The Sociopath: Handle with Care and Prayer

The sociopath is a guiltless, empty soul. Always on the prowl for potential victims. They are slick, don't ever doubt it. Many of them have learned
from a sociopathic parent. They have had years to sharpen their skills of treachery. The ones I've known were cold, conniving and above all, superficial. I have sometimes described them as stupid, but I only say that because I had them figured out. Gullible people would certainly not call them stupid, they would tend to believe their slick talk and see them as very wise I suppose. Gullible people admire them. Sociopath's know what you like to hear.
They know your buttons and they will push your buttons if you push THEM. The narcissist pushes your buttons to humor or amuse themselves, but the sociopath seems to have more deliberate reasons for doing so. Sociopaths I've known are allergic to work but always expect someone else to take care of their needs because they feel "entitled" to it. They seem to come and go in a frenzy.
If you get wise to them, they won't stick around for long. There is nothing they detest more than the dupe that has transformed into a wise man and now has figured them out.
They see no reason to be in the presence of one they cannot con. If you happen to get stuck with a sociopath as a family member, you will most likely take their shenanigans until you are weary and then throw up your hands and declare you've had enough. They don't care if this happens as they always seem to find "greener pastures" elsewhere (at least for a time). I've known sociopaths that tend to prey on elderly relatives. In their warped psyche, they see that the elderly are often alone, very lonely, and tend to welcome anyone into their lives who will shower them with attention.
A Sociopath thinks nothing is wrong in conning their elderly mother or father. They don't wince at taking advantage of their own children. These human parasites have no conscience. I have often wondered IF when they lay down at night, they might have an infinitesimal amount of remorse, sadness, call it what you like. But if this were the case, their remorse grows wings and flies away because in the morning they are right back to their old stunts again.
They are game players and risk takers. We are objects to them. They attempt to maneuver us around like checkers or chess pieces on their board of life! What are they hoping to accomplish by this? Their own self-gratification: Getting their needs and dreams met. Whatever the sociopath's "god" is, that is what he or she will strive to extract by using YOU. If their "god" is money, they will focus their time and effort on those who have it. If their "god" is drugs, they will use whomever they can to get the drugs. If it is fame, they will try to hobnob and rub shoulders with the very ones who can assist them in claiming that fame. You have nothing to offer them? You won't be hassled by them.
But it always seems that when they are really down on their luck and have fallen on hard times, they will look you up again. This brings me to one of the most important parts of this article. If you have managed to get rid of the Sociopath in your life, but at a later date they call you, knock on your door, look you up, please do NOT respond to them in any manner. I have learned this only after having wasted years of my life thinking that they had changed and giving them another chance.
I was one who answered that phone, I opened my door more than once and all because I thought they had "changed" for the better. I was always disappointed.

Handle With Prayer:

During one very distressing time in my life in which I was observing a sociopath attempting to con a relative they had already bilked financially in the past, I had a revelation. I sought God about how to deal with the drama and potential devastation this person might cause in my family. Prayer and a long talk with God was my answer. I learned I could not sit around worrying over what the sociopath might do. I now saw this more as a "spiritual" matter than a mental or physical one. When I've been in the presence of a sociopath there was always something in me that made me cringe. I have to be honest, I felt fear. Intimidation is one of the sociopaths weapons in their arsenal and they wield it like crazy. You cannot stop the sociopath. You can keep alert and not pick up the phone or open your door to them. Other than these things, you must handle them with prayer. You must pray that God would take away the FEAR you have towards them. You must pray that God would strengthen you if you happen to have a run-in with these people. You must pray that God would keep his hand of protection over you and your loved ones. And even though most people believe that the Sociopath will not change, you must pray for their salvation. You must pray that somehow (and only God knows how) that they will STOP using and abusing people, that they would cease wreaking havoc and misery in the lives of other people. There has been much debate over whether the sociopath can turn from their wicked ways, repent, and receive salvation. So take that for what it's worth. They have to come to grips with what they have done to others and suffer remorse from it. This is a tall order for someone who is enamored with themselves and views the rest of us as "dupes". They must grow a conscience where there has been none! See what I mean by only God knows how this could ever come to pass? You must keep a watchful eye over those the sociopath is attempting to con and to prey on, especially the elderly. Understand now that I have never known a sociopath to change. Just because I have not, that does not mean that it has NEVER happened. This may seem as though I'm being naive, I'm not, I am just following the biblical principles that we are to "Pray for all men".

They remind me of a roaring lion (the devil) in the bible.
1 peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The sociopath devours people if allowed to. They will take from easy targets and when they have bled them dry of finances, shelter, assets, they will move on without the slightest tinge of guilt about what they have done. Sociopaths don't miss you. They only miss what you have to offer them.
I always stress that if you have a sociopath in your family, you must stay away from them and if you cannot, watch your back. You will suffer lack due to their "needs". You will have drama, tears, no rest, and a mess on your hands. The sociopaths that I have known won't take a moment of their time to listen to you speak. When you might get a word in, they instantly deny and blame you. They will blatantly lie in order to get this accomplished. I think they know good and well that others around them DO have a conscience, that we DO care about others, (including them) and they use this to their advantage.
I've witnessed these people getting some kind of perverse kick out of using and abusing others. This goes back to what the bible says about them having pleasure in doing these dastardly deeds and in others who do them.

Are they Reprobates?
It is my belief that those who have a seared conscience (sociopaths and some narcissists) are indeed the reprobates we read about in the bible.

Someone who looks an awful lot like the Sociopath is described in Romans 1 of the New Testament:
28: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29: Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30: Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31:Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

In the book of Timothy, we are once again seeing a reference to the "reprobate":
2 Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (did you catch that? they despise those who are good).
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

The following scripture reminds me not only of the Sociopath, but of the Narcissist as well. Isn't it amazing that we are given an adequate description of these blood suckers in the Bible?
1 Timothy 4:

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Finally, for those who feel I am too rough on the Sociopath, may I remind you that at any time they have had the ability to change their behavior but opted NOT to do so. When we mess up, when we sin, we are SORRY for the sin and attempt to make amends with those we have hurt. Does the sociopath do this? The ones I've known have denied, projected blame, and arrogantly walked away. These people attempt to sway others over to their "side" in smear campaigns against others. If you find yourself the target of a smear campaign, stand firm and understand that if those you love believe the lies of the sociopath, they never knew you in the first place and without them in your lives, you are better off. Who needs someone in their lives (even family members) if they choose to believe the blatant lies that come from a sociopath? Your family and friends who are swayed by the lies of the sociopath are only being mesmerized by the best actors on the planet today. In time, those who were conned will feel like idiots when the mask comes off from the monster. We can only hope and pray that this unmasking happens sooner rather than later.

Job Loss and Lifestyles

It's been many months since I last posted on my blog. I have been at a loss for words about the situation with our economy and the way it is hurting so many precious people out there.

A bit of perspective about job loss:
When we lose our job we might draw unemployment benefits but they do run out and then stark reality sets in. There are NOT a lot of jobs out there and anyone who says there is has not been beating the pavement looking for one lately. The most important thing we can do while looking for a new job is to make DRASTIC changes in our lifestyles. Do without and live within your means in other words. Cut the cable, drop your cell phone if at all possible, eat differently, take this time getting in shape as much as possible because what else is there to do when you are out of work? Take this time you now have on your hands to get yourself "spiritually" fit as well. Make peace with God and yourself and anyone else you need to. Take a walk, think on how much better you have things than the next person because I can promise you that no matter how bad you feel, there is ALWAYS someone else you can look to who has things worse than you. I'm sure you have taken an inventory of all the bills you have to pay and how to adjust and juggle them accordingly. Get odd jobs. Go visit your neighbors and ask if they have anything you can help them get done. In doing this you are NOT asking for a handout. You are merely helping that person out and yourself as well. Remember that if you don't ask, you will never know. It is surprising how losing our jobs will humble us. Remember this, most of our lives are spent earning the almighty dollar, often times we rarely take time to REALLY live because our career consumes so much of our time. But along with a pink slip comes the time you need to get down to basics and reflect on the people and things which are truly most important to you. No matter what job you turn up with, chances are you are going to have to reorder your life and cut back to the bare necessities but this is the good part of losing your job. We don't have to have a cell phone, it is only a form of communication but by no means the only one. Get a land line, after all, we were able to do well with that in the past. Sell that other vehicle. You can only drive one car at a time.

Stop eating out and make simple and less costly meals at home. Buy fresh vegetables instead of those tasty boxed foods we all think we cannot do without.
My friends, I'm not suggesting things that I do not put into practice myself. All these things I have mentioned I have been doing for the past few years. In the months to come, I plan on passing along some tips that I hope will allow you to stretch your dollar further as well.

Seven Important Words

Here we are in the year 2008 and I can hardly believe the holidays are just around the corner. Fall is in the air and this is my favorite time of the year! Such a relief from the long, hot summer and high electric bills. I like the sudden and crisp coolness of the air. I love to pick a bushel of apples and spend my time cooking up a homemade apple pie!
Thinking today about the changes which have no doubt occurred in all of our lives this past year, I stopped to think about those things which will never change. What will never sway while the seasons and years roll by? As the leaves turn from summer green to fall yellow and red with the changing of the season, those beautiful fall colored leaves will soon drop to the ground because winter is on its way and we better be ready to bundle up! Then comes the precious springtime when everything becomes new again. Thinking on these things, I wanted to write on what we can count on in a world where much changes for us throughout the year (sometimes for the worst) and it can happen to us at the drop of the hat. There is one thing I can think of and it's below, written in red:
The Word of God. Isn't it comforting to know in a world where change is a sure bet, we have a constant when we look at God's truth as it is recorded in the bible?

Do you remember when God spoke from the cloud and told Peter, James, and John,
"This Is my beloved son, Hear Him"?

Mark 9 2-9: And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Friends, I am convinced these seven words are for our benefit today just as they were beneficial for Peter, James and John on that mountain. God would tug on our hearts today and tell us these very same words that he told Peter, James, and John so long ago.

Jesus was the word of God made flesh:
John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

How do we hear God's son?
By delving into the word of God. By pouring over his truth. God's word contains everything we need to live a whole and victorious life. Why do we spend so much time looking for new words from the Lord? If God gives you a word or a vision or dream, there is nothing wrong with this just so it jives with his word and it is wonderful if the Holy Spirit chooses to do this, but we simply must give priority to "Hearing Him", Jesus Christ, through the Word of God. We must give this the preeminence in our lives.
I have heard this year of so many tragedies people have had to endure. It seems at times the very foundations of our lives can be shaken and we can be caught in the most dire situations right out of the blue! Well, these things we deal with on this earth are never easy and seldom are we ever able to meet the distress with a calmness. I have never been tranquil when it seems the rug is being pulled out from under me. What do I do? How do I react? First I am shocked, then perhaps I feel anger rising in me. Then I maybe take a few hours and ponder the mess I've been dealt, then after a while I realize that God sees my mess and he is the strong one and I am the weak one.

Then this process (if I allow it to and I don't get a case of the stubborns) will strengthen my faith and my life in the long run. Notice I said in the "long run". But in the present it really irks me :) And aren't we all pretty much the same? We don't want to have to put up with grief and troubles, trials and temptations, but remember what Jesus said:
John 16:33
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Death: No Fear

When I exit life on earth I know I will not have ceased to exist. I will still be alive when my physical body has given up and is buried because everyone who has ever walked this earth including myself have "eternal life". So the question becomes where will each of us spend this eternal life of ours? There is a confidence in a person who quietly trusts in the Lord for their salvation. They don't fear death because death doesn't exist for them. Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave when he became sin for us. This sinless God/man, Christ Jesus, who endured the pain, anguish and separation from his heavenly father paid the high price to keep those of us who believe in him from having to taste "death".

• Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Dear friends, please take God's words to the bank, this is truth. When the devil attempts to torment you by doubting God's word with regards to fear of death you should rebuke those fears and doubts and cast them aside at once.

We are all souls and spirits kept (stored) in these physical bodies which deteriorate over time. Given time and circumstances, these bodies of ours break down and give up on us. And what do they "give up" when they stop working? they give up spirit and mind. We are told in the bible that as God's children, we are going to be given new heavenly (spiritual) bodies someday:
1 Corinthians 15:

• 42 Thus also the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruptibility.
• 43 It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
• 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body: if there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.
• 45 Thus also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit.
• 46 But that which is spiritual was not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual: 47 the first man out of the earth, made of dust; the second man, out of heaven.
• 48 Such as he made of dust, such also those made of dust; and such as the heavenly, such also the heavenly ones.
• 49 And as we have borne the image of the one made of dust, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly one.

These new spiritual bodies won't break down on us such as our physical bodies do which we presently have. The pain we have to endure in these present bodies will never trouble us again once we have been given our heavenly bodies from God. Funerals are sad for us. We miss our loved ones who have walked this earth with us. But just know this: You will walk again with your loved one who has passed from this earth. You will get that chance to walk with them and the next time, you will be walking on streets of gold.

Letting Go: Never Painless but Always Beneficial

Letting go of past hurts is never easy, especially at the time they're done to us and immediately afterward. In some cases it takes years to let go depending on the pain or betrayal we've experienced. I have found out that after a good bit of time passes, I am better able to get over these hurts and get back on with living life. The truth is, letting the harsh treatment we get from others rule over us holds us back in so many ways. We cannot focus on living life to its fullest because our minds are constantly going over what was done to us, how unfair it was, and questioning whether justice will ever be done regarding those who have hurt us so badly. These tests and trials, just as various other ones in life, can make us better or bitter. They show us how strong we are and/or how weak we are. They testify to what we are made of and if we find that we don't handle them as we should, (which all of us can attest to at one time or another) at least we can say that we have learned from the experience. This is good because the next time we are faced with a similar situation we will have additional wisdom
which will help us through.
God never intended us to muddle through life, carrying a grudge against those who have wronged us.
Our pain is real, it's true that we have been deeply hurt, we have been done wrong, but our lives were never meant to be spent allowing our entire thoughts and actions revolve around things like these. There are people to love, places to see, and life to live and we cannot be doing these if we are wrapped up and bogged down in past hurts.

Here's help:

• Acknowledge the pain and hurt you have
• Pray about it and give it to God to handle, I assure you he is able to do this while you will never be.
• Then just "Let it be" as the song says. Rest in the fact that in God's time, these wrongs will be made right. The injustice in time will seem less of an injustice to us.

I know from experience that in addition to the above actions, it will take time to heal these past hurts. Know that you cannot enjoy your life while being consumed and obsessed by those who have wronged you. I pray that none of us be overtaken by past hurts because being ruled by them has the uncanny ability to turn us into very angry people and that's never beneficial. The only thing that anger can do is totally handicap us for as long as it holds us in its grasp.

On the True Meaning of Family

I always thought of the word "family" as etched in stone. The old saying, "blood is thicker than water" I had heard many times and I believed it was true. It wasn't until later in life that I started to question this.
Sometimes, our family members can hurt us beyond belief and it can often seem as though strangers are more apt to be kind and loving toward us than our own flesh and blood. The words of Jesus come to mind, "A man's enemies will be those of his own household". Why should this be? Remember the story of Cane and Abel? With these brothers, jealousy led to outright murder. In a productive and fruitful family unit there must be love, compassion, and a mutual respect for one another.
A true family is not one in which the members will only come to you when they need something from you. This would be called a dysfunctional family. What about the story of Joseph and his brothers? You know.... the brothers who sold him into slavery because they envied him; his coat of many colors; and his dreams?
Just because you have a brother or sister doesn't mean they are necessarily looking out for your best interests. A friend that you meet along the path of life can bond with you and love you more than a blood relative ever could. When you are raised in a dysfunctional family it seems that every member is out for themselves. This is sad and if you happen to be going through the heartache this brings, just know that you are not alone. I know how painful this can be. I have had to sever ties with toxic family members. Was I right to go no contact with them? I'm not sure, but I only know that the alternative was killing me spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When you are in a catch 22, what can you do?
Toxic people leave us little choice. In this life, we will have to deal with those who for numerous reasons are just too lethal to mess with. It is then that you will have to make decisions based upon what you are able to endure. Don't feel guilty for severing ties with those who suck the life out of you and only use you for their own gain...even if they are family members.

If Envy Could Speak

If envy could speak, it would say, "there is something you have that I want". Who would envy speak to? It could be your neighbor, a stranger, or even your best friend.

• When we are not content with what we possess, we will be envious of others and what they do possess. I've never put a lot of stock in possessions, but there are many people who do. We are quick to take note of our brother or sister's life and sometimes conclude that we've been given a raw deal when comparisons are made.
  

Why did Joseph's brothers fake his death and sell him as a slave? They envied him. They all knew that he was Jacob's favored child. The dream Joseph had which depicted his brothers all bowing to him only made matters worse and more tense between Joseph and his brothers. There is an awesome simplicity in this bible story. Joseph's brothers believed they had been handed a raw deal and baby brother Joseph was a young, spoiled kid who had everything handed to him by their father.

But Joseph was God's chosen, and he did in fact love his brothers, whether they recognized it or not. One thing about envy - it blinds us to such an extent that we won't really see the love people have for us. Everything else is blocked out when the green-eyed monster is set loose in one's life.

I have been envied and yes, I knew it at the time. What I wanted was to be able to sit with that person and say, "Look, I love you, and all that I have is yours. You don't have to be envious of me and angry at me for anything. If you want or need anything I have, just ask for it and it's yours.

But envious people are never reasonable. they would rather sit in a corner and sulk about what they lack and what you have! They then stew on the matter and the end result is often hatred toward those people they envy. People waste precious time being consumed with envy. If you are honest with yourself, you know whether envy is a destructive force in your life. If so, pray this prayer with me and let's cut envy out of your life altogether!

Dear God, I have allowed envy to take me for a ride. Envying people causes me to resent them and I don't want this anymore. I know that me not being contented with what things I do have is the root of envy. So I ask you then In Jesus's name to take charge of every aspect of my life, especially with respect to envy and it's grip that I've been under.

The Things of This World

All of us have the capacity to be consumed by people and things down here on earth. However, these things which make up life here on earth are temporary. How often do we forget that this life we live is but a vapor and then it's gone?
Consider the words of Paul the Apostle in his letter to Timothy:


2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Foolish people live their lives as if there is no tomorrow. These people are continuously living in pleasure while on this earth. What do they think of the afterlife and eternity and where they will spend it? For the most part, they cannot think beyond their next adventure or pleasurable experience so where they will spend eternity really doesn't cross their minds.

Living for self and for the moment

There is nothing more futile and foolish than a person who lives for himself and for the moment. These people are walking a tight rope and at both ends of that rope is only destruction.


In my life I have known a number of people who live this way. They fly by the seat of their pants, prefer to live life on the wild side, and taking risks is second nature to them. Knowing them like I do, I often wonder what enables them to continue travelling this dead end road that only leads to more misery and ultimately their destruction. Friends, it is SELF that enables and drives them forward. They are consumed with the affairs of this life. They have been conformed into the image of this world, and not God's dear Son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:21; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This scripture tells us much about ourselves.

• Where is your treasure? What or who means more than all else to you?


• What are the things on this earth that you just cannot seem to live without?


• Are you only concerned and taken aback by this world and the things in it or are you more interested in the things of God and the world to come -that one which is eternal and shall never pass away?

This world offers us good things, and it is not a sin to partake of them. The sin is in allowing this world and the things in it to become our God! In allowing them to become more to us than what they should be is what we all struggle with.
When we cross that line, we are committing idol worship and we find we are worshipping the creation more than we worship the creator.
If you have allowed this to happen in your life, please know that it is never too late!

1. Know that the past is done, you cannot undo it.


2. Now that you have understanding of the matter, stop allowing the things God has created for you to be more to you than he is!


3. Put the things of this world in their proper place and keep them there

Dealing with Lazy People

It's wrong, it will wear us down, but we've all done it. How many times have you taken care of a loved one when they were fully capable of taking care of themselves?

Dear readers, there are a lot of lazy people out there who want to be "taken care" of by any soft touch they can find. As the return of our Lord draws near, we will notice more con-artists and lazy, dependent people who come to rely on the generosities of family and friends to support them.

I call them lazy because that is what they are. More people than ever before prefer to lay around, shirk the responsibilities a job entails, while expecting others to take care of their daily needs. Who do these lazies expect help from? The government, family members and friends.

The bible outlines in specific detail what should happen to a man who is "able" to work but will not.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Now notice I said those who are ABLE to work have no excuse not to. The disabled, elderly, and children are exempt altogether.

You see, I am writing on the subject of lazy, dependent people because I've noticed an increase in able-bodied young men who prefer to lay around the house all day, waiting for mommy and daddy to bring home the bacon and cook it up for them!

Providing for one's family

Those who shirk the responsibilty of taking care of their families:

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

The root of laziness is selfishness. These people don't want to sacrifice the least bit of "self". However, they are more than ready to sacrifice your hard earned money and efforts in order to satisfy their own needs. Each of us are responsible to keep ourselves busy, working and providing for our families. If we don't do this, it says a lot about our character.

How many times has a parent pulled their hair out due to a lazy adult child who mooches off of them?

How many times has a spouse been driven to utter exhaustion due to holding down 2 jobs because their lazy spouse refuses to contribute to the family he is responsible for?

Friends, these things should not be allowed to continue. What can you do and just how do you stop it? Stop enabling the lazies.

Put your foot down and hold them accountable for a change. Tell them that if they want:

• food


• shelter


• clothing

then get off their couch and get a job!

God is Capable, Just Wait

It's nearly impossible in the midst of a crisis to wait upon the Lord for an answer and a way of escape. Our impatience coupled with our overly exaggerated faith in self often leaves God out of the equation altogether.

Why do we feel so capable to handle trying situations in our lives? Because we have too much "self" confidence and not enough "God" confidence. Looking entirely to ourselves for answers to life's problems is most like swatting a gnat with a pencil. There's nothing wrong with self confidence, but generally we all overdo it by placing too much faith in our abilities and not realizing God's capabilities. The next earth shaking crisis you encounter, may you choose to take it to God first and in doing so, you will have put "self" in it's proper place.

Leading a Simple Life

I lead a simple life. I recommend it to everyone. I start my day by making coffee. I seldom read newspapers because the occasional news programs on television seem adequate to me. The outdoors is more appealing to me than being closed up and surrounded by four walls. I feed my birds in the winter and have a dog and a cat that always seem to eat too much. I live in a modest home. I don’t see the point in owning a new vehicle. My car is reliable and relatively good on gas mileage, so I’m satisfied.

I like to garden and digging in the dirt gives me a peace that may seem strange to many. I have always been in awe over the way a tiny seed is planted, and a short time later, takes on an entirely new form. I attend church when I am able and don’t feel guilty when I can’t be there. If there are fellow church members who judge me on this, I don’t let it bother me. I know I don’t have control over their ideas. I pretty much try to keep my head down and live my own life. I don’t interfere in the lives of others but I try to help them when they let me know they need help. There are things in life that I fall short of. I neglect doing things and regret that I don’t have more hours in the day to get more accomplished, just as most do. My memory is not what it was when I was 18, but whose is? One of my shortcomings is impatience. In the days we live in, having patience with ourselves and others is big a virtue. I don’t get entangled with political issues, although I do like to watch C-Span occasionally. I do write about my nation of America because I feel pressed to do so.

Being contended in all things allows you to live a simple life

If you can live in a tent just as well as you can live in a mansion, you are contented.

If you can eat peanut butter for weeks when everyone else seems to be eating steak, you are contented.

If you can walk into a store and only look but not pull out that credit card, you are contented.

If you can walk around in old sneakers instead of having to have a new pair of shoes, you are contented.

If you can drive a beaten up $500.00 bargain from the corner car salesman just as easily as you can a Mercedes, you are contented.

If you can look at your neighbor’s house, the nicest home on the block and not feel jealousy and envy rise up in you, you are contented.
Philippians 4:11-13

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

A complicated life breeds stress

In order to live a life above that which we were never meant to live, we see something we feel we must own. When we get it, we must pay it off eventually because the majority of purchases we make these days are via plastic. In order to do this, we must work more. Along with this comes another shortage of time spent in rest or with our families. Do you have to have a newer automobile? No, of course you don’t. Would you like one? Most of us would. But in order to be able to lead a simple life you must make wise choices and not ones that satisfy the flesh and emotions. We can usually trace the complications and stresses in our lives back to choices we made. Those choices added complications, stress, and disorder to our previously ordered and simple lives. Sunday is meant for our rest. I didn’t use to take this seriously and so I would run around on a Sunday just as I did the other six days of the week. But I honestly believe that the Lord intended for us all to rest on Sunday. We might be shocked at how much better we would feel come Monday, our start of a new work week, if we would observe this day of rest.

Keeping up with the Jones’s

If you attempt to live similar to the way your friends or neighbors do, you will have many sorrows. What we have today in America is too many precious people running about, attempting to own a home, boat, second home, vacation homes, two cars, you get my meaning. They cannot seem to get enough of the things of this world. These people are not content. It takes money to get the things they feel they must have. And in the end, getting the money is what steals our time away from our families and those we love. So you would do yourself and those you love a huge favor by slowing down and choosing to live a simple life and being contented with those things you do have rather than being unsatisfied over the things you don’t.

Don’t get tangled up by the things of this world

We don’t have to get entangled and have our minds be clouded by the things of this world

Even though I do lead a simple life, there are still areas in my life I need to change for the better. This applies to all of us. The stress and everyday trials that make up our lives are bad enough without us making them worse by repeatedly making bad choices. If your life seems to be a complicated, jumbled up mess, you need to remember that we brought nothing into this life and it’s a sure thing that we will not be able to take anything with us when we exit this life. We can have peace of mind that comes from living a simple life. There is a place we can get to in which we have peace no matter what storm is raging outside of us. No matter what fears and surprises tomorrow may hold for us, we can know for sure that all will be alright. The calm that comes from knowing that no matter what you lack in your life, the true gem you hold is in knowing your savior, Jesus Christ and that he cares for you and is watching out for you. In closing, just remember that in order to live a simple life, you must gain contentment:

1 Timothy 6:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Life in the Pressure Cooker

Many times in my life I’ve felt as if I was at the end of my rope spiritually, mentally and physically. Trials and troubles we all face in life are overwhelming. Living life under these circumstances can seem as though we're trapped in a pressure cooker. More often than not, I didn’t have a person to talk to about my problems, so in desperation I turned to the only thing I had at that time, the word of God – The Bible.

Sometimes after maybe only fifteen minutes of taking in the truths from God’s word, I felt much better in my spirit and mind. The unrelenting pressure and worry over my previous trial I had faced then seemed to fade away. Peace came in and replaced uncertainty and fear. I don’t take antidepressants, but when really tough times in life have come knocking on my door, I think of the word of God as the best antidepressant there is.

In fact, only this morning I was feeling a little down and once again I reached for the truth. That was a few hours ago, now I am sitting at my desk, my previous anxieties and cares are now gone from me and I am writing to you!

What happens when we turn to the truth in our trying times of life?

When we are facing tough times, we are blindsided with the things in our life at present and the things of this earth. But when we turn to and take up God’s truth, his word, our attention is then shifted toward the words of the one who created us. We get too wrapped up in our problems and trials and struggles in this life and this gets our minds off of what is the most important aspect of our life. The most important aspect is our eternal and unending spirits and not the temporary situations or circumstances of our life at present. These situations in our life that get us down are only temporary. But when we are not spending any of our time with the truth of God’s words we are blindsided and little things have much more leeway to become major things to us and usually always do.

His spirit bears witness with our spirits

We join ourselves with the Lord when we choose to read of him and his ways which are written of in the bible. We learn about ourselves when we read his truth. We are saying, “I am turning to you Lord, because I cannot find my way out of these troubles I am going through”. There is very little truth to be found in this earth. There is in fact no truth that we can cling to when we are being tossed to and fro from the hits we all experience in life. The one place we can find truth and peace is in the Word of God. There are things temporary (this includes all things that pertain to the life we live on this earth) and there are things eternal (this includes all things that pertain to the life we will live in heaven). After we exit this life, we will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. We are told in the scriptures that Jesus has already paid for our sins. We could not pay for them. Dear friends, this in itself is something to get so excited over! We have always have struggles and trials in this life. There will always be something that has us by the tail and that will attempt to make us stumble and knock us for a loop. But thanks to God that we have his word and a relationship with him if we want it and those two things will always be enough to get us out of any jam and bad situation we face in life!

The Cares of this Life

We will all be concerned at some level with the cares of this life. There is no getting around this. We live in the earth and it just makes sense that our concern would be over the things that make up our life here. But Jesus gave all of us a warning when he spoke of the Parable of the Sower:

Luke 8:11

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

So when the cares and concerns of this life become so abundant and overwhelming that they choke out the word of God, then we see that we bring no fruit to perfection. Jesus never said that problems and cares in our life would not come. He only said that we are not to allow those cares and concerns become such that they produce unfruitfulness in us. When we are choked with the pleasures and cares of life we will bring no fruit to perfection.

We are not to become entangled with the affairs and cares of this life.

2 Timothy 2:4

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him (God) who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

We are also given a warning from Jesus about his return that is very important:

Luke 21:34

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The cares of this life have the potential to weaken us in every way imaginable. We can be weakened in our spirits, minds and bodies. This is why we are given the above warnings from scripture. But we don’t have to let the concerns and cares of this life choke out and overwhelm the truth that God has planted in our hearts. God’s word is eternal and will never pass away. His words are not changeable as is our situations and circumstances in this life. The one sure thing we can depend on and always turn to are his words. They will fill you with peace and tranquility when you are in the midst of the spiritual, mental or physical storms of life.

Literal and Spiritual Prisons: Are You Free?

There are many people serving sentences in prisons all across the world. But recently, a thought came to my mind. How many of us are serving a sentence without ever having visited a prison? The bars are there, even though they cannot be seen. We live in chains of pride, addiction, depression, anger, resentment, and shame.

This made me reflect on what true freedom is all about.

What is freedom?

To those in prison, freedom often means getting out of that cell. But if all those held in prisons were suddenly set free today, would they “truly” be free? Or would they still be in a prison spiritually and mentally speaking? How free are you if you are in prison? There are people like the Apostle Paul. Even though Paul spent many years in prison, he was free indeed. Look at some of his writings from prison and then tell me that he was a prisoner of anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

We see that Paul was free by God’s standards, even though by man’s standards, he was often a prisoner.

Who held Paul prisoner? The Lord Jesus Christ, as the following scriptures reveal:

Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 Timothy 1:8

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Philemon 1:1

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,

Philemon 1:9

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Those who are not bound

I thought about the vast number of people who are not confined by a prison cell. These people, who like me, are free to roam anywhere they please upon this earth. No man has them bound and nobody tells them what they can or cannot do. Yet these free people are living in a prison, and many of them don’t ever recognize it. The cold steel that surrounds those in a literal prison, these people have never known. Yet they are bound by a prison of the mind and spirit. Yes, they are spiritually and mentally bound up. You could also say that many of them are physically bound as well. Who could deny that these people who have never known a literal prison cell are prisoners nonetheless?

Breaking free from your prison

There are many ways you can become a prisoner, but there is only one way to gain your freedom and make those chains fall off. Your only chance for freedom is through the great author and finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Through the spirit, you can gain freedom. You can get this freedom whether you are serving time in a literal prison, or in your own chaotic and sad life in which you have never known the confines of a literal prison cell.

We are taken prisoner when we don’t have our spiritual compass pointing towards Jesus Christ. We are taken prisoner when we don’t know who our creator is and what he has done for us . If we have known the Lord and backslid away from his truth and love, other things in life enter in and we are taken captive by them at random. Do not be deceived. There is a literal devil and a literal hell. The devil desires to deceive and distort every thought we have and every step we take in life so that he can take us with him to hell. He desires nothing more than to get man’s eyes off of God and onto themselves, other people and then by deception, get mankind to treat others as beasts. While God desires our love and concern for one another, the devil desires our hate and lack of concern for one another.

Are you bound up by sin? Confessing that you are will start you toward the path of freedom. How can you be free if you are lying to yourself and others? How can God help you be free if you will not acknowledge that you are a prisoner of sin and are in need of a savior? The one thing that keeps all of us from confessing our sins, our need for a savior, and our own weakness is PRIDE. Stubborn pride will only end you my friend. It will always hinder you and since the dawn of time pride has proven to be man’s downfall.

The irony in all of this is that those of us who have never known a literal prison, often look down upon those who are bound in them. We may not be held behind those steely prison bars, yet so many of us are bound in these prisons of our own making. Those who serve time in literal prisons have been captured by the law and are serving time for their offenses and crimes. Yet many of us who are walking around, living our lives with abandoned are prisoners nonetheless and we are blind to it or else we don’t choose to acknowledge it. Many in their literal prison cells right now are free, where it counts, in their minds and spirits.

When Children Rule Parents

Is it easier to give into your child's demands and give them their way instead of standing your ground and providing good discipline? It is indeed easier, but it is not right and God is not behind it.

Loving your children and providing discipline for them go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. Those who say they love their child, yet do not discipline them are doing them harm in the worst way imaginable. How can you have no boundaries for your child if you love them and wish to raise them up in the ways of the Lord? If you wish your child to respect others and treat them with care, you will institute boundaries for your children and keep them in place.

The Last Days

In the last days, we are told in the bible that the children will be disobedient to their parents. This is one of the signs that we will see increasing as the days grow closer toward the return of the Lord Jesus.

Many parents have become spineless and weak. They would rather watch television or stay on the computer than take interest in their child. Parenting is work. It is not a party. The majority of children who rule their parents started out knowing that their parents were not available for them. They knew that the parents required little of them, they recognized that the parent for the most part just wanted to be left alone.

So these kids eventually found other interests. Some of those things will turn out to be bad things. Some of them will involve drug addiction, skipping school and other situations that prove to end up in a disastrous outcome for both the child and the parent.

By the time the child acts up to the point where the law is involved or the school calls the parents to notify them of something the child has done, the parent then acts shocked!
Why would this shock them? They haven’t been there for their child at all and it isn’t a wonder that it has finally come to this.

It is in the child or teens very nature to want to have their way.

Weak parents who cannot say no to their children are easy prey and are in for a life of weariness and woe.

Does God give us everything we want? No. Neither should we as parents give to our children their every desire. Do you know what it does to our kids when we give them everything they want? It spoils them rotten and breeds in them a feeling of entitlement that they will have the rest of their lives. They will carry this entitlement with them and cause many people they meet through the course of their lives much grief and woe.

Keep this in mind when you are tempted to give into the whims of your children and supply them with everything they dream of. You possibly could be creating a monster in doing so.

We have spoiled children who lead parents in any direction they choose. The parents are to be leading the children, yet nowadays we see less and less of this. Pushover parents will put themselves in debt in order to give their children what they want. Why on earth they do these things is beyond me. Maybe those parents were given everything they wanted when they were children as well.

The Gifts of Love and Discipline

The best gift you could ever give your child is what costs nothing monetarily, it is love. But keep in mind that love is not only a word. It is an action. It is praise for their accomplishments and discipline for their wrongdoing. Love and discipline go hand in hand. You cannot leave out one of them and cling to the other. That would be seriously unbalanced and detrimental your child.

Chaos in the family

Sometimes the child will say what their parent wants to hear and leave out the facts. In order to keep his backside out of a sling, he will embellish incidences and gloss over important truths. It takes a parent with discernment and patience to separate truth from untruths.

Remember when you were a teenager? Did you want your way most of the time? Sure you did, we all did. Did you get it? If you did, you are likely a spoiled adult now. If you didn’t get everything you wanted as a child, you are most likely a stable and contented adult. These issues are really simple to understand.

Kids may attempt to pit one parent against the other. If the child views one parent as a pushover and easy to manipulate, look out! There will be no good outcome for the parent or the child in such a situation.

None of us are perfect parents. There are going to be certain issues or situations we neglect as well as those we may overdo and take to the extreme.

What I am trying to get across is that love and discipline and consistency with both will do much good for your child. When we stand before God which all of us will eventually do, we can do so with a clear conscience if we have done this much for our children in this life.

Turbulent Teens and Tired Parents

What is a parent to do when his teenager won't listen to him?

The parent is to be content with the fact that he or she has TRIED to teach that child right from wrong and express these things to that child.

What the teen then does with these truths is beyond the parent's control.

This is what God always does with us.

He steers us in the right direction, he tells us the way to go, and then allows us to make our own decisions. When a child becomes a teen and then enters adulthood, hopefully they will remember these things and will make the right decisions when confronted with tough choices in life.

I realize this sounds very good and makes sense, but saying it and doing it are two totally different things. Being a parent is NEVER easy. Anyone who tells you this is off their rocker.

I consider myself a "good" parent. Not a perfect parent. There are no perfect parents around that I know of. I have raised my children to know the Lord, to make the choices that would be beneficial to themselves and others. I have instilled in them the importance to treat all people with respect and love. I have gone over the list of dangers if they do drugs, steal, lie and so on. I have told them all of these things and backed up my words with my own conduct as well. After all of this being done, I still am not a perfect parent and yes, my teens have not had a perfect and easy life. They have nonetheless at times made harmful choices in their lives, but they have made right ones and beneficial ones as well. Do I regret raising them as I have? No.

Your teen will make the wrong decisions from time to time. This is all a part of growing up and learning from our mistakes. When I was a teen, I thought I knew more than my parents did. My own children grew up, became teens and did the same thing! This is just something that all of us go through during the turbulent teenage years.

It is not a cakewalk, raising a child and especially raising a teenager. Kids are now faced with much temptation for wrongdoing. I feel for them all. There were temptations that I faced when I was a teen as well.

Teens and their struggle for independence from mom and dad will cause conflict

One thing I have learned from raising teenagers is this:

Once the child reaches the teen years, there is a time in which they will not get along with you even though previously you shared a very close relationship. This new conflict will most likely come out of the blue. The reason is because they are feeling out their independence, they want to express that independence and you, their parent will not understand nor like this. I didn't like it. I felt that they were growing away from me when all they were truly doing was trying to gain that independence. Looking back now, I felt a little resentful because I didn't understand this at the time. I didn't know what I had done to them that they would distance themselves in this way. Now I understand that the independence thing is one that happens to all teens and their parents. So don't take offence at this when it happens with you and your child.

Do you have an uncontrollable teen?

Tips for dealing with an out of control teen:

Many teens who are out of control got that way over a period of years, not weeks or months.

In most instances, they got that way because the parents gave them too much freedom with little or no boundaries.

So it can come as no surprise that once you try to introduce rules or boundaries, your teen is going to flip out on you. This shouldn't surprise you one bit.

The important thing is that you be consistent with discipline. If you are strong with them one moment and weak with them the next, they will know that you are wishy washy and they can get by with whatever they choose to do. They will see you as a pushover. What a lot of it boils down to is how much are you as a parent up for? Are you content to let them do their own thing and continue on a destructive course, or are you willing to be strong and take initiative, set boundaries and be consistent with your discipline?

Some say that once a child becomes a teen and has not had much discipline and godly teaching in their lives, that there is little hope for them. I would rather believe that there is always hope! I think that anything is possible with God and with us as parents changing our course and getting on the right track.

With that said, just know that if your heart and actions and good intentions are involved in these things, there will be a positive outcome for you and your teen.

Yes, the teen years are turbulent and they will always make the parents tired. But you don't have to allow these years to do you in.

What the Bible tells us about Marriage

Marriage was created and blessed by God himself in the garden of Eden. Man was supplied with his helpmeet (woman) by the Lord forming her from the man's side.
A marriage is a celebration of life and of love. A man is to respect, honor and cherish his wife. The wife is to honor, respect, and cherish her husband. When those three qualities are absent in either or both of the partners, there will always be trouble.

I am a woman, and I know as well as anyone how some in church circles tend to demean the woman's role in her church and in her home. But when you do notice this, don't see the culprit as God. For he has never approved of such ideas. The only ones who hold such notions and believe such tripe are those who look on women with a distorted view and who believe they are "less" than man.
From the beginning, God intended for man and woman to love each other and take care of each other. In a marriage, if you have one partner who gives everything while their mate holds back, this marriage is doomed to fail. Resentment builds around such a marriage. The man is to dwell with his wife in understanding and patience. While the woman is supposed to do likewise. This is what I believe.

What we have today is husbands and wives each going after their OWN goals and desires and these are many times self serving. I don't have to tell you that marriages like this are marked for failure.

Just as Christ is the head of the man, the man is given a position of leadership over his wife.
This does NOT mean that he can bully, cajole,or "rule" her in any way that is not godly.

Some men have used certain scriptures in order to control their wives and to bully them into submission. This is not right nor is it godly.
The best way to win the heart of another has always been through love. And is this ever true with marriages. If love is absent, then nothing else will work, nor does anything else
matter.
We tend to pick and choose the scriptures that appeal to us and leave out those
that do not appeal to us. Here is one scripture that pertains to both the husband and his wife:
Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Marriage is not to be taken lightly. Many men and women rush into a marriage for all the wrong reasons. Once such reason in our current society is financial security.Now financial security does have a part in a marriage. It is a fringe benefit but is NOT to be the reason that one gets married.As a result of greed in our society today, we have vast numbers of men and women who only bring a penchant of gold digging into a marriage. It ends badly because every marriage is supposed to be centered around Love. What happens to these marriages? They fail because the foundation of the partnership was not one based on love, honor and respect. It was based on greed on the part of one or both of the spouses.

We have beautiful ceremonies and dazzling wedding rings but we notice a lack of strength and substance when we view that same marriage five years or perhaps as little as even two years down the road. What has happened? Well, the beauty of the ring and the marriage ceremony means nothing without the love that it symbolizes.

To sum up the scriptures that are at the end of this article, I have written the following:
To Husbands: The husband is to love his wife as himself. They must give honor to their wives and be understanding toward them always. If you don't do this, your prayers will be hindered. Don't be bitter against them. You are to love your wife just as Christ loved the church, he loved the church so much he gave his very life for it. Your wife is to have power over your body, it is not your own. Do not seek to be free of your wife. Don't try to leave her. You no longer live for yourself if you are married. You and your wife are one flesh.

To Wives: The wife is to be in subjection to her own husband. If you have a husband that is not a Christian, not a believer in Christ, you are to live for the Lord in such a way that your husband will be won over to Christ by your loving and godly attitude and life that you lead. You are not to slander others or partake of strong drink. But you are to be faithful in all things. In the same way that the church is subject to Christ, you are to be subject to your own husband in every matter. You are bound to your husband as long as he is alive, but if your husband dies, you are at liberty to marry who you will.
Here are a few scriptures that pertain to husbands taken from the Gospel:
Ephesians 5:28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
1 Corinthians 7:3
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1 Corinthians7:4
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:27
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Ephesians 5:31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Here are a few scriptures that pertain to wives taken from the Gospel:
1 Peter 3:1
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Timothy 3:11
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:24
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

Being Hammered by the Storms of Life? Read This

When we are at odds with another person or going through other storms of life, we long for an escape from the conflict immediately. Sometimes, no matter what we say or do to remedy a situation, it is met with opposition. It is during these times that we must put into practice and believe with our whole heart the following scriptures:

Psalm 46:10 BE still and Know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
This says we have ceased striving with a situation or person. We were ill at ease and now we are at ease. Be still in your actions, be still in your mind, be still in your spirit. What's left in you is your mighty faith in the God that is all knowing and all powerful.
This is all that remains and yet it is all you need and more than enough.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We like this passage of scripture, but we would rather it come to pass in real time.
Instantaneous, when we are being hammered by the storms of life. But friends, seldom if ever does this happen.

All things work together means even the BAD things that happen to us in our life walk. The bad that we have in our life, God turns for our good. We don't need to look any further than the story of JOSEPH for evidence of this.
Genesis 37:
4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
The story of what they did to him:

24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. 30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; 32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. 36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.


The story of Joseph and his struggles:
His brothers were jealous of him. This drove them to fake his death and sell him off as a slave.
Joseph didn't do anything to deserve this. He was born and beloved of his father but that was all it took for his older siblings to detest him and wish him ill.
What his siblings did to him was addressed by Joseph at the end of the story, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive". Genesis 50:20

The good that came from this situation was Joseph raised to one of the most powerful and mighty men in all of Egypt. He was raised up from his struggles and woe by his own faith in the mighty power of God. He saved many from famine. But how did he get to that place from being tossed into a pit and sold off as a slave? By knowing that ALL things work for good to those who love God.
No, this passage of scripture wasn't written at that time, but I know it was written upon the mind and spirit of Joseph as well as other saints down through the ages well before it was penned by the Apostle Paul.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

If we have within ourselves the ability to wait for someone, this means we have faith that who we're waiting on will come through for us, otherwise it's not worth the time wasted.
Now if you have more faith in yourself than God, you are in trouble. We are but men and women, but he is the one who made us. When I am at my weakest point, it is then that I recognize the power he alone can give me. Through his spirit, I can do all things. And this goes back to the scripture: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

When the storms of life are tossing us to and fro, we must:
Wait upon the Lord. We're told that our strength will be renewed if we do. We will mount up with wings as eagles.
Listen friends, this sounds like a change for the better in our circumstances, doesn't it to you?
That could mean being catapulted out of the depths of depression and sorrow, grief and despair and launched into health, joy, peace and wellness!

They shall run and not be weary:
This is showing that what would exhaust those who don't wait upon the Lord: running, being busy, etc, keeping up the pace of our frantic lives, will not wear us out! This applies to both the spiritual as well as the mental and physical parts of us.
Walk and Not Faint
I believe this mostly pertains to our walk. Our feet carry us into many circumstances and into many places we sometimes never should have been. Just think about the places we go, the people we meet and must deal with. It is God through his spirit that provides us with strength for our journey of life. Try as we might to get by without him, we will fail at every turn.
It is not in man to order or direct his own steps, we are to follow the direction of his truth, his word, his spirit , if we truly desire peace, wholeness and joy.

Satan and Self

When we think less about other people and more about what's in our own best interests, we are said to be "self-centered". This was Satan's sin. In the beginning, God created him beautiful. He was the anointed cherub. But Satan eventually switched his concern from God to self.

Satan was cast out of heaven when iniquity was found in him. Here we read of the change that took place in him and how his separation from God and his "self" rule was initiated:

Isaiah 14:13 &14:

"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High"

Satan didn't care what God would think of his lofty desires. God had ceased being a factor to him. Instead, he now proclaimed what he would accomplish apart from God, his creator. And so, as if by some awesome transformation that God had no part of, Satan now was one with self.

There was no room for God in Satan's habitat of self rule. Those who have felt a slight sympathy for Satan are the ones who give him the most pleasure. Sympathy is the last emotion Satan deserves. He knew the glory and brightness that was and is God, he experienced this firsthand, yet he shunned and scorned it and departed from it for selfish reasons. Satan didn't want the spotlight on the creator. He wanted to be both the spotlight and the one it shone upon.

Man is beloved and cared for by God. Thus, mankind is Satan's sworn enemy. Man has the ability to accept and give God's love. The ultimate achievement I suppose Satan could hope to accomplish in his short time left on earth is to get man to deprive God the rule over his life and to treat other humans as beasts and not like the men they are, created in God's image. In essence, to treat man "inhumanly". Satan wants man to believe that they can be as "god's", that they are capable of "self" rule. That they don't need a savior to rescue them from death, hell and the grave. That they don't need God to direct their steps.

Adolph Hitler treated men as animals.
From the concentration camps to the gas chambers, he saw the job through until he departed this life. Hitler sometimes touted Christianity and spoke fondly of Jesus. The most blatant evil imaginable comes often cloaked or paraded with light. Hitler was one of Satan's most willing ambassadors to have ever walked the earth. He marched to Satan's drumbeat and bathed himself in the darkness of "self". The hatred for mankind, Satan's key feature, found a home in Hitler's heart and power in his hands. But Hitler is only one man. Even though the atrocities he committed were staggering, there are men and women who will never go that far, yet they treat fellow humans as beasts just the same. Whether Satan influences a Hitler or a next door neighbor, the outcome is still disastrous.

From the Garden of Eden to this present time, Satan has sought to bring man low. His chief way is to set up obstacles and stumbling blocks between man and his God. Jesus said, "apart from me, you can do nothing". He meant what he said and Satan knows this as well. Why do you think he pushes "self" rule as he does? Why did he tell Eve if she would eat of the forbidden fruit she would "be as God"? He tempted her to eat so she would sin against God, but also to promote "self-rule" in her and Adam's life. To deceive her to believe in the biggest lie since that time to the present: "You must direct your own steps - take charge of your own life" apart from the one who made you.

As I see it, our lack of knowledge when it comes to Satan has proven to be the key factor in our downfall and rejection of God since the fall of man. We are given insights into Satan's nature from the bible and we would do well if we were to ponder and study those truths. I don't believe it is enough for us to only "know God" our creator, father and friend. We must go on and know our enemy as well. He is the destroyer of men's lives who will not be satisfied until he has taken a vast unknown number of souls with him to his eternal fiery home that he will in the end inhabit for all eternity. Know your enemy - His name is Satan. Don't make his eternity your own.

Short on time? Review your priority list of life

We're all too busy. We are long on responsibilities and short on time. The fact is, most of us have allowed too many items to be included in our priority list of life.

When this truth dawns on us, we often ride the fence and are reluctant to make changes because we don't want to let any of these items fall by the wayside.

When we find that we have no time to relax and take a breather from our hectic daily schedules - that should be a wake up call that propels us on to make those needed changes.

Why don't we?

Because routines, things and filling our lives with them are too important we feel, to let them go.

We want that new car, so we must work like a slave to pay for it.

Our children must be in BOTH football and basketball, no matter how thinly our children or we are stretched.

We want that new home, so we must permanently shackle ourselves to a 30 year contract in order to get it.

We never realize at the time that along with that contract goes not only our money, but our time, sweat, and our vitality.

I would rather live in a modest home and free up time with my family instead of living in a mansion with them and hardly ever see them.

What this all boils down to is priorities.

Some people spend most of their lives overworking themselves in order to have the finer things that life offers.

There are ramifications to this.

Review your priority list of life. Be honest with yourself and see if all the time and effort you are putting into these items is justified.

I can tell you that there are many things in life that we feel we must have or struggle to attain, yet none of them are absolutely necessary.

In the end, they usually swallow up most of our valuable time and prove to be our biggest regrets.

Don't neglect those things which are most important in favor of those things which are least necessary.

Regret is something you cannot take back. It is something you must live with because you can never go back in time and undo what has already been done.

Take an honest inventory of your priority list of life and make changes in your list. You will not regret it!

The Lion's Den

The Story of Daniel and the Lion's Den is found in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, Chapter 6: Verse 10:

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did afore time.

What was Daniel thrown in the den for? Daniel, as the story in the Bible tells us, prayed 3 times a day to God as was his habit. Some of the Kings subjects were jealous of Daniel and so,they devised a plan for his downfall. They dug a pit for Daniel, but they were the ones that ultimately fell in it!

Verse 4-9:
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
Then we take up with the verse that I previously mentioned about Daniel Knowing that the decree had already been signed and he went in and prayed anyway.
10. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God. as he did aforetime.
The men that plotted Daniel's downfall wasted no time in finding him praying so that they could accuse him and be rid of him:
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
But the King's heart was set to deliver Daniel, God had given Daniel favor with the King and the King loved Daniel. Notice how the King felt when he discovered that Daniel had went against the decree that was plotted by the officers:
Verses 14 &15
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

Daniel is at that point tossed into the Den with the Lions:

Verse 16 and 17:
16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Daniel is tossed into the Den.
Daniel's deliverance and impact on the King

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocence was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

God keeps Daniel safe from the Lions!

Daniel suffered the ultimate persecution because of faith in his God. Yet even when faced with death, he opened his windows and prayed. This was something that was not going to keep Daniel from his obedient relationship with his God. Oh that we had more Daniel's these days.
But you know what? We do!
There are those today that will not bow the knee to man and man's theology. They will only be obedient to the truth. They will only be obedient to God and no other. Being persecuted when we have not done what is right is one thing, but suffering persecution when you do the RIGHT thing, now that is one of the hardest things to take. It is for me anyway.
When we are persecuted for doing what is right in the eyes of God, we do have reason to rejoice as Christ said. All too many times though, we prefer to say we're being "persecuted" when in fact we are not.

What happened to Daniel as a result of his faithfulness to God was the most classic case of persecution.
Daniel was obedient to the King, except in matters pertaining to his God. That is how we should be in this time we live in. These are perilous times. Just as we read about them in the bible, they are indeed and even more so than we could have ever imagined at times. But it helps to know that we can call out to God no matter the perilous nature of our times.

Daniel was so disciplined wasn't he?
3 times a day he prayed the Bible tells us. How many of us can say that we pray 3 times a day without fail?
I know that I can't say that.
I will be brutally honest and tell you that I'm not there yet. Oh yes, there are times that I do pray 3 times in a day, but as for being that disciplined each and every day without fail, I must say no. But I do want to! God is still working on me!
God has at times brought to my remembrance Daniel's prayer habits.

I think sometimes to myself, how much closer I would walk with Jesus if I did pray 3 times a day.
What kind of World would we be living in if all of us would pray and give of ourselves 3 times a day?
That's a thought isn't it??
Another portion of this chapter stands out and rings so true and echoes what is mentioned in other passages of the Bible. Particularly the Book of Proverbs.
If I paraphrase, it kinda goes like this:
Those who dig a pit for another will fall into it themselves.
This is what the presidents and princes of the King got in the end. For all their scheming against God's man, they were thrown into the same den that they had prepared for Daniel!
I just have to say this, This also reminds me of Haman in the book of Esther.. He was hung on the same gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai!
Isn't it amazing that if you just know the bible, these stories come back to your remembrance and the entire Word of God makes perfect sense in every way.

Daniel is the perfect example of one who DID what was right yet STILL suffered persecution but the really important part is that God DELIVERED HIM in the end!
So, when faced with persecution what are you going to do?
I say let's pray!