Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Christopher Wants A Baby; Catherine Wants A Cookie - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Christopher Wants A Baby;
Catherine Wants A Cookie

Now Think On This
Steve Martin


“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” 
(Psalms 37:4, NKJV)


“Christopher wants a baby; Catherine wants a cookie.”

Have you ever dreamed of such a thing? Weird, huh? But I have, and I still am not sure what exactly it means, if in only partiality. I can speculate and then draw my own conclusion – the man wants one thing while the woman in the relationship wants another. Happens all the time, right?

Really, I did dream this recently, and have been asking the Lord what it is supposed to convey. I know there are multiple times when two people may want different things, as even a man and a woman in marriage do. The one’s desire may seem lofty and admirable, while the other’s may seem trivial. Our concepts and perceptions certainly do not always agree in relationships, and yet we are called to pursue love and understanding in them.

When I consider this dream I would almost think that it is backwards – that Catherine would be the one who wants a baby, granting her a God-given desire for motherhood, while Christopher, where in today’s society considers men to be weak, babyish, selfish and egotistical, would be content with just having a cookie. His choice would not be a life-long commitment to raising a child as unto the Lord, but to have a cookie in place of it, with more selfish desires that follow. Kind of like being satisfied with getting a bowl of soup when one is hungry in exchange for giving your natural birthright away.

Sounds like Jacob and Esau.

“When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished." Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, " First sell me your birthright." Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?" And Jacob said, " First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25:29-34, NASU)

But let’s just for a moment give this guy in the dream, Christopher, a little slack, and believe he really wants to be responsible man, raise a family, and lead both wife and child(ren) into the ways of the Lord. Let’s also give it a real possibility that there are indeed other men out there who are wanting to do the same. (I personally know of two close to me, right now, who would love to have a wife, desiring both of them to then live for the Lord in marriage. It has been a real struggle for them as they wait on the Lord, for a woman to come along who also desires this type of relationship, and not one who would just be content with having a “cookie”.)

Before our society totally loses it, when it comes to a man and woman being solidly joined together in a godly marriage, giving of each other to each other, and then bringing forth children to care for and raising up to bless the Lord and their parents, my prayer is that the “Christophers” out there, who desire to have a scared relationship, are indeed given that opportunity in finding a “Catherine” who too desires more than a “cookie”, and is willing to also lay her life down in order to realize the blessing the Lord still grants upon the union of one man and one wife, living for Him and His purposes.

My dream may not be so weird after all.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,
  
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.


Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
  
Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 
Love For His People, Inc. 
P.O. Box 414   
Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)



Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.


Now Think On This #345 - in the year of our Lord 04.03.18 – “Christopher Wants A Baby; Catherine Wants A Cookie”, Tuesday, 11:00 am

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

It's Supernatural with Sid Roth - 2017 Prophetic Outlook with Perry Stone, Cindy Jacobs, & Rich Vera


It's Supernatural with Sid Roth
2017 Prophetic Outlook with Perry Stone, 
Cindy Jacobs, & Rich Vera

Published Jan. 31, 2017
(How accurate were they?)


Watch here below:


Cindy Jacobs and Sid Roth

Perry Stone with Sid Roth









Published on Jan 31, 2017

Click here to order your copy of The Voice of God & The 2017 Prophetic Outlook: http://bit.ly/2kn8YJD

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/SidRothYouTube 

Perry Stone, Rich Vera & Cindy Jacobs will share what’s next on God’s prophetic calendar concerning America, Israel and the world. Perry Stone delivers a “right now” word for this year including current and coming events. You will also learn—What is a spiritual Manifesto? What is the Balaam Strategy? Has our Nation been given a Reprieve? 

What is the assignment of the United States? Cindy Jacobs delivers the Word of the Lord for 2017 as given to the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders. You’ll also hear the complete “Prophetic Word of the Lord” as given to Cindy and the Elders, and read by Gezell Fleming from the hit movie “The War Room.” 

Rich Vera received a specific word that this year, 2017, The Lord is releasing “The Law of Attraction” over His people. Specifically—this is the year of Long Awaited Breakthroughs and Unexpected Victories in the areas of family, salvations, relationships, healing and finances.


Category People & Blogs
License Standard YouTube License

Thursday, October 13, 2016

5 Prophetic Revelations About God's October Surprise - KEN MALONE CHARISMA MAGAZINE

In October, many things will be realigned in your life, including your vision. (Flickr )

5 Prophetic Revelations About God's October Surprise

Prophetic Insight, from Charisma Media

When the Lord spoke to me in August 2016 about the things that will begin to take place in October 2016, He said, "There is an October Surprise." I didn't know whether it would be good or bad.
What we have to remember about a surprise is that it is always a disclosure of things that have been hidden. The October surprise is just beginning. As it turns out it's not just one surprise but many surprises.
Below are bullet points on some good things He said would begin at Rosh Hashanah, Oct. 2, 2016:
Realignment of Relationships
The winds of apostolic change are blowing across the land and realigning you. The Lord is ready to re-position you for His kingdom harvest. Some who have been with you in the past can't go to the place God is taking you. Be willing to cut unhealthy soul ties and move forward into an ordained destiny. At Rosh Hashanah (begins Oct. 2), the Lord will unlock brand-new doors of destiny for you. Let go of your baggage. It can't go to the new place the Lord has for your destiny.
Realignment of Assignment                                                                                        
Jesus said, if it's not bearing fruit cut it off. There is a realignment of assignment that is coming to you. Take inventory of what your ministry is doing. Is it bearing fruit? If it's not bearing fruit, it's time to move on. Leave it. As we come into Rosh Hashanah (Oct. 2) the Lord is going to impart new assignments. With these new assignments will come another level of authority to accomplish His plan in the earth. Make sure that you discard old baggage and get out of baggage claim. Stop rehearsing your trauma and drama. A new, unusual and exciting assignment is coming your way. 
Realignment of Vision                                                                                                      
The Holy Spirit continues to send apostolic winds realigning your vision. How do you see? Do you see God bring a greater awakening (National Revival) into the earth or do you see it having no hope? Do you see the way heaven sees?  Heaven sees in seven dimensions, and heaven responds to what it sees (Zech. 4:10; Rev. 5:6). Align your vision with heaven and you will begin to receive heavenly results.
Doomsday preachers offer little to no hope. It's because man is reacting to what he sees in the earth rather than responding to the vision of heaven. There is hope if you begin seeing the way heaven sees. At Rosh Hashanah, the Lord will impart new vision. His vision will release heaven into Earth. Will you respond or react? Prune your negative mindset that has no faith and begin responding in faith to Christ's vision. A new vision awaits you!
Realignment of Identity                               
Holy Spirit continues to send you apostolic winds to realign you for His kingdom purpose. These winds are here to challenge your identity. Some today have a false identity and can't find their way. Those in LGBTQ community struggle with having a true identification. Some within the church have found their identity in pastors, programs, function and ministry. The co-dependency between ministers and sheep has created identification dysfunction. You're so busy with things you haven't found the "One Thing" (Ps. 27:4).
Your distinction can only be found in Christ. Realignment of your identity is essential in order for you to fulfill His destiny in your life. At Rosh Hashanah, a huge reset began to take place. Be ready, forsake your former identity and go after Him, and you will be found in Him (Phil. 3:9). As you go after Him, you will take on His character. In Him I live and move, and have my being (Acts 17:28).
Realignment of Paradigms
The winds of apostolic change continue to blow in your life. These winds are blowing against the paradigms that keep you from moving forward into your God inheritance. Think differently! When John the Baptist and Jesus said, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," they were saying, "Think differently because the kingdom of heaven is here." Beginning at Rosh Hashanah, watch as paradigm shifts begin to take place. Think differently—heaven will open up over you and your inheritance will begin to come in. ("Repent," Greek word metanoia, means to think differently.) 
Ken Malone is being used by God to mobilize the body of Christ throughout Florida and the nation. After being a pastor for 24 years, Ken has recently stepped down from a pastoral position. This has allowed God to launch Ken into his apostolic role within Florida and the nation. He is an ordained minister and serves as the founder of Forerunner Ministries and serves on the board of Dutch Sheets Ministries. Ken also serves as one of the leaders of Network Ekklesia International, an Apostolic Network founded by Dutch Sheets. Ken walks in a governmental apostolic mantle that releases the body of Christ into their destiny. He also ministers with a prophetic, seer anointing which enables him to identify activate and release redemptive gifts in individuals, churches and cities.
Draw closer to God. Experience the presence of the Holy Spirit every month as you read Charisma magazine. Sign up now to get Charisma for as low as $1 per issue.
Get to know the Holy Spirit and how to interact with Him on a daily basis. Learn to enter God's presence and hear His voice clearly for yourself! Go deeper in your faith with Life in the Spirit and change your life and destiny. Are you ready to start your journey?
Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.

Friday, February 19, 2016

How to Guard Your Heart From Bitterness by Lee Grady - IDENTITY NETWORK

How to Guard Your Heart From Bitterness by Lee Grady

IDENTITY NETWORK
Recently a friend of mine hurt me deeply. I felt betrayed and disrespected. I tried to pretend the insult was no big deal, but inside I was seething. I can always tell when resentment has invaded my life because I start obsessing about the pain. When I went to bed that evening, I literally felt sore. All I could think about was retaliation.

But just before falling asleep I mouthed a prayer. I meant what I said, even though my feelings begged me to retract the words. I prayed: "Lord, help me to forgive _____." Then, during the night I dreamed that I was enjoying a friendly conversation with this person. When I woke up, it felt as if we had really been talking!

It was a miracle. I realized the dream was God's way of softening my heart and taking out the offense. The Lord gave me the grace to forgive.

Ending Offenses

Perhaps you've been insulted, overlooked, stabbed in the back or mistreated - and now bitterness is poisoning your soul. Don't let it spread any further. You can nip your offense in the bud by following these guidelines:

  • Don't nurse your grudge. It feels good to our flesh when we replay an offense in our minds and then fantasize about hurting the other person. But if you star in and direct this dramatic movie in your head, you are going to be making sequels for months and years until bitterness makes you sick. Pull the plug on the whole production now.

  • Let go of all revenge. C.S. Lewis said: "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." No matter how a person offends you, be humble enough to recognize that you've probably done the same thing to someone else before. Quit sharpening your knives. You will be tempted to think about hurting the person, but remember that those knives are hurting you worse than anyone else.

  • Don't spread your bitterness. Sometimes you may need to vent to a close friend about what happened, but this isn't so you can ruin the reputation of the person who hurt you. If you share your pain with someone because you need advice, don't seek sympathy or go to those who have animosity toward the person who hurt you. That's like mixing toxic chemicals! Instead, go to mentors or friends who are mature enough to tell you the truth. You may feel mistreated, but the speck in your brother's eye may actually be a log in yours. A true friend will tell you that you are overreacting or being unreasonable.

  • Pray for good things to happen to the person who hurt you. Jesus urged His disciples to love and pray for their persecutors (Matt. 5:44). That's a foreign concept in this age when we unfriend people on Facebook just because they forgot to invite us to a party. Calm down, let go of your petty outrage and ask God to bless the person who offended you. Forgiving prayer will feel like a warm salve applied to your wound.

  • Reach out and expect to repair the relationship. Jesus places a high priority on reconciliation. He wants us to get along. If you are praying and you remember that someone has something against you, Jesus said, "First be reconciled to your brother" (Matt. 5:24). On the flip side, He said if someone has sinned against you, "go and reprove him" (Matt. 18:15).

In both cases Jesus commanded us to confront. And confrontation is never easy. We'd rather just avoid each other. We'd rather "bury our hatchets," pretending that our nasty attitude is gone just because it's well-hidden under our Sunday morning smiles. But true forgiveness is not burying a hatchet while we still hate a person inwardly; forgiveness requires us to surrender the hatchet to Jesus.

  • Ask for God's forgiving love to fill your heart. One of my favorite preachers, Corrie ten Boom, struggled to forgive the Nazis who beat her in the Ravensbrück prison camp. After the Germans surrendered, she met a former Nazi guard in the street, and he told her he had become a Christian. He reached out his hand and asked her for forgiveness. She couldn't look at him.

But then Corrie remembered Romans 5:5, which says, "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit." She realized that when we don't have the capacity to forgive, God gives us the love. Jesus changed Corrie's heart.

Corrie added: "God's love is stronger than my hatred and unforgiveness. That same moment I was free. I could say, 'Brother, give me your hand,' and I shook hands with him, and it was as if I could feel God's love streaming through my arms."

Jesus didn't promise a life without offenses. Hurt happens. But He provided the way to keep resentment from ruining our lives. As we enter this new year, make a conscious decision that you will embrace a life of miraculous forgiveness.

Lee Grady


E-Book-PDF Download
By Reinhard Hirtler
Price: $16.99
Sale! $11.69
Click HERE to order.


Wednesday, January 27, 2016

What Hillary Is Learning About GenXers—and What Your Church Must Know - J. LEE GRADY CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Fire in My Bones, by J. Lee Grady
Want to receive Fire in My Bones by email? Sign up here

Hillary Clinton thought she had the full support of young American voters last year. She got high-profile endorsements from singers Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera. She appeared in a goofy skit on Saturday Night Live in which she praised herself for having a "young, cool vibe." She even brought in pop star Katie Perry (sporting Hillary Clinton campaign fingernails) to sing her signature anthem "Roar" at a campaign event in Iowa.
But now, just a few months later, 68-year-old Clinton is scrambling to convince Millennials and GenXers that she is their candidate. She even opened a Snapchat account and put her 35-year-old daughter, Chelsea, on the platform. But the latest polls show that, among Democrats, a majority of young voters are choosing Bernie Sanders, the ultra-liberal, "democratic socialist" senator from Vermont—who is six years older than Clinton.
The reason? Young voters have told CNN and other news outlets that they don't trust Hillary. They think she's dishonest. And they believe she is too tied to the Wall Street/Inside-the-Washington-Beltway establishment. They detect something fake.
We'll see how all this plays out in Iowa and New Hampshire in a few days. Meanwhile, I hope the church can learn a few lessons from politics. The truth is that Millennials and GenXers don't have much trust in the Christian "establishment" either. Here are a few things the church must learn fast if we want to win the trust of the younger generation:
1. Quit being phony. Young people today want authenticity. They can't stand anything fake or pretentious. We are way past the time when preachers can afford to be cocky and unapproachable. Ministers who arrive at church in limousines or who view ministry as a business venture might as well forget about attracting the younger crowd. Youth today cannot stomach the swagger of a slick televangelist who has been stuck in a 1980s time warp. If you genuinely care about taking the gospel to the younger generation, get rid of anything that comes across as fake. (And that includes pushing people to the floor when you pray for them.)
2. Stop preaching a money-focused gospel. Today's young people will go to the ends of the earth with you if you preach a message of humility and sacrifice. They want to heal the sick, stop child slavery and crush injustice. They despise corporations that oppress foreign workers and governments that exploit people. So if you spend all your time taking offerings for a private jet or manipulating people to give in your "first fruits offering," young people will yawn, roll their eyes and find a better cause to support. They can spot a religious con artist quicker than many adults who have been in church for years!
3. Cultivate real relationships. Today's young people don't place a high value on church attendance or religious routines. Part of the reason they stay away from programmed events is that they genuinely want to connect; they are not interested in keeping a chair warm just so you can fill your new sanctuary. They are relational. And some are starved for love because their own families split apart. They don't want to just listen to a preacher; they want to hear what you have to say and then have a coffee with you afterward. Churches that are successfully reaching young people create a true family environment of love and connection.
4. Offer assurance and encouragement—and follow through. Some of the young men I mentor were horribly disappointed by parents or spiritual leaders. Some were abandoned by their dads; others were verbally abused by pastors. For that reason, they expect older adults to fail them again—yet they thrive when a true mentor steps in to offer affirming words and caring hugs. But remember: If you tell a young person you will help them, keep your promise. Make the phone calls, send the texts and take them to lunch when possible. You are making a priceless investment.
5. Stop being religious and judgmental. Many of the young Christians I meet today are more passionate about their faith than their parents. They spend their summers on the mission field, get involved in 24/7 prayer efforts and forfeit cars and careers to serve the Lord. But when they walk into some churches they are instantly judged because they have scruffy beards, metal piercings in their noses or tattoos on their forearms. Then they listen to self-righteous Christians who bash sinners rather than model compassion. Is it any wonder that so many Millennials and GenXers have checked out of church?
It is possible to close the generation gap in the church, but this won't happen until older Christians start caring less about maintaining the status quo and more about loving and empowering younger believers. Let's make the necessary changes by slaughtering our sacred cows, embracing new music, learning new technology and welcoming a fresh wave of the Holy Spirit's power.
J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. He is the author of several books including 10 Lies the Church Tells Women, 10 Lies Men Believe, Fearless Daughters of the Bible and The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale. You can learn more about his ministry, The Mordecai Project, atthemordecaiproject.org.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here
Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Restoration of a Relationship - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Restoration of a Relationship

Now Think On This
Steve Martin


"But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” 
(Acts 3:18-22, NASU)


The Lord Jesus is all about restoration – restoring those things that have been broken, that have been torn apart. His everlasting plan is for harmony among people, for us to get along, to accomplish His originally initiated purpose in each of our lives. He wants to see all things made new.

As the Scriptures declare, there is coming a time when He will restore all things. Times of refreshing are coming, when we are in the presence of the Lord. There is hope in Him.

He especially loves restoring relationships between people. There are many stories of just that in the Bible. Joseph was restored to his father and brothers. Jacob and Esau’s relationship became restored after many, many years apart. During that time, Jacob had feared for his life, but in the end, the two brothers were family again.

Our Father’s heart is for good, as He says in Jeremiah 29:11-14, 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.  

'I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the Lord, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.' (NASU)

We can see Him fulfilling that promise for the Jews, of restoring them to their land, as they come back to their promised land of Israel. Because of that happening right before our eyes, it is another reason we can trust Him to fulfill the rest of His promises. Even in our lives.

Each of us has a relationship or more that has been broken. A marriage that went bad after many years of clinging on; a father and his son, who no longer speak to one another; a mother and her now adult daughter, who live miles apart, wondering if the phone call or text will ever come from the other.

Even one-time good friends from church have experienced broken relationships. Whatever happened to them we wonder, as we recall that day they left out of dismay, or even anger. We expect that we will never see them again, or so it would seem.

It hurts. We feel that pain of not having those family and friends around anymore. We know the rejection that each one experienced, and yet we are not sure how to get it back together again. Do we even attempt to try? Do we really want to? What if we are only rejected again? Will it only increase the loss and heart’s pain we already have?

We are especially conscious of lost relationships during holiday seasons, or annual dates like a birthday, anniversary, or vacation times we used to celebrate and have together. Those once great memories of fun and happiness have now been replaced with loneliness, empty feelings, and thoughts of “Why?”

Can a relationship be restored? I believe they can. But it will take faith and courage on your part to begin the journey back. You may have to be the one to make the first move.

When in a prayer time recently, early one morning, the Lord brought back to memory a situation where I walked out, in haste, and a bit annoyed, from a relationship I had with another. I used the excuse of blaming it on a miscommunication with that good friend. So rather than get together and discuss the issue, I wrote an email to terminate my involvement with their ministry. I figured that that time in my life was up anyway. Besides, I had other things I wanted to accomplish.

But I was wrong in how I handled it.

So in repentance, and obedience to the Lord after He spoke to me during that prayer time, I sent an email to them, not sure how they would respond, if even they did. I wrote of my fault, and asked them to reconsider what we once had.

Thankfully they responded, and shared how they too had missed our friendship. The ice had been broken. Restoration was beginning.

Maybe the one you’d like to get back together with won’t initiate getting on the pathway back to where it was. Maybe they too are thinking as you are right now, it won’t happen. So maybe you are the one to make the first move anyway?

Ask the Lord to walk before you as you do make the attempt at restoration. His heart in the matter is right there for you. What a joy it will be when that relationship is restored.

It won’t be simple. They may totally ignore you. It may not happen overnight, and many attempts might just be needed. But what if you don’t try?

It is something to think about. I hope you do, and make that move back to restoration.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.


 P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

In May, 2016, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love Israel.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 
Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  
martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Full website: Love For His People

Now Think On This - In the year of our Lord 12.12.15 - #218 –“Restoration of A Relationship – Saturday at 7:00 am in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This


Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Monday, November 30, 2015

5 Reasons You Shouldn't Cohabitate Before Marriage - ALLPRODAD.COM STAFF CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Man and woman

After living together before marriage, the odds of staying together decrease significantly. (Stock Free Images)

5 Reasons You Shouldn't Cohabitate Before Marriage





Are you single or dating someone you think may be the one? Or do you have kids who are dating and may be thinking wedding bells at some point?
If so, you may want to consider the importance of marrying before moving in together or of teaching your kids about the pitfalls of shacking up.
More and more couples are choosing to move in together before marriage. One reason is to save on rent. Yes, saving on rent. Saving on rent is not, and should not be, a reason to live with someone who may or may not become your spouse. In fact, it is a really bad reason. Below are five reasons shacking up is a bad idea:
1. No blessings from God. The Bible considers shacking up the opposite of a legitimate marriage. A legitimate marriage consists of a union between a man and woman who have made a covenant and commitment. Shacking up involves neither. Marriage was a union created by God and is a union God blesses.
2. Your relationship will probably end. An article on examiner.com states that 80 percent of shacking-up relationships end before marriage or in divorce after marriage. So, it is 80/20 against you getting married or staying married to that person. One reason is because there is not a commitment when you move in before marriage. A relationship without commitment will not last, and marriage is the biggest commitment you can make in life.

3. Your children will be negatively affected. To the parents who have children, your kids are three times as likely to be expelled from school or get pregnant, five times more likely to live in poverty, and 22 times more likely to be incarcerated—all because you choose to live with someone you're not married to.
4. It makes you lazy. As a married man, I know that once dating ends, the relationship changes. Living together removes the "being your best" part of your relationship. Kind of like most job interviews—you wore the suit to the interview, but once hired, you show up in khakis and a polo. And if you're living with a woman and getting some of the "benefits" of marriage—sex, having someone to help around the house, sharing the bills—you can also get lazy about taking the next step in your relationship.
5. Saving on rent. Mentioned above.
 Related Resources: 
How will you educate your adult children about the dangers of shacking up?
All Pro Dad is Family First's innovative and unique program for every father. Their aim is to interlock the hearts of the fathers with their children and, as a byproduct, the hearts of the children with their dads. At allprodad.com, dads in any stage of fatherhood can find helpful resources to aid in their parenting. Resources include daily emails, blogs, Top 10 lists, articles, printable tools, videos and eBooks. Fromallprodad.com, fathers can join the highly engaged All Pro Dad social media communities on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!