Christianity Oasis Forum

[comfy]

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." (Colossians 3:19)

So, this shows me a man is not to let anything be an excuse for him to get bitter against his wife. I can see that this means he needs to *sacrifice* whatsoever, rather than get bitter at her. I may not be married, but in case I ever do . . . I need to get into this, now, in how I relate with all people, so I can be good at this if ever married. Actually, I'd say this goes for everyone > God wants us all to never allow anything to get the better of us to get us bitter.

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

Oh, so the Bible does say we all need to do this. Then the husband is being specifically told to do this, in order for him to take the lead as an example in the family.

[kimberly]

Comfy, you show Godly wisdom in preparing your heart with God's Word for the prospect of being married. This is how it should be, when someone wants a spouse. Instead of going out looking; prepare yourself with what God says to do....I'm of the belief God takes care of the rest.
When we do as we ought to, God does what he promises.
Thanks for this heartfelt post.

Kimberly

[kimberly]

God has reminded me the past several days how good He is. He points out I only say here the things he guides me through that make me see I need to change. He tells me, I need to express more how merciful, kind and loving He is. This is my sacrifice of praise, as God asked for it:

Each morning, as i wake up, I check my blood sugar, take my handful of medicine, and the first shot of the day. I ask God to bless them both to do what they should for my body, with no side effects. (to this day, I have no side effects). I tell God I love Him, and lay back for a conversation, some prayer, and gratitude.

Next I go out to the kitchen, where mom is making coffee...I'm so happy to be living with my mom, you have no idea. I remember where God brought me from, to this place.... I know this time with her (she is 75) is a gift from God...it will never happen again like it is now. We get our coffee, and sit together in the front room. I take the next two shots of the day. Sometimes we sit in silence, sometimes not...but the companionship is there. We glance at the paper when it comes, and settle into doing the crossword puzzle, helping each other with the answers. More often than not, she is sharper than I am. But God has gifted me with a good eye, (never mind the blind one), and I can still read, and think.

Then it's time to get online and go to Oasis, where Rise and Shine will begin shortly. Five days a week, God blesses me with others who are interested in talking about God's word, and fellowshipping. I feel as if they are my close friends, whom I would sit with at the table over coffee, and tea, whatever the drink of choice is. Several fix breakfast, let the dogs in or out, answer the phone....all of it is exactly as it would be if you were sitting in their kitchens. I feel most honored to be taken into their lives like this. They talk about pains, joys, and worries....faith, praise and hope.

God has found a way for me, who lives in a small environment, to experience many friendships I would not have otherwise. I know this is God working in m life...His response to my prayers for daily friends. If anyone had told me it would happen this way....

God has opened up my prayer life in this as well...I pray for these friends...I feel their needs, joys, and hurts. It helps me to realize a bigger world than just my own. I care about them, because God has planted them in my heart. Even when I feel sick, or hurt, I come, because I know without doubt, by the time it's over, i will feel refreshed. These relationships help heal me.

The rest of the day is filled with everyday happenings, activities, events...more blood sugar testing, shots, family and doctors, whatever...it doesn't matter. The entire day happens because God enables me. Every doctor He has picked, every treatment He has provided, all happen because I asked Him to, and He is my God....big, merciful, and mighty.
Anything I do, and accomplish...it's all huge. Baking a loaf of bread, painting a table with roses, sewing a small quilt...none of it is small to me. All of it is miracle stuff, because without Him, it wouldn't happen. I know this, but don't say it to anyone but Him....and everyone should know. I would be dead, without God's intervention.

At evening time, my body is tired, in a good way. I don't make it do any more than it is able to do...because I want it to go another day.Tomorrow is just around the corner. I relax with my mom again, share a meal, and settle in for the night...knowing I have more to praise God for than there are hours in the day. Eventually, I go to bed, another shot...more meds. Bedtime prayers, thanksgiving...and gentle restful sleep.

I love You, Lord. Thank you for everything in my life. Thank You for my life. Everyday will I praise you and make my thanks known. You are my God, and I am Your child. May it always be so! In Jesus name, amen.

[comfy]

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

So, Jesus our Groom can *feel* *for* *us* > He came here to go through things we go through, so now He can feel for us and help us with all that got Him through it all. This is part of *our* priesthood with Jesus . . . how we also go through things of this life, so that we can make these troubles a love sacrifice to God, to use these troubles to help others, being able to feel for them and help them with how You, Lord Jesus, help us with Your grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-15). So, now as we go through problems, we can see this as a love sacrifice for others, so we can then have compassion for them and help them.

But, of course . . . that "without sin" part of Jesus being our High Priest > not to be technical . . . but . . . we "might" not quite be getting *that* part; but this can mean we should be able to understand and have compassion for others who have sin problems, too >

"He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray,
since he himself is also subject to weakness." (Hebrews 5:2)

So . . . when I notice how others are wrong . . . even inexcusably >
I can have the attitude > "It could be me," and care and pray *for* the person, with hope *for* the person, instead of first being critical *against* someone who is wrong . . . or who I suppose is wrong

"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,
.O Lord, who could stand?"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Psalm 130:3)

So-o-o > welcome to the priesthood of Jesus You qualify to be in this priesthood, partly by going through things so you can understand and help others, as God makes us able

[kimberly]

This past week, I have been on a different 'sacrifice' mission.

One day, instead of hurrying my way through something to get on to the next thing, I lingered, and was blessed because I did.

It made me wonder.....how many other blessings have I sacrificed because I hurried away? How many pieces of knowledge have escaped me because I quit too soon? When have I missed blessing someone else because I didn't take the time?

Time is our most valuable gift. Often, I don't use it wisely enough. I hurry through things, time with people, time with God. I have to get on with it....or do I?

I have the luxury of time....A lot of it has been given to me, and I think I seriously need to look at how I am sacrificing it for the sake of 'getting things done' that aren't as important as the people in my life. Because that's what I really am sacrificing here, time with those God has placed in my life.

Jesus took the time to bless others, at great cost to himself at times. He healed, He listened, He shared meals, He taught, He prayed, He did miracles, He shared the truth, He cared......He spent His time giving of Himself to others.

He never sacrificed their needs.

Thank You Father, for the lesson on time sacrifices. Help me to keep this knowledge in my heart. Holy Spirit, hold me accountable when I'm sacrificing someone's need for my time. Cause my heart to hold the same thoughts, feelings and purposes that Jesus' heart does. In His most Holy Name, amen.

[goldieluvs]

awwww kimmy

I too tend to rush and can be quite impatient, losing peace inside as a result.

Jesus being perfect knew lots of things we don't. Or things that we don't generally think about in that time is neverending. Yes our time spent on earth is limited, but so was His.

Thank You Father, for the lesson on time sacrifices. Help me to keep this knowledge in my heart. Holy Spirit, hold me accountable when I'm sacrificing someone's need for my time. Cause my heart to hold the same thoughts, feelings and purposes that Jesus' heart does. In His most Holy Name, amen

Joining ya in prayer on this one sis. I, too have a tendency to hurry through the days demands. So, it was a lesson for me as well and i thank you for taking time to post it.

GBU my sister