Love in marriage

Love is a universal concept, something that applies to everyone. However, being in love is an extra special experience. We are commanded to love one another, and husbands are specifically instructed to love their wives, while wives are encouraged to respect their husbands. The reason behind this distinction lies in the different ways in which husbands and wives operate. Husbands thrive on respect, while wives flourish in an atmosphere of love. This principle applies not just to marriage, but to all aspects of life. Love acts as a crucial ingredient for any functional relationship. When you genuinely love others, they are more likely to respond in kindness – although, it's worth noting that some may not do so immediately, but eventually they might. So, what does love look like in a marriage? It can be seen as a lesser version of God's love, as His love knows no bounds or conditions and is given unconditionally.

Why we don't wrestle with flesh and blood.

I have a past filled with experiences of being used and hurt by people. Sometimes, the pain resurfaces and I find myself privately crying over those memories. Emotionally, I'm not particularly strong and tend to dwell in self-pity. I could spend all day recollecting the wrongs done to me, such as betrayal by close friends, disappointments, setbacks, insults, and heartbreaks, but the list would be endless. There is one particular incident that stands out to me, leading me to reflect on the significance of Ephesians 6:10.

Once, a colleague who seemed hostile towards me caught my attention. I knew he had some issues that needed addressing, and another coworker even suggested that he seemed possessed and in need of Jesus. Although I wasn't experienced in casting out demons, I chose to avoid confrontation at that time. However, the following day, we reconciled and things improved. About eight months later, he approached me and expressed his respect and gratitude for the positive influence I had been in his life.

In that moment, I realized that this man had both been used by the devil and touched by God simultaneously. It dawned on me that our true battle is not against other human beings, but against the spiritual forces that can dwell within them. Instead of focusing on individuals as our enemies, it is crucial to understand that they may be vessels for evil spiritual influences for a season. This realization taught me the importance of directing our prayers and efforts towards engaging in spiritual warfare, rather than simply battling flesh and blood. While we should love and bless other humans, our battles are fought on the spiritual level.

This experience highlighted the significance of Ephesians 6:10 and the importance of recognizing the spiritual nature of our struggles.

Knowing your calling and the wars within it.

There are certain individuals in my life whom I deeply wish I had never met. Perhaps I encountered them through association or due to emotional desires, but these were not people God intended for me to meet. When God does not ordain someone to be a part of your life, things can end in a painful way. Allow God to guide your steps and protect yourself from heartbreak!

Jesus did not fully entrust himself to most people because he understood their true nature. This does not mean he didn't love or reject them. It means he didn't allow them to consume his time. A toxic individual is one you should avoid committing yourself to.

When you surround yourself with people who share your previous lifestyle and have not experienced the same success that you have, it becomes crucial to let go of them. Otherwise, they may drag you down. It's unlikely for someone to approach a person of accomplishment disrespefully. However, if people who knew you before and shared your previous life suddenly see you succeed, they can become jealous or act drastically towards you if you continue to associate with them.

When given power, opportunity, and resources, human beings tend to act upon the inner conflicts within their hearts. Physical wars are ultimately just a manifestation of the long-standing wars within human hearts.

A spiritual individual is guided by their faith and convictions.

It is important to distance yourself from individuals lacking emotional intelligence. These people are unpredictable, capable of turning on you in an instant. Emotionally-driven individuals are detrimental to ministries and should be avoided.

Choosing to live by truth can lead to becoming an unpopular figure. The only one left to betray is oneself.

Glorification: Endurance to the end

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” V33. “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven"- Matthew 10:32-33

Although scripture initially focuses on the Crucifixion of Christ, it also emphasizes the glorious aspect of the resurrection. Christ's death and subsequent resurrection on the third day, as well as His ascension to Heaven, serve the purpose of not only the salvation of the believer but in perfecting the believer.

 Through the Holy Spirit, believers are presented to the Father, which brings glory not only to Christ but also to the Father. This presentation of believers to the Father can be seen as an act of glorification both God and the believer.• In relation to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the concept of self-actualization can be likened to the desire for affirmation and recognition, symbolized by the phrase "atta boy!" 

Although entering heaven is the ultimate goal, believers also yearn for acknowledgment and validation. This goes beyond salvation and can be seen as a crown of life or a testament to one's faithfulness on Earth. It pertains to enduring till the end and the works of the believer.. 

 Timothy 2:20-21 conveys the metaphor of a Great House (representing heaven) containing vessels made of gold, silver, wood, and clay. These vessels serve different purposes, some for honor and some for dishonor. 

However, verse 21 highlights that if one purifies themselves from the dishonorable vessels, they can become vessels of honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, Jesus Christ. They become prepared for every good work. 

It's important to note that this message is not primarily about salvation, but rather for those who are already saved and going through the process of sanctification leading to glorification. When it mentions "deny him," it does not imply losing salvation, but rather setting aside from the rewards of heavenly recognition.

Instead of seeking external affirmation or recognition like an "atta boy" or "atta girl, from world recognition" the focus is on God's desire to boast about His children in heaven gates.

This illustrates that as believers, we have the potential to be vessels of honor, worthy of God's recognition and praise, as we contribute to His kingdom through our actions and attitudes.

Persistent Prayer

Matthew 10 reminds us of the challenging nature of the world we live in, which can often be hostile. Much like a boxer who needs to stay vigilant and protect themselves at all times due to their opponent's relentless attacks, we too face an adversary seeking to devour us as Christians, rather than unbelievers who are already influenced.

In light of this, it is vital for us to maintain a lifestyle of constant prayer, not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones. Even during times when they may not appear to be in immediate need of prayer, we should be proactive in protecting ourselves and our relationships through the power of prayer.

Wise as Serpents

V16. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

•Verse 16 states that you, the disciples, are known as the “send ones” and compares you to sheep in the midst of wolves (Luke 10:3). It is a reminder to be wise and not to suppress your common sense (Romans 16:19)." Your obedience has been noticed by many, and the encouragement is to remain wise in matters of good and simplicity when it comes to evil "(Ephesians 5:15).

 "As you journey, it is important to walk attentively and not foolishly, making the most of your time in these challenging days. "

It is crucial to maintain a posture of being both wise and harmless as true witnesses.

As believers, we are called to be wise like serpents, preserving time and making wise decisions, even when the world may view us differently (Matthew 10:16). It is important for disciples of Jesus Christ to possess common sense and not be seen as fools (1 Corinthians 4:10). 

The message conveyed by Paul in Corinthians was not to encourage being foolish, but rather to compare different spiritual lifestyles. 

We are called to be wise in Christ and mature in our faith, not succumbing to the immature beliefs and cliques of the world (1 Corinthians 14:20). James 3:13 reminds us that true wisdom comes from a godly perspective, reflected in our good behavior and deeds done with a gentle spirit (James 3:13). We are called to be harmless like doves, which signifies gentleness and inviting others with humility, rather than being arrogant or crude (Matthew 10:16).

When it comes to witnessing, we are encouraged to be as wise as serpents yet as harmless as doves, following the teachings of the greatest teacher to have ever lived. It is akin to being sheep in the midst of wolves.

•1) It is evident that we live in a flawed world, and Christians should be aware of this fact.

•2) Being wise like a serpent means that Christians should not be easily deceived or swayed, particularly by sentimental language or manipulation. It also entails understanding one's surroundings, just as a snake studies its prey and environment before making a move, sometimes observing for extended periods of time.

•3) Being harmless, as advised by Paul, means that Christians should avoid unnecessary conflicts or debates about specific doctrines. Sometimes, it is more effective to let unbelievers witness the positive outcomes and actions in our lives rather than simply emphasizing our knowledge of doctrine or scripture.

Inner Peace, Find it in Him.

No matter the circumstances, whether it's your job, family, finances, health, or any situation, don't allow anything to steal your inner peace. Instead, surrender it all to the cross and find peace.

When life's storms rage and everything feels like it's crumbling, we can always rely on Jesus as our source of peace. Often, when challenges arise, we tend to focus on the problems rather than turning to Jesus Christ, who alone can provide solutions. Every moment is precious, and knowing that Jesus is with us strengthens us.

God is a God of the present moment, and He wants us to find rest in His hands. The storms of life will inevitably test us, and the enemy lurks nearby. However, it is our inner peace that can truly withstand these storms, not the problems themselves. God desires for us to be fortified in our inner peace so that when the storms come, we can find refuge in Him and not be consumed by worry or circumstances.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16, it is written, "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." Personally, I can relate to this scripture because there was a time when I worried about everything. But as God began working on my inner self, I no longer find myself fretting over situations I cannot change. Though fear may occasionally grip my heart, I remember that God is the ultimate controller of all things.

Are we really all God's children?

"There is a distinction to be made between being created by God and being a child of God. While we are all created by God, not everyone is considered a child of God according to the Scriptures. In the book of Galatians (3:7), it is highlighted that only those who have faith in God can be called His children.

In the beginning, God created the first man, Adam, in His own image, as mentioned in Genesis (1:26-27). However, after the fall of man, humanity lost that original likeness and began to resemble their earthly fathers (Genesis 5:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:49). In Genesis 9:6, reference is made to God's original intent for humanity, but subsequent scriptures do not refer to fallen mankind as being in the image of God. In fact, in the New Testament, Jesus Himself referred to the Pharisees, who claimed to be children of God, as 'children of the devil' (John 8:41-44).

The only exception to this is Christ, who is described as the exact image of God and the firstborn among God's children, the born-again Christians (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4). When references are made to children being in the image of God in scriptures like 1 Corinthians 11:7 and James 3:9, they are addressing those who are in the faith, specifically Christians. These verses are not applicable to unbelievers.

As believers, we are called to put on our new selves, which have been made in the image of the Father (Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:24). When someone is in Christ, they become a new creation, shedding their old self for the new (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new image reflects God and His likeness, rather than the old fallen image."