The Mystery Of God's Healing Process

The fact that Jesus healed and had compassion on those that needed a miracle of some sort in their lives, be it for themselves or another in their family, before He paid the price with the flogging and crucifixion is amazing and wonderful. 

Jesus solved all kinds of problems for people because of His great compassion. He healed the blind, the deaf, the lame, the mute, those with leprosy, those demon possessed and those dead just to name a few conditions. Matthew says it like this - "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matt. 9:35-36)

What catches my attention is the speed at which the healing took place. Many, if not most of the curing encounters with Jesus included the word "immediately" or sense of that word to convey healing from Him. This is opposed to today, where I only hear of pockets of testimonies where "immediately" was the answer to someone's request of God for healing.

Matthew records one with leprosy that had no problem with Christ's ability, He just had a question about the willingness of Jesus to heal his plight. Matthew says, "A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'" (Matt. 8:2) See how the phrase "you can make me clean" emphasizes Christ's ability is not in question but is tied to the Lord's will? Matthew then recalls, "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy." (Matt. 8:3) There is that word immediately.

Right after this meeting, Jesus engages with a centurion soldier that recognizes Jesus has authority, His words are powerful and His immediate presence bedside is not required. 

"The centurion replied, 'Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.'" (Matt. 8:8-9)

This faith impresses Jesus and He lets those around them know plus Jesus heals the centurion's servant "at that moment" - "'Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.' Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.' And his servant was healed at that moment." (Matt. 8:10, 13)

Then there is the purposeful delay of Jesus to visit Mary, Martha and the one Jesus loved - Lazarus. Of course John would have something to say about that in John 13:23, 20:2 and 21:20 - calling himself "the one Jesus loved" or "the disciple Jesus loved". For the record, Jesus loves the whole world. 

As far as Lazarus was concerned, Jesus got word of the status of Lazarus when Lazarus was on his deathbed. Knowing that Lazarus died because Jesus is the Son of God, He tells His disciples twice the reason for returning to just outside Jerusalem.

"After he had said this, he went on to tell them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.'

His disciples replied, 'Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.' Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'" (John 11:11-14)

This was a time where Christ waited a specific amount of time that seemed the end-all for us, death, but was no match for the Creator, the Word of God in flesh. 

As time has marched on society has gotten worse about wanting things instantly to the point where we expect immediacy with the technology and people skills we have acquired. I can testify that God still works in delay fashion as well as the immediate and sometimes He says, "No".

With all the Scripture there is about 

• the price He paid for our healing, 
• the promises of His healing touch, 
• power there is in His name, blood and spirit, 
• His nature that is still the same today - compassionate, 
• asking and receiving in His name 
• and being persistent in the seeking - why does God delay the cure we seek and pray for?

With some instances of healing being immediate, others through the process of doctors and medicine that God has blessed us with and still other situations where our prayers have been answered with the death of a loved one - all we have left to lean on is trust in the sovereignty of God as we work out on this side of heaven - The Mystery Of God's Healing Process.

Practitioner Of His Power

Christians are charged with sharing The Gospel or Good News of Christ Jesus according to Matt. 28:16-20. But when will believers in Christ return to a more regular, daily flow and demonstration in God's power? 

God's power must be evident in the believer's life and displayed to complement the Salvation message and one's testimony. Paul's life and his words in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 sets a great example of executing more than The Great Commission.  Here is what Paul said to the believer's in Corinth -

"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."

Paul visited Corinth with a simple, straight forward message of salvation through Christ Jesus, while allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through him in power with all kinds of demonstrations - "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,". Why? "so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."

Operating in and with God's gift of His power is critical to overcoming anything and everything that will come against us every day and/or hinder our walk with God. Later on in the same letter to the Corinthians, Paul communicates an important concept - "the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but power." (1 Cor. 4:20). Notice within these two passages of Scripture how Paul is stressing salvation comes through Christ and Christ's kingdom arrives through His power.

Is it any wonder that the world and believers are looking for more of God's power? This verse above says - God's kingdom flows in action-packed power and that Christians weigh their speeches to be so important as to be the vehicle of God's power. This is in error. 

Speaking is a necessity to communicate God's love, Word and instruction especially in the five fold ministry spelled out in Ephesians 4:11 - somes as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. This is true also within the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-11) and the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). 

However, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1 - "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." Many times actions speak louder than words and when Christians act with God's power, the results will be miraculous. I believe the Holy Spirit's power will come when more of His church is individually and corperately living daily in His power. 

There are many words used for the word "power" or "powerful" in Scripture. I would like to mention a few here and inform you that Jesus Christ has the ultimate power in every one of these definitions.

• Oz = strength; might (Ps. 62:11)
• Ischuros (is-khoo-ros) = powerful; forcible; mighty; superior to man in strength (Matt. 3:11)
• Dunamis = force; might; strength; explosive; dynamite (Matt. 13:54; Luke 4:36; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19)
• Cheir (khire) = the grasping by the hands literally/figuratively of control or soveriegnty (John 13:3)
• Yad (yawd) = means, direction; potential influence - see James 3 for the power or influence of the tongue. (Prov. 18:21)

Receiving or seeking God's power on a regular basis is difficult for some people. Even as a free gift, some individuals take issue. But there is nothing that we could ever do, there is no amount of goodness or right-standing with God that would merit God infilling us with His power - outside a relationship with Christ. Jesus paid the total price for all the believer's many blessings.

Ephesians 1:18-21 tells us that the same power, that Christ used to secure humanity's eternal future and abundant blessings by picking Himself up from death, Hell and the grave - dwells within the Christian. 

Because of belief in Christ, Father God blesses Christians with His power as another wonderful gift. Paul writes to Timothy in a second letter and expresses God has "given" us His forceful, explosive, wonder-working power through Christ. He says, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (2 Tim. 1:7)

Personally, I hear this verse quoted so many times I tend to gloss over it, say - "That's nice." and place that nice verse on a spiritual shelf. These three words - power, love and self-discipline - are action words meant to help all areas of the Christian's life. God's gifts, especially these, demand more than a gloss-over and shelf placement from me and any Christ follower.

Christians need to accept and move every day in His power. If the believer ever grasps this truth and begins practicing or better yet - living it out, God's kingdom will truly come and His will, will truly be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

How do Christians live a more God-powered life? 

1. Pray
2. Stay in God's Word
3. Be sensitive to and obey the Holy Spirit's leading

When believers pray we need to ask and seek God for His power. James 4:2 says, "You do not have because you do not ask God." His power is something He desires to equip His kids with so that it will flow in our lives, be evident to everyone and influence others unto salvation.

According to James 5:16, prayers of a believer who is in right-standing with God are powerful and effective. The original word for powerful in this verse is energeo (en-erg-eh-o) meaning active, efficient, mighty. When the believer's life is on track with God, his/her prayers are active, efficient and mighty because they align with God's will and kingdom purpose.

Prayer is also an avenue to powerfully declare God's promises. But how you know those promises of God in the first place is point number two.

Stay or remain in the Word of God. In John 15:1-17, Jesus is speaking to His disciples and He uses the imagery of the vine and gardener to urge His students to remain in His ways. When Christians today stay in God's Word, some benefits are - 

• mental, physical and spiritual nourishment
• enlightenment
• recalling His promises

Finally, Christians can live a God powered life by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and obeying His leading. This sensitivity should manifest itself for the believer by putting a Godly Filter on everything you think, say and do. Once the Christian has the Holy Spirit filter in place and active, he/she will be able to discern God's good, pleasing and perfect will more effectively (Ro. 12:2).

In 1 Corinthians 1:24 and John 1:1-5, 14 -- the reader understands that Christ Jesus is the Power of God, the Wisdom of God and the Word of God. Jesus has paid too high of a price to share His Word, His Wisdom and His Power with those who would beleive to simply sit still with His gifts. Peter says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3) Let us then be a Practitioner Of His Power.

His Commanding Presence

 

After a non-believer accepts Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, the rest of the faith journey is spent being formed daily into the image and character of Christ until He returns to take believers home to Heaven.

My hope, prayer and practice is that the way I carry myself would exude a strong example of Christ's Presence in my life, but even more-so on my personage. I yearn to emanate God's presence, nature and aura whenever I enter a room or take a walk so that people are drawn to the Holy Spirit radiating from me.

Daniel, Peter and Paul. Daniel was noted by the angel Gabriel as being "esteemed". Daniel was regarded this way not only on earth, but Gabriel tells him three times - 9:23; 10:11, 19 - that Heaven deems him esteemed. I believe this notoriety was due to his time abiding with God in prayer and having a policy of no compromise.

Peter was seen as "highly regarded by people" in Acts 5:13-15. God's healing power was displayed even in Peter's shadow as a great way to showcase The Commanding Presence of God in Peter's life and person. Here again, this ministry of power comes from a close relationship that Peter had with Jesus.

We receive a heavy dose of God's Presence exemplified in Paul's life and person as we read his letter to the believers in Rome. Romans 8:38-39 says three huge words that nobody can attack and penetrate with Paul - "I am convinced...". 

Paul went through much hardship in his adult years. His suffering for Christ's sake was even foretold to Ananias by The Lord (Acts 9:15-16). However, it is not just Paul's spoken words that I am sure gave people inspiration. It is not just his and The Holy Spirit's written words that brought many direction and enlightenment. But when I observe Paul's life and hear him say - "I am convinced" - I know that life is the instrument and God is the Teacher of what I am to be convinced.

2 Corinthians 2:16 encourages the Christian to put off a Heavenly Scent or "an aroma that brings life". Matthew 5:15 instructs believers to not hide the light that has now been lit within your heart and life but "put it on its stand" especially for family and friends - "to everyone in the house". Ephesians 2:6 and Romans 8:37 infuse the disciple of Christ with His authority as they walk out their faith with Jesus.

However, even more than scent, light and authority - I desire His Spirit to pour out my pores. I want to glow with His radiance much like the shine Moses had when he spent time with God on the Mount. And I hope my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ do also.

The key to anyone who shares my passion is time or intimate, special conversation with the King. 

Ever spent so much time with somebody that their word choice, habits and quirks rubbed-off or influenced you to make them your own? 

Walking into any room, my desire is to introduce you to Jesus Christ without any words if possible. Even if you did not have any "spiritual glasses" on I would want you to see Jesus walk-in with me and speak through me in whatever atmosphere is given.

This is the idea behind spending time with Christ Jesus. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will smell like Him, shine like Him, speak like Him and act like Him - the more He will imprint on you His Commanding Presence.

God's Library

Did you know God has a Heavenly library? If you thought you have no privacy, you are correct. God is everywhere and His angels that surround us are not only interested spectators but participators of God's will for our lives. In addition to to this ever watchful care over our lives, God has our days numbered in a book, plus our good and bad deeds
are not only remembered but recorded or written down.

Our days are numbered in a book according to Psalm 139:16 - "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Our deeds are recorded in books, plural, according to Revelation 20:12 - "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books."

The following are names of Heavenly books and where you can find them in Scripture.

The Book of God

• Exodus 32:32-33
• Moses knows of God's accounting process and tries to intercede for the Hebrew people. God confirms this special book, but says the people must answer for themselves and the book will be registered accordingly.

The Book of Life

• Psalm 69:28
• Philippians 4:3
• Revelation 3:5; 17:8; 20:12; 20:15
• The book before Christ personalized it as The Lamb's Book of Life. If your name was found here, your eternal relationship with God was secure. If your name was not here, the influence of the Antichrist, False Prophet and/or Satan himself or your flat out denial of Christ's gift was a likely reason.

Court Books

• Daniel 7:9-12
• This is a future court scene that includes open books testifying against the Antichrist. 

Book of Truth

• Daniel 10:21
• This book is a book of prophecy that is given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel that lasts to the end of the book of Daniel. 

Book of Deliverance

• Daniel 12:1
• Part of the prophecy in the Book of Truth mentioned above that deals with Daniel's people, the Jewish people, whose names are written in the book, will be delivered.

The Lamb's Book of Life

• Revelation 13:8; 21:27
• The Lamb's Book of Life seems to be directly connected to the narrative of Christ and His bride, the Church. The Book of Life mentioned in earlier Scripture becomes possessed and/or personalized by Christ after His sacrifice and resurrection and after the Church's Rapture!

In researching all these books, I did not see one of them that you did not want your name enscribed in. The outcome of not having your name written in God's books was dire and tragic. Revelation 20:15 says, "Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." The Lake of Fire is considered the second death for all those who do not acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over their lives.

So, what is crucial is a relationship with Jesus Christ through faith in Him as your personal Savior, Master and King. Not only will faith in Christ grant you redemption with Father God and citizenship into the New Kingdom and New Jerusalem, but belief in Jesus and a life with Him will get your name written for all eternity in God's Library.

Rushed The Wrong Thing

Hearing is what our ear does as one of our senses to receive sounds. Listening requires the entire process of gathering and more importantly understanding the incoming sounds or words. If there is anything we need to do quickly in this fast-paced, instant culture we live in today, it is to be quick to listen. Scripture supports this in James 1:19 by saying, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

I would like to bring out three points,

1. This instruction is good for "everyone"
2. There is one "quick to" phrase
3. There are two "slow to" phrases

Even though James addresses his spiritual family by saying, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:" before stating the teaching - he begins the enlightenment by including all people - "everyone". This guidance is excellent for non-believers as well as believers.

My second observation is that the only thing we are allowed to be quick to in this is listening. A big part to developing this skill is listen to understand, not respond. Ever met someone who loved to hear themselves talk? If your situation calls for a response, so be it. If your situation does not call for a response, soak in the information or wisdom and proceed. 

The third point emphasizes not one, but two identical phrases - "slow to". In this world of instant satisfaction, judging a book by its cover and knee-jerk reactions - this is certainly a challenge but still honorable goals when paired with "speak" and "become angry". 

Just think how much trouble we would avoid and how much hurt would not occur if we would not speak our minds sometimes. If we would at least be slow to speak, this process may give our thoughts time to catch up to our mouth and help choose our words wisely. The difficulty in taming the tongue is another topic James covers in James 3:1-12.

Hearing what you want to hear from the initial start of a conversation and not listening is the epitome of starting off on the wrong foot. This will lead to speaking out of turn and saying the wrong thing which will lead to embarrassment and anger on both parties.

Slowing down our option to speak, gives us time to think about what we may or may not say - avoiding a lot of hardship. This leads to being slow to anger. Count to ten, go in another room, step away from the situation or conversation for a while - do what you have to do to not sacrifice your reprutation or self worth because you Rushed The Wrong Thing.

Credit, Where Credit Is Due

You have probably heard the saying, "Be careful when you point because you have three fingers pointing back at you." This speaks to humanity's unquenchable desire to blame. This shifting of responsibility has been around ever since The Fall in the Garden of Eden. So, what naturally flows from this nature is to assign credit incorrectly.

Stone altars were erected to remember the place at which God intervened. In and of itself, the memorial is honorable, but the challenge is to not get caught up in the place, but do get caught up in God's intervening grace.

Another incorrect assignment of credit can take the form of a thing. The Hebrew people created a golden calf as an image to worship while Moses took to long to speak with God. Evidently an invisible deity was hard to accept by these liberated Hebrew people even after Yahweh split the Red Sea and drowned their enemies in it. They must have wanted a tactile object for worship. But they still misplaced their credit in a thing rather than God.

Later, the scene turns to the group of Jesus, Peter, James and John - The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13). With Peter droning on and on about building three booths - one for Elijah, Moses, and Jesus - Father God interrupts Peter to set the record straight about who should be worshiped.

"While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'" (Matthew 17:5)

This declaration has the ingredients of the Baptism of Jesus with one extra bit of information that is followed by an exclamation point - "Listen to Him!" 

In this one sentence I can hear Father God raising His voice and emphasizing the word "Him", saying, Of all the people that have been born on earth and followed my will - this one here, my very own Son, whom I love and am well pleased - should be listened to!

Accolades are nice. Awards and rewards have their place in our culture and society. However, when placing anything next to Jesus, everything should fall away and He receive all glory. In fact, all credit for the ability to attain anything should go to The Creator and Sustainer of all - Christ Jesus.

One last example of improper credit was John kneeling before an angel and worshipping this being. John makes this mistake twice - Revelation 19:10 and 22:9. The angel was quick to reprimand and correct John's mistake.

"At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.'” (Rev. 19:10)

"But he said to me, 'Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!'” (Rev. 22:9)

Worship is a key ingredient in bestowing credit to God. Worship goes beyond our grateful thanks, although that is accepted by The Lord. Worship moves us into acknowledging and declaring - we could not have lived, made it or done anything without Him in our lives. Worship helps accurately and wholeheartedly give credit where credit is due - unto God. 

An excellent Biblical example of this was Jesus catching up to the disciples while they were in their boat and in rough conditions. After Jesus saves Peter from drowning, they both board the boat - 

"And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'” (Matt. 14:22-23)

The entire collection of disciples on the boat gave all the credit for the storm leaving to the proper person - Jesus. They didn't carve a golden boat and worship it. They did not errect a buoy to memorialize the place. They simply worshipped the person from whom the blessing flowed. How many of us whether publicly, privately, within our family, circle of friends or under our breath at the very moment God acts administer Credit, Where Credit Is Due?

The Guild Of Fishermen - God's Cracked Pots

From my observation, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples from a personality type that accepted they were imperfect and did not know everything. They may have acted like it at times, but they were teachable as compared to other kinds of people of the day like the Pharisees, Sadusees and teachers of The Law.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek (or humble) for they will inherit the earth." And Paul mentions that Jesus loves to capitalize on the quality of weakness in people. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul said, "But He (Jesus) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"

As stated before, the twelve disciples that Jesus called to be close to Him during His ministry were not top notch scholars of Scripture with great insight on the signs of the time and expecting Jesus to fulfill the role of Messiah as prophesied. And neither were the regular scholars of the day. The individuals Jesus selected were cracked pots - flawed, human vessels with regular jobs.

However, one particular job attracted Jesus in His pool of selection - the fisherman. At least seven out of the twelve belonged to the Guild of Fisherman. The Disciples had occupations rangng from fisherman to businessman to tax collector to zealot or political revolutionalist and treasurer. But most common among them was the fisherman. Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee worked as fishermen according to Matthew 4:18-22. After the resurrection of Jesus, Thomas, Nathaniel and Philip were found fishing, so they also may have been fishermen (John 21:2-8). At least they knew how to fish. 

Remember the Lord's calling of Simon and Andrew in Matthew 4:18-20?

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'And I will send out you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed Him."

Why would Jesus need people with a fishing mindset? Because Jesus would be requiring more than just belief in Him as Savior of their souls, He would be requiring the spreading of His saving message and the training of those same people as Disciples. This demands we discern what a disciple is.

Disciples are active believers of Christ Jesus, living out the lifestyle of Jesus and helping spread His good news of His kingdom to the uniformed and equip the saints for better living. As Christ Jesus ascended to the right hand of Father God in Heaven, His believers, His disciples became His hands, feet, voice and ministry.

Let's briefly observe the journey of one particular disciple - Peter. This disciple struck me as a bold and always wanting to experience the new thing with Jesus. As stated before, he was called while being a fisherman and later tried walking on water with Jesus and was successful for a bit, but failed when fear took over. He declared Jesus, the Son of God and the next minute was influenced by Satan trying to stop Jesus' plan of salvation. Peter was one of the three men who witnessed Jesus' transfiguration but then suggested three booths of honor for - Moses, Elijah and Jesus - instead of just one for Jesus. He denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him. All this for a disciple who was a major role in the Jerusalem church, wrote some new testament letters and requested to be crucified upsidedown. This was certainly a tried, true and beloved cracked pot.

So, Jesus used a bunch of cracked pots whose majority occupation was fisherman to change bait, tackle, waters and fish to that of humanity.

Christ's heart has always been for the next person to come into an intimate relationship with Him. This happens through the disciples of Christ. Whatever drew us to Him should drive us to share with others. Whether you like or dislike physical fishing, disciples must spiritually fish more for men and women of the Lord.

Similar to the motif of the planter, waterer and reaper we can divide up the duties of fishing. Some can carry the fishing pole. Some can carry the bait. Some can bait the hook. Some can cast the line into the waters. Some can scoop up the fish with a net. All of us, from all walks of life, imperfect as they come, have a role to play in The Guild Of Fishermen - God's Cracked Pots.

Keep At It

For those who have been blessed with a good number of great realtionships, especially a wonderful wife or a terrific husband - not only was there a Blesser involved, God, but you had some kind of influence in the establishment and continuation of the relationship. I encourage you to keep it up.

In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus is having John pen words to not only a local church, but to a dispensation or age of church history and the individual believer throughout time. In this address, Jesus tells them candidly what He "holds against" them. But He does not deliever a conviction without revealing a solution.

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (verses 4-5)

The issue: "You have forsaken the love you had at first."

The solution:

1. "Consider how far you have fallen!"
2. "Repent" (change your mindset)
3. "Do the things you did at first."

Since Jesus requires His spiritual and physical bride - The Church - to Reflect, Repent and Restore within our relationship with Him, there might be a good chance we will have to apply this to our earthly spouse as well.

So, whether you are just starting out with someone or have been with someone for decades, be sure to remember what drew you to each other and keep that fire lit. The strength and passion of the relationship falls on both partners, not just one. Here are some helps to consider on your joureny as I speak from 29 years of blessed marriage to Tanya.

Whether a newly wed or veteran of marriage, having a regular status check, a check-in meeting on the condition of your marriage is a wonderful aide to keep up.

Another handle to implement daily is heartfelt and mind engaging communication. Speaking to each other about the work-day, dreams, aspirations, etc would qualify. Another thing is simply asking quesitons. Too many times issues could have been avoided if questions were asked and a matter talked out before assumptions were made and accusations flew. I also would advise the communication to be somewhere other than the bedroom so as to leave this area for gearing down and other marital activities. 

Prayer and study of God's Word is a great way to grow in The Spirit together. I love to hear my wife pray for me and I love to pray for her. We pray for each other separately but I have challenged us recently to pray for each other together. There is effective power in hearing what is being prayed over you and it does the heart good too.

Also, I tend to be the study geek of Scripture and share-time leader. Recently I have challenged us to have equal time presenting what both of us have been studying. I really love to hear Tanya's perspective when I present so I know I will love it when she will present.

The last handle I will submit for consideration is time for yourselves as a couple. The Lord Himself squirreled away the seventh day as a day for Himself, a day of rest for Him and His children. I encourage all couples to take this lesson and save a day out of every week or specific time where it is just you and your spouse. Perhaps the time is a dinner or a hike on a beautiful trail, but whatever it is make it special and just about the two of you.

Whether you have forsaken your first love like the church in Sardis or not, the solution can be applied to any marriage at any time for great benefits. Whether your partner is doing his/her part at the moment, be sure you are doing yours. Try always to show your unconditional love, forgiveness, grace and mercy as Christ did and the gaps or struggles will be filled in with God's provisions.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)

I have witnessed so many molehills turn into mountains that should have not have been. I have been a part of mountain-sized issues that could have been "tossed into the sea" if only the time would have been taken for constructive questions beforehand. I have heard of so many marriages quick to hit the divorce button over the silliest things that you would wonder how they got married in the first place. Whether you have been just married or like my parents, just celebrated 60 years of marriage, the key to it all is to Keep At It.