him and sign a petition at http://www.savesaeed.org.
Some people think it's a waste of time to study foreign languages. Former South African President Nelson Mandela doesn't think so. Speaking someone's language can open up relationships.
Sunday is Pentecost which celebrates the birth of the Christian church. In Acts 2 the beginning of the church was multilingual and multicultural. God is not just concerned with one group of people. He is concerned about everyone. God has creyentes (believers) who are reinas y reyes (queens and kings) in all parts of the globe. God wants us to have a relationship with Him and people. He is not for erasing culture and language.
God is not only interested in us, He is also interested in everything around us. While everyone will not be rich, having an abundance of resources can be used for good. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to live well on 10 percent of your income and give away 90 percent? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Complete Jewish Bible says, "As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life." Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa. Nigeria has the world's 10th-largest oil reserves and 7th-largest natural gas reserves. One good use of wealth is to ensure religious freedom for people. What are some good works coming out of Nigeria?
Another good use of wealth is to produce educational materials to overcome evil with good. The following LifeNews.com link shows that Kermit Gosnell is not the only abortionists killing late-term unborn babies, babies born live after botched abortions and women: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/15/another-gosnell-report-shows-texas-abortion-doc-kills-babies-born-alive/.
How many abortionists are like Kermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen? Where is the extensive media coverage of what goes on inside abortion clinics? Abortion affects everyone. Some hot spot coverage exists in China and America. What about regular stories about the survivors of abortion? Gospel Singer and US Citizen Fred Hammond was almost aborted, but he survived it and is still living. There is an endless potential supply of stories about China's one child policy with forced abortions and forced sterilizations.
Have you seen major secular media reports about Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang? A ChinaAid March 24, 2013, "With ChinaAid's Help, Two Victims of China's One-Child Policy Granted UNHCR Refugee Status" article reports that in 1995, when Guo Yanling was eight months pregnant, she was forced to have an abortion. In 1999, she was forcibly sterilized. In 2006, she was imprisoned for not being able to pay a fine for having more than one child. The Chinese government also refused to issue household registrations to her and to her husband, Du Yiliang's, three children without which they are unable to attend school or receive government benefits. Guo Yanling's and Du Yiliang's abortion, sterilization, educational and economic terror experience is typical in China. What isn't nearly as typical is that with ChinaAid’s help, Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang have been granted refugee status by the UN High Commission on Refugees. Notes of encouragement to Du Yiliang and Guo Yanling, requests for interviews and financial contributions to ChinaAid's Emergency Relief Fund can all be submitted to ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu at http://www.chinaaid.org.
Some use prenatal genetic testing to seek out the disabled and kill them. Others use their disabilities to glorify God and do good works for people. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. While it would be wonderful to have arms and legs, he uses what God has given him to be an evangelist, motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur (http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org) and to live life to the fullest. Vujicic is also marred to Kanae Miyahara, and the couple have a son named Kiyoshi James Vujicic.
Some sickness and disabilities are acquired after birth. International Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer had breast cancer. Due to early detection, the cancer was caught when it was tiny. Today she is cancer free. Chen Guangcheng became blind due to a childhood illness. He is a self-taught lawyer who helped disabled people in China gain public benefits. He also filed a 2005 class action lawsuit against local authorities practicing forced abortions and forced sterilizations as part of China's one child policy. Guangcheng is active in multiple issues. Currently he is involved in the Defending Freedom Project, a coalition of governmental leaders and human rights groups working to free prisoners of conscience across the globe.
Has anyone seen any coverage of Pastor and US citizen Saeed Abedini in the major secular media? Pastor Abedini is in Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, being persecuted for his Christian faith. Write to him and sign a petition at http://www.savesaeed.org.
Some people think it's a waste of time to study foreign languages. Former South African President Nelson Mandela doesn't think so. Speaking someone's language can open up relationships.
Sunday is Pentecost which celebrates the birth of the Christian church. In Acts 2 the beginning of the church was multilingual and multicultural. God is not just concerned with one group of people. He is concerned about everyone. God has creyentes (believers) who are reinas y reyes (queens and kings) in all parts of the globe. God wants us to have a relationship with Him and people. He is not for erasing culture and language.
God is not only interested in us, He is also interested in everything around us. While everyone will not be rich, having an abundance of resources can be used for good. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to live well on 10 percent of your income and give away 90 percent? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Complete Jewish Bible says, "As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life." Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa. Nigeria has the world's 10th-largest oil reserves and 7th-largest natural gas reserves. One good use of wealth is to ensure religious freedom for people. What are some good works coming out of Nigeria?
Another good use of wealth is to produce educational materials to overcome evil with good. The following LifeNews.com link shows that Kermit Gosnell is not the only abortionists killing late-term unborn babies, babies born live after botched abortions and women: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/15/another-gosnell-report-shows-texas-abortion-doc-kills-babies-born-alive/.
How many abortionists are like Kermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen? Where is the extensive media coverage of what goes on inside abortion clinics? Abortion affects everyone. Some hot spot coverage exists in China and America. What about regular stories about the survivors of abortion? Gospel Singer and US Citizen Fred Hammond was almost aborted, but he survived it and is still living. There is an endless potential supply of stories about China's one child policy with forced abortions and forced sterilizations.
Have you seen major secular media reports about Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang? A ChinaAid March 24, 2013, "With ChinaAid's Help, Two Victims of China's One-Child Policy Granted UNHCR Refugee Status" article reports that in 1995, when Guo Yanling was eight months pregnant, she was forced to have an abortion. In 1999, she was forcibly sterilized. In 2006, she was imprisoned for not being able to pay a fine for having more than one child. The Chinese government also refused to issue household registrations to her and to her husband, Du Yiliang's, three children without which they are unable to attend school or receive government benefits. Guo Yanling's and Du Yiliang's abortion, sterilization, educational and economic terror experience is typical in China. What isn't nearly as typical is that with ChinaAid’s help, Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang have been granted refugee status by the UN High Commission on Refugees. Notes of encouragement to Du Yiliang and Guo Yanling, requests for interviews and financial contributions to ChinaAid's Emergency Relief Fund can all be submitted to ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu at http://www.chinaaid.org.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Sexuality, Spirituality and Faithfulness
Our sexuality and our spirituality are connected. Our sexuality is made in the image of the most spiritual being in the universe. Genesis 1:27 Complete Jewish Bible says, "So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them."
Spirituality and sexuality are not meant to be separated in God's design. One of God's qualities is faithfulness. Faithfulness is spiritual and sexual for both singles and married people.
Denzel and Pauletta Washington are faithful Christians. They have also been faithfully married to each other for more than 30 years and have parented four children. Denzel Washington says, "Acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life."
God designed spouses to be friends because He is our friend. Good friends seek to make each other better. A good friend does not want to betray us. Joyce Meyer and Dave Meyer have been married for more than 40 years. Joyce says in her teaching "Faithfulness" that neither she nor Dave have been sexually unfaithful to each other throughout their marriage.
A Tsonga African proverb says, "A beautiful person will not be perfect." A faithful Christian will not always be perfectly faithful. A spiritually mature Christian will be habitually faithful.
Life circumstances will arise that test our sexual faithfulness in various ways. In many cultures people are taught to prefer man-on-top sexual intercourse and also taught that something is wild and wicked with a preference for woman-on-top sexual intercourse. Some people teach that Deborah's leadership of the Israelites is inherently inferior because she is a woman! The masculinity of Lappidoth, Deborah's husband, has been questioned. So has the femininity of Deborah.
Some people are afraid of sexuality. China has a one-child policy where boys and girls are routinely killed through forced abortions and people are routinely, involuntarily sterilized. Since the implementation of China's one-child policy more than 330 million people have lost their lives through abortion; that's more people than the combined total number of people in the United States of America and Australia. Those who attempt to defy the one-child policy are severely penalized. Chen Guangcheng and Yuan Weijing are a married couple who suffered house arrest and torture for years because Guangcheng, a blind, self-taught lawyer, brought a 2005 class-action lawsuit against forced abortions and forced sterilizations. The U.S. negotiated a deal with China to get him out of China. However, the Chen family is still being persecuted. Guangcheng's nephew, Chen Kegui, is in jail and is being denied medical treatment for appendicitis. Freedom Now, a human rights group, has written an April 29, 2013, letter to the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on Torture seeking to get Kegui to a hospital and out of jail.
What do you do when a spouse becomes severely sick, imprisoned or something else that hinders and even prevents sexual relations, other contact and conversation? Some commit adultery, the faithful draw closer to God and godly people. Naghmeh Abedini has been separated from her husband, Pastor Saeed Abedini for 224 days. Through http://www.savesaeed.org she wrote him the following letter for his May 7th birthday:
"My dearest friend and soul mate Saeed,
As you turn 33 today, I am reminded of the previous years that we have celebrated this very special day together. Our house was always so full of joy and laughter as we rejoiced the day that you were born.
Yet today, there is a deep piercing pain in my heart knowing that you will spend your birthday in solitary confinement, constrained to a small room, not knowing when it is day or night. Under constant torture and abuse by radicals who are trying to break you and have you deny your faith in Jesus.
With tightness in my throat, pain in my heart, and tears streaming down my face...so very weak, I promise to stand strong in the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fighting with every strength of my being until you are united to our family again.
I will be a voice, where you are being silenced. I will be hands and feet where you are being bound and in chains. That the whole world would know, that the whole world would hear that Jesus is Lord.
We are so proud of you. Hang in there. Hold on tight to Jesus. You have many brothers and sisters praying for you and standing with you.
Love
Naghmeh"
Be faithful like Naghmeh Abedini and continue to write to Pastor Saeed Abedini and to sign the petition at http://www.savesaeed.org to help free Pastor Abedini from Evin prison in Tehran, Iran.
God the Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us even while we were His enemies, and He never abandons His creyentes (believers). His creyentes are His spouse. He is a faithful Husband for eternity to singles and married people.
George Washington Carver was a single man who never married. He was faithful and showed his love for God and people through relationships and service through his work as an educator, scientist and speaker. He refused to leave his work at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Carver said, "My work is a great publicity asset for the school and for my race." (George Washington Carver by John Perry.)
God refuses to give up on creyentes when we die, divorce, engage in same-sex relations, living together and other sexual relationships outside of marriage. God's faithfulness is stronger than death and sin. The faithful diligently seek love no matter life circumstances. Booker Taliaferro Washington was born an African American slave who became a Christian, a speaker, an author, an educator and a leader. He also married twice and both wives died. Washington's desire for love did not die. He married a third time. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela also married two times before his marriage to his current sweetheart, Graca Machel, who he married on his 80th birthday. It is possible to have same-sex attraction and not engage in same-sex sexual relationships. Christopher Yuan, a professor at Moody Bible Institute, speaker and author, says, "I left homosexuality because I found something better, and His name is Jesus."
Spirituality and sexuality are not meant to be separated in God's design. One of God's qualities is faithfulness. Faithfulness is spiritual and sexual for both singles and married people.
Denzel and Pauletta Washington are faithful Christians. They have also been faithfully married to each other for more than 30 years and have parented four children. Denzel Washington says, "Acting is just a way of making a living, the family is life."
God designed spouses to be friends because He is our friend. Good friends seek to make each other better. A good friend does not want to betray us. Joyce Meyer and Dave Meyer have been married for more than 40 years. Joyce says in her teaching "Faithfulness" that neither she nor Dave have been sexually unfaithful to each other throughout their marriage.
A Tsonga African proverb says, "A beautiful person will not be perfect." A faithful Christian will not always be perfectly faithful. A spiritually mature Christian will be habitually faithful.
Life circumstances will arise that test our sexual faithfulness in various ways. In many cultures people are taught to prefer man-on-top sexual intercourse and also taught that something is wild and wicked with a preference for woman-on-top sexual intercourse. Some people teach that Deborah's leadership of the Israelites is inherently inferior because she is a woman! The masculinity of Lappidoth, Deborah's husband, has been questioned. So has the femininity of Deborah.
Some people are afraid of sexuality. China has a one-child policy where boys and girls are routinely killed through forced abortions and people are routinely, involuntarily sterilized. Since the implementation of China's one-child policy more than 330 million people have lost their lives through abortion; that's more people than the combined total number of people in the United States of America and Australia. Those who attempt to defy the one-child policy are severely penalized. Chen Guangcheng and Yuan Weijing are a married couple who suffered house arrest and torture for years because Guangcheng, a blind, self-taught lawyer, brought a 2005 class-action lawsuit against forced abortions and forced sterilizations. The U.S. negotiated a deal with China to get him out of China. However, the Chen family is still being persecuted. Guangcheng's nephew, Chen Kegui, is in jail and is being denied medical treatment for appendicitis. Freedom Now, a human rights group, has written an April 29, 2013, letter to the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on Torture seeking to get Kegui to a hospital and out of jail.
What do you do when a spouse becomes severely sick, imprisoned or something else that hinders and even prevents sexual relations, other contact and conversation? Some commit adultery, the faithful draw closer to God and godly people. Naghmeh Abedini has been separated from her husband, Pastor Saeed Abedini for 224 days. Through http://www.savesaeed.org she wrote him the following letter for his May 7th birthday:
"My dearest friend and soul mate Saeed,
As you turn 33 today, I am reminded of the previous years that we have celebrated this very special day together. Our house was always so full of joy and laughter as we rejoiced the day that you were born.
Yet today, there is a deep piercing pain in my heart knowing that you will spend your birthday in solitary confinement, constrained to a small room, not knowing when it is day or night. Under constant torture and abuse by radicals who are trying to break you and have you deny your faith in Jesus.
With tightness in my throat, pain in my heart, and tears streaming down my face...so very weak, I promise to stand strong in the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fighting with every strength of my being until you are united to our family again.
I will be a voice, where you are being silenced. I will be hands and feet where you are being bound and in chains. That the whole world would know, that the whole world would hear that Jesus is Lord.
We are so proud of you. Hang in there. Hold on tight to Jesus. You have many brothers and sisters praying for you and standing with you.
Love
Naghmeh"
Be faithful like Naghmeh Abedini and continue to write to Pastor Saeed Abedini and to sign the petition at http://www.savesaeed.org to help free Pastor Abedini from Evin prison in Tehran, Iran.
God the Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us even while we were His enemies, and He never abandons His creyentes (believers). His creyentes are His spouse. He is a faithful Husband for eternity to singles and married people.
George Washington Carver was a single man who never married. He was faithful and showed his love for God and people through relationships and service through his work as an educator, scientist and speaker. He refused to leave his work at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Carver said, "My work is a great publicity asset for the school and for my race." (George Washington Carver by John Perry.)
God refuses to give up on creyentes when we die, divorce, engage in same-sex relations, living together and other sexual relationships outside of marriage. God's faithfulness is stronger than death and sin. The faithful diligently seek love no matter life circumstances. Booker Taliaferro Washington was born an African American slave who became a Christian, a speaker, an author, an educator and a leader. He also married twice and both wives died. Washington's desire for love did not die. He married a third time. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela also married two times before his marriage to his current sweetheart, Graca Machel, who he married on his 80th birthday. It is possible to have same-sex attraction and not engage in same-sex sexual relationships. Christopher Yuan, a professor at Moody Bible Institute, speaker and author, says, "I left homosexuality because I found something better, and His name is Jesus."
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Money and Friends
"In James 4:3, the Bible says we pray for blessings and don't get them because we've asked with evil, selfish motives. We want the blessing to be for ourselves exclusively. Instead, let's ask God to bless us so we can be a greater blessing. We might say, "God, bless me. Do something amazing in my finances. Get me to the point where I can buy somebody a car. Get me to the point, God, where if need be, I could rent an apartment for someone who doesn't have one and pay the rent for a year until she gets on her feet." Wouldn't that be wonderful? Or you might pray, "Help me, God, to be able to buy furniture for a family who doesn't have any. Help me be able to take them to a furniture store and just say, 'Here's your budget; pick out a house full of furniture.'" writes international, practical Bible teacher Joyce Meyer in her book Joy Redefined Loving Others.
God is not against people having pleasure. God desires that creyentes (believers) give and receive pleasure. George Washington Carver worked for Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee Institute. They were both committed to helping people, especially African Americans. Washington died before Carver. Carver gave one year's salary to Booker T. Washington's memorial fund. Carver says about this generous gift, "It was a sacrifice in one way but a blessed privilege in another."
Unbelievers recognize the pleasure of giving. Meng was the prime minister of King Qin in ancient China. Meng sent his advisor Feng out to collect debts. Feng forgave all the loans of villagers saying he was doing it on orders from Meng. At first Meng was mad, but one year later Meng was merry for Meng had trouble on the job and had to return to his home village. People were glad to see him and welcomed him. Meng praised Feng.
Use money to make friends. Jesus Christ says in Luke 16:9 Biblia Bilingue Version Reina-Valera 1960, "Y yo os digo: Ganad amigos por medio de las riquezas injustas, para que cuando estas falten, os reciban en las moradas eternas." "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home" (Bilingual Bible New King James Version.) Luke 16:9 New Living Translation Bible says, "Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home."
What are some compassionate, creative and committed ways you have used money to make friends?
God is not against people having pleasure. God desires that creyentes (believers) give and receive pleasure. George Washington Carver worked for Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee Institute. They were both committed to helping people, especially African Americans. Washington died before Carver. Carver gave one year's salary to Booker T. Washington's memorial fund. Carver says about this generous gift, "It was a sacrifice in one way but a blessed privilege in another."
Unbelievers recognize the pleasure of giving. Meng was the prime minister of King Qin in ancient China. Meng sent his advisor Feng out to collect debts. Feng forgave all the loans of villagers saying he was doing it on orders from Meng. At first Meng was mad, but one year later Meng was merry for Meng had trouble on the job and had to return to his home village. People were glad to see him and welcomed him. Meng praised Feng.
Use money to make friends. Jesus Christ says in Luke 16:9 Biblia Bilingue Version Reina-Valera 1960, "Y yo os digo: Ganad amigos por medio de las riquezas injustas, para que cuando estas falten, os reciban en las moradas eternas." "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home" (Bilingual Bible New King James Version.) Luke 16:9 New Living Translation Bible says, "Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home."
What are some compassionate, creative and committed ways you have used money to make friends?
Monday, January 21, 2013
Something Horrible Happened?
Psychologists say we are born with two instinctive fears: the fear of
loud noises and the fear of being dropped. God is so good that even if
our fear of hearing loud noises and of being dropped comes true we can
still have an awesome life.
Mephibosheth was dropped as a five-year-old and became crippled in both feet as a result (2 Samuel 4). He was also crippled in his mind holding a "dead dog" self-image (2 Samuel 9).
But God arranged for Mephibosheth to eat at the king's table, live on royal land being served by Ziba, Ziba's 15 sons and 20 servants from adulthood to death.
If something horrible happens to you like being crippled in both feet or in your mind or something else, press through the fear, shock, disappointment, anger, unforgiveness, depression and other negative emotions and go frequently and boldly to God asking Him for way more than you deserve or seems reasonable to live an awesome life in spite of misfortunes, challenges and differences.
Believers don't serve a miserly God who metes out cold justice. Our God loves extravagantly.
Sometimes in American culture we forget about loving people extravagantly and go to war over our misfortunes, challenges and differences. One example is the mommy wars. Whether we are mothers whose full-time work is to raise children like Pauletta Washington (wife of actor Denzel Washington) or mothers who are also employees, business owners, non-profit employees and non-profit owners like Naomi Zacharias of Wellspring International, Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries or Cookie Lee of Cookie Lee Jewelry, we all have God-given purpose and roles in life. And this is also true for women who are complete and successful as singles without children like the first African-American female U.S. secretary of state, Condolezza Rice, who is currently a CBS News contributor.
Many seem to have fear that if someone lives differently it is a threat to their lifestyle. Yet God created each one of us as unique. Even twins do not have the same fingerprint.
God didn't create us to be isolated and hostile but integrated and friendly. Mothers who raise their children full-time and mothers who are also employees, business owners, non-profit employees and non-profit owners all need help raising their children. Sometimes we need the participation of more than fathers and other family members. Sheila Lirio Marcelo gave birth to her first son while in college. A few years later her parents emigrated to the United States from the Philippines and were helping with childcare when her father had a heart attack, suddenly switching from a childcare provider to one who needed care. Marcelo did not allow the fear, shock, pain and difficulty of the situation to keep her down indefinitely. She turned evil into good. Out of this horrible experience Marcelo created Care.com which provides services to find caregivers for typical and different children, seniors and pets. Care.com also helps with selecting tutors and housekeepers among other things.
Vive mas (live more). What ridiculous request have you asked of God in the face of fear and other negativity and found the path to awesome living?
Mephibosheth was dropped as a five-year-old and became crippled in both feet as a result (2 Samuel 4). He was also crippled in his mind holding a "dead dog" self-image (2 Samuel 9).
But God arranged for Mephibosheth to eat at the king's table, live on royal land being served by Ziba, Ziba's 15 sons and 20 servants from adulthood to death.
If something horrible happens to you like being crippled in both feet or in your mind or something else, press through the fear, shock, disappointment, anger, unforgiveness, depression and other negative emotions and go frequently and boldly to God asking Him for way more than you deserve or seems reasonable to live an awesome life in spite of misfortunes, challenges and differences.
Believers don't serve a miserly God who metes out cold justice. Our God loves extravagantly.
Sometimes in American culture we forget about loving people extravagantly and go to war over our misfortunes, challenges and differences. One example is the mommy wars. Whether we are mothers whose full-time work is to raise children like Pauletta Washington (wife of actor Denzel Washington) or mothers who are also employees, business owners, non-profit employees and non-profit owners like Naomi Zacharias of Wellspring International, Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries or Cookie Lee of Cookie Lee Jewelry, we all have God-given purpose and roles in life. And this is also true for women who are complete and successful as singles without children like the first African-American female U.S. secretary of state, Condolezza Rice, who is currently a CBS News contributor.
Many seem to have fear that if someone lives differently it is a threat to their lifestyle. Yet God created each one of us as unique. Even twins do not have the same fingerprint.
God didn't create us to be isolated and hostile but integrated and friendly. Mothers who raise their children full-time and mothers who are also employees, business owners, non-profit employees and non-profit owners all need help raising their children. Sometimes we need the participation of more than fathers and other family members. Sheila Lirio Marcelo gave birth to her first son while in college. A few years later her parents emigrated to the United States from the Philippines and were helping with childcare when her father had a heart attack, suddenly switching from a childcare provider to one who needed care. Marcelo did not allow the fear, shock, pain and difficulty of the situation to keep her down indefinitely. She turned evil into good. Out of this horrible experience Marcelo created Care.com which provides services to find caregivers for typical and different children, seniors and pets. Care.com also helps with selecting tutors and housekeepers among other things.
Vive mas (live more). What ridiculous request have you asked of God in the face of fear and other negativity and found the path to awesome living?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)