12th Devotion on Marriage

I want to say I am glad to see people commenting to these posts!  And I have also received some personal e-mails regarding what is posted.  They have all been kind, helpful, informative or encouraging.  Please remember that each entry revolves around the specific verses of the day, and no one entry can stand alone without the support of the others.  If you are new to the series, please go back to the previous posts on the archive link and review them all.  I have clearly labeled each as a Marriage Devotion and numbered them.  Also, keep in mind that my original intent was to get people looking into the Word for guidance.....not to stand as an authority.  The Word and the Spirit should be each Christians final authority.  But as I have traveled the web and even in my own ladies' sunday school class, I am shocked as to how many Christians have never read the entire Bible even once!  That is why I have personaly chosen to quote The Living Bible by Tyndale House Publishers in this series; in the hopes that if the stilted, Shaksperion language of the King James Bible has halted anyone from exploring the Word fully, they will see that there are reliable translations that are easy to read.  Now...........on to today's: 

 

Good day to you dear Sisters! Today in Chapter 11 of our look into Corinthians, we will see God's overall plan for men and women.

"But there is one matter I want to remind you about: that a wife is responsible to her husband, her husband is responsible to Christ, and Christ is responsible to God." vs3 TLB When you put this verse up against what we continually hear in the world, the two do not match up. In the world we hear I, me, my, rights, equal, etc. In God's word we see a plan that always leads to put the emphisis back on God Himself. A plan that is not sheer equality. Ladies we have been brainwashed to believe that equality in and of itself will free us! The only True Freedom is in Christ! A life yielded to His Lordship! With great priveledge or rights comes great responsibility. We should rejoice that there is God, then Christ, then our dear husband to shoulder that responsibilty before us! To lighten our load. To share our burdens. To lead the way. Do you trust God to only want the best for you? Then you should trust Christ to want the best for you also, as He is the Servant of the Father. If you trust Christ's love for you, why not trust the Christian husbands devotion to you as He is under the Lordship of Christ! The only truly equal place is before the throne of grace......as we all have equal access to salvation, intercession, mercy, the Holy Spirit, etc. So while you may be "under" your husband in day to day physical living, spiritually you are on equal footing and a partner! As a child of the King of Heaven you are an equal partaker in the glory and priveledge of His Only Son. (Did you know adopted children have more rights than natural born children?)

If your husband is submitting to Christ to guide his life, you are in a blessed situation. If he is not, then you still owe him honor and respect as much as you can in all things where he does not go contrary to Christ Your Lord. And when he does contradict your Savior, you can draw all resource from Him to stand firm with Love as your guide!"God's glory is man made in his image, and man's glory is the woman. The first man didn't come from woman, but the first woman came out of man. And Adam, the first man, was not made for Eve's benefit, but Eve was made for Adam." vs.7-9 and "But remember that in God's plan men and women need each other. For although the first woman came out of man, all men have been born from women ever since, and both men and women come from God their Creator." vs 11 & 12

Can't you see the love God had for Adam when He created Eve to be his companion and helpmate?! The thoughfulness that went into His consideration of our needs and our natures?! The honor that is bestowed upon us as women, perpetuating the survival of His Creation?! Rejoice! Rejoice to be a woman! Rejoice in God's goodness! Rejoice in the provision He makes for you thru your husband!

A Forward from my Friend Louise

Don't step on the Ducks !!

 

Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven.   When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven: don't step on the ducks!"

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place.  It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.  Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw.  St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!"

The next day, the second woman steps accidentally on a duck and along comes St. Peter, who doesn't miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman.  The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps.

She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on ... very tall, long eyelashes, muscular, and thin.

 

St. Peter chains them together without saying a word.



The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?"


The guy says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck!"

 

 

 

11th Devotion on Marrige

Today 1Corinthians 7:10-17 will be our text. Now Paul turns his attention from advice on when and whether to marry or not, to those who are already married. And he specifically states that it comes from God, not his own ideas.

A wife must not leave her husband. But if she is seperated from him, let her remain single or else go back to him. , from vs 10 & 11 TLB. Okay, we have already established that God does not sanction divorce. That it is to be avoided. But here the wording illudes to a "seperation". Not living together as man and wife. How many people do you know who "split up" with their spouse and before any paper work for divorce is even filed they are out dating or even living with someone else.Our society says this is okay. But here we see that God sees it different. As long as you are married, then YOU ARE MARRIED. You are never single or free until a divorce is finalized, no matter what the circumstances.

Now lets look at vs 13, And if a Christian woman has a husband who isn't a Christian, and he wants her to stay with him, she must not leave him. Umhum! On the Christian message boards there are always plenty of people complaining and crying that their spouse is not a Christian or says they are and are not living it. That is sad. That is hard. But that in and of it's self does not give the Christian spouse freedom to leave! They are commanded to remain if the unsaved spouse will have them. (If you really looked into it, many - but not all - who are in that situation are there because they did not seek God's will before they married or were not Christian theirself before they married.) And God even gives His Divine reason for requiring this of us:
So the unsaved spouse might come to know Him and the children might learn of God and come to know Him! God's first priority always and forever is the salvation of man! From Genesis to Revelation! To Him there is no greater need and no higher purpose!

In verses 15 and 16, God examines the other side of the coin - you have an unsaved spouse that doesn't want to stay with their Christian spouse. They are free to leave! Free to end it! God pushes Himself and His ways on no one. And the unsaved is not bound by the call to obedience that the Christian is. You can try to gently persaude them to stay, but he tells us not to insist. Don't cause a big stink with fighting and bitterness. Just accept it and let go. I'm not saying this is always easy....many things that are right in God's sight are not easy. But He knows it is best.

Now look at verse 17, where we end today. If everyone took the words of this verse to heart and truly tried to do as it says, divorce would be a rare exception! And the marriages we were in would be fuller, richer and more satisfying! Mark it. Use it. Share it.

But be sure in deciding these matters that you are living as God intended, marrying or not marrying in accordance with God's direction and help, and accepting whatever situation God has put you into.

Definately words to live by! If you are receiving any help from these devotions, please spread the word! If God has used them to change your life in some way, to minister to you.....please respond here with a testimony!  If you just want to dicuss something personally, you can email me.

God bless you!

Feuds, Crashes and Supper at the Table

Well, seems I owe this thing a recap.  I'm gonna back up to Friday.  Friday I felt fine to begin with........got a late start, but went out to run errands.  Stopped in a couple of garage sales.  Found a bag full of baby clothes for $1.25.  Onesies and pj's for a baby boy.....we have 3 nieces/nephews expecting right now.  So that will come in handy for someone.  And while I picked up my bloodpressure meds at Wally World, I found Bug a bright striped swimsuit.  But on the way home I got to feeling real sick.  Maybe two days without my meds.  Maybe the hot car (needs air fixed.....but it's a Ford and not a Chevy....so no one here wants to work on it.)  So I think to myself I'll feed the kids corndogs for supper and my old man a plate of leftovers.  Don't always pay to think!  Hubby came home in a MOOD.  Went to bed before 8pm without supper.  And I recieved a VISITOR, if you know what I mean.

Saturday, I get up at 11 am.  (Oh, it felt good to sleep late!)  Bug has a Birthday Party to go to at 2pm.  The first one she's ever been to that wasn't family.  Their gonna have a waterslide, hence the swimsuit.  Pete the bear is just waking up as we leave for the party.  Windy, cloudy and getting cooler all the time!  Bug has a blast for about an hour, then says "Mama, take me home where it is warm!"  Find the guys out in front of the shop working on hubby's truck.  I start making preparations to cook.  Ask if he'd rather have BBQ'd chicken or fried catfish.  "I don't want a @#@%! thing!"  Okay.  I here ya'.  So I boil eggs to make me and bug tuna salade which we love, but no one else will eat.  Send the guys out a plate of eggs, sliced, salted and peppered to snack on.  In my head I am thinking that the man must be going to run off to the camp (likes to go hibernate there in bad weather).  But NO!  He stays home and weed eats up until 9pm or so.  I had him a snack plate made, but he refuses it.  Okay cranky, starve.

By now, I am fully convenced that he got the hormones and pms instead of me this time around!  Thought about putting HIM in a garage sale......cheap!  Sunday AM, me and Bubba are up and getting ready for SS and Church.  Bug is whining andsaying she doesn't feel well.  I don't really believe it.  But I decide to leave her at home and then give her a dose of "oh you missed it girl!" when I get home.  Hubby wakes up just in time to put his two cents in.

He thinks I am crazy.  Should whip her and make her go.  I'm thinking if her father went, she wouldn't have a choice at all!  When I get back from church, Pete's out there weedeating again.  Bugs telling about the big black snake they killed (chicken snake).  I started on the Catfish Sunday dinner.  (And Bug is feeling like she missed something and saying how she will be there next Sunday for sure. ;)  I send Pete a spam sandwich out by Bubba.  To hold 'em over till the fish is done.  Later, it is quite outside and I go and find the bear asleep in his old lazy boy in the shop.  When supper is done.....I go and gently wake him and ask if he wants a plate before we leave for evening services.  He accepts my offer and we're on our way.  All seems peaceful and I think the storm is over as we head for bed Sunday night.

Oh......but it's back with a vengence Monday AM!  As hubby is leaving for work I remind him I need him to leave the bill and grocery money. "What for?!  We can eat leftovers!"  And with that he leaves.  The old firey Me rises up and hollars some deliteful phrases after him as he leaves.  Then I come in and am reduced to a puddle of tears.  Hot, angry tears!  Why me Lord tears.  Bubba wakes up and 'cause he is my rock he advises me and says he'll get him and Bug ready and down to the bus stop for me.  Good boy.

Now by the time he gets all this done, time is running short.  And when he tries to crank his chevy (Daddy gave it to him.....can only drive on our road.) it won't crank.  He has to haul the battery charger over to jump it and he is getting cranky and mad.  He hates when me and dad are at odds with one another....puts him on a slow simmer.  I try to say, I'll just run ya'll on in my car, but his Stubborn Genes are kicking in by now.  So when he gets if fired off he and Bug go flying down the road.  I can hear a commotion down at the location where they get picked up......but when no one appears, I figure all is well and go back to my sobbing and pitty party.

After drudging on like that most of the morning I finally force myself to go do the few errands I can.  Come home and take a shower to try to feel normal.  Start in to picking up the weekend mess.  About that time, here come the kids WALKING up the steps.  Hum!  I didn't hear no sport tuned exhaust.  I didn't hear no subwoofer thumping.  How'd they get here?  Foot power.  What's wrong Bubba?  Truck won't crank again?  Nope, come with me.  We're gonna walk down and get it.  (???!!??)  Seems Bubba was so hot under the collar and he heard the bus just as he was rounding the curve to the location, he begin to lose the truck and locked it up and shifted into low.  But he still hit one corner of an old steel building there!  Now his truck has a crease in the front bumper.  No harm come to him and Bug.....but it scared him.  (GOOD)  He says all that flashed thru his mind was what if he had his license already and was actually driving them to school and had lost it out on a real road with real traffic.  (YEAH)  Thank you Jesus my kids are okay!  Thank you Lord that maybe he has learned a lesson that will save his life.

So.....we go home.  He parks the truck and turns in the keys.  Pete comes home quiet.  He makes no comment when Bubba tells his story.  But says later "Since the weather is warming up, why don't ya'll ride your bikes to the bus stop and back.  I had to walk it growing up."  Bug luvs this idea!  He also tells Bubba to have me set the table for supper tonight when it is done.  We NEVER set the table!!!!!  We do, and it is mostly pleasant.  Him and Bug pile up in the kingsize bed afterward and drift off to sleep.  Me and Bubba stay up a while and play a hand or two of cards and a round of straight dominoes.

Now this AM, hubby says on his way out the door......"I left you money on the bathroom counter."  Okay.  Does this mean the fued is over?

Now I have reached two conclusions here.  One is, the next time my dear unsaved hubby starts to pronounce and direct me in affairs of Bible, church, etc........I am going to reply "Any time you are ready tostep up to the plate and be the spiritual head of this household I'm behind you all the way!"  And the other conclusion is that when I've finished this series of devotions on marriage, I'm gonna take you and me on a journey thru the word on Words and Anger.  Seems Satan has found that little square of fertile ground over there in the shadows of my heart in which to grow a little trouble and confusion.

Now it is my sincere prayer that sharing this with you, doesn't spoil your faith in Him or His plan for marriage.  You see, we aren't perfect yet......just forgiven.  And I am not equally yoked, of my own wandering past.  And only me, Pete and God know how very mild this weekend of disagreement was in comparison to before I recommitted to Jesus as Lord.  I propose that even the most saintly couple will have their times of disagreement, and  it's a journey to learn to disagree without doing damage. 

 

 

10th Devotion on Marriage

Here's the Devotion on Marriage.  I have to say right now I feel a little hypocritical posting it.......as I am so mad at the big hairy ape of a man I married!  But I reckon' these feelings will pass.  And Satan would be delighted if my bad morning kept me from sharing what others may need.  So, with no futher ado:

The apostle Paul had a lot to say about marriage, so we will be settled in Corinthians for several devotions.
Corinth was a Greek city where idol worship abounded. The new believers in Corith had failed to recognize Christ as Lord of their lives, therefore they didn't always act like Christians...thus bringing dishonor upon the name of Christ. Paul was writing to address these problems and correct them thru the fundamental teachings of the faith.

In chapter 7 vs 1-9 Paul addresses how marriage is a tool to keep us from the sex sin he denounced in the later part of chapter 6. Some do not have very strong desires and urges toward sex. They could devote themselves fully to God and with his help never fall prey to sexual temptation. Others (generally most) need that intimate connection in their lives and if they don't get it thru pure means, they will fall prey to impure means to satisfy their longings.

Our bodies are not our own. If we are married, they actually belong to three persons. Us to maintain, control and oversee. Christ to use to His glory. And to our spouse. Your spouse is an equal partner in your own body. So don't dismiss his (or her) needs, longings, advances, etc. casually. We cannot be indifferent or removed! We must be available and accessable for sexaul intimacy. It is quite plainly their God-given right.
And their body for our needs is our God-given right.

Don't shout....yes, feelings and health and time; all those issues should be considered. Later, in another book Paul will point to the high level of consideration we should give to each other.

If you don't see it, don't believe it, you are not arguing with me but with God. Read the verses. He designed us. He designed marriage. Who better to understand what is in our and our marriages' best interest?!

God bless you and your marriage until the next time!

Questions, comments, testimonies? Post your reply! Or contact me by E-mail.

Aunt Billie's Hush Puppies

Hope everyone is having a joyous Sunday!   I am starting to fry some catfish, hushpuppies and french fries.  And I thought I'd share my Aunt Billie's Hush Puppy recipe with you.  They are light and fluffy and GREAT!   1 Cup Corn Meal (yellow) 1 Cup Allpurpose Flour 2 eggs 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teasp. salt 1 Tablesp. Baking Powder 1 Cup Buttermilk 1 bunch green onion, chopped small   Mix.  Batter will seem thin.  Drop by teaspoonfuls into hot, deep fat and fry until golden brown.   Keep it hot.....they should fry quickly.  Test one by breaking in half & make sure it is done in center.  If not lower temp.  slightly.

The best answer yet!

Wow!  Ya'll have got to go check out this answer to the tag game questions.  Now I have seen some good answers......but these were thought thru SO well that they are are linked together!  A gal with a plan.

http://journals.aol.com/grahamfarmga/FarmLife/entries/576