I am addressing us men specifically. I just had a revelation about how we are responsible for the state of relationships and the level of divorce in the church.
You who is reading this. What are you going to do?
I would ask you to stop what you are doing right now in persuing any relationship and become not just familiar but intimatly aquainted with all scripture pertaining Divorce and remarriage.
Stop what your doing and learn what Jesus says and why. learn what Paul writes and why.
We men need to turn this around and it starts here at the front line of the battle. The enemy has waged war against the family and who will stand with me?
Oh, and if I wake you up at 3:47 AM because I hear a sound and it happens to be nothing, after you've thoroughly checked every nook and cranny of the house...you have to at least stop being upset with me by 2:29 in the afternoon.
In return:
1. I will cook food for your goofy friends when they come over. 2. Laugh at all your jokes, even the ones you've told a million times. 3. Build you up when I'm talking with my parents about you. 4. Massage your shoulders when you're home from work, hungry, had a fight with your boss and think hate the world. 5. Trust you to make that one decision you wouldn't budge on, and trust your judgement. 6. And last but not least...Love The Lord, your momma, and hopefully ...you.
Marvel, its not your responsibility to change my mind. I wonder if at some point with that, you would be stepping out of what you believe is your place (tis is not sarcasy). I will continue to use the gifts God has given me, cause, well that's why I have them. Thanks though.
Bit of togue and check, right? Do you really want a man who will lie to you and put his mother before you? I mean it all sound cute and all, but if you think there would be on problems in your home, you have a lot to learn.
On the contrary, I have no desire to change your mind, only that the Lord change your heart on the matter. I'm not sure what you meant by stepping out of what I felt was my place. We are all the way we are for a reason, the Lord made different sorts of vessels for one purpose or another.
I was hoping you wouldn't take what I said about what I wanted my future husband to be like with complete seriousness. I thought it was apparent enough that I was saying that in jest, or poking fun at myself, which is just my sense of humor.
I respect that you're older than I am and have the knowledge you have acquired from that, for that is truly a blessing. However I hope you will not think me unwise or inexperienced, or airheaded. I've seen a lot for me, spiritually and emotionally and physically and have been given much discernment for one my age, which I thank the Lord for.
I can be afraid of spiders only because I am not educated about them and what ones cause harm.
Courage is not the absence of fear but action in the face of fear. Some times I have courage sometimes I have to ask God for courage because my fear binds me. I can handle spiders though.
Bob,
Even in marriage specifically pointing the finger does not have positive effects on people. I learned this the hard way. What happens when someone points the finger at us is we become defensive and want to fight.
I am not about pointing the finger and showing others guilt but seeking to provide wisdom to certain situations that it might bring life. Which can be construded as finger pointing.
I bellieve we are all seeking to do this here that is why we are in this site. We all have something to contribute and want to bless others.
Its really difficult to try to find a way to encourage not to point fingers and not point the finger in the process.
I am going to focus on being the Man God intended for me to be. A man that puts God first every day. Keep in focus the fact that this life is not about me, it's about God. If I had had that perspective when I was still married or in the beginning of my marriage it would still be working well and we would have been the teem God intended for us to be. We both made mistakes but I can only take responsability for my own. She must take her own responsability for her own choices and until she does God can do little with her.
I repented long ago but the key is to keep the focus on my own stuff and what I can do. I cannot take responsibility for anything that my x did or said. I just can't and I will be wasting precious time trying. I pray for her often but she has made her choices and they have come with huge consequence to our entire family. That is her stuff and I must leave it there. I can only continue to be a better man father and some a husband again now and in the future.
I continue to encourage men to gain this same perspective. I do encourage men who are still married to make changes based on it being about God and not themselves. Many men whom I have admired over the years who have strong marriages have got this figured out and I have had a chance to speak with their wives and they are quite ecstatic about their husband. One lady told me that the more her husband focuses on His relationship with God, the more excited and attracted she gets toward him. Men that is really cool to see!
The best thing I can do is cultivate my daily, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When people will see God through me instead of me, I will have accomplished what God created me for.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me"
Galations 3:28,
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither "Male nor Female": for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:11,
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
It is the presence of Christ Jesus Himself within women that is being discussed and questioned here, and Christ at any time, in anyone, male or female is able to exercise His Authority as needed depending upon the situation, as was the case with Deborah in Judges 4, the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27, the man who had 4 daughters who prophesied in Acts 21:9 and in many other passages in scripture.
While the verses above describe the "substance" of every believer (Christ), whether male or female, Paul's teachings describe the "ordinary" way in which the body of Christ or the church operates.
Much like a human body, if the legs are missing, the arms may be called into action in order to compensate and survive.
When men as pastors, husbands and fathers do not actively engage as spiritual leaders, Christ's presence within a woman will inherently take the lead as the Spirit of Christ bears more authority than mere gender.
Does this mean that women should desire to be over men? Not at all. To do so would be a mockery of Jesus' submission to the Father. Women are designed to place themselves into the hands of God's Spirit within their pastors, husbands and fathers, but when HIS Spirit is lacking within men, women need to hold fast to Christ and to the leading of the Holy Spirit, not the letter of the Law.
"Much like a human body, if the legs are missing, the arms may be called into action in order to compensate and survive. When men as pastors, husbands and fathers do not actively engage as spiritual leaders, Christ's presence within a woman will inherently take the lead as the Spirit of Christ bears more authority than mere gender."
When the head (authority) is missing the body has no way of compensating to survive. This discussion directly relates to authority. Christ is the head of the church. He has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual authority in the church, as has already been noted here in this thread. "Christ's presence" in a woman is not going to inherently take the lead when He has already commanded the proper leadership order. This would create a great deal of confusion. It would also be subject to way to much interpretation as any woman at any time could simply claim "Christ's presence" took me over and I did ________.
Further, there is no Biblical reference to support that concept.
" but when HIS Spirit is lacking within men, women need to hold fast to Christ and to the leading of the Holy Spirit, not the letter of the Law. "
The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. Therefore, there is never an instance where HIS Spirit is lacking within men who are believers. There are various degrees of spiritual maturity but the Holy Spirit dwells in even the most infantile believer. There are specific qualifications given for bishops/pastors, elders/deacons, etc. These qualifications would eliminate men who are spiritually immature from being in leadership in the first place, if adhered to properly.
Further, there is NEVER a time where the "leading of the Holy Spirit" is going to contradict the letter of the law. God is not divided against Himself at any time ever. If a person feels lead to break the law, that leading is NOT from the Holy Spirit. This is a common excuse offered by those who are operating in direct and open violation of the written Word of God. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the written Word of God. Is He going to inspire someone to write something one day and then lead them to violate that the next day?
If a MAN is a "Christian" he would know how to keep his home together and his wife would be a happy woman and the marriage would be in Peace. Many Men are divorced now seeking other mates, yet they are " Christian". I would ask the reason for their divorce ladies.
i have not yet completely repented as i am still here sitting on the couch,under the roof,inside the walls,drinking the stolen water,blogging(i.e. sticking my nose in other peoples business) at the expense of lil fishes ground up in the electrical turbine(electricity),and a murdered rubber tree from somewhere the amazon basin(plastic),and some stolen rocks(metals),and,my flesh is really enjoying the A/C,
someday,in HIS will,and HIS Time,i will completely repent...
and i will miss You all,, it will be a better eternity.....
