Relationship: Resolve to Get a Better Marriage in 2015

Jenifer and I have been planning for months to start blogging together in order to give both male and

female perspectives of common issues that families face. We will even tackle some difficult "conflicts" in the future. We've been through 25 years of marriage and family life, and we want to use our experience to provide help for the masses. Anyway, this is our first stab at a "he said/she said" blog. We hope it gets you thinking.

What's Your New Year's Resolution?

Typical New Year's resolutions are about diet, fitness and general self-improvement stuff. While those things are worth looking into, we want to invite you to consider making a specific resolution that centers around getting a better marriage than the one you have now.

If your spouse has ever disappointed you (and what spouse hasn't?), you have likely been tempted to dump him or her and find a new one. We invite you to consider a better option: Put the energy required to get a new spouse (the diet, fitness and self-improvement stuff mentioned earlier), and instead improve the marriage you currently have. We have provided some suggestions below—ideas for guys from Barrett and ideas for the ladies from Jenifer. In the spirit of getting a "different and better" marriage, we made our suggestions deliberately provocative. We hope a few of these make your list of resolutions for 2015.

Resolve to Get a Better Marriage

Resolution #1 for Husbands: Start a New Romance

Barrett: You know all those romantic things you did back in the day to "woo" your wife? Those things that you aren't doing much of any more? You need to commit to doing them again. Because she expects them.

I know that Jenifer does. She has every reason to believe that the volume of attention and affection I poured on her to make her fall in love with me will continue until the day I die. Romantic love is the air that most women breathe, so you need to figure out that what that means to your spouse.

Even in the area of sex, you need to redouble your efforts to be a creative and generous lover. Most women are interested in sex, but they need to be romanced, and they need to feel safe. And they need to be pursued. So focus on the girl and resolve to become a hopeless romantic once again.

Resolution #1 for Wives: Ask God to Bring a Better Spouse Into Your Life

Jenifer: Too many times, I have expectations of Barrett that I never verbalize. They are my unrealistic thoughts that usually start with, "If he really loved me, he would ____ right now." Rarely does he come through. Alone with my thoughts, it makes me wonder if someone else might magically love me better.

I've had to ask God to remind me that I am married to a well-intentioned man. The best thing I can do is communicate my expectations and pray that he would deliver. I also have to remember that God has provided me the perfect spouse that is necessary for my own spiritual growth. Ultimately, the better spouse that you need is the one you're married to. Resolve to being patient because your man is a work in progress. Just like you are!

Resolution #2 for Husbands: Take a Weekend Away With a Woman Who Isn't a Stressed-Out Mom

Barrett: If you are married to a stressed-out mom, it's probably because that's where she lives 24/7. Your wife is often physically tired and emotionally drained. She will stay that way until you do something drastic to remind her that she's still the lover and friend that first captured your heart so long ago.

When Jenifer and I are caught up in the craziness of life and are not connecting as a couple, one of our go-to solutions is to plan a night or a weekend away. Priceline and VRBO are great resources. It's our way of remembering why we fell in love in the first place.

Breaking the monotony and discovering someplace new together enables us to discover each other again. When I initiate this and put it on the calendar six weeks out, it gives us both something to look forward to. It's not as expensive as you think, and the payoff is enormous. Early in 2015, resolve to "enjoy the wife of your youth" by taking the mother of your kids away for some quality time together.

Resolution #2 for Wives: Trade in Your Dull Husband for a More Energized One

Jenifer: When Barrett's temperament seems melancholy or he seems unmotivated in our relationship, I am amazed at how easily I can energize him with affirming words. When I show him respect and build him up in practical ways, he comes alive. Watching my daughters interact with the young men in their lives, I am reminded of just how much every guy needs that.

From the littlest boy to the most mature senior adult, respect is the air that men breathe. If your natural tendency is to criticize his character or undermine his leadership, his heart will suffer and so will your marriage. In contrast, when you resolve to bless your husband with sincere admiration and appreciation, he will truly come alive."

Resolution #3 for Husbands: Be Okay With the Fact That The Woman You Are With Is Very Different Than the One You Married

Barrett: Over 25 years of marriage, Jenifer has evolved and changed in a million different ways. At times it can be frustrating trying to keep up with the woman she is becoming. The reality is that you married a moving target. And that's OK.

As a relatively static man married to an ever-changing woman, you have to put on your big-boy pants and adjust. You have to realize that her dynamic movement through the different stages of life is what keeps her interesting and keeps you dependent upon God for help. Resolve to be curious of where she is in life and be committed to learning what she needs most from you.

Resolution #3 for Wives: Realize that You Might Need to Start Your Marriage Over Again

Jenifer: You have to admit that there are likely seasons in every marriage when your anger and bitterness toward your husband makes you want to begin again. You can do that by trading in your husband for a new one (which is very complicated and expensive and comes with generational implications) or by forgiving the one you have. Grudges can lead to bitterness, and your husband feels it.

If you live that way long enough you will drive him away and burn yourself up from the inside out. When I have felt that way about Barrett, the only thing that resolved it was forgiveness. In those moments, I have to make the choice to forgive, even when my emotions don't feel like it.

Make no mistake: It is never easy, and God has to do a fresh work in my heart. But Hedoes do it. The huge blessing comes in the days afterward as my emotions catch up to my obedience. Offering undeserved forgiveness to my husband models exactly what Christ did for me. It changes everything. Perhaps your New Year's resolution should be to graciously hit the "reset button" in your marriage.

Start 2015 by Reflecting on the Good Things of 2014

As one year ends and another begins, we tend to focus on our regrets. We think: "I have to resolve to get this thing right next year because I didn't measure up last year." Resolutions are great, but don't forget to take time to reflect on the good things from last year. Focus on the wins. Celebrate how your kids have grown and changed. Praise God for His faithfulness. Mountaintop moments are awesome, but the reality is that life is lived out in a million little steps forward.

End this year with a celebration of how far God has taken you. Then commit yourself to being the husband or wife or parent that only God can create in you. Depend on His enabling power and make a few realistic resolutions to bring some fresh, new life to your marriage.

Source: charismamag.com

Prayer for the new week

May your day be filled with peace,prosperity and love. May God's blessings shower upon you and may you experience goodness every day by day. I Pray that you will be fruitful wherever you are, and that you will flourish and prosper and every limitation is broken. 

The barren will give birth, there shall be no miscarriages anywhere. You shall be fruitful wherever you go. "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing" (Gen 12:2) this shall be yours and loved one in Jesus name.

Happy new week ! From ASB-World

LOOK TO JESUS

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

In the Greek games, a judge would stand at the finish line holding, in plain sight, the laurel leaves that would be rewarded to the victor.

As runners came down the final stretch, they were exhausted, tired, and feeling as though they couldn't go another step. But suddenly there was the prize in sight, and a new burst of energy would kick in.

This is the picture behind the phrase "looking unto Jesus" in Hebrews 12:2. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. And our prize is the privilege of standing before Him and receiving the crown of righteousness that He will give us.

That is why we live the Christian life, why we try to live godly lives, and why we try to reach people for Him. It isn't for earthly riches. It isn't for applause. It isn't for notoriety. It is so we can hear Jesus say to us on that final day, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

It isn't to earn His approval, because as believers, we already have found it. But it is to ultimately say, "Lord, I took the life you gave me and tried to make a difference. Here it is. I offer it to you." "Looking unto Jesus.. .. "

That is what keeps you going even when the going gets though. You can get discouraged at times. People will let you down.

They will disappoint you. They won't appreciate your hard work. They won't see your efforts. They won't see your real motives.

So they will criticize you. That is when you remind yourself, "I am not running for any human being. I am running for the Lord. And I will never give up. I will keep running till I see His face."

Prayer: I look up to You, Lord, my strength, the author and finisher of my faith.

Scriptural Reading: Hebrews 12:1-13

Ten Truths That Will Change Your Life in 2015

Are you a New Year's resolution maker? I'm not.

Over the years, I've found the tradition of vowing to change at the start of the New Year to be an exercise in disappointment. Every year, my diets fail, my habits stay the same, and my resolutions to do things differently fall flat.
Maybe that's because I've been focusing on the wrong things.

There's nothing wrong with making the choice to be healthier or try new things at the start of a new year. But, this year I'm feeling motivated to make changes that truly matter. I want the same for you.

As I think about you and what I hope for you in 2015, my thoughts keep circling back to the impact of God's truth. Most of you come to this site because you've already been exposed to God's truth in some way. But if you are like me, there is evidence in your life that that truth hasn't truly transformed the way that you live.

There's a difference between knowing God's truth and fully embracing it. I can't imagine the ways our lives would change if we chose to believe what God says in His Word and allowed that truth to change how we live. It's even more exciting for me to envision the impact we could have on other women by knowing God's truth, believing it, and putting it into action. That thought gives me goose bumps.

I'll help you get started. In the last chapter of Lies Young Women Believe, Nancy and Dannah list several powerful truths to counter everyday lies. I've turned a few of those truths into action steps for the New Year. Your job is to identify the areas of your life that are in need of a dose of God's truth and put that truth to work in your own life.

Ready? Let's choose truth together!

1. I will praise God on good days and bad days this year.

   "You are good and do good" (Ps. 119:68a).

   When everything is going right, it's easy to believe that God is good and to praise Him because of it. But when life gets tough, we are tempted to question God's goodness and "forget" to praise Him. When your life gets messy, you can choose to believe God's Word rather than trusting your emotions and praise God in all circumstances.
2. I will live like I am deeply loved this year.

   "The Lord has appeared to him from afar, saying: Indeed, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you'" (Jer. 31:3).

   Feeling unloved can have a huge impact on the way that we live. Specifically, believing the lie that no one cares about you can lead to depression, anxiety and destructive behaviors. The truth is that you are deeply loved by God. If you believe God's love is real and receive it, it will transform your life.
3. I will pay less attention to what others think of me this year.

   "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love; He predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:4-6).

   When a friend, a co-worker or a loved one rejects us, it's easy to let that rock our world. It's also easy to get wrapped up in trying to please the people around us in order to avoid that rejection. But God's truth is that He chose you and loved you enough to adopt you into His family. Choosing to fully embrace that truth provides the perspective we need to be less concerned about what others think.
4. I won't use stuff to make me feel good this year.

   "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Ps. 23:1).

   God is enough to satisfy your needs. If you have Him, you have everything you need. Believing this truth allows you to stop trying to make yourself feel better by having the right stuff. You already have what you need.
5. I will do what it takes to overcome a sinful habit this year.

   "Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him, so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we should no longer be slaves to sin. For the one who has died is freed from sin" (Rom. 6:6-7).

   God's truth is that you do not have to sin, and every sinful pattern in your life can be overcome by the power of Christ living in you. That doesn't mean that overcoming sin doesn't often take work. You may need to confess your sin to a Christian friend or pastor, recruit an accountability partner or remove a habit or relationship that has become a stumbling block in order to stop a sinful habit in your life. But God's Word promises that you can receive freedom. Believe that truth, and then do what is necessary to remove sin.
6. I will embrace a God-sized challenge this year.

   "I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

   God has not commanded you to do anything that He will not give you the grace to do. That means, for example, that:
   
   There is no one you cannot love (Matt. 5:44)
   You can give thanks in all things (1 Thess. 5:18)
   There is no one you cannot forgive (Mark 11:25)
   You can be sexually pure (1 Thess. 4:3–4)
7. I will accept responsibility for my actions this year.

   "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the punishment of the iniquity of the father, nor shall the father bear the punishment of the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself" (Ezek. 18:20).

   You are responsible before God for your behavior, responses and choices. You may not be able to control the things that happen to you this year, but you can control how you respond to the things God allows to come into your life. Making the choice to stop blaming others for the negative patterns in your life and to assume personal responsibility for your own choices will free you to obey God regardless of your circumstances.
8. I will be more concerned about my holiness than my happiness this year.

   "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Pet. 1:16).

   Jesus didn't die so that we could live a life for ourselves and our own pleasure, but so we could be free to live a life that pleases Him. Pleasing Him will sometimes require sacrifices. But any sacrifice we make is temporary and cannot be compared with the joy and fulfillment we will gain in eternity. Only through seeking to be holy can we ever experience true happiness.
9. I will add praise, thanksgiving, listening and confession into my prayer life this year.

   "For those whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29a).

   God is more concerned about changing you and glorifying Himself than about solving your problems. With that truth in mind, a balanced prayer life should include more than just asking God to fix your problems. Work to build a relationship with God that is not strictly focused on asking Him to change your circumstances.
10. I will focus more on Jesus and less on myself this year.

    "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

    The truth is it's not about you; it's all about Him. The world was not created to revolve around you. It was created to revolve around Christ. This year, look for every opportunity to make your life more about serving Jesus and attracting others to Him.

Source: charismamag.com

HONOUR GOD

Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your entire mind, and with all you strength'. This is the first commandment". Mark 12:29-30

Jesus is emphatic that loving the Lord is the first commandment. Success in any new year hinges on doing first things first.

If you want to make it in the year ahead, you have to set your priorities and go all out to demonstrate your love for God. This must be done not just in word but also in deed.

One of the most important things that will provide an anchor in your life is recognizing God as number one in your life, the source of all your blessing and the focus of your adoration and attention.

The most significant way to honour God in your life is by giving. We must go the extra mile when it comes to honouring God with our giving.

We often delude ourselves into thinking we love God so deeply till a demand is made on us to give to Him.

In the story of the Rich Young Ruler, he was confident of his love for God and his total obedience to all the commandments.

However, when he was asked to serve God with his wealth, he was very sad because he felt too much was being asked of him.

Your plan to honour God should be high up on your priority list. Honour God with your wealth, time, and talents. When you put God and His Kingdom first, all other desires shall be fulfilled.

Prayer: Lord, may Your name be glorified in my life this year and the rest of my life.

Scriptural Reading: Mark 12:28-34

Happy new year to all our readers and fan world-wide

We wish all our readers and fans, Happy new year 2015! may this year be fill with joy, favour and testimonies.

Learn from yesterday- Live for today-Hope for tomorrow. Happy new year again Love yah all. From Adenike Salako Blog's World.......

GOD LOVES YOU

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

A number of years ago, Karl Barth, the famous German theologian, was lecturing at a major Northeaster Seminary.

At a Q&A session, a man asked Mr. Barth what's the most profound thought that ever entered his mind.

The man clearly expected to hear some philosophical comment from Mr. Barth. But the theologian looked at the man and simply said, "The most profound thought that has ever occurred to me is this: Jesus loves me; this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

You and I need to realize how remarkable the message of God's love truly is. It is simply profound and profoundly simple! And no other verse of Scripture summarizes his love for us as completely as John 3:16: "For God so loved the world...."

It is an undeniable fact. God loves you! The expression of His love is evident from the first page to the last of Scripture. But the greatest evidence of His love is Christmas.

God sent His only Son to die so that you will live. There is no greater love than that.

Enter the New Year with this confidence and assurance that God loves you unconditionally, and He wants to do great things with your life and for your life.

Prayer: Father, I enter the New Year with hope and expectations because I know You love me and You have prepared in advance great things for me.

Scriptural Reading: John 3:16-21.

We thank God for all He has done for year 2014, we say you are worthy Baba God.