" A LIFETIME COMMITMENT "

Good Morning To You All,

This weeks subject is one that might just hit a nerve with some of you. Please understand that I am not judging but touching on a subject that has long term consequences. The decisions that some of us make in life are regrettably made when we are in an emotional state of mind. I truly have to work on God being in the decision making process for everything. We are accountable for our every word, action and deed in our life. It's high time that we purposed to truly act like disciples of Jesus Christ. We all have made mistakes and I'm sure that we will stumble and fall in the future. It's vital that we pick ourselves up dust ourselves off and seek the face of God. People divorce for a host of reasons and as I said earlier I'm not here to judge, but I am here to hopefully invest in your life.

Jesus says in no uncertain terms that marriage is a lifetime commitment. Much to often we find that couples enter into marriage with an escape plan. Once upon a time when a man took a wife in marriage, and discovers some indecency in her he was allowed to divorce her. God allows divorce as a concession to people's sinfulness. Now, please take note, divorce was not approved but it was instituted to protect the injured party in a bad situation. Don't enter into marriage with the option of getting out when and if it becomes hard. I understand that living with another can at times be stressful even challenging, just ask my wife of 40 years. We have had our ups and downs, and yes our disagreements, more than I would care to admit. But we've weathered the turbulence of life and marriage. All that to say, your marriage is more likely to be happy if from the outset you and your spouse are committed to permanence. It's been suggested that we should be hardheaded in our determination, with God's help, to stay together. Husbands should not break faith with their wives and ignore the bonding between the husband and a wife that God instills ( the two become one person), as well as his purpose for them (raising children who love the Lord, "godly offspring"). Guys you should not break faith with your wives, and don't ignore the bonding relationship and spiritual purpose of being united with God.

When we know we've done something wrong, we want to downplay the error and relieve some of the guilt we feel. As we minimize our sinfulness, we naturally shy away from making changes, and so we keep on sinning. Sins involving sex are not innocent dabblings in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down the climate of respect, trust, and credibility so essential for solid marriages and secure children. Let your marriage grow strong by protecting your relationship from too many outside pressures and distractions. Divorce is as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus' day. When we enter into marriage, people should never consider divorce an option for solving problems or a way out of a relationship that seems dead. Are your actions today helping your marriage grow stronger, or are you tearing it apart? Those who discover that their spouse has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile, and restore their relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than looking for excuses to leave it. Don't be one of those who purposefully abuse the marriage contract, using divorce to satisfy their lustful desire to marry someone else. TO LEAVE YOUR SPOUSE FOR ANOTHER PERSON MAY BE LEGAL, BUT IT IS ADULTERY IN GOD'S EYES. One should not divorce their spouse on a whim. Divorce in most cases is a permanent and final act for a couple.

Let's work on checking with God before we make any decision. " In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18). Even when evil strikes we can still be thankful that the Lord is right their with us as he will never leave us nor forsake us. Please remember that even in the midst of turmoil, God is in control, so rejoice always.

Until Next Time...

Jim