messiahfollower

messiahfollower,

i have read the posts. a couple of weeks have gone by, and i don't know how things have progressed for you. i have some extensive studying and writing regarding your challenge. i have much to say, but to say it briefly...well. to do that would make the issue trite, i fear. marriage has a fourfold purpose. 1-systemic, or functional 2-sacramental 3-symbolic 4-sanctifying. i can break these up for you if you would like. but these four things take a lot of mental and physical strength even between two willing believers, let alone in a marriage where there is no spiritual equality. you cannot actual begin to feel complete in a marriage like yours, because you are spending so much time trying to please your wife.

women really do need to talk. you can be so perfect in every area, but if you have poor communication, you will see little progress. has see actually mentioned why she is so discontent?

understand that the very spirit in you may be the thing repelling her. the spirit looking at you from within her hates the spirit in you. that does not mean SHE hates you. you are being sanctified through your trials, whether she stays or whether she goes. push through your pain. this challenge is temporary. keep focused on the eternal. i know your marriage is very important to you. it should be. but it should not be your center, nor your anchor. this should be Christ. He redeemed you. you are wanted, and loved. whatever happens, let this be your peace!

if she leaves, and you divorce, and the body of Christ shuns you or distances themselves from you, do not grieve. just move closer to the Lord. you don't even have to hold on tightly to Him. He has you in HIs hand. do not fear. go to your watchtower, pray, and tarry there.

you are blessed,

scargirl

Thank you so much. You're right, God holds me. I needed these words right now.

Why are many Christian marriages ending up in divorce? It really baffles my mind. Don't know about your country but in my country it's getting worse by the day but there are many weddings going on all the time but many of them don't last.

Is it because Christians are not choosing the right partners? Is it because they married the wrong person? Is it because they were in a haste and didn't seek God's guidance? Is it because the devil is really on their cases? What do you think might be the problem?

Share your thought.

If Christian marriages are failing it can only be because we are more concerned with achieving personal happiness than with obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

And happiness, by its nature, is a fleeting thing, dependant on our "hap" or happenstance/circumstances. On the other hand, the "joy of the Lord" that we experience through trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus is independent of circumstances and is lasting.

So often we don't give ourselves the chance to experience this deep down joy. We jump ship, so to speak, every time our happiness is threatened and never get to experience the joy that could be ours through trust and obedience.

It is only when we accept, and come through, trials and tribulations that we can truly identify with these words in James 1.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Happiness is fickle and elusive, besides happiness is often how we choose to look at something. If one gives thanks in everything they always have peace and joy which far exceed happiness.

Why are many Christian marriages ending up in divorce? It really baffles my mind. Don't know about your country but in my country it's getting worse by the day but there are many weddings going on all the time but many of them don't last.

Is it because Christians are not choosing the right partners? Is it because they married the wrong person? Is it because they were in a haste and didn't seek God's guidance? Is it because the devil is really on their cases? What do you think might be the problem?

Share your thought.

If Christian marriages are failing it can only be because we are more concerned with achieving personal happiness than with obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

And happiness, by its nature, is a fleeting thing, dependant on our "hap" or happenstance/circumstances. On the other hand, the "joy of the Lord" that we experience through trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus is independent of circumstances and is lasting.

So often we don't give ourselves the chance to experience this deep down joy. We jump ship, so to speak, every time our happiness is threatened and never get to experience the joy that could be ours through trust and obedience.

It is only when we accept, and come through, trials and tribulations that we can truly identify with these words in James 1.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

I agree entirely!

Seriously, does anyone have an explanation? Does it mean what it seems like it is saying? or does it need to be rightfully divided? What is falling away exactly?

I know the story of the parable of the lost son. I know that throughout the Old Testament God longs for His people to repent and come back. Can salvation be forfeited by a season of living in sin. Is this what it means to fall away?

James 5

¹⁹ Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

This scripture helps, and so does the one after this. This shows me that there is still always hope, and this is not the unpardonable sin. However, I see that a man living in sin is not to be saved on the day of judgement if living an unrepetant life.

Whoa to England and the curse that will fall upon them, for coming against Israel and trying to support giving away the land that God Himself has promised to someone else.

Not surprising.

They believe Romney is more likely to attack Iran than Obama. I agree with their analysis.

Me too, KatyAnn. But, IMO, it's only perception. Any American President is going to weigh the military option carefully before committing to another conflict. An attack on Iran, while warranted if they go nuclear, is bound to spark at least a regional war.

And worse case scenario, a World War

I thought that 2 states were already decided around 1948. The Palestinian arabs were given Jordan and the Jews, Israel. 2 states is suicide and a trap. Besides, it is not the Jews' land to give, it is God's.

Seriously, does anyone have an explanation? Does it mean what it seems like it is saying? or does it need to be rightfully divided? What is falling away exactly?

I know the story of the parable of the lost son. I know that throughout the Old Testament God longs for His people to repent and come back. Can salvation be forfeited by a season of living in sin. Is this what it means to fall away?

Can a backslidden follower lose salvation?

Hebrews 6:4-11 states:

4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because^b to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

7Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

9Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

What does this mean?

Thank you

If Christians (and I emphasis Christians), would start treating marriage not as a Contract, but as a Covenant with God, we would see far less divorces.

"A three strand cord is not easily broken"....

I agree

Why are many Christian marriages ending up in divorce? It really baffles my mind. Don't know about your country but in my country it's getting worse by the day but there are many weddings going on all the time but many of them don't last.

Is it because Christians are not choosing the right partners? Is it because they married the wrong person? Is it because they were in a haste and didn't seek God's guidance? Is it because the devil is really on their cases? What do you think might be the problem?

Share your thought.

If Christian marriages are failing it can only be because we are more concerned with achieving personal happiness than with obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

And happiness, by its nature, is a fleeting thing, dependant on our "hap" or happenstance/circumstances. On the other hand, the "joy of the Lord" that we experience through trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus is independent of circumstances and is lasting.

So often we don't give ourselves the chance to experience this deep down joy. We jump ship, so to speak, every time our happiness is threatened and never get to experience the joy that could be ours through trust and obedience.

It is only when we accept, and come through, trials and tribulations that we can truly identify with these words in James 1.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Why are many Christian marriages ending up in divorce? It really baffles my mind. Don't know about your country but in my country it's getting worse by the day but there are many weddings going on all the time but many of them don't last.

Is it because Christians are not choosing the right partners? Is it because they married the wrong person? Is it because they were in a haste and didn't seek God's guidance? Is it because the devil is really on their cases? What do you think might be the problem?

Share your thought.

If Christian marriages are failing it can only be because we are more concerned with achieving personal happiness than with obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

And happiness, by its nature, is a fleeting thing, dependant on our "hap" or happenstance/circumstances. On the other hand, the "joy of the Lord" that we experience through trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus is independent of circumstances and is lasting.

So often we don't give ourselves the chance to experience this deep down joy. We jump ship, so to speak, every time our happiness is threatened and never get to experience the joy that could be ours through trust and obedience.

It is only when we accept, and come through, trials and tribulations that we can truly identify with these words in James 1.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Amen, I needed this!

I married a non-christian. She became a Christian, but then has fallen away. Please pray for her. We have 3 kids (6,4,1). She seems to want to live a single life or at least choose an alternative path. For me, our marriage and family is sacred. All of her friends, encourage her to leave. I cannot believe no one encourages us to work it out. Don't get me wrong we escalate one another and have immature and disrespectful tendencies. The truth is that it CAN be worked out, and we do love each other. There is no physical abuse or infidelity. Yet our family is being broken apart. Please pray for us. God hates divorce, but even in my situation non-believers around me encourage me to accept it quickly and move on. I honestly can't believe how non-chalaunt the world is. Is marriage not sacred and holy?

oops, new member I see I am too late

I would love to be in another fantasy league