Faith unlimited february, 2016 2 a

February 2016 – Published by Worship & Word Fellowship and Ministries, Inc.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Articles Marriage and Family Love Listens Pastor Ken Blount From Adversity to Advancement Pastor Ken Blount Love, More than a Feeling Pastor Ken Blount Drip, Drip, Drip Trudi Blount Brain Freeze in Marriage Trudi Blount Why Marriage Works!

Dr. Bill Hanshew Prove them Right!

Faye Hanshew Marriage, Family, Relationship, Love Pastor Gary Miller The Gospel Through Marriage Leon Goswieski First Things First!

Pastor Kim Miller Blessed Marriages Result from Following God’s Instructions Dr. Dan L. Corse AIM: Never Give Up! Kathy Weddle God’s Perfect Plan for your Marriage Rev’s Bill & Melissa Shepherd

Teen Trooper Obey Your Parents

Briana Bishop

Books The Fig Tree Has Sprouted, Awake! Rise & Glow, and Christianity Mis-Sold Treasures of the Messiah Matthew 4:4 Equipped! How to Apply God’s Word The Crocked Legged Foal The Power of Grace Decisions, Decisions, and more Decisions What About Job? Spread a Little Love, God’s Love

Leon Gosiewski Amos Long Rick McKnight Kim Miller Danielle Norris Dr. Larry Ollison Nick Schneider Tom Tompkins Dr. Bill Hanshew

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MEET KEN & TRUDI With over 30 years of proven ministry under their belts, Ken and Trudi Blount have a passion to see families healed, equipped, and empowered by Jesus Christ to walk victoriously and make a difference in the darkness of our day. The gospel is the answer to all the problems of society, but if we are going to bring the gospel to the world, it must first be alive in our homes.

Ken and Trudi’s lives were dramatically transformed in 1971, when Trudi met Jesus Christ and was healed from an incurable eye problem. Her eyes had been crossed and her vision was seriously impaired from an accident she experienced at age 4. As she was prayed for and instantly healed, Trudi was able to throw away her glasses and contact lenses and she received perfect 20/20 vision. This miracle greatly impacted Ken, and he received Christ and was delivered from alcoholism.

Their adventure in ministry began as Ken worked with Willie George on The Gospel Bill Show during the 80’s and 90’s. Ken played the character, “Nicodemus” on the program. He acted, wrote and directed episodes, and wrote and performed the music for the show. Ken was one of the first artists to film Christian music videos at that time, and his songs became wildly popular. He was a part of over 200 episodes that were broadcast worldwide, reaching millions of kids with the gospel. These episodes live on in rerun broadcasts today.

During the 90’s Ken and Trudi were music directors at Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a church plant that grew to over 8,000 people in weekly attendance while they were there.

In 2002 the Lord directed Ken and Trudi to begin their own ministry with an emphasis on family relationships. Since that time they have traveled extensively to churches around the world preaching, teaching, and training Christians about how to connect in their marriages and raise their children to become champions for Christ.

Although family, marriage, and parenting is their ministry focus, Ken hasn’t left his original roots and mandate to teach children the Word of God and how to worship Jesus.

BLURB

STAR

 Click on the blurb and open the Hyperlink to hear: “The Bold Song” by Ken Blount  Click on the Star and open the Hyperlink to hear: “Faith is Like a Rope” by Ken Blount

With his rich history as a singer and songwriter, Ken is now partnering with his son, Joshua, in their music project for kids called, Love Out Loud (LOL). The vision is to produce relevant, fun music for kids that teaches them to sing and worship Jesus “out loud.”

Available on CD and DVD, the music has a two-fold application.

While being great for home use, the DVDs are also designed to use in a children’s classroom for church services. LOL is an ongoing music franchise producing new music that is a tremendous resource for churches around the globe.

The Blount’s have produced a multitude of resources and teachings, including their monthly CD partner resource, Relative, all of which are available for purchase and download on their website and new smart phone app.

Devil-Proof your Family

By Ken Blount

DESCRIPTION A quick glance at recent news headlines is all you need to see evidence of a spiritual attack on families. Satan knows that the most effective way to destroy a society is by annihilating strong homes. Victorious families don’t just happen, but there is good news. God has given you potent weapons designed to stop the devil in his tracks.

In Devil-Proof Your Family authors Ken and Trudi Blount explain what the Bible says about how to keep the devil out of your home. This book outlines specific Bible-based strategies that will empower you to: Develop the mindset of a warrior parent/spouse Safeguard your home from cultural anarchy Position your marriage for blessing and build unity with your spouse Partner with the Holy Spirit to raise godly children Stop wishing for change and take action now! You have the ability to dismantle the enemy’s plan and raise a victorious family.

Go to: https://kenblountministries.com/ to order Make no mistake about it. The devil has targeted your marriage for failure. Blending families in second or third marriages is one of the greatest causes of divorce. Statistics tell us that 50% off all first time marriages fail. That number jumps to 60% for second marriages. So, six out of every ten second marriages or remarriages fail.

Why is this? Because of the baggage. Every person who enters into a marriage, be it a husband, a wife or a child, enters into that marriage with bags that are filled with the good and bad experiences that person has encountered during their lifetimes.

The heaviness of this baggage from past failures and hurts is enough to weigh any marriage down and bring it to a screeching halt if not dealt with properly. We serve a God who loves His people and gives us second chances in many areas of our lives… including marriage. In fact, “Redeemer” is one of God’s names.

And that’s what this message series is all about. Redeeming your marriage, helping repair the damage, and throwing off the weights from past failures, no matter whose fault.

In this series you will learn:  How To Raise Children In A Blended Home  Generational Curses, What They Are And How To Break Them  What The Bible Says About Divorce  How To Forgive Yourself And Your Former Spouse  What It Takes To Make Two Families One  How To Be An Amazing Step-Parent And More!

Blending A Family

By Ken & Trudi Blount 3-CE Series

by: Ken Blount

Love Listens I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the word LISTEN contains the same letters as the word SILENT. God created the human ear to catch and transmit sound to the brain, enabling us to receive and interpret messages. Unfortunately, the Bible tells us that all too often human ears become like those of heathen gods: “Having ears, they hear not…” (Psalm 135:17) “God is a great listener. He listens because He loves us.

When you come to Him with something on your heart, He not only receives you, but you have His full, undivided attention. You have the total interest and awareness of the God of the Universe concerning your problem.”

Listening is an important part of showing someone that you love him or her.

Love listens. You can say over and over and over again, “I love you,” but the best way you can show your spouse that you love them is by listening to them.

I’m talking about turning off the television and looking them in the eyes when they are talking to you. I’m talking about not answering your cell phone when it rings in the middle of your conversation.

I’m talking about not flipping through a magazine while you ask, “How was your day?” If you really care you’ll put the magazine away before you ask that question, showing your spouse that you really want to know and that you’re interested in what he or she is going to say.

Recently, I read about a coffee house in San Francisco with soundproof booths, where for an hourly fee, a patron will be provided with someone who will listen to

them. Business has been good.

People want to be listened to so badly that they’re willing to pay a complete stranger just to have someone with whom they can share their thoughts, feelings, and problems.

The sense of being listened to is something everyone desperately needs. Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m the one who needs to be heard.”

If you are, I’ve got great news: The Bible says that you will reap what you sow. So start listening!

From Adversity to Advancement Adversity is something that we all have to face. It’s a part of life. The only way that you can get out of the battles of life is to die, so you might as well learn how to deal with them and live a life pleasing to Jesus.

The Bible tells us in John 10:10, “The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy…”

Satan is the thief that this verse is talking about. All that kills, all that steals, and all that destroys is from the devil. It is not from God. The devil wants to steal the promises of God away from you and frustrate you until you lose your faith. Adversity is designed to get you to quit.

But we don’t have to just take it. Any storm that comes into our lives is a storm that we can face and overcome with God’s power. In fact, if you let Him, God will use the storms the devil brings your way to advance you to new levels in life.

But understand this: There are some storms that we allow into our lives through sin, disobedience, unforgiveness, speaking the

wrong words, and fear. When we have any of these things in our lives and trials come our way, we shouldn’t be too surprised, because we left the door open.

Sin gives satan the legal right to enter our lives. Sin gives demons a foothold to bring oppression our way.

Jesus told the sick man, in John chapter 5, “Go and sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” How we live our lives is important. Jesus tied the possibility of something bad happening in this man’s future to how he lived his life.

There’s so much teaching in the modern church today about how you can live just any old way and it will be fine with God. Friends, I’m here to tell you that there are consequences for sinning.

So, the first step in dealing with adversity is a little selfexamination. That’s something we should do every day. We need to be regularly looking at our lives and disciplining ourselves.

We need to constantly be confessing our sins and

allowing the blood of Jesus to wash them away so that satan can’t come against us with accusations.

The great thing is that when we confess our sins, the Bible says, “He is faithful to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). God is so good that He will forgive us and even help us out of the troubles that we have brought upon ourselves.

But not all trials, storms, and adversity are brought on by our own sin.

Sometimes, right before some of your greatest victories in life, you’ll face some of your biggest trials.

Why?

Because satan can sense when something big is on the horizon for you, so he swoops in with a storm to try to throw you off and get you to give up on your blessings or promotions.

It’s simple. If you’re a threat to satan, he’s going to come against you and try to stop you. But if you never see adversity or opposition in your life maybe you and the enemy are going in the same direction.

If you are living a godly life and following Jesus with all your heart, then adversity should be some type of an alarm clock to let you know that you are really close to getting a blessing or a promotion.

But you’ll never take hold of it, if you quit in the middle of trouble. Don’t quit when it gets hard. The devil is trying to stop your success. This is the time when the character built into you by the Word of God should make you rise up and refuse to be beaten.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be

glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.” (I Peter 4:12-14) Adversity is just an opportunity for you to show what you’ve got! Stand up and show that you’re more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus!

When a test comes, take that test and ace it. No Christian is excused from the day of adversity. You will have to face it at some point in life, so study up now and take that test to pass it.

People who faint in the day of adversity will usually face more adversity. When the devil sees that you couldn’t pass his last test, he’ll keep throwing them at you again and again.

The devil doesn’t play nice.

He doesn’t show mercy. He doesn’t ease off. He wants to kill, steal and destroy you and he will keep coming at you until you fight back.

The good news is that when you pass the test, you’re ready for promotion!

So here are three simple things you can do to pass the tests of life:

1) Study the Word and speak it. If you have the Word down deep inside you, when you need it, it will come out. You have to study and speak the Word in good times and in times of trials. It is your fire hydrant.

Don’t fan the flames with negative words.

Speak what God says.

Remind yourself of God’s promises, and put out the fiery trials of the enemy.

2) Be glad and rejoice in the midst of adversity. Psalm 31:7 says, “I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy and steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction, You have taken note of my life’s distresses.” Rejoicing in the Lord will activate your faith and kill the fear that satan uses to fuel adversity against you. With no fuel, the fires will soon burn out.

3) Surround yourself with the right kind of people. Psalm 35:15 tells us, “But in my stumbling and limping they rejoiced and gathered together

[against me]; the smiters (slanderers and revilers) gathered against me, and I knew them not; they ceased not to slander and revile me.� Don’t hang around with people who will throw a pity party for you. You need friends who will preach the Word to you in times of trouble and stir you up to press on in faith.

Praise God, you can stir yourself up and face

adversity. Tell yourself that you will not be defeated in the day of adversity!

Then you can tell the devil that he might as well go somewhere else, because the only thing that adversity is going to do to you is sharpen you. When you don’t feel like praising God but you do it anyway, you get stronger and sharper. Walk over your enemy and get your victory.

Remember: People are like

teabags. When you put them in hot water, they either grow stronger and get more flavor, or they tear and break, messily spilling their contents adrift.

Love More than a Feeling ,

The term “falling in love�

Love More than a Feeling ,

gives you the idea that love is some overwhelming feeling that slams into you and there is nothing you can do to resist it. People talk about it as if love just takes you over by force and you “fall” right into it.

That sounds so romantic and mysterious, and in the beginning of a relationship I suppose that term carries some validity. I remember the first time that I ever saw Trudi. I thought she was the most beautiful, sweet creature I had ever seen. I loved looking at her, being with her, smelling her, and talking to her for hours on end. Seeing her come into view as she walked toward me in the hallway at school was almost more than I could stand.

I still like to look at her because she is so beautiful. I still love to smell her, and I still love all those other things I mentioned, but now after 36 years of marriage, our love is based on a lot more than that.

It is based in a word— commitment. [quote]

If you base your love for your spouse on feelings alone, someday you’re going to find that feelings change like the tides. It’s your commitment to love that will keep your marriage flowing and growing. [/quote] Let me illustrate with something that just happened.

Trudi and I travel all the time.

Every weekend we are flying to some church or seminar.

We are together practically every waking moment. Just last week we had finished a meeting in Texas, and we were driving to another church to preach the next day.

It was late in the day and we were tired.

As we got into our hotel room, I noticed that the tone of Trudi’s conversation was changing. I can’t remember the exact words she used, but as we were taking our luggage into the room, she told me that I was talking disrespectfully to her. (Looking back, she wasn’t mad or short with me.

She was just addressing my attitude.)

In all honesty, I had been talking to her disrespectfully, but I didn’t even realize I was doing anything wrong. (So much of the time, men are just oblivious.) As Trudi scolded me a little bit for my insensitivity and bad attitude, (I was stressed a little bit, but it was a soft rebuke.) I found myself ready to fire back some words in self-defense.

Now don’t get me wrong.

I’m not perfect at this, and I don’t always handle these things perfectly, but at that moment I made the decision that I was not going to fight with her. This would have been an outstanding place to try to defend myself and escalate the situation (which my flesh wanted to do), but I

bit my lip and shut up and didn’t say a word in my defense.

I decided it might be best if I left and got some gas for the car. While I was in the store, I found a display with some fresh flowers. It was the middle of January, and I was surprised to find flowers that beautiful. So I bought Trudi a bouquet.The whole mood of that room changed instantly, and we ended up having a wonderful, relaxing evening.

What is my point? Love is much more than a feeling. It

has to do with committing to do right, even when it is not convenient, and acting on the Word of God. Look at this verse in I Corinthians 13.

Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not selfseeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. I Corinthians 13:5 AMP Now I’m not saying that we should never confront each other if disagreements arise,

but there is a right time to disagree and a right way to do it.

As I said, I’m not perfect in this. I’m growing in the process of walking in love more and more every day.

I’m learning the love way through the wisdom of God’s Word.

The love way is the victory way.

The love way commitment way.

is

the

And the love way never fails.!

ATTENTION! CONCERT COMING TO THE ROLLA/ST JAMES AREA! Faith Unlimited Magazine IS PROMOTING AN EVENT AT:

Living Waters Fellowship to bring Christian Artist

JAMIE SLOCUM WHEN: Sunday, April 3, 2016 WHERE: 404 E. James Blvd St. James, MO 65559 TIMES: WORSHIP: 10 AM CONCERT: 6:00 PM

No Charge A Freewill Offering will be Received

EVERYONE WELCOME!

by: Trudi Blount

Drip, Drip, Drip Proverbs 27:15-16 (The Message) 15-16 A nagging spouse is like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet; You can’t turn it off, and you can’t get away from it.

I’ve read this verse before, but never thought too much about it until the other day.

The other day I was getting ready to start preparing dinner. Earlier that day I had set out some chicken to thaw but when I went to start preparing to cook it I noticed it was still pretty frozen.

I quickly remembered back to a cooking segment I had seen on the food network that was talking about how to thaw meat quickly. In this segment they said the fastest way to thaw frozen meat is to set it under a slow constant drip. So I gave it a try. I took my frozen chicken in the bowl, in the sink and turned my faucet on to just a slow constant flow.

While it was dripping I went ahead and started preparing the rest of the dinner. I was

cutting up vegetables, measuring out ingredients and doing all the things us wives do when we’re getting dinner ready for our family. There was only one problem… The drip was really bothering me. It seemed to be getting louder and louder until it was the only thing I could hear.

The good news for me was, I was in control and could turn it off before it drove me crazy.

Proverbs 27:15 says a nagging wife is like a dripping faucet that you CAN’T turn off.

In ancient times dripping water was so awful that it was used as a form of torture. The first record of it was back in the 16th century.

Victims were strapped down so that they could not move, and cold water was then dripped slowly on to a small area of the body. The forehead was found to be the

most suitable point for this form of torture: prisoners could see each drop coming, and were gradually driven frantic.

Nagging is likened to dripping water. And just like it tortured prisoners it can torture our husbands and create a riff in our marriages.

So today I want to bring a few things to your attention and give you ways to build your husband with words instead of tear him down.

1. Be Polite There is a difference between asking your husband to do something and nagging him to do something. Nagging is defined as to complain, to be a persistent source of annoyance or distraction, to irritate by constant scolding or urging.

say like, please and thank you.

cluttering up his side of the room.

Speak in a nice tone. The tone you use can really make a difference in the way you come across. Talk to your spouse like you would talk to your boss or a friend. Talk to them with respect. Your husband will respond better if you do these things.

I’ve asked him a few times to throw away the empty bottles before he gets a new one.

He’ll do pretty good for a while and then it’s back to the bottles piling up. It’s something that would really get on my nerves. I would be the one to have to collect them all and throw them away and it was just annoying.

But one day it hit me. This is such a tiny, unimportant thing to get so put out by. Is this worth getting mad at him for?

No, it’s not. Sure, I would like it if he picked them up every night, but he has a hard time remembering to do it, so just let it go.

There is no use in nagging and nagging about it. When I would get the most frustrated is when I would go in and pick them all up for him. I would start thinking. I’m a busy person; I don’t have time to pick up these bottles every day.

So now, I just don’t pick them up. He gets around to it eventually and it saves me from getting frustrated. So pick your battles.

Is it worth your time to nag about it? Is it worth the tension it will cause if you do

2. Pick your battles Some of you may be thinking.

Well I try to ask nicely, but he won’t do what I ask. We’ve all been there, but ask yourself this question: is what I am asking him to do detrimental to our lives? If it is, then you need to keep asking him in a nice way and pray that God will turn his heart around, but most of the time the things we want our husbands to do that they won’t do is stuff that isn’t that big of a deal.

For instance, my husband drinks a lot of bottled water.

Every night he takes a bath and then gets two bottles of water and drinks them and then leaves the empty bottles on his nightstand or on the floor. And he’ll do the same thing the next night until there are 8 or 9 empty bottles

nag about it? What does it matter in the grand scheme of things? Is it hurting anyone?

We could save ourselves a lot of stress if we would learn to just let things go sometimes.

3. Give them the benefit of the doubt That’s an expression we hear a lot, but don’t really think about the actual meaning. A benefit is a gift. And doubt is unbelief. So when you give someone the benefit of the doubt you are giving them the gift of not believing.

You are saying I believe you didn’t do that or you didn’t know to do that.

Sometimes we expect our husbands to just automatically know what we want or need them to do, and when they don’t we start to nag.

But if we go into the situation thinking, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He probably didn’t know I needed him to do that then it helps take the edge off and you can ask him without nagging.

Most of the time if you ask your husband nicely to help you with something, he’ll do it.

But don’t expect him to do it without you asking. He doesn’t always know what

nagging? What’s the root source of the problem?

I did a little research because I wanted to find out what causes a faucet to drip. Some of you handier people out there probably know the answer to that question but I had no idea. It made no sense to me why a perfectly good faucet would suddenly begin to drip.

To begin, faucets are built upon the physics of water pressure. Water pressure is what causes the water to flow through your pipes and out of your faucet. That said, when you turn your faucet off, you aren’t turning off the water pressure but simply blocking it. By moving the faucet into the off position, you seal off the water flow with a washer.

Now the reason that faucets sometimes drip is that the washer can get damaged or worn down by all the pressure of the water flowing past it. If the washer sustains some wear and tear, it can’t make a perfect seal. As a result, water is able to seep through, thereby causing a leaky faucet. The only way to fix it is to replace the washer with one that will properly seal the pipe.

So what does this have to do with nagging? Well as I reflected on my own life and my personal patterns of nagging, I noticed a common denominator… my time with the Lord. If I am slacking on my time with God, not making time for the Word or for prayer, not beginning each day centered on Him,

that’s when the nagging flares up.

There is a direct correlation between my spiritual health and the degree to which I am bugging my husband. Like the faucet washer that allows water to drip through when it gets worn down, I essentially do the same. If I’m not taking care of myself and I get worn down, then the nagging increases. Like a constant drip.

This is a perfect example of the reality that the way you treat your husband, and other people, is usually a reflection of your relationship with God. Those who rest in Him have no reason to nag or control others because God is their peace.

Brain Freeze In marriage Have you ever had a brain freeze? They hurt! For a few seconds you can’t even think.

because that was what marriage was designed for, companionship!

When we don’t communicate in our marriages it hurts. One of the biggest issues in marriage is communication.

Nothing is more frustrating for either one of you than the feeling of not being heard or that your opinion doesn’t matter.

In Genesis 2:18 God says: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him”.

Remember when the two of you were dating and could talk on the phone for hours about seemingly nothing, but you loved the sound of each other’s voice. You planned for the future, talked about what your goals were, how many children you would have what they would look like and etc.

Then you got married and everything changed, reality sets in, because the building of a life is different than the dreaming of a life. The companionship you so cherished seems to slip away into the mundane of everyday life and when you lose companionship in marriage, you are headed for trouble

The word “help meet” in the original Hebrew is translated ezer kenegdo and means “one who is the same as the other and who surrounds, protects, aids, helps, supports.”

There is no indication of inferiority or of a secondary position between the male and female in spheres of responsibility, authority, or social position.

What God had intended was to make a power or strength for the man who would in every way correspond to him as an equal so that the two of them could serve each other.

The ability to influence and the willingness to be in touch with each other are key elements to a healthy marriage.

The good news is great communicators are made, not born. Through diligence and effort, anyone can become better at expressing himself or herself. Do you think you express yourself well, better yet, does your spouse think so.

Time for tune up!

One of the first things that you have to recognize is the way your brain works. There are two sides to your brain, the left side is the logic side while the right side is the more creative side. The two sides are meant to work together not separately.

The left side or logic side takes the information and processes from details to the

big picture, while the right side or creative side processes big picture to details. The two sides are designed to work together in a combined effort, which gives both perspectives.

But what is even more interesting and amazing is this is how men and women think and process.

Men think predominately with the left side, so they want big picture not details

when they communicate, while women think more from the right side so they want details not big picture.

What do you get? Two perspectives! Which is the very best way to analyze a situation. Ever heard of brainstorming, that is what you’re supposed to do, together.

When you communicate you need to have both perspectives. Shutting down your spouse and always thinking you are right, is shutting down the real answers to your problem.

Learning to listen and respect each other’s opinion even if you don’t agree is the key to marriage.

Your brain has two sides but it’s one entity. God made you one in marriage, two people but one.

Remember without your spouse you have half a brain! Not listening produces BRAIN FREEZE!

We would be honored if you would like to help Faith Unlimited Magazine promote Jamie Slocum For the upcoming Concert on: April 3, 2016 Please send your love gift by Pay Pal to: www.billhanshewministries.org And click on “Donate” Or send by mail to: Bill Hanshew Ministries PO Box 397 Rolla, MO 65401 Tax Deductible

GOD BLESS YOU!

WHY MARRIAGE WORKS

by: Dr. Bill Hanshew

Genesis 2:21-22 says, “21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”

The first thing to understand about a man and a woman joining together in marriage is that marriage is more than just a commitment to each other; it is a covenant agreement between one man and one woman. And God has blessed and honored this covenant ever since He created it. At this point in Genesis, we know from chapter 2 that God had already made the man. And man, who is named Adam, God created or made man in His own mirrored reflection.

But what does this mean? It means that our God carries within Himself, both the male and female gender. So, the first thing God did was to make a man and put both the male and female gender within him. And God comes along and separates the female gender in the taking of a rib from the man, and creates the woman who now has the DNA of God formed in her. One of the biblical usages of this word “rib” in

the Hebrew speaks of the side-chambers or cells (of temple structure), which leads me to believe that this is referring to the DNA structure of the male and female gender.

Now, just as God created the man and the woman, He also created the marriage union.

Marriage is ordained by God and therefore, anything other than a joining or union between one man and one woman joining together sexually, becomes a perversion.

And our bodies are the temple of God and should be used only in honoring God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” Many who end up in bed together outside of the marriage covenant are simply people who either do not realize that their body is God’s temple or they are deliberately in rebellion to God. So, the reason marriage works is because it is ordained by God. It is simply because within the DNA of mankind, God planted His own nature and ideology concerning the relationship between one man and one

woman.

Therefore, within the DNA of mankind, there is no provision for same sex marriage, sex outside of marriage, sexual encounters between humans and animals or even sexual relationships with multiple partners. I know that this is a mouth full and a lot to swallow, but God does not do this to harm mankind, but to protect mankind.

Now, you can scream to high heaven and all the way to the supreme court and say, “God made me the way I am.” Or, “God gave me these feelings.” But I would simply say to you, “Stop blaming God for your perverted feelings.” The truth is that God created marriage

between one man and one woman and also officiated at the first wedding.

Now, Genesis 2:20 says, “So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.

But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.” Then God takes the female gender from the man and the Lord God joins this one man and this one woman setting a president for marriage. In verse 21 and 22 God brings the woman to Adam just like a natural father presents his daughter to her groom and soon to be husband. Then He, God performs the ceremony. And in these verses 20-24 we see a very similar or even an exact ceremony found in most weddings you and I attend today. Some call it a wedding or a joining, but God is the designer, creator and it is He who ordained marriage.

Genesis 2:23 says, “And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Then Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And when you hear the ministry say, What God has joined

together, let no man pull apart. Mark 10:8-9 says, “8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

So once again, the reason marriage works is because God ordained marriage between one man and one woman. Now, there are a bundle of reason why a marriage may not work, but that is another lesson. But, 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 says, 1 “ Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.” So, clearly we can see the Apostle Paul is addressing the relationship between a man and a woman but even more so, he is talking about the relationship between a husband and a wife. And Paul speaks about them in the singular, meaning one man and one woman.

But what about those times when husbands and wives argue? James 3:16 says, “For where envy and selfseeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

The truth is that many people

fall apart under pressure.

John 16:33 says, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The word “tribulation” in the Greek simply means, pressure.

There is pressure in this world and the devil like nothing more than getting people to focus on the pressure.

It seems like that when a cross word comes out of the mouth of your spouse, or when things do not go one person’s way in the marriage; the devil will attempt to take advantage of the situation and cause friction so that “envying and strife”

will rise up to cause division. But the first thing that happens is that both people think they are right, even though both husband and wife believe the other person is wrong. But what that is called is confusion.

And God says that the end result will be “confusion and every evil work.”

Confusion means that no one remembers who started what or who said what exactly the way it happens. And every

evil work means that at that moment when it seems like all hell has broken lose against your marriage, that a heard of demons show up.

The truth is that a married couple, just like everyone else, must make a choice to honor God even when pressure tries to drive you apart. Work together as mature believers in Jesus and put a stop to satan’s deadly attempt on your marriage. …Think about it!

PROVE THEM RIGHT!

by: Faye G. Hanshew

Wow! Love, Marriage, Family…. Isn’t that the order God gave? Well, actually PRAYER, then love, marriage, family…Too many people are looking only at the outward appearance of the opposite sex and will fall for them simply because of their looks.

Then, after they marry, they soon find out they have nothing in common.

One likes dinner and a movie, the other likes fishing and a picnic. One was raised that the woman does everything in the house, the other was raised that both are supposed to take care of everything equally if they both work.

One requires much time together with their spouse to be happy, the other requires gifts. They can’t even seem to agree on who will handle the checkbook!

Ever heard of the book, “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman? In this book, it outlines five ways to express and experience love that the author calls "love languages": 1. gifts 2. quality time 3. words of 4. affirmation 5. acts of service (devotion) 6. physical touch (intimacy)

I know my husband nor I are perfect. We have areas after 43 years of marriage that we are still working on. But then, have you ever seen a perfect husband or wife?

Usually, when a couple gets to the point they will agree they need to go for counseling, they usually get there and they will blame each other for the problems they are having. I remember one couple where the wife was only willing to change if her husband changed.

The husband constantly said he would change, but after counseling he did nothing to try and make any changes.

In this situation, there was sin involved, and because no changes were made, they eventually ended up in a divorce. It takes two to make a marriage work.

When couples look at their spouse as the problem, they are saying that they do not have any problems. And I really doubt that is the truth.

Jesus said in Luke 6:42 it says, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, allow me to take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in

your own eye?

You hypocrite (play actor, pretender), first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” AMP And in the message Bible it says, “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part.

Wipe that ugly sneer off your

own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”

Many years ago my husband and I adopted a philosophy that if we hear someone preach and we disagree with what they say, we go home and try to prove them “right” rather than “wrong.” If we try to prove them right, and we succeed, then we know there is something we need to change. This can also work in marriage. Try to prove your spouse right, instead of wrong.

I have heard for many years, and I have always disagreed with the statement that says “marriage is 50/50. It is not!

Marriage is 100/100! If a husband and a wife will both give 100 percent each, they will see the seed time and harvest blessing begin to work in their marriage.

The thing that single people need to realize is they need God to lead them to the person He has for them. His will needs to be consulted before walking into a lifelong commitment. And it should be lifelong! So first, pray.

Ask God to show you who you should marry. But do not get in a hurry. As your life follows after God’s direction, He will work in your life and only then will He get involved in your lifetime

partner. If you cannot follow God in simple things, how can you follow him in such a big request?

Once you know who God selects for your life partner, be patient for that person to manifest in your life. You may not even know the person yet. Or, they could be your best friend. But the important thing is that it should be the person God selects for you.

After you marry, get to know each other. Remember, to consult God on your decisions.

Many of us believe we were born to do something great, maybe even something that would change the world and make it a better place. . . But, instead of getting up and doing what God says, we wake up each morning, eat our toast and sip our coffee, and go on with our day. We go to bed at night, and wake up, and start all over again.

Few of us would brag over this routine and say, “I was born for this!” Maybe you should stop, take time to smell the roses, and ask, “What does God want of me today? Does He want me to do something special to encourage our spouse?” So many times, people are ready to save the world, but what

about those in their own homes? Do you take the time to be the encouragement to your spouse, sing a song of love to your spouse, keep the sweetness of your first days of marriage going strong?

Don’t allow satan to tell you that just because you have been married for a while that your honeymoon is over. It should never be over. Plan a date night with just your spouse. Let him/her know that you love him/her just as much as the first day you were married. And it does not have to be just the men who do this. Women, do special things for your husbands too.

If they take their lunch to work, don’t give them an old bologna sandwich every day.

Give them something that will make them smile. And

put a little love note in with their lunch. When he sees this, it will keep his mind on YOU! And if he works at an office, drop off something special for him once in a while. You don’t have to bother him…just leave it at the front desk, and ask the receptionist to give it to him.

That will certainly make him smile. Husbands, I know there are some of you now who stay home to care for the children, so you could also do this for your wife. But both of you remember, if your spouse is working in a very busy environment, do not always feel you must make your presence known.

Sometimes a surprise works wonders!

I made the following card for my husband for our 43rd

anniversary, which was Jan 6, 2016. I shared it to his Facebook page. He loved it and loved the memory of the two songs that were in our wedding. He also liked the new song I dedicated to him because it says, “From this moment, I will always love you.” This does not mean that I have not loved him until now, it means that once again, I just want to tell you how much I love you, and that from this moment, I will continue to love you forever.

It made him smile, and then it even made him smile as people all over the world began to say “Happy Anniversary” to us. A gift does not always have to have a big price on it to make someone smile. Remember the saying, “It’s the thought that counts?” This is so true,

except do not use this as a scapegoat to save time. I mean, if you forget an anniversary, do not quickly send a flower to save yourself! If you have to write things down, then write them down. Keep a calendar. Isn’t your marriage worth it? In 43 years of marriage, we have not always had the money for big expensive gifts, but he has never forgotten one birthday, one anniversary, one Christmas, one valentine’s day….and I’m sure there are more that I would have to check my calendar for!  Remember, romance, even in small ways, help keep your partner from being tempted by satan.

In June, our magazine will deal more with weddings, and things for the single person to listen to God about.

Come back each month!

2 1

3

Click on the 3 Red Hearts to hear the following: 1. A song from our wedding: Walk through this world with me.

2. A song I dedicated to Bill for our 43rd Anniversary: From This Moment (don’t ever think you can’t do things over and over that remind you of the wedding day or that will reaffirm your love to the other!)

3. The song Bill sang to me at our wedding: Walk Hand in Hand with Me.

Marriage Family Relationships Love

by: Pastor Gary Miller

Marriage is the foundation of God's plan for the family. The relationship between a husband and wife sets the course of the family. If that relationship suffers it affects the whole family. As that relationship grows and becomes strong, the family will be strong.

Ideally, a young man and young woman who have been raised up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord will begin their life together, and build a family according to the plan of God that he has in His Word. These marriages do happen but not all marriages have this ideal beginning. laid out

In today's society, there are a large percentage of single parents. Some of these are a result of divorce while others have never been married and have children. When these parents get married the families are blended, creating challenges that don't exist in traditional families. Terms such as step-father; stepmother; his, hers, and ours; ex-wife and ex-husband are all common. The children in these families have natural siblings, step-brothers and sisters, and sometimes halfbrothers and sisters. All of these relationships present challenges that are not

normally found traditional family.

in

the

These families are no less a family in the eyes of God than those of the traditional family.

His plan for the family does not change. When a man and a woman decide to get married before God, they are joined together and become one. That is what marriage is.

It is important that the couple deal with the issues that brought them to the place of being a single parent.

If these things are not resolved before they get married, they will become issues in the new relationship and will still need to be resolved.

If the couple are grounded in the Word of God, and have a pastor who know both of them well who has counseled them about the challenges of marriage after divorce, these marriages will begin on a strong foundation just like the traditional marriage of the young couple.

God sees the family as just that. He does not see a stepparent., He sees a father and mother. He doesn't see stepchildren, He sees sons and daughters. He doesn't see step-brothers and sisters and half-brothers and sisters, He sees brothers and sisters.

When a man marries a

woman who already has children, he is no less responsible to raise and nurture them in the admonition of the Lord than he would his biological children.

One of the greatest needs of children, especially children of non-traditional families is stability. They need to be able to count on their parents to be consistent. They need to see their parents treating each other with respect. They need to be assured by their parents that they are loved and valued.

They need to see a consistent, united front in their parents when they are being disciplined. They need to see their parents treat their absent parent with respect, because they still love them, and may

not understand the reasons their parents are no longer together.

I look at Joseph, the husband of Mary who was the mother of Jesus. Although he considered putting her away, or divorcing her, he followed the admonition of the angel, married Mary and became the earthly father of Jesus. He was not the biological father

of Jesus, but he raised him in the manner of the traditional family. He chose to be Jesus's father. When a man marries a woman who has children, he makes a choice to not only be her husband, but to be a father to her children.

The extent to which a couple walks in the instruction of the Word of God in regards to their

family

relationships,

regardless of their previous relationships, will determine the level of relationships, regardless of their previous relationships, will determine the level of relationships, will determine the level of relationships, will determine the level of peace, strength and stability in their home.

Contact: Photography by ROMA Call: 573-855-0634 Email: roma0634@gmail.com Photography by ROMA

The Gospel Message Through

by: Leon Gosiewski

Paul talked about how the Christian wife, husband and family should conduct themselves in his letter to the Ephesians. Wrapped-up in his statements Paul, with full knowledge of Hebraic traditions and Scripture likens the couple to the Church (the bride) and Jesus (the bridegroom) so let’s discover more about what lies behind this important message.

In Hebrew tradition a man who wanted to marry would go to his soon-to-be wife’s father’s house to speak with him about his intentions. He would also take with him three important things: 1 A skin of wine 2 A betrothal contract with his promises to the Bride 3 A large sum of money The man would tell the father about himself, how much he earns, what he can offer and how he intends to look after his daughter. If the father agrees that he is a suitable match the groom agrees to pay the father a settled price for his daughter; known in Hebrew as the mohar, similar to what we would probably know today as a bride price or dowry (the mohar was later replaced with the ketubah or prenuptial agreement and

pre-paid alimony). In other words, the groom was offering pre-paid security with commitments and safeguards.

The price paid for the daughter reflected the man’s depth of love and so the higher the price paid the more love and value the man has placed upon the bride!

This is symbolic of the loving Calvary price Jesus paid for us.

The ancient Jewish wedding is firmly rooted in Scripture and so we find a linked explanation of the wedding proposal process in 1 John 5: 7 & 8 which says: ‘For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one’. Prophetically the wine characterizes the Ruach ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit), the water signifies the Word (the covenant or marriage contract) and the blood symbolizes the love price Jesus was willing to pay for our salvation.

When the agreement is complete the man walks to a room where the prospective bride has gone to prepare a

meal called in Hebrew the erusin or betrothal (the erusin later became known as Kiddushin, the sanctification, dedication or first part of the wedding process. The second part of the wedding process is the nissuin or marriage ceremony). He knocks on the door. If she opens the door it signifies that she has accepted the proposal. This of course is reflective of the coming of groom Jesus seeking His bride explained for us in Revelation 3: 20 which says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me’.

They then share the meal together and drink wine. The drinking of the wine signifies that the betrothal is complete (‘I will bind you to me forever with chains of righteousness and justice and love and mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and love, and

you will really know me then as you never have before’ Hosea 2: 19, 20) and gifts are given to the bride because the man now leaves the bride to build a marriage home.

The bridal gifts are indicative of the gifts that we have been given as outlined by Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter twelve and Ephesians 4: 7 - 16. The bride uses the time separated from her groom to prepare for his return and learn how to become a good wife and mother. To help her she uses the gifts which also remind her of her precious groom whilst he is away preparing their home (called in Hebrew a chador (chamber) or chuppha (honeymoon bed) which is an extension added to his father’s house. This of course ties with the words of Jesus recorded in John 14: 2, 3 ‘In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also’.

Whilst the groom is preparing the room people would naturally ask when he is going to collect his bride. His response would typically be, ‘I don’t know; only my father

knows’ (‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father’ Mark 13: 32). The reason for saying this is because it is his father who will decide when the room is ready and gives permission for the bride to come.

When permission comes to collect the bride the man will travel to meet her. Often this was during the night. When he arrives at the bride’s home the groom sounds a trumpet.

The bride’s duty (as it is for all Christian believers) is to constantly be ready and equipped to go as soon as the call comes. The two then travel together to the prepared home. This is symbolic of the Jewish feast of Rosh ha Shanah (trumpets) where three trumpets sound over a period of two days and importantly everyone waits for the ‘last trump’, which signifies the opening of the gates of heaven and

for the righteous to ascend to their prepared home while the fate of the unprepared and separated wicked is finally sealed.

When the wedding ceremony is over the bride and groom spend seven days together in the chador. The seven days’ parallel with the days between the Jewish Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, the last judgment of nations (Matthew 25: 31 – 46).

You can read more about this subject and Scripture prophecy in Warning: The Fig Tree Has Sprouted – How to recognize the signs of the times.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

by: Pastor Kim Miller

As Christians, our relationship with the Lord should be our first priority. Then comes our marriage. After this, our children. God created the family to bring glory and honor to Him, and to rule and reign here on this Earth. Our families should be lights in this world. Understand that NO family is perfect, but it should be our desire to have a good family. Our marriages and families are worth fighting for! Nothing will work out the way it should, unless we have truly decided to make Jesus Lord in our families. That means that as an individual, you decide that you are going to do things God's way. Believe me, your family will notice and it will impact them.

We must set up Godly order in our homes. The husband is the leader of the household, the wife is his help meet, and the children are to obey their parents. Colossians 3 :18-21 and Ephesians 5:22-33 tells us the order of the home. No matter which place we have in the family, we are to respect each other.

Colossians 3:18-21 says, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey

your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.� We are to love each other. If a husband loves his wife, he won't act like her input and role in the marriage isn't important. As a matter of fact, he is to love his wife just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her.

(Ephesians 5:25) There's no selfishness in that. When a wife loves her husband, she'll show him respect. When a parents love their children, they'll discipline them, not abuse them. When children and teens love their parents, they will obey them. As part of a marriage and family, we must decide daily to do things the Lord's way. We cannot focus on the shortcomings of others in the family, but we need to do what is right ourselves. At times, you may feel like the other person doesn't deserve respect, but love is a choice, not a feeling.

If you are a single person, you must stop being so consumed with wanting to get married. Wanting to be married is a God given desire, but that desire should not control your life. Put your relationship with the Lord

first. Prepare now to be the godly mate that someone would want to marry. Work on yourself. Sometimes, single people have this fantasy about what marriage is like. Sex is important in a marriage, but that's not all there is. People face real challenges in marriage and need to learn how to make their differences work to be a positive thing in the marriage.

Some single people go the other extreme and are afraid to get married because their parents' marriage failed, but we are not to fear. We are to put the Lord first, do things His way, and trust Him. Many couples these days, even Christians are living together. They see nothing wrong with this because it has become normal

in our society. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Having sex with someone you are not married to is sin. Fiance's, boyfriends, and girlfriends are not entitled to marital rights.

Sex is supposed to be wonderful and

only within a marital relationship.

When we do things the Lord's way, and put first things first, He will honor us and bless our lives!

T e e n T r o o p e r

OBEY YOUR PARENTS

by: Briana Bishop

I know that most teenagers have been in the situation where their parents have asked them to do something, and they don't listen to what their parents have asked of them. They do whatever they want when they please, and they do it whenever they want to. Maybe your parents told you to clean your room, and you keep putting it off. Maybe your parents told you that you couldn't go to a party, and you sneak out of the house and went anyway. Whatever the case is, I'm sure that your parents grounded you for it. There were consequences for your actions. In this case, they were bad consequences.

The NIV of Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." This is not an option, but a commandment. Let's look at the next two Scriptures. The NIV of Ephesians 6:2-3 says, "Honor your father and mother" --which is the first commandment with a promise--"so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth." Whenever you disobey your parents you usually get grounded, there are bad consequences for your actions. Just like this, when you obey God by obeying your parents (even

when you don't want to) you will receive good consequences for your actions. You will be blessed in life and you will have long life on this earth.

Sometimes in life, your parents may tell you not to go somewhere or do something for your own safety. We may not know why our parents tell us not to do something, but they are wiser than you and have lived a lot longer than you. They tell you not do things for a reason. You don't have to know the reason; you just need to obey.

The more time you spend in prayer and reading the Bible, you’ll actually want to obey your parents. Don't take my word for it, take His Word for it yourself!

Briana, To a very brilliant and amazing writer for the Teen Trooper section of this magazine, we want to wish you a Very Happy Birthday!

Have a

Blessed, Remarkable, Ideal, Amazing, Nice, Astounding Birthday! Now sit back and listen to this orchestra play your birthday song! Just click on the birthday candle above.

Blessed Marriages Result from following god’s Instructions!

Dan

Tammy And

by: Dr. Dan L. Corse

James 1:25 (NKJ) – But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Recently, I saw a video of a man trying to pull his vehicle from deep snow. Tragically, he had not attached the towing cable to an appropriate place on his car, the frame or a tow hook.

Thus, when the assisting vehicle tried to remove the car from the snow tragedy eventually occurred. Rather than successfully pulling the car from the snow a large portion of the rear section of the car eventually broke loose. Clearly, if the man had not ignored foundational instructions for towing his car, attaching the cable to the frame or tow hook, he could have avoided thousands of dollars in unnecessary damages.

Like the man not following correct towing instructions, we sometimes ignore the foundational teachings of God’s word and eventually suffer the consequences of our doing so. By not looking into the perfect law of liberty or God’s word and following the directions therein, instead choosing to do things our own way, we deny ourselves the

blessings associated with doing so and suffer unnecessary and tragic consequences. In our culture there are numerous areas where this is true.

One of the areas where some in our culture have chosen to ignore God’s instruction is marriage.

Marriage we perhaps recall was instituted

by God in Genesis 2:24 (NKJ), “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

When first mentioned in Genesis, when Jesus expounded upon marriage in the gospels (Matt. 19:5; Mark 10:6-7), when Paul addressed the topic in Ephesians 5:31 and 1 Corinthians 7:1-4 and when Peter gave counsel related to it in 1 Peter 3:1-7 the foundational principles of marriage always speak of the union of one man and one woman. Nothing in scripture even remotely suggests that marriage is ever between any two other than in a man and a woman. However, ignoring or ignorant of God’s instruction related to marriage, the U.S. Supreme

Court on June 26, 2015 in Obergefell v. Hodges by a 5-4 margin ruled same sex marriage now legal in the United States.

While same sex marriage proponents and participants continue applauding the ruling many of us who reverence God and His instruction contemplate the consequences of what from a biblical perspective is a foolish ruling, as is any legal ruling that contradicts God’s instruction.

We ask ourselves, “Though sanctioned by man’s laws, will God bless same sex unions when those unions are in direction contradiction to His instructions in the Bible?” Contemplating the answer to that question, a passage comes to mind, “Do

not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but He who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:7-9, NKJ). Obviously, when we consciously engage in behaviors that contradict God’s instructions we choose to participate in fleshly or ungodly behaviors. If we continue to do so unrepentantly, perhaps even seeking to justify those behaviors, we guarantee our experiencing negative consequences not blessings as a result of engaging in those behaviors, which would include the behaviors associated with same sex unions and even the unions themselves.

Embracing God’s word related to marriage and thus recognizing that God’s blessings are not upon same sex unions, we may experience varying degrees of confrontation from the proponents of and participants in same sex marriage. Such confrontation

can be marked by much hatred, derision, condescension and namecalling, behaviors that we as Christians should never exhibit in return. Even in the face of the potential for confrontation from the proponents and participants of same sex marriage, our goals as Christians must remain steadfast. Those goals are: 1. To boldly and uncompromisingly embrace God’s instruction related to marriage; it is only between a man and a woman. 2. To do so without exhibiting fleshly behaviors (hatred toward those who oppose us, derision, condescension, name-calling, etc.), possible only if we submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, speaking only when He would have us to, and, when doing so, communicating the truth from God’s word with His wisdom (James 3:17) and in love (Eph. 4:15). 3. To recognize that God’s blessings, regardless of what man’s courts or other proponents of and participants in same sex marriages tell us, are not upon same sex marriages or any of

our behaviors when they contradict the instruction of His word.

Our desire to communicate of the truth of God’s word related to the dangers of ignoring God’s instruction related to same sex marriage (or, as far as that goes, any other topic) should never be based upon a platform of selfrighteousness. Rather it should be grounded on a loving desire to see others set free by His truth (John 8:3132). The words of 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NKJ) serve as appropriate counsel, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” Ultimately, our desire for all who marry should be that they experience blessed marriages, which are marriages founded on God’s word or instruction, not Supreme Court rulings or other opinions in contradiction to His instruction.

Introducing the CHRIST GENERATION Last month I introduced you to THE MYSTERY OF THE 42nd GENERATION and I hope to be able to show you that these two mysteries are being revealed today and how they are actually synthesized into one End Time Revelation of a “Corporate Overcomer.”

by: BISHOP FRANK DUPREE

God is doing a New Thing…

He is not raising up a superstar minister to do His will and demonstrate His Glory on earth He is raising up a “Generation” that will act as one man!

from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”

In the book of Colossians chapter 1 the Apostle Paul tells us that God has revealed a mystery to him that he has been commissioned to share.

He says: “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY: “

If you read verses 1-16 you will be able to count 14 generations from Abraham to David and 14 generations from David to the carrying away into Babylon but only 13 generations from the carrying away unto Babylon unto Jesus! Didn’t you think it was 14? Go ahead and count them. 14 - 14 - 13!

Paul says that he has is laboring to preach this revelation so that he could present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Last month I introduced you to THE MYSTERY OF THE 42nd GENERATION and I hope to be able to show you that these two mysteries are being revealed today and how they are actually synthesized into one End Time Revelation of a “Corporate Overcomer”.

I shared with you that the Gospel of Matthew 1:17 says; “…all the generations

You see the Word says 14 unto “Christ” not unto “Jesus”. There is a dramatic difference in this. There is a power that is available to us that we are not receiving because the Church lacks the knowledge of it. Remember; “My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.” The Word of God cannot be wrong and so there must be a “generation” called “Christ”.

You see Paul did not write that the mystery was “Jesus in you” but “Christ in You”.

Why? Because it is not “Jesus in you”; Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven.

Sound confusing? Let’s see more…

Look at what Paul wrote to the Galatians in chapter 2:20; “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:” Paul said he was alive but it wasn’t him that was “alive” it was “Christ” in him! Is this the same “Christ” he is speaking of to the Colossians? I believe the answer is a resounding “Yes!”.

Therefore, the 42nd Generation can be called “The Christ Generation” Another link in understanding The Christ Generation is to see further into the mystery of the Body of Christ. Here are some things that the Apostle Paul wrote about it: Romans 12:4 - 5 (ISVNT) For we have many parts in one body, but these parts do not all have the same function. In the same way,

even though we are many people, we are one body in Christ and individual parts connected to each other.

1 Corinthians 6:15 (ISVNT) You know that your bodies are parts of Christ, don’t you?

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Romans 12:4 - 5 (KJV) 4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ (note Paul does not say ‘in Jesus’), and every one members one of another.

Christ, and members in particular.

In all of these Scriptures Paul is talking about all Christians being a part of “Christ” rather than saying that Christians are a part of “Jesus”. This is an important element in our End Time understanding of what God is doing through the Body of Christ of which Jesus is “the Head”.

It has been said that when God looks at the earth He only sees two men… Adam and Jesus… To be more clear God sees Adam and Christ the “New Man” that He has created!

Colossians 1:18 (KJV) And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

1 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV) 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

And so at the heart of this mystery is the fact that we are being formed into that one new man; “Christ”!

1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV) 27 Now ye are the body of

Galatians 4:19 (NLT) 19Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will

continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. (emphasis mine) We have now come to the beginning of the end of this age and it is imperative that a Generation arises that understands what God has done in forming this new man; Christ. I hope to tackle this in subsequent articles.

Never Give up!

by: Kathy Weddle

“’’’’’

On the 24th of this month, I will have been the wife of my beloved Ray for 26 years.

Yes, that’s wonderful in this anti-marriage culture, and we are grateful. It’s wonderful when you listen to our Father and allow Him to bring you and the one you are to spend this life with together. It’s the best way. However………..

That does not let us off the hook. We still have an imperative part to play. I’m afraid that even among practicing Christians, we too often leave all the effort to God, then place all the blame on Him if things go…..south.

No! This cannot be! Oh, to be sure, Jesus Christ is the 3rd partner in this most solemn of all covenants, but we have as much, if not more, to contribute to the health of this amazing institution than He does, mainly because He’s already done nearly all the “prep” work. I want to share what I believe to be the core of the best marriages one phrase at a time, from I Corinthians 13: 4-8a. We’ll take it from “The Message,” since it is so straightforward.

“Love never gives up.”

You know, that place where we vow “for better or worse,

in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, ‘til death do us part”? That means “never give up”! When Ray and I first got married, he had been laid off from a very wellpaying job as a steel worker.

Because of his age (42) and the fact he’d only been a soldier and a steel worker, he could not find work for 2 years, then only minimum wage. “for richer or poor, for better and for worse”. We trusted God. And stayed true to our vows and each other.

“Love cares more for others than for self.”

I can’t help it. I’m spoiled.

This man puts everyone around him first; he doesn’t even take a plate of food until he’s sure everyone else has been fed.

“Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.”

No, Alice, the grass is NOT greener on the other side. We need to tend our own and watch the lushness of life together grow.

“Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head,”

I love watching people who have taken on the role of servanthood; no matter where people are on the Social or economic “totem pole”, they treat them as royalty.

“Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” The recurring theme of servanthood. I think of our Savior washing the filth from the disciple’s feet.

“Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,” Oh, yes, that part where we have a disagreement (minor, of course!) and I remind him of something he said………20 years ago……. forgive it, and forget it!

“

“Doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,”

In the KJV I spell loooonngggsuffering.

Jesus said “The truth will set you free”. Of course, it also cuts like a scalpel. When the Holy Spirit wants to cut something from us, we can assume it’s diseased and let Him do that work; so much better.

“Trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.”

“Puts up anything, “

with

it

Endless patience. A fruit of the Spirit. Must be grown.

Groan.

Never looks back. I’m so content with the life together God has given us, but we choose to let the dark parts of

our past fade (pre-us) to nothing. As the apostle Paul put it “pressing on to the prize”. With love, we have nothing behind us that matters, only what’s in front of us.

Happy Valentine’s day!

God’s Perfect Plan For Your Marriage & Family

by: Revs. Bill & Melissa

Shepherd

When God made mankind, He created the institution of Holy marriage between a man and woman which resulted in a family. His perfect plan for this new family included daily fellowship with Him and living according to His instructions.

What a beautiful joy it must have been for Adam and Eve, before the Fall. Even before Eve entered the scene, Adam enjoyed the glory of God in his midst. The Spirit of God was with him as he named every animal, and as he cared for the bountiful garden made for him. Living in this fallen world, it is a bit difficult to imagine the immense serenity and peace that must have been in Eden. I imagine it to be like heaven on earth with plentiful food, water, sunshine, rest, love, peace with the world and its creatures, and total unity and harmony with God. Yes, I would definitely call that heaven on earth!

God made only a man in the beginning, a man in His image, likeness, with His characteristics.

So when God created Eve, Adam and Eve had to communicate in order to achieve God’s will.

The Fall occurred because Adam and Eve stopped listening to God and were tempted away from His will.

Any marriage may fall where

both spouses are not doing their best to listen to and obey God. This means that the husband and wife must each have their own time with the Lord and with each other in prayer.

Godly communication is the biggest challenge in marriage and families today.

Lack of loving and respectful communication and conversation will hinder your marriage and family from achieving God’s perfect plan and will. Communication in the Bible is described as “speaking the truth in love” so that we “may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ.” Eph 4:15 You see, for one to walk in unity and harmony in marriage, there must be communication with each other according to the Word of God after you have communication with God. If you are unable to communicate with God, then you will be unable to communicate with your spouse or family member, for God is love and true fellowship with God is fellowship with love. That love can then be communicated to your spouse and family.

The job description of a husband is to give his wife unqualified love by loving

her “even as Christ also loved the church.” Eph 5:25 The job description of the wife is to give her husband unqualified respect by reverencing, venerating him and honoring him exceedingly.

Eph 5:33 Amplified Both of these job descriptions require a quality decision and commitment to release “the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Roman 5:5 We can only give and release that which has been given to us.

We must receive a fresh infusion of God’s love every day through communication with God by reading His Word, by prayer and by worship. Then we are able to freely give and communicate this love to our spouse.

People do not fall out of love.

They just fail to receive the love of God they need from God to give to their spouse.

Whether you are married or not, your ability to love someone else is limited or achieved by your ability to receive a revelation of God’s love for you. If you truly are

beginning to know how much God loves you then you are able to forgive others when they do not love you. You can forgive because your love doesn’t come from a person, it comes from God. When we make a decision to speak the truth in love to our spouse or children, we are also making a decision to listen to them. One of the hardest things for a wife to do is to listen to her husband when he is not speaking lovingly to her and continue to show him respect.

Likewise, one of the hardest things for a husband to do is to listen to his wife when she is not speaking respectfully to him and continue to show her love. That is why God told the husband to give the wife unqualified and unconditional love and the wife to give the husband unqualified and unconditional respect.

Sometimes husbands forget that a wife will positively receive almost anything he says if it is said in a loving manner and sometimes wives forget that a husband will positively receive almost anything she says if it is said with respect. How you communicate about a subject with your spouse or children is what matters most. That’s

why going to God first before any important major communication is so important to achieve successful Godly communication. Remember, children will model the communication style they receive from their parents and should be encouraged to go to God in His Word, prayer and praise before they communicate on any major topic.

When we listen to God before and during conversations with our spouse and family, we are fulfilling God’s perfect plan for our lives. It was His original perfect plan for us to be connected with Him and each other as in the Garden. His wisdom will always lead us to his best and empower us by His Holy Spirit to walk in unity and harmony in every marital and family situation we will face.

Communication with Him determines our success in achieving God’s perfect plan for our marriage and family!

Let’s pray together for our marriage and family: “Father God, we want our marriage and family to glorify You. We commit to helping the world see the beauty of Your Kingdom by showing unity and harmony in our marriage

and family. We acknowledge You are the only source for love and respect. Forgive us, for any time we have failed to come to You in Your Word, prayer and worship to prepare ourselves to communicate and we forgive each other.

We will communicate with each other by speaking the truth in love and respect.

Lord, fill us and saturate us with the Holy Spirit to empower us to give each other unqualified and unconditional love and respect. Help us listen to each other regardless of how the other speaks to us. We ask you, Lord Jesus, for healing any area in our marriage and family where any misunderstanding or strife may have occurred in the past. We receive the ability to walk in love and respect by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord, for helping us achieve your perfect plan for glorifying and building Your Kingdom so we may lead other marriages and families to follow and love our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

You may want to pray this prayer with your spouse and also pray this with your children.

Bill Shepherd Ministries Bill and Melissa Shepherd PO Box 35686 Tulsa, OK 74153 www.billshepherdministries.org http://facebook.com/billshepherdministries http://facebook.com/revivalonourdoorstep email: faith@billshepherdministries.org 918-355-0059

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From the Staff and Writers of Faith Unlimited, have a wonderful and Happy Valentine’s Day! God Bless You!