Bible Signs of the End Times

     What you are about to discover in this site is amazing evidence that we in 2015, are living in the end of times for this world as we know it. The Biblical signs are clear for all to see, and after reading through this site with open eyes, even the scoffers will struggle to argue against it. Sure, many people throughout history have been proclaiming that they were living in the last days and the end of the world was nigh, and some of the Bible signs have always existed from the early days. But never has there been a time before when ALL these events were evident in so many diverse places and with such frequency and intensity. Our Generation is the FIRST generation to fulfill ALL the biblical signs. So we will show you from the many following signs on this and other pages, that without doubt we are living in the final years that the Bible prophesied were to come.

Please note: We are NOT here to set dates or times. We are here only to warn the world that the second coming of Jesus Christ is NEAR, even "at the door"

     If you take into consideration all the signs, there is no mistaking that our generation is living in the last days, nearing the second coming of Jesus. Problem is, Satan can see how close we are to the end of the world, which is why he brings certain people into the spotlight (like Harold Camping of recent times), proclaiming false dates for the second coming, which when those dates come and go, causes many people to turn away completely from the truth. The truth being that WE ARE living in the end times. The Bible is very clear on that. We just can't set specific dates for Jesus' return. But we CAN know when the end is near ... Matthew 24:33 ...'So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.' ...
    And we are certainly now seeing "ALL these things".
Before you read on, please note this important point. In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of wars, earthquakes and such things, but says these are just the "beginning of sorrows" and "the end is not yet". Now that word "sorrows" in the original language meant "birth pangs", the pain in childbirth. Now birth pangs speak of frequency and intensity. And as a woman gets nearer the birth, the "pangs" become more frequent and intense. This is true also for the signs of the end times. These signs began not long after Jesus' day, and as Jesus quoted, the end would not yet be, because this was just the beginning of sorrows. But throughout history we have seen the "pangs" (signs) become more frequent and intense, culminating in the day we live in now where the pangs are so frequent and intense that we must be right at the time of "delivery", when Jesus is to return. So don't let anyone fool you into believing that the signs today are just the beginning of sorrows and the end is not yet.

"The beginning of sorrows" started nearly 2000 years ago with the persecution of the early church and the destruction of Jerusalem. We are living at the end of time. to be continued.......

How do I live the Christian life to the full?

Once someone has come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, they have already come as close to God as is possible. When you become a Christian, God accepts you and adopts you as a family member and nothing can change that.There is no such thing as a second class Christian. The way you continue in the Christian life is the same as the way as you started: by realising you’re a helpless beggar at the cross that needs the blood of Jesus to have any hope of relationship with God. Colossians 2:6-7 explains this: ‘So then, just as you recieved Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.’
While it is true that good deeds don’t bring us any closer to God, that doesn’t mean, however, that good deeds are not an essential part of the Christian life. We have been saved by faith in order to do good works. These are two truths that we must be careful to hold together and not to ignore one or the other. Ephesians 2:8-10 shows how we must think of the place of good works in the Christian life: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us.’ Humans are proud, and when we do something that we think is good, we run the danger of thinking we have done something that God needs to give us credit for. We must fight this proud urge. It’s only by God’s grace (i.e. his generostiy) that we are saved. But humans are also lazy and think ‘If my good works don’t bring me any credit, why bother?’ We must fight this lazy urge as  well. We have been created for good works, and God is a loving Father who has not made us purely to make us suffer; we are much better off by living his way, rather than following our own selfishness. It is always better for us to live the way God intended. After all if we are now a member of God’s family, then we are to reflect that family likeness. This is seen in the “good works” that we do - the way we treat and talk to people, the way we live with honesty and integrity and so on.
Living the Christian life to the full means to strive to imitate Jesus in all we do, without forgetting that we can only do so because of God’s loving kindness to us through the cross. There are many passages in the New Testament that help show what that looks like (for example 2 Peter 2:5-11; Hebrews 10:19-25; Colossians 3:1-4:6; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Ephesians 6:10-20; Galatians 5:16-26, just to name a few!). One of the important reasons why Christians are encouraged to meet together with other Christians regularly (e.g. Hebrews 10:25) is to work out what that looks like in practice and to encourage each other to live that out. So the Christian life is always one that is lived in fellowship with other believers.

Christianity: A Religion Or A 'Way Of Life'?

Defining The Term Depending on who's defining what, the term 'religion' will continue to elude proper contexts of application in the many perspectives of discussions. In secular, social and scholastic discussions (like statistical or demographic applications), Christianity is as much a religion as other faiths - Islam, Bahá'í, Hinduism, etc. Some other faiths or worldviews (like Taoism) do not view themselves as a religion in much the same way that many Christians want to view the Christian faith as non-religious. There's a negative connotation as well as a postive one about the definition of 'religion'; but again, it depends on who's defining the term and for what purpose. Let me attempt a working definition for the purpose of this response, which is by no means its all-inclusive meaning (the reference is mine. "Religion is a response to a set of core beliefs and values expressed in the practices of its adherents." It is in that sense that I'd be discussing the topic and including such faiths as Christianity, Islam, Bahá'ísm, Hinduism, Taoism, etc. But again, although it's a limited attempted definition, it does not view skepticism, agnosticism, or atheism as 'religions' even though they are legitimate expressions of core beliefs and values on their own. The difficulty of defining religion could be read in (1) source one, and (2) source two. Is Christianity Ever Viewed as a Religion? Of the five Biblical references I've read, three of them are in reference to Judaism - the Jews' religion (see Acts 26:5, Gal. 1:13, and Gal. 1:14); one is used in general terms (James 1:26) and the last is in reference to the practical essence of Christianity (James 1:27). It is this last usage that is contested today by many Christians, and it reads simply: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (KJV). There are three elements we should observe in that verse: ¤ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father - the essence of Christianity is purity and this was what James argued in favour of. Notice also that when he mentions 'God and the Father', he was making a clearly distinct appeal to Christianity because that is the quintessential confession of Christians - to address God as "Father" (Islam does not address Him as Father, even though it also preaches purity). ¤ To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction - this is just the same thing as showing practical love to people, and that is something which Christ Himself preached as a mark of true discipleship in Mark 10:21 - "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." (Paul made reference to the same point in I Tim. 6:17-18). ¤ to keep himself unspotted from the world - worldliness is a bane to true Christian spirituality, and there are countless verses scattered all over the NT warning against this trend; I'll reference just two here - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (I John 5:21) and "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Tit. 2:12). In other words, James used 'religion' in positive terms of the true essense of the Christian faith - purity, love and true spirituality. In this sense he would have been applying the term in positive light. In a somewhat negative reference which he discouraged (James 1:26), he counts an outward performance without the inward substance as really vain religion. So, Is Christianity a Religion or a Way of Life? Christianity is both; and again you would have to ask who's defining the term and for what purpose. Defining religion as "a response to a set of core beliefs and values expressed in the practices of its adherents" makes Christianity a religion. The reason is that, Christian believers hold 'a set of core beliefs and values' that they express 'in their way of life'. These set of core beliefs include (some of which you already are familiar) - ¤ God is the Creator and Father of those who believe in Jesus Christ ¤ Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Saviour who died, rose again and ascended ¤ The Holy Spirit is essential for the Christian life and witness ¤ Believers are to shun unrighteousness & immorality, and pursue godliness and holiness ¤ The Bible is the Word of God. How do these core beliefs constitute or affect the Christian "way of life" (or lifestyle)? As God is the Creator, Christians have great respect for the sanctity of life; Jesus Christ being the Son of God and the Saviour gives hope and great impetus for every aspect of living, transactions between people, and relationships that confess the virtues of Christ in practical terms. Of course, none of these make sense without the power of the Holy Spirit and respect for the Bible as the Word of God - it is there that the principles of righteousness, holiness, and fidelity are explained and understood. There are many other set of values that Christians hold, and you could make sense of them as long as they are not tangential to the core beliefs and values. However, the negative connotation of 'religion' is disavowed by Christians (myself included) - as exemplified in James 1:26. In effect, what that verse says to me is "shun hypocrisy and religious sanctimony." Oh well, I should quote it first: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." Conceitedness, duplicity and insincere piety are expressed in many shades than found in James 1:26. People can tend to be "religious" and be blind to reason, faith, and the true meaning of life - this is the definition of 'religion' in a bad context that gives rise for the disavowal of many Christians saying that Christianity is not a religion; and I agree with them. How Else Can We View Christianity As A Way Of Life? I'm one of several millions who view Christianity more as a relationship than as a mere set of rigid codes to be fastidious about. My faith is anchored in a living Person - although non-Christians may disparage this belief because Christ is unseen now, but will be one day. This relationship involves a family setting in which by faith we understand that God is our loving Father who cares in supernatural ways for believers, and indeed His love extends to everyone in the world. The first commandment captures this explication of Christianity as a relation: "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." (Mark 12:29-30) The second is predicated on the first: "And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31). We live in a world where people thirst for reality; and what is love if it cannot be expressed with purpose and deep commitment to the same? That love finds its purpose in God who draws our hearts to Himself as our Father and we His children by faith in His Son Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is when anyone talks so much about God, love and faith without a corresponding reality of his preaching - that's where the idea of "empty, dead spirituality" stems, and that is the sense of religion that Christians reject. My faith is a lifestyle that finds purpose and fulfillment in the God who is real and winsome.

25 REASONS TO THANK GOD

 

1. God is good, faithful and loving.

	I Chronicles 16:34 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
	Psalms 118:1 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
	Psalms 136:1 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

2. God is just.

	Psalms 7:17 (NLT) I will thank the Lord for He is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
	Psalms 7:17 (Msg) I'm thanking God, who makes things right. I'm singing the fame of heaven-high GOD.

3. God willingly helps us when we are in need.

Psalms 28:7 (NLT) The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

4. God is our source of joy.

Psalms 43:4 (NLT) There I will go to the altar of God, to God-the source of all my joy. I will praise You with my harp, O God, my God!

5. God carries our burdens for us.

Psalms 68:19 (GW) Thanks be to the Lord, who daily carries our burdens for us. God is our salvation.

6. God fulfills His promises to us.

	Psalms 71:22 (NLT) Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because You are faithful to Your promises, O God. I will sing for You with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
	Psalms 138:1-2 (NLT) I give You thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing Your praises before the gods. I bow before Your Holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness, because Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name.

7. God is always near to us.

Psalms 75:1 (NLT) We thank You, O God! We give thanks because You are near. People everywhere tell of Your mighty miracles.

8. Great benefits and blessings come to those who consistently thank God.

Psalms 92:1 (NLT) It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.

9. God answers our prayers and saves us.

Psalms 118:21 (NLT) I thank You for answering my prayer and saving me!.

10. God's Word is good-all His laws are just and good.

Psalms 119:62 (Living) At midnight I will rise to give my thanks to You for Your good laws.

11. God forgives and comforts us.

Isaiah 12:1 (CEV) At that time you will say, "I thank you Lord! You were angry with me, but you stopped being angry and gave me comfort."

12. God does miracles for us.

Isaiah 25:1 (GW) O Lord, You are my God. I will highly honor You; I will praise Your name. You have done miraculous things. You have been completely reliable in carrying out Your plans from long ago.

13. God delivers us from evil.

Jeremiah 20:13 (NLT) Now I will sing out my thanks to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For though I was poor and needy, He delivered me from my oppressors.

14. In Christ, God has delivered us from the power of sin.

Romans 6:17 (NLT) Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you.

15. God is generous with His gifts to us.

I Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) I can never stop thanking God for all the generous gifts He has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

16. In Christ, God has given us victory over sin and death.

I Corinthians 15:57 (NLT) How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!

17. God is our source of mercy and help.

II Corinthians 1:3 (TEV) Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes!

18. In Christ, God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

II Corinthians 1:20-22 (NLT) For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Him. That is why we say "Amen" when we give glory to God through Christ. It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything He will give us.

19. God chooses to use us as victorious messengers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 2:14 (GW) But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air.

20. God has given us His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins.

II Corinthians 9:15 (NLT) Thank God for His Son-a gift too wonderful for words!

21. God has given us all the spiritual resources we need in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 (TEV) Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ He has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.

22. God has given us a heavenly inheritance in Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:11-12 (NLT) We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritances that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.

23. God gives us opportunities to serve Him.

I Timothy 1:12 (NLT) How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve Him...

24. God has given us the new birth in Jesus Christ.

I Peter 1:3 (TEV) Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy He gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope...

25. In Christ, God has allowed us to be a part of His unshakeable Kingdom.

Hebrews 12:28 (TEV) Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please Him, with reverence and awesome.

Plans for Building a Christian Home - Psalm 127

                            Plans for Building a Christian Home - Psalm 127

 Introduction

Often in Christian weddings this Psalm has been read. Primarily it is read because of the very first verse, "Except the Lord build a house, they labor in vain that build it." A young couple setting out on the journey of life together are about to be caught up in the unending work of building a home. Using the imagery of building a house, let's look at the important aspects that are needed.
I suppose it would have been good if I had invited everyone to wear your work clothes to the service so that we could join in and build a home together; but, even so, join with me now as we look at building a Christian home.

I. The foundation

Without question, the absolute most important aspect of a building is the foundation and it is true when it comes to building the home. Hear the Apostle Paul as he instructs us about the foundation.
"Another foundation can no man lay than that which is laid which is Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 3:11
Jesus is the foundation upon which you can build a life, a career, a business, but especially a home. When Jesus closed out the Sermon on the Mount, He focused our attention on two men, each of whom went out to build his house. One, as you remember the parable, built his house on the sand and the rains came, and the floods descended and beat upon the house and it fell, crumbled, because it was built upon sand.
The other man built his house on the rock. The solid foundation of a rock. This house was also subjected to winds, water, and rains, but it stood because it was built upon the solid foundation.

II. Add some walls

To the foundation of Jesus Christ, now add some walls that will give structure to your home. What kind of walls? Well, it's only a small home so let's just erect four walls.

A. Communication

Depending upon who you listen to, talk to, or read their studies, there are various reasons why people end their marriages with divorce. In the evaluation oftentimes, if not most of the time, communication is referred to. Or, more often than not, it is the lack of communication.
I can not recall the number of times that a couple or one of the partners has said to me, "We just don't communicate." If you will notice, when sin came into the home of the first family in Genesis 3, immediately there was a breakdown in the communication, in the connectedness between man and wife, the couple, and the Lord.
Just listen to them as God speaks to Adam and Adam says, "The woman thou gavest me ..." Immediately he begins to stop communicating and starts blaming. Then the woman says, "The snake came ..." and he beguiled her. Oftentimes our self-centeredness or our sin-affected selfishness begins to warp our communication and we start pointing and blaming.
At times we think we are not communicating when we are communicating effectively. I've often told couples that, at times the loudest things you will ever say will be in silence and you are communicating. You may be communicating negative things, such as "I don't want to have anything to do with you" or "You're not worth me responding to." Negative things that are belittling and hurtful, even in silence. But a wall of communication needs to be erected so that there will be an openness of not only words, verbage, but of care and feelings and touch and concerns.

B. Trust

Think about it. No relationship can last without trust. It doesn't matter if it is a business relationship, or a treaty between countries, or a contract called marriage, or a living, loving relationship with God, it is built on trust. You can have a contract that is a stack of paper a foot thick and the lawyers could hide in the middle of it one little weasel clause that changes it all, and it does not last because of the lack of trust.
It is vital for the long-term existence of a home that a wall of trust stand. Husbands and wives need to find some way, day by day, to let their companion know they are trustworthy - - "You can trust me."

C. Fun

For lack of a better term, I use the word fun simply to express the enjoyment of a relationship that God intended to be filled with delight. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine," the writer of Proverbs tells us. He also tells us that "a man who finds a wife, finds a good thing." He is right! God intended for the relationship of marriage to be filled with His blessings.
I've never seen a couple desire to get married who detested each other and did not enjoy each other. But, I have seen those who, after a few years, at best are just trying to endure rather than trying to enjoy. God has something better in mind than just painful endurance. He wants you to enjoy one another.

D. Flexibility

This wall is a movable wall. This wall is the wall of grace and mercy. It is the injection into your marriage that you will be sensitive to each others' needs and the changes that take place in your lives. There are times when you need to be extremely close to each other, and other times when you need to give space. The wall of flexibility recognizes that each day you are somewhat a different person. The pressures of life change from day to day. The physical needs and the level of energy changes from day to day. Your understanding, your
patience, your responsiveness, all ebb and flow in a manner in which the husband and wife need to be aware and sensitive and gracious toward one another.

III. Now, let's add a roof

I recognize Peter is not talking about a physical roof, like on a house or a church, but listen to this marvelous verse in I Peter 4:8, "And above all things ..." and just for the imagery, look at the home we are trying to build with a foundation of Christ, the walls, and now the roof - - "And above all things, have fervent love one for another." Paul would tell us in the great love chapter, I Corinthians 13, that "love never faileth." Overarching all of your life's experiences in relationships, challenges, dreams, and difficulties, "have fervent love one for another."
When Paul said, "love never faileth," he knew that everything else would fail. There are times when you don't have enough patience, or enough understanding, or enough strength, or enough wisdom - - you may not have enough resources, enough money, enough time, and on and on we live with the limitations of life, but we can keep on loving!

Conclusion

It may look fairly simple. The plans are not elaborate for this little home, but it will take you a lifetime to construct it. Remember this, that the Lord Himself is the designer. He envisioned the home and He alone can help you build it.

 

How to Build a Christian Home

 

 
           Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Psalm 127:1a
Every Christian parent will readily affirm that their children are being raised in a “Christian home.” Probe a little deeper, though, and you’ll often find that what they really mean is their children are being raised in a “Christian culture.” Let me state what should be obvious, but doesn’t always seem to be—Christian activities and interests do not make a home Christian.
Let me be more specific—a Christian home is never defined by what the children are doing…it is defined by what the parents are doing. Your child could read the Bible every day, listen only to Christian music, watch only Christian videos, read every missionary biography in the library, know a zillion memory verses, have only Christian friends, and never miss Sunday School or Bible Club, and yet still not live in a Christian home.
Your children cannot do enough Christian things, no matter how good those things may be, to make your home a Christian home. Only you, their parents, can make your home a Christian home.

    So What, Then, Makes a Home Christian or rather How to Build a Christian     Home?

           A Christian home, in uncomplicated terms, is one in which God is alive and present in the lives of the parents. It is Christian not just in name, but in reality—Christ is present through His Spirit in the lives of His followers who live there. It is worth noting that the common Greek word in the New Testament for family is oikos, which means “house.” Family is the people who live within the house.
A physical house built without a foundation is destined to fall. Only a firm foundation creates a real and lasting home. In the same way, Christ is the foundation of a Christian home. Just because Christians live inside a house does not mean that Christ is that home’s foundation. Jesus ended his sermon on the mount with the parable of “a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-27). His house stood against the wind and flood, but the house built on sand fell. As a parent, you must choose to build your own house, your family, on the rock of Christ and His word if you want to build a Christian home that will stand for God, both literally and figuratively.
But how do you do that? Paul admonished parents concerning children that we are to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” We are to ektrepho our children “in the Lord.” That Greek term literally means to “feed from,” or to nurture. We are to feed our children from the life of God that is already in our own lives, to nurture their hearts in the life of the Lord who already lives in our own hearts.
Paul explains what that nurture looks like—it is helping your children understand the ways (training) and words (instruction) of life with Christ. Paul’s admonition to parents is not just a formula for what to do, but rather a description of the spiritual, relational, and life-giving priorities that should characterize our parenting. That is what will lay a strong foundation for a Christian home.
If we try to create a Christian home only by immersing our children in American Christian culture, we will “labor in vain.” We even run the risk of building on a sandy foundation that could leave our house, our family, in danger in a storm of life. When we let the life of God flow through us and into our children through our intentional, purposeful, life-giving relationship with them, that is how “the Lord builds the house.”
       When the people of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses charged them as parents, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7a). In essence, Moses was saying, “You cannot impress upon your children’s hearts truth that is not first impressed upon your own heart.”
And that is how you build a Christian home. It all starts with your heart.

 

 

– WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN HOME?

                             WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN HOME?

CHAPTER 1

                                       MARRIAGE

           Let’s think together about the Christian marriage. Marriage was God’s idea. Let’s look at what makes a Christian marriage and

a Christian home. What does it mean to be

married – from God’s viewpoint? What is the duty of each member of the family? According   to the Bible, what is each member to do in order to maintain a proper Christian perspective and responsibility as a part of the family? Let's start where God started it all. We call it

“Marriage”.

Marriage is the only institution that has come

down to us from the other side of the fall

of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:21-25). God ordained marriage before sin entered the world and intended for it to be the fullest, richest and most

joyous life on planet earth. If it fails in being this, the fault is not in the

institution itself but in those who enter into it carelessly and fail to fulfill its conditions. In fact, marriage is so important to God’s plan that

He makes a comparison in the book of Ephesian  ans between marriage and the Church. “The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ

is the head of the Church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let wives be to their own husbands. Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself

for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:23-25; 28). The Church

should be a reflection of the home, and the home should be a reflection of the Church.

P                  Re-Marital Check List

Expectation in marriage varies in many ways. Some get married for the wrong

motives such as: physical attraction, financial security, physical security, emotional stability,sexual compatibility, freedom from parents,escape from a bad home, a poor self-image, approval and the list continues.Sooner or later these motives

will surface and will put the marriage in jeopardy. Each should be absolutely honest and open with each other before marriage. They should have the liberty to as

k questions whether they are social, spiritual, physical or anything that might be a part of the others past. Honesty will prevent future

shocks that may save the marriage. In fact,every romantic relationship requires the test of time, as well as the test of an occasional separation. This

is a fundamental practice in determining God’s will. Time apart will make

the heart grow fonder, either for the one you plan to marry or for someone else. Make sure your relationship has experienced the time test. God planned for many of our individual needs to be met through marriage. The need

for companionship, family, social acceptance, sexual intimacy and many other needs are met

through marriage. “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be

joined unto his wife, and these two shall become one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31). God ordained

marriage for the comfort, happiness and well being of mankind. It is a part of God’s original

plan. It is not a relationship that evolved. It is not a custom into which men fell into during

the early days of the human race. It is not a mere arrangement or relationship that is

temporary and man-made. It is of Divine origin as a part of God’s creation, which God

ordained to be a life-long commitment to each other. “What God has joined together let no

man put asunder” (Mark 10:9). It is His ordained institution for men and women to join in a

physical and emotional relationship and to have the privilege of bringing forth children into

the world. There is no relationship on earth so close and

sacred as the relationship of marriage. It supersedes the relationship of a child to mother or

father. Our Savior, Himself, directed that a man should forsake father and mother and cleave

unto his wife (Genesis 2:24). This is not to be taken as meaning that a man should neglect fath

er or mother - far from that. It means that the marriage relationship and obligations come

first. From the moment a man and woman stand at the marriage altar, thei

r highest duty is to each other.A minister of the gospel should perform

a Christian marriage. It is a ceremony so solemn, so fraught with possibilities of good

or evil, so bound up with the eternal destiny of the lives of people that a cheap or flippa

nt mode of entrance thereupon should not be tolerated. In marriage, two hearts and lives

are being joined, becoming one for their lifetime.This was God’s original plan for marriage before

the fall of man into sin. “For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother and

shall cleave to his wife: and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). One is

the only number that is not divisible. Here is a famous quote that gives God’s perspective on marriage. 

    “If God meant for

woman to rule over man, He would have taken her out of Adam’s head. Had he designed her

to be his slave, He would have taken her out of his feet. But God took 

woman out of man’s side, for He made her to be a helpmate and an equal with him” (Augustine).              

 Commitment

Marriage is a bond that can only be dissolved by death. The ceremony is focused on a

covenant between two people who exchange vows and pledge to each other to “love, honor

and cherish until death do us part”. The ceremony anticipates commitment exclusive of future

events regardless of what happens. “For better or for worse, in sickness or in health, for

richer or for poorer.” These two people stand before God and form a covenant that only death

can annul. It is not difficult for us to think that the angels

of heaven hush their songs and grow silent in wonder while holy vows are take

n, and two hearts and lives are thus joined by

Divine appointment. A ceremony so holy, so sacred, so filled with destiny that as Christians,

it should only be done in the presence of Christians who understand the sacredness of this occasion. Let’s not be guilty of treating this Divine plan lightly.

Know Your God

1Kings 18:24/26-29

     You know the story how that the prophets of Baal and Elijah began to duel to see who’s God was God. You find that they were by the end of the day utterly discouraged and utterly tormented by the self inflicted wounds that their god had allowed them to have. Elijah mocked them and made fun because he knew that their God was only in their minds but the “God of Elijah” was in his heart. Then we find the conclusion of the matter by the answer of the living God of Elijah by fire.
     You know I thought how sad it would be to believe in something with all of your heart and it not even be real. Sadly enough this is the case so many times in life. People are deceived by the work of the Devil into believing that they can depend on the Gods of their lives.
     I am talking about drugs , alcohol, sex and pornography, money and greed, pleasures of life etc… they are the saviors and the God’s in so many peoples lives, but at the end of its course they are left in pain and embarrassment because the thing that they praised and loved so much simply wasn’t real enough to last, it wasn’t real enough to save them in their worst case scenario.
     They are left holding the bag of guilt, misery, and pain, regret, etc…
I want to tell you to day church you better know your God!
Let me tell you about my God!
My God is Omnipotent= Psalm135: 5-7/13/15-18( gods cant even perform human functions let alone the super human)
       The world will never have what it takes or have what you need when it counts!
God is able to over come any of your adversities
My God is Omniscience= Psalm 147:5 says,” his understanding is infinite
Says, “ he sees every sparrow that falls and he knows the hairs upon your head”
God understands you’re your pain and hurt
My God is Omnipresent= Psalm 139: 7-13
Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool
God is your comforter in hard times
God is a very present help in a time of trouble
Need to get a Revelation of who you are serving
     This world does not no their God! They do not know of the hope, joy they do not know the wrath of the only True God.

Rom. 1:20 says, For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and God head; so that they are without excuse.

What is the meaning of Christian redemption?

Question: "What is the meaning of Christian redemption?"

     Answer: Everyone is in need of redemption. Our natural condition was characterized by guilt: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Christ’s redemption has freed us from guilt, being “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

      The benefits of redemption include eternal life (Revelation 5:9-10), forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), righteousness (Romans 5:17), freedom from the law’s curse (Galatians 3:13), adoption into God’s family (Galatians 4:5), deliverance from sin’s bondage (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:14-18), peace with God (Colossians 1:18-20), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To be redeemed, then, is to be forgiven, holy, justified, free, adopted, and reconciled. See also Psalm 130:7-8; Luke 2:38; and Acts 20:28.

     The word redeem means “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to the purchase of a slave’s freedom. The application of this term to Christ’s death on the cross is quite telling. If we are “redeemed,” then our prior condition was one of slavery. God has purchased our freedom, and we are no longer in bondage to sin or to the Old Testament law. This metaphorical use of “redemption” is the teaching of Galatians 3:13 and 4:5.

      Related to the Christian concept of redemption is the word ransom. Jesus paid the price for our release from sin and its consequences (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6). His death was in exchange for our life. In fact, Scripture is quite clear that redemption is only possible “through His blood,” that is, by His death (Colossians 1:14).

      The streets of heaven will be filled with former captives who, through no merit of their own, find themselves redeemed, forgiven, and free. Slaves to sin have become saints. No wonder we will sing a new song—a song of praise to the Redeemer who was slain (Revelation 5:9). We were slaves to sin, condemned to eternal separation from God. Jesus paid the price to redeem us, resulting in our freedom from slavery to sin and our rescue from the eternal consequences of that sin.

What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God?

Question: "What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God?"

Answer: Imagine two friends who have a fight or argument. The good relationship they once enjoyed is strained to the point of breaking. They cease speaking to each other; communication is deemed too awkward. The friends gradually become strangers. Such estrangement can only be reversed by reconciliation. To be reconciled is to be restored to friendship or harmony. When old friends resolve their differences and restore their relationship, reconciliation has occurred. Second Corinthians 5:18-19 declares, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

     The Bible says that Christ reconciled us to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:20-21). The fact that we needed reconciliation means that our relationship with God was broken. Since God is holy, we were the ones to blame. Our sin alienated us from Him. Romans 5:10 says that we were enemies of God: “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

       When Christ died on the cross, He satisfied God’s judgment and made it possible for God’s enemies, us, to find peace with Him. Our “reconciliation” to God, then, involves the exercise of His grace and the forgiveness of our sin. The result of Jesus’ sacrifice is that our relationship has changed from enmity to friendship. “I no longer call you servants … Instead, I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Christian reconciliation is a glorious truth! We were God’s enemies, but are now His friends. We were in a state of condemnation because of our sins, but we are now forgiven. We were at war with God, but now have the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Guns, Drugs, Sexual Violence: What Can We Do? (Hebrews 5:1-10)

     The emotional, physical, and spiritual violence that we inflict on one other is a sign that something is amiss in our world. The statistics from the World Health Organization on sex work and disease paint the terrible truth that sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse are on the rise across the globe. The sex and drug industry “will tear up women and use them ‘til they throw them out” as Rev. Rebecca Stevens, Executive Director of Magdalene Ministries states. Magdalene is a recovery program in Nashville, Tennessee for women who have histories of substance abuse and prostitution. Stevens has helped countless women get off the streets and put their lives back together. Yet there are so many more in need. It is clear that something is persistently bent on the annihilation of our bodies and souls. What can we say or do?

       The widow of the longtime minister of the Anglo-American congregation that housed our Korean immigrant church taught us Sunday mornings. She would open our gathering time together with this question: “What is the chief end of man?” We would all respond with the proper answer:   “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever!” we would sing-song it together not really understanding the words.
Even at 10 years old I felt the weight of centuries behind those words. Somehow it felt like the perfect answer to anything and everything. Later, when I went away to college, I would remember these words and they would be like a flickering light in those dark times of isolation and loneliness. It was a reminder that our lives are meant for so much more even if we sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees.
In college I began to sense a call to ministry. I felt compelled to become an ordained minister in the Presbyterian church as my own way to “glorify God” and “enjoy him forever.” Yet, the only examples in ministry I had were the typical white, male pastors and staff of para-church organizations. I felt uncertain.
It seemed the leader of any organization was expected to be strong – someone with a strong will. Strong focus. Strong vision. Strong command. Strong abilities. I didn’t feel I had the charisma of a leader who could not only inspire, but direct, move, and act decisively.
       Hebrews invites us to consider an alternative vision of leadership in Christ, the High Priest. Instead of power, the writer describes Jesus’ service in terms of compassion and mercy, even citing weakness as the source of his efficacy as high priest. Even though he was a Son, “he learned obedience through what he suffered,” and we hear an echo of the familiar hymn from Philippians 2:

he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.

   
       It is this Christ that tells us we are worthy, walks with us through trouble and calls us out of the violence into an abundant life.
I reflect on this kind of living-life in light of recent news out of Indiana University, located in the small town of Bloomington, IN, where I currently serve with the Presbyterian Campus Ministry. One of IU’s Greek fraternities was shut down because of a hazing incident that involved a pledge being forced to perform oral sex on a stripper while dozens of half-naked frat brothers cheered him on. In the last month at IU, two students died – one was murdered by her boyfriend and the death of the other is still under investigation.
As staff for the Presbyterian campus ministry I echo the words Facebook post of my colleague Sarah Sparks-Franklin
      Everyday, I drive by the[fraternity] house on my way into church to spend hours of my week working to build connections to college students/ young adults. I want them to know they are not alone. That they are loved, accepted, and beautiful…That to be a part of our community requires no initiation, no list of requirements, no pressure to “fit in” to a particular stereotype, look a certain way, down enough shots at a party, adhere to some list of legalistic expectations, or to perform at the top of their classes. It simply requires them to show up, and we will love them like Jesus loves them, no strings attached.
Most days the promise of love and acceptance, healing and redemption is a difficult one to swallow as we continue in these seasons of uncertainty beset by terror and violence at so many levels all around us. So much in this world tells we are of no value, we are not worthy, we do not matter. It is hard not to believe it.
Yet, we have a high priest who intervenes for us – not as a distant and detached deity, but as a flesh-and-blood creature that walked among us. Jesus experienced those same forces bent on his own destruction. He came out, scars and wounds still present, but fully alive, full of the promise of healing and redemption. That promise is offered to us, too, always.
The beautiful, strong women of Magdalene who overcame the worst offer us a glimpse of that incredible grace. God promises to show up over and over for the sake of our salvation, but also, for our fully-alive lives. I cling to that sacramental truth we gather in churches and vigils, protests and services, in houses and meetings.
I can only say, as I often do during communion when I partake of the bread and cup: Thanks be to God. I do so trusting and hoping that there is more beyond the forests of our world’s darkness.

7 Mistakes Men Make When They're Looking For the Woman of Their Dreams

      Why is dating so damn hard? Well, it really isn't if you have a plan and know what the end result looks and feels like.

1. You need an outline of what it is that motivates you to find a relationship. Are you aligned with your own purpose and beliefs, and have you cleaned up your relationship baggage? If not, these things could be huge factors that are holding you back. Stop rushing the physical aspects of dating and spend a little more time determining compatibility in the areas that matter most - purpose, beliefs, values. 
2.  Some men are shy or seriously rusty when it comes to dating. Not addressing the fears often associated with approaching and communicating with women will decimate your confidence and mindset. You need to start to practice smashing these fears in everyday life in neutral ways. That will help to build an ease with getting you outside of your comfort zone.
3. Confidence is a very important skill built through self and social-awareness. Most men aren't even aware of how to properly occupy their own space, let alone be a presence in a room. If you learn how to use these two skills to read situations better, you will definitely improve your ability to influence your environment and have far more romantic opportunities.
4. Women mistakenly are attracted to the wrong men. Understand the difference between "nice guy" and "bad boy" to have a clear understanding of the actual attraction triggers that women respond to. Evoke in her things like provide and protect and appeal to her feminine nature. . When you know even just a these two, women will be beating down your door.
5. Success hinges upon you being able to humanize and uncomplicated women in your male brain. As men, you live in a "maybe" that is far different than a woman's. Get control of the flow of relationships better, from the beginning, so needy, bitchy and freak out moments almost never happen. Know the difference between a strong woman and a manipulative woman. Strong women value their time and yours. Manipulators use time and affection as a weapon.
6. Your idea of modern courting is flawed. So let's clear things up for you. Women want to be courted by men. They like the idea of a man taking the lead from the beginning. You ought to be initiating and planning dates, paying for them, and expressing interest in a direct and genuine way. Be bold and show passion for her. The process of dating puts a lot the responsibility on men, I get it. But these intentional acts of courtship will show a woman that you are choosing her, consistently.
7. Widen your net! Expansion of your dating pool will not only help you to meet better quality women; it will improve your social skills. Being seen is by far one of the greatest challenges singles face today. While online dating gives you choices far beyond your zip code, most people are limiting themselves to a 25 mile radius. If you are going to stay in that zone, you need to actively be out in it. Events, groups, meet ups, classes, etc. - find something to do. If she is not there, then you need to find places that this dream girl of yours will be hanging out.
8. You have a checklist. No, criteria and desired qualities are not just for women. You do it too. And you know what; there is nothing wrong with having wants so long as you bring the counterpoint to each thing on that list. Basically, who is she, this elusive creature you will call yours? Now who are you? More importantly, who do you need to be to get her?

Every man can have just about any woman he wants. Seriously. For some men it takes a breakup, a devastating divorce or a life altering experience before he will actually see women as a gift. And only then will they get back to the mindset of a man who truly loves women. Regardless of where you've been or what the starting point is; if you do it with purpose and an open heart you will find her.

4 Teachings of Jesus That His Followers (Almost) Never Take Seriously

     It's no secret that those of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ consistently fall short of living up to the way of life of our Rabbi. Being a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong journey towards conforming ourselves to the image and way of life that Jesus taught. However, so often, followers of Jesus chose to blatantly ignore some of the clearest instruction of our Rabbi and obscure it with vague theology so that we can get off the hook. Other times, followers of Jesus are taught something explicitly contradictory to the plain words of Jesus and then spend their lives obeying the instruction they received instead of the commands of Jesus.
However we end up at the place of disobedience, all of us who claim to be followers of Jesus struggle to obey the commands of our Lord. One of the most transformative periods in my faith was when I took time to re-read the Gospels of the New Testament and get reacquainted with Jesus' himself, in his own words. As I studied the words of Jesus, I discovered that so much of what he asks of us as his disciples is incredibly clear and yet so much of it was new to me. I had never heard it in church or Sunday school or actually heard someone teach the exact opposite of the words of Christ. It was during that season of my life where I took inventory of how I lived and what I believed and aligned to the person and teachings of Christ that my faith was radically transformed for the better.
Below I have compiled a short list of 4 clear teachings of Jesus that most of us who exist within Evangelicalism have either never heard, refuse to acknowledge, or believe the exact opposite of. It's my hope that by rereading these teachings of Christ, you will be inspired, like I have been, to return to the Gospels and begin to reshape your faith and life around the way and teachings of our Master, Jesus. Get ready and buckle up, because most of what Jesus says is pretty bold and potent. It'll shake up your faith!

1. Jesus, not the Bible, is God's living and active Word that brings life.
"You don't have His word living in you, because you don't believe the One He sent. You study the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. And you are not willing to come to Me so that you may have life."- John 5:39-40 HCSB
The Christian life is one that is fundamentally rooted in the reality that Jesus Christ is living and active. He interacts with us on a day to day basis and desires that we cultivate an intimate relationship with him. The more we commune with the Spirit of Christ, the more life and truth we are exposed to and are able to comprehend. However, for many Evangelicals, we rely more on the Bible than we do on the living and active Spirit of God within us. We fear that following the Spirit could lead to confusion and subjectivity and so we root our faith in the Bible. The problem is that a faith that is rooted in the Scripture alone is not sustainable. It will dry up and wither on the vine. While the Bible is an important and authoritative guide for Christian faith and practice, it isn't the foundation or center of our faith- Jesus is. And if we truly believe that he is alive, we should also have faith that communing with him will produce spiritual life within us. He is the living Word that we can ask anything to and expect, in faith, to receive and answer. Sometimes he will speak through Scripture. Other times he will speak through our friends and family. Other times he will find unique and special ways to reveal himself to us. But in order to maintain a vibrant and living faith, we must not make the Bible our substitute for communion with the living Word of God. Studying Scripture is valuable, but nowhere near as valuable as cultivating a day to day relationship with the God incarnate.

2. The only way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is through DOING the will of God. 
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 ESV
"An expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?""What is written in the law?" He asked him. "How do you read it?"He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."You've answered correctly," He told him. "Do this and you will live."- Luke 10: 25-28 HCSB
"We are saved by faith alone, apart from works!" This is a very popular Protestant catch phrase. The doctrine of sola fide (faith alone) was developed by the Reformers in response to the Roman Catholic Churches corrupted teachings that emerged in the 16th Century teaching that one could gain favor with God and shave off years in Hell and Purgatory by giving money to the church or doing acts of penance. The intention of the doctrine of faith alone was very good- to correct the error that our salvation could be earned or that God's grace could be manipulated. But like most doctrines that are formulated in response to another group's doctrine, it often goes too far. One of the clearest teachings throughout all four Gospel accounts is that the way to enter the Kingdom of God is through living in obedience to the Law of Christ. Time and time again, Jesus makes very clear statements that condemn those who think that they will be saved because they believe the right things or do the right religious rituals. Jesus responds to people who believe they are religious and deserve heaven by saying that their outward religiosity is detestable to God and the only thing God desires is that they would exercise their faith by obeying the command of God- to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. (Micah 6:8) Jesus says if anyone claims to be right with God but doesn't serve the poor, needy, oppressed, marginalized, sick, diseased, and sinful, then they do not have a relationship with God. No matter what they proclaim with their lips. No matter how religious they may appear. Jesus says those who don't obey will have no part in his Kingdom. He makes very clear that the way to "inherit eternal life" is through loving God and loving our neighbor. Isn't it astonishing, then, how many Christians today have been taught that salvation comes through right believing instead of right practice- a message that is fundamentally contrary to the words of Jesus. (And even more to his little brother James who says, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." James 2:24 ESV)   to be continued.......