I like the song by the Beatles – “A Little Help From My Friends." There are no lone ranger Christians in God’s kingdom. Not if we are walking the love walk of Jesus.
For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:12
How do each of us get by in life? With a little cooperation and encouragement. People who run single social groups need encouragement and cooperation. It’s a little cooperation I get in friends helping me in hosting a single event, a little help from my family when it comes to holiday parties as far as offering to clean up or help by bringing food or food preparation, my daughter Paula helped at Christmas in making food, my sister-in-law shoveled snow on the sidewalk and driveway, my friend Scott helped me in making food for a single's event, Evan helped with washing dishes and doing things around my house before single's socials, Theresa used my leaf blower to help blow leaves off the deck, Rennie and others helped in the kitchen, a little help at church, a little help at college as far as tutoring, a little help with yard work or repairs, etc. When I do boating events, I get cooperation from my friends Scott and Brandy in helping me launch the wave runners or my boat.
It was that little extra help from my husband that got me through raising four children. Sometimes it was a lot of help! But most of all it was a cooperative spirit I found he had. Since that time I've had my daughters help me with cooking and various things around the house when they are not too busy with working and college. That little cooperation goes a long way in my book. Jesus got the cooperation of five loaves and two fishes and it went a long way in feeding 5,000 people! There were even 12 basketfuls left with the help/cooperation that Jesus got from a little boy.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves! Mark 6:41-44
My husband was a person I found not to be a victim of his circumstances. He was not bitter over losing his son to death and his ex-wife from a divorce. He had a hard time dealing with his ex-wife's anger. When I met him he smiled a lot. When he died, people came up to me and said, "Mike smiled all the time." When we die what will non-believers say about us?
Maybe your ex-wife is a snake that coils up and is ready to strike you at any time she sees you? It's sort of like a manager I worked for that would yell at me. I worked for this one CFO at a small private hospital that yelled at me and I asked his former secretary how she tolerated his behavior. She said. "I let his comments roll off my back." After two weeks of his yelling, I told him I was not going to put up with his behavior. He respected me after that and I stayed another two months until he could find a replacement, but I determined I did not want to put up with a person who yells all the time. The hospital closed because of financial problems shortly after I left so I believe he was taking his work problems out on his new assistant (me). I was in a relationship and I determined I was not going to put up with a person who wanted to argue among other things all the time. I could not get a spirit of cooperation out of him. Our words in life to our loved ones can either edify or can tear down. A wise woman or man knows that words are what build their life and are wise in the use of words.
If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:15
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
The same thing happened to my husband with a manager who constantly yelled at him for a few months and one day his manager invited him to lunch and he asked him if he wanted to be his partner. My husband said, "No, in fact, I'm quitting this job." He said it was a quiet lunch conversation after that. Since that time, I've come to learn that although a person yells at me, I don't have to let it affect my day. It's their problem day, not mine. The same is true in marriage. It took me 20 years to overcome a former loved one badgering me, but I finally overcame it. If you look at the animal kingdom badgers are real in the spiritual kingdom also. It's people who try to intimidate and beat you down with their words, condemn you of what you are doing or are not doing that can be Christians or relatives. There are a couple of scriptures I stood on during those times of a person's constant badgering me. Remember Satan is the accuser of the brethren so when we accuse someone of something we have to watch that we are not a part of Satan's work.
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20
For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Romans 15:12
How do each of us get by in life? With a little cooperation and encouragement. People who run single social groups need encouragement and cooperation. It’s a little cooperation I get in friends helping me in hosting a single event, a little help from my family when it comes to holiday parties as far as offering to clean up or help by bringing food or food preparation, my daughter Paula helped at Christmas in making food, my sister-in-law shoveled snow on the sidewalk and driveway, my friend Scott helped me in making food for a single's event, Evan helped with washing dishes and doing things around my house before single's socials, Theresa used my leaf blower to help blow leaves off the deck, Rennie and others helped in the kitchen, a little help at church, a little help at college as far as tutoring, a little help with yard work or repairs, etc. When I do boating events, I get cooperation from my friends Scott and Brandy in helping me launch the wave runners or my boat.
It was that little extra help from my husband that got me through raising four children. Sometimes it was a lot of help! But most of all it was a cooperative spirit I found he had. Since that time I've had my daughters help me with cooking and various things around the house when they are not too busy with working and college. That little cooperation goes a long way in my book. Jesus got the cooperation of five loaves and two fishes and it went a long way in feeding 5,000 people! There were even 12 basketfuls left with the help/cooperation that Jesus got from a little boy.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves! Mark 6:41-44
My husband was a person I found not to be a victim of his circumstances. He was not bitter over losing his son to death and his ex-wife from a divorce. He had a hard time dealing with his ex-wife's anger. When I met him he smiled a lot. When he died, people came up to me and said, "Mike smiled all the time." When we die what will non-believers say about us?
Maybe your ex-wife is a snake that coils up and is ready to strike you at any time she sees you? It's sort of like a manager I worked for that would yell at me. I worked for this one CFO at a small private hospital that yelled at me and I asked his former secretary how she tolerated his behavior. She said. "I let his comments roll off my back." After two weeks of his yelling, I told him I was not going to put up with his behavior. He respected me after that and I stayed another two months until he could find a replacement, but I determined I did not want to put up with a person who yells all the time. The hospital closed because of financial problems shortly after I left so I believe he was taking his work problems out on his new assistant (me). I was in a relationship and I determined I was not going to put up with a person who wanted to argue among other things all the time. I could not get a spirit of cooperation out of him. Our words in life to our loved ones can either edify or can tear down. A wise woman or man knows that words are what build their life and are wise in the use of words.
If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:15
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
The same thing happened to my husband with a manager who constantly yelled at him for a few months and one day his manager invited him to lunch and he asked him if he wanted to be his partner. My husband said, "No, in fact, I'm quitting this job." He said it was a quiet lunch conversation after that. Since that time, I've come to learn that although a person yells at me, I don't have to let it affect my day. It's their problem day, not mine. The same is true in marriage. It took me 20 years to overcome a former loved one badgering me, but I finally overcame it. If you look at the animal kingdom badgers are real in the spiritual kingdom also. It's people who try to intimidate and beat you down with their words, condemn you of what you are doing or are not doing that can be Christians or relatives. There are a couple of scriptures I stood on during those times of a person's constant badgering me. Remember Satan is the accuser of the brethren so when we accuse someone of something we have to watch that we are not a part of Satan's work.
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20
no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17
I find whatever you give to God goes a long way. God has me in a time of sowing a lot of seed in people’s hearts and lives now and I know that is what he has called me to do at this season in my life is to be a sower. The other thing he has called me to do is to fertilize the seed.
I was teasing my friends that I’m going to put a sign on my car door, “Mary’s Manure Hauling Service.” It’s because I have a great business in shoveling manure when it comes to grief. Highly needed as the undertaker. But I’m only a princess of hauling manure out of people’s lives. I consider a woman who loses her husband in a 50-year marriage with children would be a queen of shoving the manure of grief in her life. In order to take over my husband’s business of making fun in life, I’ve got to get the piles of grief out of my back yard and God told me I’m not done yet. I wish after three years I was done shoveling grief piles.
God is raising up an army. I did not enlist in the single's military. I was drafted into it when my husband's number was called. My number was not called at the same time. Some people may be peeling potatoes in God's army and pastors are on the front line getting shot at regularly by the enemy. God currently has me on sabbatical from his regular army. I was watching this Hallmark movie about Prudence and it was a lady who made TV shows and her boss fired her for a week so she would go on vacation for a rest. He said she was a high executive and he needed her. God sees us as high executives in his company and he needs us in his service. We need vacations in life at times. She went on vacation, but she ended up solving a murder mystery. When the critics condemned Jesus about a waste of ointment poured out on his feet (a person's whole year's wages), Jesus said it was an encouragement to him.
What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Would you believe in a love at first sight,
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light,
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I just need somebody to love,
Could it be anybody,
I want somebody to love.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.
I was teasing my friends that I’m going to put a sign on my car door, “Mary’s Manure Hauling Service.” It’s because I have a great business in shoveling manure when it comes to grief. Highly needed as the undertaker. But I’m only a princess of hauling manure out of people’s lives. I consider a woman who loses her husband in a 50-year marriage with children would be a queen of shoving the manure of grief in her life. In order to take over my husband’s business of making fun in life, I’ve got to get the piles of grief out of my back yard and God told me I’m not done yet. I wish after three years I was done shoveling grief piles.
God is raising up an army. I did not enlist in the single's military. I was drafted into it when my husband's number was called. My number was not called at the same time. Some people may be peeling potatoes in God's army and pastors are on the front line getting shot at regularly by the enemy. God currently has me on sabbatical from his regular army. I was watching this Hallmark movie about Prudence and it was a lady who made TV shows and her boss fired her for a week so she would go on vacation for a rest. He said she was a high executive and he needed her. God sees us as high executives in his company and he needs us in his service. We need vacations in life at times. She went on vacation, but she ended up solving a murder mystery. When the critics condemned Jesus about a waste of ointment poured out on his feet (a person's whole year's wages), Jesus said it was an encouragement to him.
And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. v.6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Mark 14:4-9
I believe this example is in the Bible that we can't let others put us down about feeling guilty for enjoying life or God's blessings from others. For us who work full time jobs, we consider that going on a vacation is a needed break. Americans are typically work alcoholics. Many people in European countries go on 2-3 months vacations. Travel helps to overcome grief during the Christmas holidays. I met a 70-year old woman traveling in New Zealand who was widowed. My husband and I did not have many alone vacations in 15-years with raising six children. When we got a free trip to Hawaii through his work vendor we were up from 6 am to sun down on the go during our vacation so I can relate to the movie Prudence's vacation. He passed away before he could enjoy Australia with me. My daughters and I had an amazing road adventure in Australia driving over bats and toads and cattle coming at our headlights on the highway in rain to go on a snorkeling/scuba diving tour at the Great Barrier Reef. Whenever I meet married couples that have not done a big vacation together, I encourage them to go now while they are still healthy. It's a way of making great memories in life that will be important when you lose that person. The same way when a a family member gives you a good gift in life or your children draw you a nice picture you like to hang on your refrigerator.
This woman had a nice gesture that encouraged Jesus. When people open the department store door for another person or let a person go ahead of them in line with less groceries, it's nice gestures in life that can encourage another person that there are still nice, thoughtful people in the world!
When my friends call me up and they tell me they are stressed, I tell them they need to take care of themselves and take a break. If we don't take care of ourselves, than we are no good for our family or the lost if Christians are walking around looking like they are sucking on lemons! In order to make lemonade you have to take a break. Jesus got away to a mountain to pray and seek God. I look for the things that minister to me in times of being weary in a battle so I can become strong again. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness and I believe Paul spent 15 years before his ministry to the Gentiles. In the same way, God takes us out of the (rat) race at times like Moses and Paul to seek him. I don't want to get stuck in some maze of life going around the mountain over and over.
I believe this example is in the Bible that we can't let others put us down about feeling guilty for enjoying life or God's blessings from others. For us who work full time jobs, we consider that going on a vacation is a needed break. Americans are typically work alcoholics. Many people in European countries go on 2-3 months vacations. Travel helps to overcome grief during the Christmas holidays. I met a 70-year old woman traveling in New Zealand who was widowed. My husband and I did not have many alone vacations in 15-years with raising six children. When we got a free trip to Hawaii through his work vendor we were up from 6 am to sun down on the go during our vacation so I can relate to the movie Prudence's vacation. He passed away before he could enjoy Australia with me. My daughters and I had an amazing road adventure in Australia driving over bats and toads and cattle coming at our headlights on the highway in rain to go on a snorkeling/scuba diving tour at the Great Barrier Reef. Whenever I meet married couples that have not done a big vacation together, I encourage them to go now while they are still healthy. It's a way of making great memories in life that will be important when you lose that person. The same way when a a family member gives you a good gift in life or your children draw you a nice picture you like to hang on your refrigerator.
This woman had a nice gesture that encouraged Jesus. When people open the department store door for another person or let a person go ahead of them in line with less groceries, it's nice gestures in life that can encourage another person that there are still nice, thoughtful people in the world!
When my friends call me up and they tell me they are stressed, I tell them they need to take care of themselves and take a break. If we don't take care of ourselves, than we are no good for our family or the lost if Christians are walking around looking like they are sucking on lemons! In order to make lemonade you have to take a break. Jesus got away to a mountain to pray and seek God. I look for the things that minister to me in times of being weary in a battle so I can become strong again. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness and I believe Paul spent 15 years before his ministry to the Gentiles. In the same way, God takes us out of the (rat) race at times like Moses and Paul to seek him. I don't want to get stuck in some maze of life going around the mountain over and over.
After Jesus was tempted in the wilderness it says that angels ministered to him. In the same way, I have spoken to many widows who have experienced comfort through signs that they thought was from their deceased husband. I believe these are angels that are sent to minister to those who are going through the wildnerness journey. I believe the encouragment is from God through angels.
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14
Jesus went into his ministry in the power of the spirit. The power of God is trading our strength for God’s strength. Jesus was also stengthened by angels when he went to the cross. Several times in my life I have experienced a "second wind in life." When I was raising my twin daughters and it was very stressful when they were both crying at the same time, and I felt overwelmed with two new babies, I cried out to the Lord and I experienced an energy boost. Better than coffee, Jolt or Red Bull!
Recently, the enemy was tormenting me about being single and it was over seeing couples at some single socials during the holidays and a Colts' game I went to. Usually, I go through this torment on Sunday when I am around couples at church or when I see them walking around our neighborhood or together at a shopping mall, but it was like my mind was in a Chinese torture and it hit me later at work before I left. I had a dream awhile back that an evil man was choking me and I was choking him back. It was an intense battle with the evil man. Then the evil man was doing Chinese torture by putting his fingers in the middle of my head and pressing in my forehead. The evil man was getting the best of me and I know it was those tormenting thoughts I go through on a regular basis of my husband dying early and being single at a younger age than other widows. That is the cross I have to take up every day.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Recently, the enemy was tormenting me about being single and it was over seeing couples at some single socials during the holidays and a Colts' game I went to. Usually, I go through this torment on Sunday when I am around couples at church or when I see them walking around our neighborhood or together at a shopping mall, but it was like my mind was in a Chinese torture and it hit me later at work before I left. I had a dream awhile back that an evil man was choking me and I was choking him back. It was an intense battle with the evil man. Then the evil man was doing Chinese torture by putting his fingers in the middle of my head and pressing in my forehead. The evil man was getting the best of me and I know it was those tormenting thoughts I go through on a regular basis of my husband dying early and being single at a younger age than other widows. That is the cross I have to take up every day.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
I called out to Jesus and I told him that I was afraid like a little child would do. This is contrary to the "name and claim it faith message" is that I told God I can't handle it. I cannot handle this life and stress and the constant tormenting thoughts I get attacked with. All of a sudden I experienced a peace from God again like when my husband had the heart attack in front of me that "passesth understanding." I was trading my weakness at that time for God's strength and ability. David knew he could cry out to the Lord all day long:
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:17
Jesus in his own self could not carry that cross. A person helped Jesus carry the cross. I realize that most of the time I can't carry the crosses that I've had in life. God's strength is my power in life. This is not the first time I've had a broken heart in my life.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside Luke 4:14
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:11
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Luke 22:43
I believe there are hindering spirits in life that like to hinder us from not getting our goals accomplished besides ministering spirits. I consider that getting a flat tire in the parking lot at work when I needed to be at a 3-hour Trig class a hindering spirit. By the time I got a friend to change the large SUV tire, I missed the class. Notice the below scripture does not say that God hindered them.
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:17
Jesus in his own self could not carry that cross. A person helped Jesus carry the cross. I realize that most of the time I can't carry the crosses that I've had in life. God's strength is my power in life. This is not the first time I've had a broken heart in my life.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside Luke 4:14
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:11
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Luke 22:43
I believe there are hindering spirits in life that like to hinder us from not getting our goals accomplished besides ministering spirits. I consider that getting a flat tire in the parking lot at work when I needed to be at a 3-hour Trig class a hindering spirit. By the time I got a friend to change the large SUV tire, I missed the class. Notice the below scripture does not say that God hindered them.
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 1 Thess 2:8
Last night I was hindered when I walking out the door to go lead worship at a single’s group. I usually have my keys in my coat pocket and this time I put them on the counter. I locked myself out of the house and did not have the keys to drive my car. I’ve ministered at the single’s group with a broken ankle and bronchitis so this is not different to me than overcoming physical ailments in life. I was sitting in my car in the cold waiting for 45 minutes for my daughter to come home and let me in my house and I was thinking of what I could be doing to stay warm. I thought of a song and it’s better than “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” I think this is a song we sang in a Christian tent revival I was in at 19 years old:
Keep praising the Lord
When the skies above are gray
Keep praising the Lord
For the answer on it’s way
Never despair for the Lord he answers prayer
His promise is sure to those who endure keep praising the Lord
When Job said, “Thou he slay me, I will trust him.” I don’t believe it’s because God does the slaying. I believe it is that when things go south in your life that God is the one that can see you through difficulties. That is why I was in church the next day after my husband died. I stood up before the congregation and I gave everyone a promise land report. It was not a evil report:
"My husband said that he loved me and I said I loved him and then he died instantly of a heart attack." That touched many married couples at church that life can be short. It was like when I first was saved and went preaching about Jesus to all my friends at the local hamburger hangout. A fresh living example. A "popcorn" testimony straight from God. "Christian married couples, you need to get your act together and quit fussing and fighting, thus saith the Lord." Unfortunately, two couples divorced who attended that church shortly after that. I heard on television in a few months after my husband's death before Christmas, a man who reported “When I went to kiss my wife good bye, I did not know it would be my last goodbye kiss because she was shot and killed at a gas station that day.”
We should always send our loved ones into the world with telling them we love them and a kiss or hug. I had someone say to me it’s better being single because I don’t have to pick up a man’s underwear and socks and put the toilet seat down. I did not have to do those things since my husband was house broken, but you should consider that when you pick those things up that you are picking up love socks. It’s hard to stay mad at a person you love. I liked a “Little House on the Prairie Episode.” Where Charles Ingall’s wife was trying to be mad at him for plowing his farm and not going to church on Sundays. She said he was so sweet she could not stay mad at him for long. When you are in a love relationship with a person you don’t stay mad. I could not stay mad at my husband like I can’t stay mad at God, because I’m in a love relationship with God. God is too sweet to stay mad at Him for allowing my husband to die younger. When we send our children to school we should say to them every morning, “Have a good day luv.” Same thing to say to our husband or wife.
If married, our spouse is in our back pocket like a comb. We can take that comb out and use it any time we want. If a person loses their comb and their hair is messed up, than we will see how well they do without having a comb in their back pocket. Especially later in life when there is a shortage of combs. Plenty of combs to go around when you are young in your early 20's. Go to a Christian or secular single’s group when you are in your 50's and you see there is shortage of good combs. That is when you start walking by faith in God’s provision, not in this natural world.
"My husband said that he loved me and I said I loved him and then he died instantly of a heart attack." That touched many married couples at church that life can be short. It was like when I first was saved and went preaching about Jesus to all my friends at the local hamburger hangout. A fresh living example. A "popcorn" testimony straight from God. "Christian married couples, you need to get your act together and quit fussing and fighting, thus saith the Lord." Unfortunately, two couples divorced who attended that church shortly after that. I heard on television in a few months after my husband's death before Christmas, a man who reported “When I went to kiss my wife good bye, I did not know it would be my last goodbye kiss because she was shot and killed at a gas station that day.”
We should always send our loved ones into the world with telling them we love them and a kiss or hug. I had someone say to me it’s better being single because I don’t have to pick up a man’s underwear and socks and put the toilet seat down. I did not have to do those things since my husband was house broken, but you should consider that when you pick those things up that you are picking up love socks. It’s hard to stay mad at a person you love. I liked a “Little House on the Prairie Episode.” Where Charles Ingall’s wife was trying to be mad at him for plowing his farm and not going to church on Sundays. She said he was so sweet she could not stay mad at him for long. When you are in a love relationship with a person you don’t stay mad. I could not stay mad at my husband like I can’t stay mad at God, because I’m in a love relationship with God. God is too sweet to stay mad at Him for allowing my husband to die younger. When we send our children to school we should say to them every morning, “Have a good day luv.” Same thing to say to our husband or wife.
When we get up in the morning, we can say to God, “It’s a good day luv.”
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
We are to “rest” in God’s love over us. I rested in my husband's love for me while I was married and now that he is gone. In the same way, as Jesus sat down and rested after he died on the cross and rose from the dead, we are to enter God’s rest and that rest is His love.
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I don't have a problem checking in with Mission Control. I checked in with my husband every day. I check in with God daily, “Houston, we have a problem (when I have a problem God has a problem since I belong to Him), my space shuttle in life is not functioning well. Can you help with fixing this problem? God, I got some serious problems I did not have when I was married.” I recognize there are many people who are used to walking around without moccasin shoes, but my feet are not rough like Indians, I am a tender foot in life. I don’t know when my feet are going to be tough enough to quit wearing shoes in life. Maybe not as long as I am on this earth. Maybe I will be like my husband’s aunt who had three deceased husbands! I personally like wearing a good pair of comfortable mocassins. If married, our spouse is in our back pocket like a comb. We can take that comb out and use it any time we want. If a person loses their comb and their hair is messed up, than we will see how well they do without having a comb in their back pocket. Especially later in life when there is a shortage of combs. Plenty of combs to go around when you are young in your early 20's. Go to a Christian or secular single’s group when you are in your 50's and you see there is shortage of good combs. That is when you start walking by faith in God’s provision, not in this natural world.
In God’s kingdom, God has given us a measure of faith. Faith is reaching out to God in times of need and being dependent on him that we can’t do it on our own. It’s waiting on him to see us through life's difficulties. Becoming little children again.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
It’s an act of our will to forgive. I had someone offend me recently, but I knew I had to forgive. Did I feel like forgiving them? Absolutely not. That person offended me. As an act of faith I prayed and said, “God I forgive them.” The feelings of restoration came towards that person although I could not be in agreement with them in the way they treated me or what they said. There was no reconciliation as far as I am not going to have the communication I could if I was able to make amends with the person, but at least I have peace with the person. It’s because many times you are coming from a place of both believing you are in the right.
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
In marriage, we may not always be in agreement with someone, but at least we can be at peace with the person. It’s the same way with my friends. I may not agree with everything a friend is doing and I may tell them so, but I still be at peace with a friend. There are certain actions that a Christian may have and if they continue an action that will drag you down it does not mean you have to fellowship and hang out with them. There are scriptures that tell you the contrary to avoid some people.
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Roman 16:17
In marriage, we may not always be in agreement with someone, but at least we can be at peace with the person. It’s the same way with my friends. I may not agree with everything a friend is doing and I may tell them so, but I still be at peace with a friend. There are certain actions that a Christian may have and if they continue an action that will drag you down it does not mean you have to fellowship and hang out with them. There are scriptures that tell you the contrary to avoid some people.
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Roman 16:17
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Cor. 15:33
You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand. Exodus 23:1
You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand. Exodus 23:1
A Little Help From My Friends
A little help from my friendsWhat would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Would you believe in a love at first sight,
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light,
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I just need somebody to love,
Could it be anybody,
I want somebody to love.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.
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