Hope for Troubled Christian Marriages - 5 Tips for Stability and Sanity

Being a Christian does not insulate your marriage from times of trouble. Like every other person walking around and breathing, Christian relationships can be ransacked with the pain of infidelity, the cold distance resulting from bitterness, and the loneliness of conflict. Here are 5 things you can do to bring a sense of stability and sanity to a troubled Christian marriage:

1. Recognize there is a problem

As a counselor, I am always amazed at the energy that is spent in denying the existence of a troubled relationship. Spouses - male and female - will go to great lengths to avoid dealing with a problem. Problems will be denied, overlooked, or even ignored in hopes that they will somehow resolve themselves. Sadly, it does not happen, and couples find their relationship in dire circumstances.

Couple Tip: Admit there is a problem. You do not necessarily have to agree on the cause of the problem. Simply agreeing a problem exists can cause a change in attitude.

2. "Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger."

James 1:19 reminds us to "Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear." (The Message). Quick tempers and a lack of listening to one another is a sure fire way to get into an argument. James emphasizes the significance of listening over talking.

Couple Tip: Consider whether you are truly listening to your spouse's need or are you interrupting so that you do not have to take any blame?

3. Do not make a major life changing decisions regarding divorce

When I counsel couples I am always interested in whether one spouse has already spoken to a divorce attorney. This often tells me the depth of their emotional pain. Hasty decisions can have permanent consequences. Divorce can always take place. Reconciliation after divorce requires more work.

Couple Tip: If you feel like talking to a divorce attorney then consider talking to a trusted friend about your motives. Are you making your decision based on emotion?
If you do talk to an attorney, do not make any final decision for 60 - 90 days. Emotions can be very volatile even for 30 days.

4. Support, support, support

Assuming you both desire to save your marriage, I encourage you to find some likeminded fellow Christians that can walk with you during this time. Many churches have marriage mentor programs, or a pastor to will meet with you. Some of the best advice we received was even from older couples that my husband and I sought out to talk with.

Couple Tip: Dare to ask for help. It is much easier to isolate than to reach out. No one can help you if you do not ask for it.

5. Pray blessings for your spouse

Too often when we are in the midst of crisis, our prayers remain self focused. If I shift my focus from wanting justification for my behavior to blessings for my spouse then my attitude will become more peaceful. Therefore, I am more amiable and approachable.

Couple Tip: Write down 15 things you are grateful for your spouse for, and share the list with them either verbally or in a card or email.

6. Get some professional help.

Sometimes it is difficult to see the end of the tunnel when we are in the middle of a storm. It is important to get some professional help, especially if you feel like you are reaching a dead end or getting stuck in that same old patterns.

Couple Tip: Find a local counselor that can help you work through the issues of your marriage. Ask your pastor, or friends for a referral of a qualified counselor.

Being a Christian does not guarantee your relationships will be wrinkle free. However, God does promise to walk with us through these times, and provide respite when we need it. (Psalm 23) and provide hope for troubled marriages.

By T.G

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others.

You can also share your testimonies with others  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. 

And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die

Remain blessed shalom.

The Importance of Christian Education in Today's World

Christianity has been of the greatest importance to the USA since the time when the first settlers stepped on the Plymouth Rock. Ever since the USA has upheld the Christian values teaching them as mandatory in schools and even conducting witch hunts. At present the church is separated from the State to assure the normal functioning of other religions, while being no longer mandatory, but rather optional for studying. In the following essay I am going to speak about the Christian education as always being the option for the citizens of the USA and to explain the importance of Christian education and the role it plays in our society.

Christianity has constantly played a great role in human education in Europe as well as in the USA. The first schools in both Europe were Catholic that taught high moral standards and compliance with the God's rules. After the Protestant reformation, the role of Catholicism was drastically reduced. When the first settlers arrived to the USA, the religion they were teaching in schools was Protestantism. Christianity educated people in schools while placing certain limits on the human development. Unlike Catholic and Orthodox churches that highly believed in God's dominance and written scrutiny and therefore rejected various sciences that are anti-religious (genetic engineering, nuclear sciences, etc.), protestant churches considered good deeds and helpful behavior to be of the ultimate importance to God. Protestant churches believed that God created any sciences possible; therefore it was a human duty to study as much as possible as well as proclaiming God and expressing God in all human achievements.

Christianity if taught at schools leaves a great stigma on the students. The statistics say that students who study Christianity and Christian values at school are much less likely to engage in illegal activities such as underage drinking, promiscuous sex, and carrying arms. In US schools from all students who engage in the illegal activities only 12% of them are students studying Christianity or are engaged in Christian schools.

On a more personal level I believe that Christian education is of great importance to the whole country. Students in their teens are only forming their future character and certainly need various people to take example from. It is no wonder that in poor schools and in what we call bad neighborhoods, the crime rates are much higher--children that grow up in violent environment are in my opinion are going to be violent. It is a common fact that boys that grew up in families where fathers beat up their wives are more likely to also beat up their future spouses like their fathers. All these examples indeed show us the importance of education in the early years of human life and make us understand that education should be of great value to the society. Christianity on the other hand discourages arms, sex before marriage, as well as drinking. When exposed to Christian morals, students are more likely to develop personal attitude that would allow them to resist the peer pressure, engage in profound studying and strong desire for excellence. This shows the important role of domestic security that the Christian education provides for the society that promulgates Christianity in schools.

At the same time, Christianity being only optional provides the necessary freedoms to students of other religions, or even atheists who do not want to be influenced by the religious thought. The freedom or choice, makes the Christian teachers compete for the students and therefore not to abuse the Christian moral as it happens in areas of the world where Christianity is dominant (e.g. in Serbia and Horvatia Christianity prompted the people to eradicate the Muslims from the Christian land).

In conclusion I would like to say that the Christian educational option in fact provides a wonderful complementary material to students in the USA. The statistics that show reduction in violence, loose behavior or engagement in illegal activities corroborate the practical importance of Christian education, while the separation of church and state assures that no single religious leader can take control of the political life in the USA. The role of being the crime reducer that the Christian education represents the true need of such education in the society.

By T.J

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others.

You can also share your testimonies with others  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. 

And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die

Remain blessed shalom.

Joy is deeper than happiness

http://ediblepiece.com/

What you get from your achievements and luxury is happiness..

Only in CHRIST JESUS you can find JOY which is equivalent to strength.
...
Nehemiah 8:10

Joy is deeper than happiness...

Why worry about the future when you can secure your future ?....

Why worry about the future when you can secure your future?....

How?

Via Jesus Christ the author and the finisher of our faith. 

John 14:6 (NLT)

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others. Likewise, if you have  a spare time, you can browse our archive....

You can also share your testimonies on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

To contact us, kindly leave a comment and we shall get back to you.

Remain blessed shalom.

Christians in business, who to trust.

Who are we suppose to trust in business?

Family,  non-relation or friends?

Who do we put in charge of our money and finances?

As a Christian in business who is the best to put in charge, when we are not on ground?

Who should we give authority to do what we do when we are not available?

I know many we say Christians of course.. and those who want to be critical will be indifferent.

Many will say, they have seen so called Christians embezzle money.

They have seen so called Christian duping people.

 They have seen so called Christians scamming people of their money and belongings.

The question I ask people is,

 are these people really Christians?

Are they really Christ-like?

In the real and bible sense, Christians are the most reliable to employ,

Christian are the most reliable to put in positions of importance in business,

because they are Christ like.
The presence of a Christian in a company is a blessing to the organisation.
Christians are the salt of the world
Matthew 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Who are Christians?

They are the one that keep God's commandment.

John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The one that dupes, scam, cheat are not Christ like.

If you profit with the little, you will be put in charge of the bigger.

Our position in the little things we are trusted with, will determine how far we will go.

If you are entrusted with lower position and you failed yourself,

you failed your followers,

you failed those looking towards you as a mentor,

you failed your God,

how do you want God to put you in charge of a bigger assignment?

If you are entrusted with lower position and you prove yourself worthy,

you will encourage your followers

you will make God happy and

God can trust you with bigger assignment ?

Luke 16:10  (NIV)

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

If you are diligent in little things..

God will surely entrust with bigger things.

Hebrews 3:14 (NLT)

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

If you are diligent in little things..

you will surely walk with kings and queens.

Proverbs 22:29

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men

Closing word

.......Christians are still the best to entrust with our business.....
Because we are blessing to businesses and organisations,
our presence brings the presence of God,
and where God is, there is fulfillment  and productivity.

To us that have failed in the area of business.

We all get tempted,

we can all stumble,

but we have an high priest who is there to make us strong in our area of weakness.

Hebrews 4:15 (NLT)

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

We have a father that can help us to our feet again.

Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)

for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

We should stand up again,
never to give up in our disgracing attitude,
but to come out as a renewed person.
We can ask for the grace to stand....

And we will stand to the end. 

.......Christians are still the best to entrust with our business.....

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others.

You can also share your testimonies with others  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

To contact us, kindly leave a comment and we shall get back to you.

Remain blessed shalom.

The Word of God and the word of man.

Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The word of God is complete.

Why do we look for alternative?

The word of God is complete,

Why do we give alternative?

The word of God is complete,

Why do we take alternative?

The word of God is complete,

The Word of God encourages.

James 1:2-4 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

The Word of God heals.

Psalm 107:20 (NLT)

He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.

The Word of God teaches contentment, patience and good morals.

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

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.

The Word of God helps in the time of plenty and troubles.

Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The Word of God brings peace.

John 16:33(KJV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The Word of God gives strength.

Philippians 4:13(KJV)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

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.

The Word of God delivers.

Psalm 107:20 (KJV)

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions

The Word of God makes us  genius, geek and expert in our area of specialisation.

Psalm 119:99 (KJV)

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation

The Word of God warns.

The Word of God chastise.

Hebrews 12:8(KJV)

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

The Word of God motivates.

The Word of God prunes.

The Word of God establishes.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Name it...

The word of the LORD... the BIBLE have answers to all our questions.

The word of GOD... the BIBLE has provision for all our needs and wants.

So if the word of God have all we need, why do we exalt other books to the BIBLE?

If the word of God have all we need, why do we divert people attention from the word of God?

No word written by man can give you what you will get from the Word of God..THE BIBLE.

The BIBLE was inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16(KJV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Don't allow yourself to be bamboozle.

No word explains the BIBLE than the BIBLE itself.

No word is better than the BIBLE.

No man can answer a question posed by the BIBLE...The answers is always in the BIBLE.

Romans 16:17

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Believe not everything you are told until you find it in the word of GOD.

We need to sit down and study the word of GOD ourselves  and get the truth.

Avoid false doctrine.

When we read books, it should encourage us to read the word of God more.

But when a word  of man presents itself over the word of God..it is  false doctrine.

This is the age to know the truth .

John 8:32 (KJV)

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The age to be free  from false doctrine.

The BIBLE is available everywhere for us.

 on the internet,

on our phones,

on our tablets,

...Ever best selling..

In fact the BIBLE is freely given by some organisations.

why do we have free gem and we throw them away?

1 John 4:1 (KJV)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The Word of God is complete.

 

If these words touches your life, and you will like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour. It is simple. Pray a prayer of forgiveness. Acknowledge you are a sinner,  ask Jesus Christ to forgive you all your sins. Call Jesus Christ to fill your heart . If you do this you are save, just look for a church of God around you to join, so as to improve your faith in Christ. Do not forget to read your bible day in and out. 

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others on twitter  and facebook. You can also like Working-Faith @  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Working-faith/463624163748730. Likewise, if you have  a spare time, you can browse our archive.... You can also share your testimonies  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

Furthermore, you can leave your prayer points, we will join you in faith to ask from our father in heaven..Jesus Christ.

To contact us, kindly leave a comment and we shall get back to you.

Remain blessed shalom.

Christianity is a life, it is not just a religion

We are not Christians because we go to church,

we are because we live a life like Christ Jesus.

Acts 11:26 (KJV)

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
A life of holiness and purity.

A life  free of blemish and accusation.

A life of flesh cannot do these things.

John 6:63 (KJV)

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy

A life of flesh cannot make you  intimate with  Jesus Christ.

A life of sin distance you from your maker.

Romans 6:1

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

To be like Christ Jesus we must accept Him as our Lord and personal savior.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To be like Christ Jesus we must be filled with the Holy spirit.

Romans 8:9

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

To be like Christ Jesus we must stay away from sin.

To be like Christ Jesus we must abide in Him day and night.

John 15:4 (KJV)

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

By abiding in Christ Jesus means we live in Him, and our survival depends on Him.

Then Christianity  will not be a religion,

Then  Christ Jesus will be a friend and not a stranger,

Then we will see Christ as a father, friend, helper, counselor ,  author and finisher of our faith.

We are Christians because we live a life like Christ Jesus, showing His glory to the world,

 teaching  the world the word of God, preaching repentance....in our word, behavior, lifestyle.

  Mark 16:15 (KJV)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Christianity is not a religion that we only go to God on Sundays, Christmas and new year eve,

it is a life style of which we communicate with God day and night.

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Christ Jesus want to communicate with us day and night.

He want to be at our table when we are eating,

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me

Christ want to be by our bed to bid a good night while he watches over us.

Psalm 121:4

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Try Christ Jesus, He can do more than  what you think.

He is a friend..accept Him into your life

and experience the new life style.

If these words touches your life, and you will like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour. It is simple. Pray a prayer of forgiveness. Acknowledge you are a sinner,  ask Jesus Christ to forgive you all your sins. Call Jesus Christ to fill your heart . If you do this you are save, just look for a church of God around you to join, so as to improve your faith in Christ. Do not forget to read your bible day in and out. 

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others on twitter  and facebook. You can also like Working-Faith @  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Working-faith/463624163748730 . Likewise, if you have  a spare time, you can browse our archive.... You can also share your testimonies  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

Furthermore, you can leave your prayer points, we will join you in faith to ask from our father in heaven..Jesus Christ.

To contact us, kindly leave a comment and we shall get back to you.

Remain blessed shalom.

The Blank Cheque

If God give you a blank cheque what will you write?

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

If God give your another chance to start over again what will you change?

If God give you a second chance what will you avoid  and what will you embraces?

Every new year is a blank cheque  with 365 pages,

each page has your name with Gods signature.

You are given the privilege to write what you want.

Write wisely.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

Better way to write,  is to write with the help of the Holy spirit.

John 14:16 (KJV)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

We are all given opportunities...

What differentiate us is how we use it.

Each year is like a  blank book,

the title is 'Your act in 2014'.

You have 365 chapters to write.

You have 8750 paragraphs to compose.

You  have 525600 sentences to scribble.

You have 31536000 words in total to write..a lot I guess?

In  no time the year will be exhausted..

Whichever letter you choose will make a word,

whichever word you choose will make a sentence,

whichever sentences you combine will make a paragraph.

Your paragraphs will give you a chapter.

In a year time you will write a 365 chapters...

Whatever you write will make a story... live diligently.

Better way to write,  is to write with the help of the Holy spirit.

Romans 8:26(NLT)

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

We are all given opportunities...

what differentiate us is how we use it.

Happy new year.

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others.

You can also share your testimonies with others  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11(NLT)

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die

Remain blessed shalom.

Release Barabbas

Choice is part of human life.

The choices we make, either make us or destroy us.

We have choices...

Life  or death.

Truth or lie.

Good or bad.

Constructive or destructive.

Salvation or damnation.

If we choose life.. we shall live .

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that 

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. 

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Our  choices are powerful!

They are the fuel that drives our actions

They are the template that our future is built on.

They are the helmet that we wear  to face risk.

The better our choices, the safer we are.

Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

I have been thinking lately..why do we have so much havoc around us?

Why do so many bad news flock our media?

Why do we promote evil compare to righteousness?

..Bad choices....is one of the major reasons.

It happened in the time of Jesus Christ..

Barabbas..the notorious criminal .... was chosen over Christ Jesus.

We unleash evil when we make wrong choices.

That is the reason we have more crime today..

In 2014, our decision matters.

Good and right decision will put us on the wise side,

and  give us speed in all our endeavor.

To make good choices in 2014,

we need to have, know and live in Christ.....,

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We need to acknowledge him as our father, comforter and saviour.

Then we are 100% sure that our decision will be right.

John 14:16  (KJV)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever;

In 2014, we need to learn to go to God,

to  ask, listen and take counsel  before deciding.

James 1:5 (KJV)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, 

and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

We should be patient,

and never make decision in haste.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. 

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

It pays to wait on Him

1 John 5:14 (NIV)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

God knows all,

which is the reason we should ask before we making decision or take steps

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, 

and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

He will tell us which way, and

 how to go.

Isaiah 30:21 (KJV)

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, 

This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Let your decision in 2014 be to Gods glory.

Choose wisely.

shalom.

If you are blessed by any of the write-ups in this blog, do not forget to share it with others.

You can also share your testimonies with others  on this blog....your testimony will encourage  others..

Revelation 12:11

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. 

And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die

Remain blessed shalom.