THE NEW AGREEMENT
Jesus says, "THIS CUP SHOWS THE NEW AGREEMENT THAT GOD MAKES WITH HIS PEOPLE". What is the new agreement aka the new covenant? God loved the world so much that He gave us His only Son with the conditional new agreement "THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM MAY NOT DIE BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE". The sign of the new agreement is the cup that reminds us that Jesus blood "BEGINS THE NEW AGREEMENT" when Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice as His "BLOOD IS POURED OUT FOR MANY TO FORGIVE THEIR SINS". Yes, forgiveness of our sins is essential to our having eternal life. This is the "NEW AGREEMENT" God promised through Jeremiah although unfortunately many "PEOPLE WHO SHOULD HAVE THE KINGDOM" did not embrace the new agreement. 1
When we believe in Jesus and follow Him totally, we remember everything He said and did as a human with a body like ours by eating bread to remind us of His body and by drinking from a cup of the fruit of the vine to remind us of His blood poured out for us, our belief life style results in our having "ETERNAL LIFE". By believing in Jesus totally we will continue to live after our bodies die. We will "NOT BE JUDGED". Jesus asked Martha and we should ask ourselves, "DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?" 2
1. Lk 22:20 (IC); Jn 3:16 (GN); Mt 26:28; Jer 31:31-34; Mt 8:11 (IC)
2. Jn 6:54; 5:24; 11:25-26 (GN)
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A Psalm for reflection "For a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. There is not enough of it in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul, to keep it out of hell." Ps 49:8 (TL)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
Every week you are encouraged to have a weekly date night. It doesn't have to be something expensive. It can be a walk around the park or use a coupon for a buy 1 get 1 free hamburger or what ever you enjoy doing together to have fun. Very important that prior to your date night, maybe the night before, you have you weekly couples meeting. In your weekly couples meeting you use the Speaker Listener Technique(SLT). You start your weekly couples meeting by saying something about your partner that you appreciate or admire. And your spouse repeats it. Like, "I'm glad I married such a beautiful woman." And then she says, "You are glad you married a beautiful woman." After three statements, you share the floor and your spouse then makes three statements about what she appreciates about you. Then, if you have any issues, they are brought up and discussed using the SLT. And after all the issues are discussed, then still using the SLT you discuss what you will do on your date night. The purpose of the weekly couples meeting is to resolve any issues you have so you can enjoy your date night together without risking any unresolved issues being discussed. Also the weekly couples meeting gives you practice using the Speaker Listener Technique in the good times when you are both calm. Then, if during the week an issue comes up that you need to talk about immediately, you will be better prepared to use the SLT. REMEMBER TO HAVE A WEEKLY COUPLES MEETING PRIOR TO YOUR WEEKLY DATE NIGHT!
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. Jesus said, "all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Even without your spouse's cooperation you can try to schedule fun times together (suggest doing something your spouse likes to do). You can show love and kindness to your spouse. You can justify it by remembering that Jesus says "Love your neighbor" (Mk 12:31) or "Love your enemies" (Mt 5:44), which ever works best in your situation. 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 *