Love your wife!

Guys, do you have trouble understanding your wives?

No, this isn't a trick question!

Most husbands do find it difficult to comprehend a woman's point-of-view. It isn't a defect in either's thinking, rather just the way thought processes differ by gender.

(Ladies, this is aimed at the men, so you may find it overly obvious. If so, print out a copy, and leave it on his breakfast plate.)

Look, bud, your wife is NOT the same as you. God made her different for a reason! She completes you in a way nothing else can. She makes you stronger, as well.

Think not? What happens inside you if some total jerk comes up to you both on the street, and tries to accost her? See what I mean?

With God and your wife in your marriage, you can do almost anything.

But, what happens?

Sometimes she says things that make no sense to you at all, or asks questions that you KNOW she already knows the answers to, or wants your attention when you'd rather be doing something else...

In the back of your mind maybe you are noticing she isn't quite the teenager you fell in love with. When do you suppose that happened? Possibly during the years she cared for you, kept up your home, had your kids, AND balanced all this with working a job as well, just to help make ends meet.

In Eph 5:28-31 we read; "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." (kjv)

Awesome, isn't it? (There is real power in the King James)

You know, guys, she is very aware that she is a little older. Our society reinforces her fears that you will no longer appreciate her as much as you did once. Television constantly depicts younger women as being more attractive, and yes, even more desirable. It isn't fair to her. She needs to be reminded of your continuing love, & of your devotion to her. Don't let complacency destroy your relationship! She needs your love and attention to be the strength you need when your job stinks, when major problems arise, and especially when you feel you are carrying the world on your shoulders.

Call her up unexpectedly when you're at work, remind her that you love her, and were just missing her and thinking of her. Ask her out on a date (sure, I know you're married, but that doesn't mean she has stopped being exciting, does it?). Do little things for her, unexpectedly. Stop by Wal-Mart on the way home and buy her a single rose. Get her some ear-rings, just because it is NOT her birthday. Tell her they looked lonesome without her. Propose marriage to her AGAIN! She needs to know your love for her is real, and constant. No other woman has ever given you what she has, right? Be sure she knows it! Remember how much she means to you, and has meant to you. Hey, she married you and not pimple-faced Ziggie Pflugelmeister from college, right?

Keep your marriage strong. Keep God centered in it. Keep your wife loved and content, and always reminded of your devotion. She will continue to be there to reinforce you, love you, and care for your kids. When disaster strikes, you will be each other's strength. It is what God intended, what more can you ask?

Walk with God.

Mr Mike

Chapter & Verse

I've always had a bit of trouble remembering the "addresses" within the Bible. Some verses, like John 3:16, are easy to remember. Repitition makes that chapter and verse pop into mind almost instantly, but most are much harder.

Where did David say, "For salvation comes from God." Where did Paul ask Euodias and Syntyche to become friends again? Where did John say that he looked and saw a door standing open in heaven? Often I can remember a verse, word for word, but still can't quite place it without searching. Is it a weakness?

Just to confound the problem (for me), I note that when Jesus quotes Scripture (ie Isaiah in Mark chap 7) He doesn't use the chapter and verse, so, when did all this come about?

Hmmm......

It seems that Rabbi Nathan first divided the Hebrew Old Testament in 1448 AD, which was then printed in Venice in 1524. The first Bible with present verse divisions throughout was the Stephanus Vulgate in 1555. (courtesy "The Story of the Bible" by Sir Frederic Kenyon, © 1936)

These divisions made it easier to translate and print, and certainly make it easier to jump to a particular point in Scripture. To do without them, all I have to do is memorize each whole book of the Bible!

OK, so I'm convinced I need to put in more Bible study-time, how about you? Remember, the Post Office cannot deliver the mail without an address, neither, it seems, can we deliver God's Word to potential believers without the addresses!

See you soon, in Paradise!

Mr Mike

The Rapture

Some people do not believe there will be a Rapture. Either their religion teaches there will be no such thing, or they may be agnostic, atheist, or a member of one of the many non-Christian religions. I am constantly amazed at the number of people, who claim to be Christian, but do not believe it will happen. Often, I am told, "the word 'Rapture' does not appear in the Bible." In a manner of speaking, they are right. You see, the New Testament was written in Greek, not English, so rapture, as a word, could not be there. But, what is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, in Greek, is the word;

Now, I do not speak Greek, so I have to depend on the work of translators. In Anglic lettering, they render that word as

- Rapiemur -

which, as near as I can figure, means "will have been caught up."

If you are better than I am with Greek (probably most who've studied it), feel free to correct me.

In English, we translate rapiemur as "Rapture."

From the Living Bible; "Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever."

So, while it is true that Paul simply didn't write his letters in modern-day English, he did tell us we would be "caught up" to be with our Lord.

Be assured, Paul did tell us the rapture is coming. The Bible tells us explicitly how to be ready, and Jesus tells us to spread the word to all.

.

Invest the "talent" He entrusted to you!

Behold! The Rapture cometh!

See you soon, in Paradise!

Mr Mike

Choices

Choices... all of our lives are filled with choices...

Most of the choices we face are not easy. Sadly, all too often, we make the wrong choice. I know, it is a problem I face as well. Age and health issues do (and have) contributed to erronious decisions, but the fault cannot be only attributed to them.

A good friend once nicknamed me "Micah" because he said I "preached too much," but the sad truth is, I really didn't witness enough. God throws LOTS of opportunities our way, but we often find ourselves looking the other way.

Hey... These are my friends!
-or- I have to work with them.
-or- This really isn't my calling.
-or- I don't know the Bible well enough.
-or- I'm too tired!

Choices... they are all choices, and it is easy to choose wrongly, and find a good excuse for doing so at the time. But, the Bible tells us...
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

So, if you know what you're supposed to be doing, and DON'T do it, that is a sin!

But choices also include what we believe. We've all known of the Ten Commandments since childhood, but, do you know where they are defined in the bible? (Exodus 20:3-17) It is easy enough to check on, but few have ever done so.

I sometimes hear somebody making what they claim is a Scriptural quote that just doesn't ring true. When your "uh-oh" light turns on, remember John 8:32; "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Psalms 119:160 tells us; "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endure for ever."

What's all this mean to me? Whenever you hear any priest, preacher, deacon or televangelist quote something from the Bible, make a note of his interpretation. Does your Bible seem to give a different meaning to the passage? Grab another translation, discuss it with your friends, bring it up at your Bible study, or talk to your trusted priest, preacher or deacon. Choosing not to do so leaves one of Satan's seeds planted to sprout forth doubt at a most inconvenient time.

So, "know the truth" and know God's "word is true."

Luke 11:28 says; "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

OK, so listen to the Word of God, and do what it says.

And never forget John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Jesus is the Word, with God from the beginning, and He IS God!

So, how do we make the right choices? We take everything to the word of God! Then, when we know what God tells us, we spread the Word so that others may know.

They thirst for the good news.
Remember Prov 25:25 "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." and from Psalms 63:1, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee..."

Give others what they thirst for, and get a good drink for yourself!
And when it comes to choices... choose God!
................................(all quotes KJV)

See you in Paradise!

Mr Mike

Afterlife Insurance Policy

It seems everywhere you turn, someone is predicting "The End." Some find it disturbing or think it misleading. Some think it is wrong to warn of the coming end, because "God has it all arranged, and only He knows." Obviously, there are those who find preparedness interferes with their lifestyle.

God does not want us to know the exact moment of the Rapture. There would otherwise be some who would plan to have "their fun," then get saved at the last possible moment. God wants us to choose Him because we want Him, love Him, and recognize our need of Him. He does not intend to be only an "afterlife insurance policy."

Why is it so hard for people to see the inevitable? What does God tell us?
-In Daniel 12:9-10, we read; "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." -kjv-

Sometimes I think it helps a lot to use multiple versions of the Bible when studying. The Living Bible reads thusly; "For what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end. Many shall be purified by great trials and persecutions. But the wicked shall continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those willing to learn will know what it means."

(I use the Living Bible for faster reading, and to help "catch" ideas, but then go back and check it against the King James. For me, this helps.)

So, what is this passage trying to tell us?
-Those who enjoy evil will never try to learn.
-It will be hard to understand these predictions,
...right up until the time of the end.
- You will be made stronger by hatred, abuse, and
...neglect; and by being misunderstood &
...mistrusted.

Although we cannot know the exact time, the increase in numbers of those who see it coming are a sign that the end is getting closer. God granted us the priceless gift of salvation, don't bury it! Take His investment in you to the public and give Him a "return" on that investment!

See you in paradise!

Mr Mike

Remember Who is in charge!

A while back, my eldest son and his family were involved in an accident. They were broad-sided by a loaded lumber delivery truck, not too far from their home. Their car was knocked sideways, spinning, across the street, and up into someone's yard. My son had both knees partially dislocated. His baby, 1 1/2 years old, bit through her tongue from the impact. Blood was pouring out of her mouth, and for a while, we thought she might lose part of her tomgue. His wife, 8 months pregnant, was hit so hard that she didn't immediately realize she was in labor. As any mother will tell you, that was some intense pain, to be able to disguise birthing pains. Her baby (another granddaughter, thanks God!) was born at 4:45am, the next morning, bearing a diagonal bruise from the seatbelt!

I was in even greater shock than would otherwise have been the case, because not 2 weeks previously, my son had told me he'd come to the conclusion that God did not exist...

I know I've done a lot of really dumb things in my life. Often, God will give me a whallop, upside the head (as we used to say) to let me know that a change of direction was indicated. Usually, I'm not so hard-headed that I don't take the hint...

I ask these two favors of everyone;

First - examine your life. Is there a message that God is trying to make you aware of?

Second - pray for everybody (my son included). We all need God in our lives.

God loves us all so much that He allows us to say "no" to Him, to our eternal peril. Many choose to keep that which is temporary and worth nothing, and pay for it with that which is eternal and worth everything.


"For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
>>>>>-Mark 8:36 KJV-

See you in Paradise!

Your Ally

One of the very worst feelings is that you are alone against danger. Satan loves it when that feeling hits you, knowing that you are at your lowest level of spiritual strength.

Of course, this is when all the doubts creep back in.
-Does God really know just how bad I've been?
-Did I really mean it, when I was saved?
-But I've sinned since then, doesn't that negate the
.whole thing? etc. etc.
.
Almost any question can hit you with doubts, you wouldn't be human, otherwise. The Devil knows just how to turn the pressure up and keep you reeling.

Why is this? He knows if you are suffering from doubt, you are not an effective witness for Jesus. The less you witness, the less likely it is that someone else will be influenced by you for God. Your testimony just might be the key to their understanding of their need for Christ. Without it, that individual might never come to the Lord, and Lucifer does not want any of us in heaven!

Not that he loves us, you understand. He hates us because we can go to heaven to be with God, and he cannot. It is very important that we remember, as much as the Devil hates us, he hates God worse. Keeping us out of heaven denies us to our Lord, who made us, and loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. There is no other love that can compare to this!

So what do you do when you are bottomed-out? When all your reserves are totally spent, and you feel so alone you can't even muster up the energy to even look up?

That is the time to remember what Jesus said to us in Mat 28:20 "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen."

Keep your head up! With Jesus as your ally, who can stand against you?

See you again soon, in Paradise.