VETERAN'S OBEDIENCE
Most military Veterans experienced initial training designed to develop obedience. Immediate obedience without question can be crucial in times of military conflict and some Veterans can share how instant obedience saved their life. (go to this link to read a Veteran's story how God used his immediate obedience to save his life, not realizing the command was from God) Unfortunately commands from military leaders and the politicians over them, may be bad commands at times and cost lives unnecessarily. When God gives a command it is good by definition as Jesus tells us "ONLY GOD IS GOOD" (Mt 19:16 IC). Obedience is an enduring theme for both God and Jesus. Many of us have good brains, education and successful experience making good decisions yet none of us make decisions as good as the one true God, the God of Jacob who has a son named Jesus. The best most intelligent decision a person can make is to follow Jesus who says, "IF YOU LOVE ME, OBEY ME" (Jn 14:15 TL). One of the ways we obey Jesus is when He tells us to enter the kingdom of heaven we need to "OBEY MY FATHER IN HEAVEN" (Mt 7:21 TL). Jesus points out to "OBEY" God we need "HEAR" God. Hearing God includes God's "WORD" (Lk 11:28 NI) or words as recorded in our bible and what He tells us in specific situations (go to this link to learn how to hear God's voice). God likes immediate obedience like the military but God also likes obedience when we have time to think about it even if it could cost us our lives on earth, as God compliments people who do "NOT LOVE THEIR LIVES SO MUCH AS TO SHRINK FROM DEATH" (Rev 12:11 NI). Jesus had time to think about it and decided to tell God "NOT WHAT I WANT, BUT WHAT YOU WANT" (Mt 26:39 GN) a few hours before His execution. Unlike the military that wants to keep their people alive, God knows that there is something more important than our life on earth and that we can continue to live in eternal life after our bodies die as He had (Jn 12:49) Jesus share "THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME WILL LIVE, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIE" (Jn 11:25 GN). Obeying God is risk free if we "HAVE FAITH IN GOD" (Mk 11:22 GN) and believe in Jesus.
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A Psalmist wrote: "Lord, ... I have promised to obey Your words". Ps 119:57 (IC)
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
Last week we talked about how events can trigger issues resulting in an argument. For example if money is an issue and the event of a bill coming might trigger an argument. There are also hidden issues. Many years ago I knew a man who grossed over a million dollars a year and yet had money issues with his spouse, including taking her credit cards away. There could have been a hidden issue of controlling. Wanting to control the money or control his spouse. Hidden issues can be powerful issues that partners are unaware of, unable to talk about, or unwilling to talk about. Spinning your wheels in a conversation, avoidance and trivial triggers can reflect hidden issues. Hidden Issues often respond best to open, safe, and clear communication as found by using the Speaker Listener Technique. As a spouse, being sensitive to possible hidden issues such as controlling, caring, acceptance, integrity, commitment, recognition, etc. can help you in your relationship. For example, if acceptance/rejection is a possible hidden issue, you can be careful not to say anything that might trigger this hidden issue, like threaten divorce.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Although in this situation, with hidden issues, communication is difficult, as a spouse, being sensitive to possible hidden issues such as controlling, caring, acceptance, integrity, commitment, recognition, etc. can help you in your relationship. . For example, if acceptance/rejection is a possible hidden issue, you can be careful not to say anything that might trigger this hidden issue, like threaten divorce. If you aware of a possible hidden issue like acceptance/ rejection in your relationship pray for God to guide you what to say that might make your spouse feel more accepted. Also you may pray for God to guide you regarding any hidden issues in your life and help you overcome them. When a spouse calls "time out", it is an opportunity for a couple to calm down before continuing the conversation at a later time (anywhere from an hour to no later than the next day) using the Speaker Listener Technique. Initially after calling time out it is an opportunity to take authority over the enemy and pray for the marriage. Example: "In the name of Jesus I command you demons to shut up and leave our marriage and not return" "Thank you God for helping our marriage be in Your will and guiding us in our relationship, in Jesus name, amen." When a spouse will not cooperate, you can still take authority over the enemy and pray for your marriage.
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Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *