“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes” (Song of Solomon 2:15). For many couples, holy wedlock has become an unholy deadlock. There are many reasons why marriages experience tension, but it usually begins with, what may be regarded as, little offenses. Severe damage is then done to the relationship over a prolonged period of time when these offenses are ignored or even considered irrelevant. Every husband and wife needs to be aware that any offense committed against their partner – no matter how small – has the potential of producing devastating consequences in their marriage. One little offense after another produces tension in the relationship. That tension is cumulative; and this is the reason why a list of minor offenses over a period of time produces a build-up of tension that can destroy a marriage. If offenses are not dealt with properly, and forgiveness is not sought or given, then that tension will not go away! The cumulative tension has the potential to break and destroy that relationship. Marriages are not destroyed overnight. They break down and are destroyed, many times, because of this cumulative effect of tension in the relationship. Past hurts have not been properly resolved, and added to that is the guilt from the wrong responses to those hurts. Ask the Lord to bring to your mind past word, actions, or attitudes that may have hurt your spouse. And no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, humble yourself and take responsibility for causing that offense and ask forgiveness. Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6) God loves humility. He hates pride – but He loves humility. This is the starting point for rebuilding broken relationships in your family. One of Satan’s most effective ways to destroy or weaken your effectiveness as a parent is to erect barriers between you and your children. Some of the most difficult words we will ever have to say are, “I was wrong. Will you please forgive me?” Most family conflicts could be resolved and even avoided right here! If you have wronged a member of your family, humble yourself and ask their forgiveness. James 4:6 says, “God resisteth the proud…” If God is for you, it doesn’t make any difference who is against you; but if God is resisting you, it doesn’t make any difference who is for you. And when does God resist us the most? When we’re proud! But James goes on to say that God “giveth grace unto the humble.” Grace is the desire and the power that God gives us to do His will (Philippians 2:13). The way then to deal with pride and to get more grace (more desire and more enabling power to do what is right) is to humble ourselves by taking responsibility for our wrong actions and words and attitudes. Some of the most successful marriages and families are those that follow through and ask each other forgiveness several times each week. There is no such thing as the perfect family. We all make mistakes. But God wants us to develop the Christ-like quality of humility. He wants us to humble ourselves; and through that demonstration of humility, He will bind and knit our hearts together. Don’t wait for the other person to make it right. Take the initiative by taking responsibility, and help restore that broken relationship today. Morris Hull, Home Life Ministries Someone once asked Daniel Webster, “What is the greatest thought that you have ever had?” He said, “The most awesome, the most terrifying, the most shattering thought I’ve ever had, is my personal responsibility to God.” The Bible makes it clear that we are each responsible for five things. Each one of us as Christians will be held responsible for every thought (2 Cor 10:4-5), word (Mat 12:36), deed (2 Cor 5:10), attitude (Phl 2:5), and motive (Jer 17:9-10). In our culture of blame and civil law suits, people refuse to accept responsibility for anything. I heard one pastor say, “I could be a great pastor if it wasn’t for my congregation.” I suppose we could also say, “I could be a great father if it wasn’t for my kids” or “I could be a great husband if it wasn’t for my wife.” But if there is ever going to be any hope of restoring broken relationships, we need to take full responsibility for our own wrong actions and words and attitudes. As long as we are focusing on the offenses of others, our conflicts will never get resolved. Don’t wait for the other person to make it right – it may never happen. He may be 95% to blame and you may only be 5% responsible; but take responsibility for your 5% and fully forgive his 95%. Two frogs fell into a can of cream, -Unknown As we rejoice in the Lord and seek not to quench the Spirit we will be enthusiastic. What exactly does it mean to be enthusiastic? There are three types of people in the world, energy-givers, energy-wasters, and energy-takers. God not only loves cheerful “givers” of our finances but also our energy. Energy-Giver Energy-Waster Energy-Taker Enthusiasm is being an “Energy-Giver” in every area of life. The Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky If Satan has a stronghold in your life, particularly in the moral area, and you are overcome time and time again by this particular sin, the following plan of action using designated prayer targets can help bring victory. The first step is to assign temptations to specific prayer targets. Think of three individuals you know. Think of someone you know who isn’t a Christian, but if they were to trust in Christ as Saviour they would make a great impact for the kingdom of God. Next, think of someone you know who is a backslider or carnal Christian but who could be tremendously used of God if they would only repent of the sin in their lives. Third, think of a Christian leader – someone on the front lines of spiritual conflict such as a pastor or missionary. Assign these individuals to specific temptations which you regularly face. For example, if Satan tempts you with impure thoughts, assign that temptation to your non-Christian friend and start praying for his salvation. If Satan tempts you to be angry, start praying for the Christian you know who is a backslider – pray the God would convict him and that he would repent of his sin. If Satan tempts you to be fearful, start praying for your pastor and pray that God would strengthen him and equip him for the conflict. Begin to take the offensive whenever you are tempted. When Satan tempts you in a certain area, take the initiative by praying offensively for a predetermined prayer target. The next time you are tempted by a particular sin, that will be your queue to start praying for these individuals using prayer as an offensive weapon against the kingdom of darkness. Now whenever you make this a consistent regular practice, two things will happen: 1. You will see answers to your prayers 2. You will experience less trouble with temptation in that particular area because Satan is not going to tempt you in that area if he knows that the temptation will be met with an immediate offensive attack upon his kingdom of darkness. They are often made worse and feel like they are being monitored. Make sure that the website you use is safe, and that your credit card cialis 5mg tablets and personal information is safe. Doctors say that men face unica-web.com sildenafil india price problem in gaining an erection, when one penis doesn’t get required blood flow. Due to cialis 5 mg special info these properties shukra dhatu increases. It happened when I was a very young Christian, and while it might not seem to have large proportions to some, it was the first large trial which confronted me, and it seemed to be of the utmost importance. Wesley had been my friend for a year or two, and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, he avoided me, and even refused to speak to me. To make matters worse, he was transferred to a night position, and I remained on a daytime job. I had no opportunity to see him, and yet I was aware that something should be done about it. One evening the man with whom I worked asked me if I would return and work until midnight. This I did, and I discovered that Wesley’s position required him to come to work that night in the same building. He was employed on the second floor and I on the first. Some time during the night I was required to go to the third floor for some information. It was necessary to pass close to Wesley’s desk. He did not even look at me when I went by. I wanted to speak to him, but I didn’t have the courage. No one was at work on the third floor. I remember kneeling by a chair in that quiet office building, and there I prayed earnestly that God would help me to go to Wesley. God came and helped. Going down to the second floor, I walked up to Wesley’s desk, and putting out my hand I said, “Wesley, I am a Christian, and I want to be your friend.” I shall never forget the look that came into his face. To say that he was surprised is putting it mildly. His face turned red. He stuttered and stammered, and then he extended his hand to grip my outstretched one. “Cliff, I want to be your friend, too,” said he. “This is the first time that anyone has ever done anything like this to me. I have been jealous of you, but I’m not now.” Can you see the picture? Just two young men with clasped hands in the midst of a gigantic steel plant. But it was more than that! It was a picture of what Christ can do for a life He has entered. It is a painting of one “going the other mile.” It is a picture of the renewing of a worthwhile friendship. I left Wesley that night with a happy heart. That incident did something for him, but it did much for me. We became friends, but I became a more established Christian. I have had to do similar things for the past twenty-nine years. But the same God who met me on my knees at a chair on the third floor of the Physical Testing Laboratory that night has met me many times since, and has always given me grace enough to meet comparable life situations. It is the intention of Satan to create breaches that cannot be bridged between friends. Friendships are ruined and homes broken up in this manner. But if we remember that “our brother has aught against us,” and if we will go to him, God will help us win those who might be eternally lost to us. Do you face a similar life situation? Take the initiative and do something about it today. -C.B. Strang – Meeting Life Situations He had two good eyes. Never had either of them given him any trouble. But he could see with one. He had tried it, and although his vision was limited to some extent, he could still get around. Why not offer one of his good eyes to the hospital in the south? They would pay him good money, and he could-well, what could he do with the money? Buy himself a car? Get a new house? Make sure that he lived well for months to come? No, he wanted to give the money to repair the church building in which he and a handful of his fellow Christians met from Sunday to Sunday. It was badly in need of some repairs. When it rained, the people inside were soaked. When it was cold, they were exposed to the bitter wind. That’s it! He would sell one of his eyes and give the money to the Lord. That would mean, of course, that he would be permanently disabled and disfigured; but he loved his Lord, and he wanted to do something for Him and for His people. Arriving at the hospital, he offered his eye for sale; but the hospital authorities would not hear of such a thing. They immediately discouraged him and sent him back home, telling him that the members of his church should save in order to repair their church buildings. He should not have to sell his eye for that. After this demonstration of love and sacrifice the members of his church did rally around, and although they were poor, desperately poor, repairs were duly made to the building. Repairs were made, but it took one man to provide the incentive-one man with an eye for sale. -The Prairie Overcomer F. B. Meyer told of a revival meeting that was dragging along without signs of success until one evening an elder arose and said, “Pastor, I don’t believe there is going to be a revival as long as Brother Jones and I don’t speak to each other.” He went to Jones and said: “Brother Jones, we have not spoken for five years, let’s bury the hatchet. Here’s my hand.” A sob broke from the audience. Soon another elder arose and said: “Pastor, I’ve been saying mean things about you behind your back and nice things to your face. I want you to forgive me.” Many arose and confessed their wrongs and God began to visit them. A revival swept over the community for three years. -Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations Two strangers attended the same church for several Sundays. None spoke to them. One said, “I will give this church one more chance. If nobody speaks to me next Sunday, I’ll never go there again.” The other said, “I don’t like this no-speaking in church. If no one speaks to me next Sunday, I’ll speak to someone.” Next Sunday, the usher happened to seat both of these men one in front of the other. As usual after the service, no one greeted the other. The first man rose to stalk out forever. The second man turned, put out his hand and said, “Good morning, Sir. I’m glad to see you. Fine sermon wasn’t it?” Both were pleased at having made a friend and continued to come. -Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations Achieving True Success by Building a Character Family, IACC, Oklahoma City Take the initiative to invest in the lives of younger brothers and sisters. Here are a few ways to motivate younger brothers and sisters to spiritual maturity. A parent’s guidance is also invaluable in working with brothers and sisters. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21) Christianna Reed – COMMIT at Home at Work/School at Church Minimizing fat in your diet is the leading natural impotence cures that are regularly cialis discount emphasized by most of the leading medical treatment available in the market today. 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Tension Is Cumulative
God Loves Humility
Webster’s Greatest Thought
Two Frogs In Cream
Or so I’ve’ heard it told:
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold.
“O, what’s the use?” croaked Number 1,
“Tis fate; no help’s around.
Good-bye, my friends. Good-bye, sad world”
And weeping still, he drowned.
But Number 2, of sterner stuff,
Dog-paddled in surprise.
The while he wiped his creamy face
And dried his creamy eyes.
“I’ll swim awhile, at least,” he said –
Or so I’ve heard he said:
“It really wouldn’t help the world
If one more frog were dead.”
An hour or two he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter;
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked.
Then hopped out, via butter
Three Types of People
Prayer Targets – A Little Known Resource for Victory over Temptation
Hindrances to Initiative
–Character First! Education Series 2
Taking The Initiative To Heal: Winning A Friend
His Eye for Sale
“Here’s My Hand”
The Ladies’ Question
Three Probing Questions Related to Initiative
Doing Something About It
General Grant Leads the Way
Initiative in the home includes:
Ways to Invest in Younger Brothers and Sisters
The “I Wills” of Initiative
How to Demonstrate Initiative
Character Definitions of Initiative
Bible Stories Related to Initiative
Bible Verses Related to Initiative
Hymns and Choruses Related to Initiative
The Character Journal
A ministry of Home Life Ministries
