JESUS CHRIST IS COMING SOON.

Using What You Have.

Isn't it funny how easy it is to compare what we have with what the people around us have? It starts as early as childhood with kids comparing lunches, toys and everything else! The problem is that comparison is a distraction. It gets us off course. Instead of comparing ourselves with others, we need to recognize that God has given each of us exactly what we need to fulfill exactly what He has for us. It may not look like what the person has next to you, but that's why you have to stay focused on what God has given you. What is in your own hand? How are you using it? Scripture says, "To those who have, more will be given." That means you will tap into more gifts, talents and opportunities as you use what God has given you. 

Jesus told a story about a wealthy man who entrusted some of his money, called talents, to three of his employees. He was going away for a while and instructed them to invest the talents while he was gone. When he returned, he found that two of the men used their talents wisely and doubled their investments. However, the third man said, "I buried my talent because I was afraid." He was so full of excuses trying to explain himself. It didn't matter to his boss. He asked, "Couldn't you have at least put my money into a savings account to draw some interest?" The employer was so frustrated that he took what he had given that man and gave it to the first man who had been a faithful steward. It's interesting that all the men had the same opportunity, but the man full of excuses didn't take advantage of it.

That's the way God works. He has entrusted every person with a measure of gifts, talents, abilities and resources. He's watching to see what we will do with them. If you are faithful with what God has given you, He will multiply you and increase you in ways you've never dreamed. It's not about how much you have; it is about using what you have.

Don't allow excuses to cause you to bury what you have been given. Just like the wealthy man wasn't moved by excuses, God is not moved by our excuses, either. Do you know what moves God? Our faith. Make the decision to wake up every day with an attitude of faith and expectancy and look for ways to use what God has placed in your hands. Believe in yourself and believe that God is working on your behalf. It may not happen tomorrow or next week, but stay faithful because God will multiply you in ways you've never dreamed!

"For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance…"  (Matthew 25:29, NIV)

Winning the Battle by Wearing the Armor.

First Corinthians 2:9–10 says, “However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’ but God has revealed  it to us by his Spirit. But the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (NIV). Read this passage of scripture carefully, because I want you to get it in your spirit.

The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). The more you read and hear the Word, the more it gets inside of you. The more you say scriptures out loud, the more they get inside of you.

Sometimes our minds are a little thick! Sometimes our hearts are not open to receive. But once we get it—my, my, my! Once we get what God is saying to us, nothinSometimes I wonder what God must think about us. We say we love Him. And we’re always asking Him for something. But how much do we fellowship with Him? How often do we just talk to Him and spend time with Him—just for the purpose of being with Him?

James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Maintaining a close, intimate relationship with God is vital to our spiritual life. We need to fellowship with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, many people get saved and filled with the Holy Ghost and then think they’ve “arrived.” Since they are saved and going to Heaven and are filled with the Holy Ghost and power, they think they can just sit down and take it easy, so to speak. But we must still fellowship with our Heavenly Father!

It’s important to fellowship with God, because when we draw near to our Heavenly Father, He draws near to us! And when we draw near to Him, we are better able to hear His voice. If we’re not receiving clear direction from the Lord, we ought to check up on how closely we’re walking with Him. Are we drawing near to God?

Many times we wonder why we’re being defeated in life. We wonder why our prayers are not being answered. We need to check up on our relationship with God, and we need to check up on our armor. How much of God’s armor are we wearing?

EPHESIANS 6:10–11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Verse 11 says, “Put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” According to this verse, we can’t wear just one piece of armor or half the armor and expect to achieve victory. The Bible didn’t say to put on part of the armor—or to wear the most comfortable piece or the piece we like best. We are told to wear the whole armor of God.

Why are we to wear the armor of God? So we can stand against the attacks of the enemy! We can’t just put up our fists and fight, because this is not a physical battle. This is a spiritual battle, and we must have our spiritual armor on if we’re to win.

EPHESIANS 6:12

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.

Even though we’re not wrestling against flesh and blood, the Bible tells us there will be wrestling! There is a battle going on right now—one that is fiercer than any battle we have ever experienced. But protected by the full armor of God, we can defeat the enemy and win the battle!

When I think about the spiritual battle that is taking place, I’m reminded of a passage in Daniel, chapter 10.

DANIEL 10:12–13

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

This passage reveals that there is more taking place than meets the physical eye. God heard Daniel’s prayer the moment he prayed, and an angel was immediately dispatched on Daniel’s behalf. But for three weeks, a wrestling—a battle—took place in the spirit realm. And there is spiritual warfare going on right now. Even though you can’t see it with your physical eyes, there is a battle raging around you. That’s why it’s so important for you to keep your armor on—every single piece! That’s why it’s so important that you fight the good fight of faith!

First Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (NIV).We know what the fight of faith is. But so many times, we get tired and weary of fighting. Then the enemy comes in and tried to discourage us. He says, “Look at all the battles you’re having. Look at what’s happening in your life! This wouldn’t be happening if that faith stuff really worked.”

No, faith does work! But it takes time and patience. There is a spiritual battle going on right now. And if we want to be victorious, we must continue to fight the good fight of faith!

The enemy wants to defeat and destroy you. But you can defeat and destroy him! When you fellowship with God on a regular basis, drawing near to Him and hearing His voice clearly, you will be able to walk in the victory Christ obtained for you. When you put on the full armor of God, you will be able to stand against all the attacks of the enemy.

It’s important to remember that in the greatest battles, we can have our greatest victories. So keep your eyes on the finish line. Win the prize. Keep fighting the good fight of faith, and you will discover the many wonderful things God has prepared for those who love Him!

WHO IS A REAL WIFE?

WHO IS A REAL WIFE?
1. A virtuous Wife is a woman of substance, influence and grace. She is brainy, brilliant and beautiful.
2. A virtuous wife is a woman of few but heart-warming, thought provoking and edifying words.
3. She is not reckless, loud and empty.
4. When a virtuous wife is irritated, annoyed or upset, she zips her lips until feelings give way to reason.
5. She listens attentively, looks through, thinks deeply and speaks graciously.
6. Her words are like medicine to every hurting soul.
7. A virtuous wife does not hang around with empty vain talkers, backbiters or gossipers; she speaks the truth in love and is a constant rebuke the ungodliness around her.
8. A virtuous wife is blessed above all women. Blessed is the husband whose wife, friend and confidant is a virtuous woman.
9. A virtuous wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.” Proverbs 12:4.

THE MARRIAGE 12 COMMANDMENT .

THE MARRIAGE 12 COMMANDMENT ❤
1. There is nothing that threatens the security of a wife than the thought of another woman competing for the attention and affection of her husband. Nothing is more painful. Nothing is more disrespecting. Nothing is more insulting. Nothing is more belittling and degrading.

2. Marriage flourishes when the couple works together as a team; when both husband and wife decide that winning together is more important than keeping score.
Good marriages don't just happen. They are a product of hard work.

3. Your children are watching you and forming lasting opinions on love, commitment, and marriage based on what they see in you. Give them hope. Make them look forward to marriage.

4. Husbands: The reason why other women look attractive is because someone is taking good care of them. Grass is always green where it is watered. Instead of drooling over the green grass on the other side of the fence, work on yours and water it regularly. Any man can admire a beautiful woman, but it takes a true gentleman to make a woman admirable and beautiful.

5. When a husband puts his wife first above everyone and everything except God, it gives his wife the sense of security and honour that every wife hungers for.

6. A successful marriage doesn't require a big house, a prefect spouse, a million dollars or an expensive car. You can have all the above and still have a miserable marriage. A successful marriage requires honesty, undying commitment and selfless love and Jesus at the center of it all.

7. Pray for your spouse every day; in the morning, in the afternoon and at evening. Don’t wait until there is a problem. Don’t wait until there is an affair. Don’t wait until something bad happens. Don’t wait until your spouse is tempted. Shield your spouse with prayer and cover your marriage with the fence of prayer.

8. The people you surround yourself with have a lot of influence on your marriage. Friends can build or break your marriage; choose them wisely.

9. One spouse cannot build a marriage alone when the other spouse is committed to destroying it. Marriage works when both husband and wife work together as a team to build their marriage.

10. Don't take your spouse for granted. Don't take advantage of your spouse's meekness and goodness. Don't mistake your spouse's loyalty for desperation. Don't misuse or abuse yours spouse's trust. You may end up regretting after losing someone that meant so much to you.

11. Beware of marital advice from single people. Regardless of how sincere their advice may be, most of it is theoretical and not derived from real life experiences. If you really need Godly advice, seek it from God-fearing, impartial and prayerful mature couples whose resolve has been tested by time and shaped by trials.

12. Dear wife, Don't underestimate the power of the tongue on your marriage. The tongue has the power to crush your marriage or build it up. Don't let the Devil use your tongue to kill your spouse's image, self-confidence and aspirations. Let God use your tongue to build up your marriage and bless and praise your spouse.

The Gifts and Callings of God.

Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” “Without repentance” means that God won’t change His mind about what He has called you to do. If God has called you, that calling is still there, whether or not you have obeyed. And if God gave you a gift—if He gifted you along a certain line—that gift is still there!

Paul told Timothy to “stir up” the gift that was within him, saying, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:6). If you want to walk out God’s plan for your life, it’s time to stir up that gift within you!

In Ephesians chapter 4, we read about some of the “gifts” that God has given.

EPEHSIANS 4:8,11–12

8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. . . .

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

The “gifts” in this passage refer to the fivefold ministry gifts: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. You may or may not be called to the fivefold ministry. But everyone can be involved in the ministry of helps, which is a necessary and important part of the Body of Christ. And in one sense of the word, we’re all called to preach.

To “preach” means to proclaim or to tell. We’re all supposed to tell the Good News of the Gospel. We’re all supposed to tell the story of how Jesus reconciled us to God. We’re all supposed to witness to others. Second Corinthians 5:18 says, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” According to this verse, we have all been called to be in ministry—the ministry of reconciliation!

Now, there are certain pulpit ministries that God calls people to. Ephesians 4:11 tells us what those are: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Thank God for these five ministry gifts! These are special ministry gifts that God set in the Church. Anyone who is called to full-time pulpit ministry is called in one of these areas. And a person can be called to stand in more than one office.

According to Acts 13:1, Acts 14:14, and other scriptures in the New Testament, we know that Barnabas and Paul were both “prophets” and “teachers.” In other words, they were gifted by the Holy Ghost to stand in both offices.

A person might not be faithful to the call of God on his or her life, but the call is still there, anyway. God doesn’t go back on the call. So let’s all obey God and answer the call!

When a person first gets saved, he may have such a desire to see other people saved that he starts to think,Maybe God called me to be an evangelist. That may or may not be the case. If it is the case, then obey the call. But if it isn’t, you can still help get people saved by being a minister of reconciliation.

God will take us through a learning process. And we may have to learn some things before we move from one office to another. We may have to learn some things before we’re able to fulfil the call of God upon our life.

Someone may ask, “Well, if God called you to do one thing, why would He let you do something else?”

Because there’s always going to be a proving time. No matter what God has called you to do, He is going to prove you out before He promotes you. We have to be faithful, obedient, and patient in order to fulfill God’s call. God may temporarily lead you to do something. That doesn’t mean the gift is gone or that the calling has disappeared, because the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. In other words, God doesn’t change His mind!

According to First Corinthians 12:27, you and I are the Body of Christ and members in particular. Each member has a role to play in the Body. What is your role? What has God gifted and called you to do?

Whatever God has called you to do, He has also gifted you to do it. You may not have heeded God’s call on your life in the past, but that call is still there. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance! Make a decision today to stir up the gift within you and to fulfill the call of God.

Maybe God has called you to be in full-time ministry; maybe He has gifted you with business sense or artistic talent; perhaps you feel especially called to raise a family—whatever God’s gifts and callings, determine in your heart right now to be faithful and obedient in carrying out His plan for your life.

The God-Kind of Love Forgives.

What is the God-kind of love like? The God-kind of love is full of kindness and is tender-hearted. Since God’s love is kind and tender-hearted, it is always ready to forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Sometimes I think people interpret this verse by saying that we are to forgive people only when they are kind to us. But that’s not what the Bible says.

This scripture also doesn't say, “Forgive one another when the offence doesn't amount to much. But if people have done a lot against you, then it’s okay to not forgive them.” The verse doesn't read that way, but too many times that is the way people practice it.

Too many Christians allow their flesh to rule them, and then wonder why they aren't receiving God’s best in their lives. But it’s impossible to walk in the God-kind of love while allowing the flesh to rule.

If we’re going to obey the Bible, we have to let the inward man rule us so we can be “kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another.” It’s only as we “put on” Christ and make no provision for the flesh (Rom. 13:14) that we will be able to forgive one another, even as God for Christ’s sake forgave us.

How can we forgive the way God forgives? Well, the Bible says that God is love. And the same kind of love that God is has been shed abroad in our heart, or spirit, by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

What kind of love is it? Is it natural, human love? No, it is divine love. It is the God-kind of love. And one characteristic of the God-kind of love is that it forgives. Another thing about divine love—when God forgives, He forgets!

Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am he that BLOTTETH OUT THY TRANSGRESSIONS for mine own sake, and WILL NOT REMEMBER thy sins.” Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

These scriptures tell us that once we ask forgiveness, God doesn't remember our sins any more. God doesn't say, “I'm going to hold against you everything you've ever done, and I'm going to remind you of your sins every time I think of them.” Thank God, this verse says that when we ask forgiveness, God will remember our sins no more!

Sometimes husbands and wives can be prone to remind each other of past mistakes every time a disagreement arises. There’s no way they can develop a good relationship if they keep doing that. Also, if spouses constantly remind each other of past mistakes and failures, it will ruin their prayer lives and will make their faith inoperative.

1 PETER 3:7

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; THAT YOUR PRAYERS BE NOT HINDERED.

If husbands and wives hold unforgiveness and ill will against each other, it can affect their health, and their prayers will be hindered. Their faith won’t work.

You want your prayers to be unhindered, don’t you? Then walk in love and forgiveness. Learn to forgive and forget like God does.

You see, if you really love people and forgive them, you will not keep reminding them of their past mistakes, sins, and failures. You will not keep reminding them about the way they hurt you, let you down, or offended you.

Now the devil may bring a picture to your mind of something that happened between you and another person. But you don’t have to entertain the devil’s thoughts. You can go on your way and walk in forgiveness, knowing that the Lord has forgiven you of your sin, failures, and shortcomings, and that you have forgiven the other person.

Some people say, “Well, I just can’t forgive.” But that doesn't line up with the Scriptures, because if you are born again, the God-kind of love has been shed abroad in your heart.

Other people say, “Well, I can’t forgive the way God does because I'm not God.” Of course, you’re not God! But, you see, God forgives because He is love (1 John 4:8). And the same kind of love that God is dwells in you. Therefore, you can forgive with His love, just as God does.

Because the love of God has been shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Ghost, that means that God even furnishes the love for you and me to forgive with! But too many believers make the mistake of going by their head instead of their heart.

So divine love not only forgives, it forgets! That’s the way God wants us to forgive too. And we can forgive and forget because God has already furnished His love in our heart, enabling us to forgive. Therefore, there’s no excuse for failure in our ability to forgive.

Colossians 3:13 says, “Forbearing one another, and FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, if any man have a quarrel against any: EVEN AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO DO YE.” You see, when we walk in the light of the Word, we can enjoy all the benefits thereof. But to walk in the light of the Word, we have to walk in love and forgiveness.

There is something else we need to see about how love and forgiveness work together regarding answered prayer. Unforgiveness—the lack of forgiveness—is one hindrance to prayer that Jesus Himself mentioned.

MARK 11:23–25

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

25 And when ye stand PRAYING, FORGIVE, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

A lot of times, people take these verses out of context and make them say something they don’t say. Then, they try to make them work, anyway. But, you see, there are some conditions involved in getting Mark 11:23 and 24 to work. Did you ever notice that many of the promises of God are conditional?

You see, the blessings of God don’t just fall on us like ripe cherries off a tree. You have your part to play—you have some responsibility in the matter.

When Jesus tells us in Mark 11:23 and 24 that we can have what we say, we all rejoice and are thrilled with His words. And we should be. But that is not all Jesus said about answered prayer.

Mark 11:23 and 24 do not present the whole story on the subject of faith. For example, in Galatians 5:6, the Bible has something else to say about faith. It says that faith only works by love.

So you won’t be able to get your faith to work for you if you’re not walking in love and forgiveness. I don’t care how many biblical confessions you make or how scriptural they are—your faith won’t work without the God-kind of love.

You can make all the confessions you want, but they won’t work for you unless you forgive. You can get up every morning and go through your list, take time out at noon to make faith confessions, and even get up in the middle of the night and repeat the same confessions—and your faith still won’t work for you unless you’re walking in love.

You could make your faith confessions like that for a hundred years, but your faith simply will not work in an atmosphere of unforgiveness.

You see, believing you have your petition and confessing your faith with your mouth is only part of effective faith and receiving answers to prayer. In fact, Mark 11:23 and 24 won’t work without Mark 11:25: “And when ye stand praying, FORGIVE. . . .” Why won’t verses 23 and 24 work without verse 25? Because faith won’t work without love, and love forgives.

Notice that verse 25 begins with the word “and.” The word “and” is a conjunction. It joins what Jesus just finished saying to what He’s about to say. Notice what Jesus had just said in Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when YE PRAY. . . .” Jesus was talking about prayer. And He was still talking about how to make your faith effectual in verse 25 when He said, “When you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive.” When you pray—forgive!

Why did Jesus say that? Because Jesus knew that if we have an air of unforgiveness about us, our prayers won’t be effectual. Faith only works by love (Gal. 5:6).

Now if Jesus had just said, “When you stand praying, you’ll have your petition,” we’d all have it made. But He didn’t stop there. He said that when we stand praying, we have to do something. What do we have to do? Forgive! If we have aught (or anything) against anyone, we have to forgive.

This great truth bears repeating: Prayer and faith won’t work when there is an air of unforgiveness about you! And unforgiveness is what has so many people stymied in their faith and prayer life.

Whether you realize it or not, a lack of compassion and an unwillingness to forgive others are the things that hinder us from receiving from God and from growing spiritually. Unforgiveness will hinder us from being what God wants us to be and from being who God wants us to be.

In Mark 11:25, Jesus said, “When you stand praying, forgive if ye have aught against anyone.” The word “aught” means any kind of grudge or ill will or wrong feeling about anyone at all. That means a little grudge, a middle-sized grudge, or a big grudge—anything at all against another person.

God’s Word works, but you have to be a doer of God’s Word before it will work for you. Part of being a doer of God’s Word is to forgive others and to forgive yourself too.

It’s believing, acting on, and confessing God’s Word that makes it work for you. You can’t act on the Word and be a doer of God’s Word if you aren’t willing to forgive. It’s absolutely impossible.

So learn to forgive so you can receive God’s best in life. Practice what Paul did. Forget those things which are behind and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).