Aug 2
Now Playing: The Power of Your Love
"MAY...GOD...GIVE YOU A SPIRIT OF UNITY." ROMANS 15:5 NIV 08.02.06 Marriage myths (2) We're just not compatible. Marital disagreements fall into 5 categories: money, sex, in-laws, kids, and household responsibilities. Too many couples think if they argue about these things they're automatically headed for divorce. Conflict doesn't kill relationships. What's important is how you deal with it, not the fact that it exists. One woman said, "My husband hates confrontation so when problems arose in our marriage he just walked away. I went ballistic and nothing got settled. Eventually we learned to talk about handling our disagreements; he can't walk away and I can't get hysterical. It works...now we work together to resolve problems." Anger is just part of your emotional make-up; God didn't make a mistake when He included it. But He wants you to handle it right (Mt 16:15). Being upset doesn't give you license to yell and slam doors. Solomon said, "A fool gives full vent to his anger...a wise man keeps himself under control" (Pr 29:11 NIV). Hasty words hurt, and they can't be taken back. David said, "In your anger do not sin...search your hearts...be silent" (Ps 4:4 NIV). In other words, think, listen, and calm down before you react. And never resort to name-calling (See Mt 5:22); it serves no purpose but to intentionally hurt the other person. We live in a culture of lawsuits and revenge, but a marriage built on retaliation is headed for trouble. God said "Don't insist on getting even...I'll take care of it" (Ro 12:19). You can become physically and emotionally sick by hanging on to bitterness. So release it and ask God to fill your heart with His love. He'll do it! *** Aug 2 Filling big shoes ‘Direct my footsteps according to your word...’ Psalm 119:133 NIV Have you ever seen a small child trying to walk in the shoes of a big person? It’s funny to watch. It’s also significant: some day those tiny feet will grow up and fill those big shoes – or bigger ones. Do you feel like you’re trying to fill some big shoes today, like you need to grow up fast because you have no option? Life doesn’t wait until we’re as mature as we’d like to be, before handing us some of our greatest tests of faith. Most of our training is ‘on the job’, and, like a little one trying to fill big shoes, at first we do it badly, then awkwardly, but never stumble-free. The only thing that can stop us from growing into those big shoes – is the fear of putting our feet into them! The grace comes with the assignment. Grace is immediate, but growth takes time. Don’t be discouraged: ‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion’ (Philippians 1:6 NIV). Another thing about filling big shoes, it makes us a lot more understanding toward others trying to walk in them too. ‘How could you do such a thing?’ is a question we don’t tend to ask, because we already know the answer from personal experience. Ever see a parent holding the hand of a child trying to walk in shoes that are too big, beaming with pride and delight simply because they attempted it, steadying them up, encouraging them to keep going, picking them up when they trip and bump their head? That’s what our God does with us! <BGSOUND src=""> illegal2link2midis-The-Power-of-You_9252.mid

Aug 1
Now Playing: The Power of Your Love
"MAY...GOD...GIVE YOU A SPIRIT OF UNITY." ROMANS 15:5 NIV 08.01.06 Marriage myths (1) Too many couples struggling with "curable" issues, have bought into 4 common marriage myths. For the next few days let's look at each of them: If I try, I can change my partner. Give it up! If you think following the "right" plan, struggling harder and refusing to give up will do it, think again. The Bible says, "Do not think you are better than you are" (Ro 12:3 NCV). The truth is, you can only work on yourself. Once you change your steps in the marriage dance, your mate will begin to adjust theirs. Plus, by identifying and working on your own shortcomings you'll gain credibility with your mate, and create an environment that's conducive to change. Now, here are some things you can do: (a) Praise the qualities you admire most (remember when you were dating?) and build on them. Anytime you see positive change, recognize and encourage it. (b) Don't let things escalate. Make a habit of asking, "Is there anything on your mind we haven't talked about lately?" The Bible says don't go to bed angry (See Eph 4:26), so deal with things before they lead to hard feelings and cause strife. (c) Try to be more understanding. When people don't feel understood, they dig in their heels and resist change. (d) Lessen your dependence on your mate. Remember, no one can meet all your needs all the time. You need friends to talk to and share activities with. (e) Above all, be patient; neither of you is perfect. Ask God to "give you a spirit of unity." And bear in mind that self-control is the result of God's indwelling Spirit, not human effort. (See Gal 5:23 NIV). *** Aug 1 When Jesus comes ??It was noised that he was in the house.? Mark 2:1 KJV When Christ enters your life: 1) He?ll rearrange things! Your well-ordered existence will probably get turned upside down. One thing?s for sure, when you meet Jesus you?ll never be the same again. When He showed up at this house in Capernaum ?it was noised.? As a result, the house was packed out with people. Not a square inch left. Four men carrying a paralyzed friend, hoping Christ would heal him, had to break up the roof and lower him to the feet of Jesus. Miracles can cause upheaval. 2) You?ll get two kinds of reaction! The religious crowd will be threatened. When Jesus claimed to have power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins, the Pharisees said, ??Who can forgive sins but God only??? (Mark 2:7 KJV). The danger of institutional religion is that often we love the institution more than the individuals we are called to serve. So expect some flack, and don?t back down! Whatever it takes to get to Jesus, do it; He won?t disappoint you. He makes this standing offer, ??Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out? (John 6:37 KJV). 3) All get what they come for! Those who come to mock, criticize or defend their religious viewpoint leave more lost than ever, and more convinced that they?re right. But those who come for help get it. Listen: ?Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled? (Matthew 5:6 KJV). All Christ asks of you today is the humility to acknowledge your need of Him, and the faith to reach for and accept what He offers you. 1-Aug Tues Deut 1- 2 Mark 1:21- 34 Ps 78: 17-31 Pr 16: 26-30 <BGSOUND src=""> illegal2link2midis-The-Power-of-You_9252.mid