MARRIED OR NOT… YOU SHOULD READ THIS. PART 2

 Marriage

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you.

If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

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Questions About God

 Teachers know that questions provide teachable moments. Thus wise teachers ask questions of their pupils, and they eagerly take advantage of opportunities when pupils ask questions.

 The Bible is filled with questions. God asked questions, and people asked question. Sometimes they asked God Himself and sometimes they asked others. Moses asked God to tell him His name, and God revealed His personal name (Exodus 3:13-14). Habakkuk asked God why He allowed evil people to get by with their sins, and God revealed some off His ways (Habakkuk 1:2). Jesus asked the disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Their answer set up the next crucial question, "But whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:13,15). The living Lord asked Saul of Tarsus, "Why persecutest thou me?" Saul then asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" and the answer led him tot ask a second question, "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:7-10). The answers changed Saul's life and the course of Christianity.

 

 Today's adults and their families are living in spiritually confusing times. Interest in spiritual things is high. Most people have more questions than answers. A wide variety of answer is being given, many of which are false and misleading. The fact that people are asking questions is a great opportunity to look to God's Word for answers. Only there will we find the real answers.

~StudyTheme

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The God Factor

 God is not a factor in the lives of many people, but people of faith live and move and have their being in God. The Lord was surely the key factor in David's life. Four incidents from David's life form the  biblical basis for this four-lesson study.
 The first lesson tells how God led Samuel to anoint a shepherd boy to be the next King of Israel. The lesson entitled "God Chooses and Equips" is  based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Samuel was told to go the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. Samuel was so impressed with the looks of the oldest son that the at first assumed that son was God's choice. God told Samuel that people look on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.
 The second lesson, "God Empowers," is based on David's victory over Goliath as found in 1 Samuel 17. This familiar story has become in our culture a sign that ta brave and resourceful person can defeat seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The Bible, however, doesn't give David credit. God enabled him to defeat the giant.
 The third lesson, "God Values Human Life," is based on Psalm 139:13-16, a key passage on the value of human life, and verses from 2 Samuel 11-12 that describe David's sins, confession, and forgiveness. This lesson for the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is applied to those who have failed to  respect and protect human life.
 The fourth lessons, "God Works in His Time," is based on 1 Samuel 26. David spared Saul's life. David showed patient forbearance by leaving Saul's fate and his own future in God's hands.

~StudyTheme

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Born To Save

Christmas is only a secular holiday for many people. It means time off from work: it consists of parties and presents. Those who see some religious meaning  in Christmas often restrict it to a baby in a manger scene. The two lessons in the study challenge us to look back before the manger to the preexistent Word of God and to look forward from the manger to the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Savior of the World.

 The first lesson. "What Child Is This?" includes the familiar story of Jesus birth in Lure 2:4-7, but it also focuses on the less familiar prophecies of Simeon and Anna in verses 27-38. Simeon predicted that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. This shows that the Child born to the virgin Mary was destined to die for the sins of the world.
 The second lesson, "Life in the Son," is based on the prologue to John's Gospel. John 1:1-18 reveals that the birth of Jesus was not the beginning of the Son of God. He is the Word of God who was in the beginning, who was with God, and who is God. What happened at Bethlehem was that the eternal Word became flesh and dwelt on earth during His lifetime.

 Thus when we view the Baby in the manger, we  need to look back to the eternal Word of God who became the God-man when He was born to the virgin Mary. And we need to look beyond the manger to the cross-and even beyond that. The manger is empty. The cross also is empty. The tomb is empty.
 God told Mary and Joseph to name the child Jesus, which means "Savior" (Matthew 1:21). The angel told the shepherds that Jesus was the Savior, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). He was truly "Born to Save."


~StudyTheme



Photo Credit: SomeToThinkAbout

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Excellence In Giving

"Money, money, money. That's all they talk about at church!"
This complaint is sometimes heard after a sermon or Sunday School lesson on giving. The complaint often comes from people who attend only occasionally and happen to come during a financial stewardship emphasis in the church, A pastor or a Sunday School teacher cannot preach or teach the Bible without mentioning giving. The Old Testament says much about the right attitude toward possessions and calls for generosity in helping the needy and bringing tithes in worship. Jesus constantly taught about giving and warned against covetousness. The Book of Acts focuses on the sharing within the Jerusalem church and the gifts of the Antioch church to the Jerusalem church members. Many of the New Testament letters deal with possessions and generous giving.

The longest Bible passage on giving is 2 Corinthians 8-9. Paul was promoting an offering from the Gentile churches for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Although the word money is not found in these two chapters, they present most of the biblical principles about giving.

 The first lesson, "Why I Give," is based on selected verses from 2 Corinthians 8. The second lesson, "How I Give," is based on 2 Corinthians 9.

• demonstrate your commitment to God through giving (Dec.7)
• always honor God in your giving (Dec.14)

  This two lessons are especially appropriate for the Christmas season, when there is so much emphasis on giving and receiving.The lessons point to Christi's giving Himself (8:9) and to God's great gift in sending Him (9:15). Each warns against the dangers of a selfish, covetous attitude--an appropriate warning at this time of the year.
 Southern Baptists have a great opportunity at Christmas to give to the Lord by giving to the cause that was closest to His heart-taking the good news to all people. We do this through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the International Missions.

~Study Theme


If you own this photo please contact me through my email davaochristianchurch@gmail.com

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Highway To Heaven

You won't find it on a map, but a highway to heaven does exist. "The Roman Road" is explained in the Book of Romans in the Bible, and it tells how to go to heaven.
 The Road Begins at Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." God s the source for our journey to heaven. He gives power for salvation to all who believe.
 We need God's power because we have a problem with sin: "For All have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Sin" means missing the mark or missing God's intended destination for us. None of us can reach that destination on his or her own because everyone is a sinner.
 When we work, we earn money. Sin earns wages as well--Wages of death. Because God loves all sinners, He has provided another route: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

 The highway to heaven is found in Romans 10:9: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." We need to confess our sin and ask God for forgiveness. To confess Jesus as Lord involves agreeing with God about your sin and your need for salvation. You must repent of your sin, turning away from the direction in life in which you are going. 
To "believe in your heart" is to place your faith in Jesus, trusting that He died on the cross to pay for your sins. "But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

If you would like to have salvation in Jesus Christ, sincerely pray a prayer like this one "Dear God. I confess to you my sin and need for salvation. I turn away from my sin and place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. 
 Share your faith in Jesus with a Christian friend or pastor. Becoming Christian is your first step on the lifelong road of spiritual growth and service God desires for you. Follow Christ in believer's baptism by immersion and join a local church.



Cover: This bronze oil lamp from the 1st century A.D. was found om Nubia, Egypt, and presently is in the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. Symbolically the lamp reminds us that God's Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).


Photo Credit: Highway To Heaven

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Relationships Worth Improving

Relationships Worth Improving

   Most adults fulfill many roles. For example, you may be wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, church member, Sunday School Teacher, citizen, customer, patient, coworker, employee, and on and on. How many of these roles involve personal relationships? The answer depends on how you define relationships. A broad definition might include all people with whom you interact---even though the interaction is functional, occasional, and often superficial. A more narrow definition confines relationship to personal and meaningful relationship.

   This study focuses on biblical teachings concerning important relationships, beginning with a relationship with God. Then come three family relationships: between husband and wife, between parents and children, and between brothers and sisters. Finally, we will look at relationships with friends.

   Many people do not have a meaningful personal relationship with God, but the Bible views this as the foundation for all true human relationship. The first lesson, "Trusting God," based on proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 John 2:1-11, focuses on t his important relationship.
   The second lesson, "Loving Spouses," is based on 1 Corinthians 7:1-6 and Ephesians 5:22-25,28-33. This is deals wit responsibilities off husbands and wives.
   The third lesson, "Nurturing Family Relationship," is based on Ephesians 6:1-4 and 1 Timothy 5:1-8. This deals with relationships between children and parents.
   The fourth lesson, "Improving Sibling Relationship, "is based on the story of the brothers Esau and Jacob in Genesis 27:41; 32:3-5, 9-11; and 33:1-5, 10-11.
   The fifth lesson, "Being Friends," is based on proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:5-6, 9-10; and Philippians 4:1-3, 10,14-16.

     This study theme is designed to help you----

• have a right relationship with God by trusting Him and obeying Him daily 
• build a right relationship in marriage and help others to do so
• fulfill biblical responsibiltites in your family relationships
• improve your relationships with your siblings
• be a godly friend

-Study theme

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Let's Talk About Jesus

Let's Talk About Jesus

   One one of the occasions when the enemies of Jesus sent oficers to arrest Him, the officers found Jesus teaching in the temple. They heard Him say, "if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37). The officers returned without arresting Jesus. When they were asked why they failed in their assignment, the officers said, "Never man spake like this man" (v. 46).

   The same formula would fir everything about Jesus. No one was born like this man. No one lived like this man. No one died like this man. No one was raised from death like this man. No one established the church like this man. No one will return like this man.

   This study focuses on four aspects of the unique Jesus: His death, His resurrection, His church and His future coming. Each of the four lessons includes verses from Matthew's Gospel and at least one New Testament Letter.

   The first lesson, "Suffering Savior," based on selected verses from Matthew 27 and 1 John 4, looks at the suffering and death of Jesus. The second lesson, "Risen Lord," is based on Matthew 28:1-10 and Ephesians 2:4-9. This is the Easter Coordinated Evangelism Lesson. The third lesson, "Church Builder," is based on Matthew 16:13-19 and Ephesians 2:17-22. the  fourth lesson, "returning King," is based on Matthew 24:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; and 1 John 2:28-3:3.

     This Study Theme is design to help you:

• believe Jesus demonstrated God's love by dying to provide eternal life and to respond to that love in your daily life (Apr. 4)
• believe Jesus rose from the dead, be sure you are experiencing the new life God gives to those who believe in Jesus, and share this message with others (Apr. 11);
• be involved in the church as a way to live out your spiritual commitment and to fulfill Christ's divine plan (Apr.18)
• be ready for Jesus return (Apr. 25).

-Study Theme

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Courage to Stand for God

Courage to Stand for God

   One of the early Christian martyrs was an elderly man named Polycarp. He was arrested and freely admitted that he was a Christian. He was given plenty of opportunities to save his own life, but he refused each offer because the condition for being spared was to deny Christ. He told his persecutors, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he hath done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my king who saved me?"

   Polycarp stood up for the Lord, even though it cost him his life. Many others have done the same. We are blessed to live in a land of religious freedom, but we face challenges in which we are called on stand up for God.

   This four-session Study Theme focuses on the lives of several Old Testament persons who modeled courage, some hesitantly at first and others with a marvelous faith. These examples can give believers of all maturity levels a foundation for forming and solidifying the courage it takes to live for God. 

   The first lesson, "Demonstrating Spiritual Leadership," is based on the story of Deborah in judge 4-5. The second lesson, "Opposing False Beliefs," is based on the story of Gideon in Judge 6. The third lesson, "Refusing to Compromise," is based on the story of Shadrach, Meshrach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. The fourth lesson, "Acting Decisively," is based on the story of Esther.

      This study is designed to help you---

• take a stand for God and thereby encourage fellow Christians to do the same (Mar. 7)
• live in loyalty to the one true God and challenge false gods off today (Mar. 14)
• gain boldness to live for God without compromise (Mar. 21)
• recognize and act upon God-given opportunity to fulfill His will for your life, whatever the cost (Mar. 28)

-Martyr of Polycarp

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I've Prayed. Now what?

I've Prayed. Now what?

Luke 11:9-13
9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks find; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 "Which of you Fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 18:1-8
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yes because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!"'
6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when he find faith on the earth?"

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Crucified, Buried, and Alive Again!

Crucified, Buried, and Alive Again!

Matthew 27:1, 2, 19-22, 27, 28, 31, 45, 46, 50, 51, 54, 57-69
     1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
     19 While Pilate was setting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
     20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
     21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you? asked the governor.
     22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
     They all answered, "Crucify Him!"
     27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.
     31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

     45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacbtbani?"---which means, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
     50 And when Jesus has cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
     51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
     54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
     57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph.
   58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body,and Pilate ordered that it be given it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.


Matthew 28:1-6
     1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the others Mary went took at the tomb.
     2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became dead like dead men.
     5 The angel said to the women, " Do not be afraid for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.



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