God wants His Grace to be with us
September 11, 2015 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Christian Living, Religion, Society & Culture
God wants His Grace to be with us
God is an omnipotent, gracious, kind & loving God. It is through His grace and compassion that He created this world for us to live in that we inhabit. Grace is God’s unmerited favor, it is His elegant extravagant divine kindness extended toward us. God always loves us because He is love and God wants His grace to be with us! Truly God is the Most High God above Him is no other! He is the Great “I AM!”
The Hebrew word for grace is hased. It is derived from the word hesad which means to be good or kind. The Greek word for grace is charis it is derived from the word char which means wellbeing pleasant or delightful. God’s grace has been bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ. “From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; Grace & Truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1 The Word teaches us that we are saved by the Grace of God. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith — and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift from God – not by works, so that no one can boast, less anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2.
If you ever wonder how life on earth began take some time and study the Book of Genesis. Genesis means beginning or origin. It contains an authentic record of creation. It is by God’s graciousness that He created this world for us to live in. He created mankind for His Glory. “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1
It is clear that God existed before anything else. God is omnipresent He is everywhere at the same time, He is infinitely immeasurable. Our infinitesimal minds cannot comprehend the totality of God who is limitless. He created the Heavens and the earth through His Word Jesus Christ who had not yet manifested within a body of sinless flesh, yet He was with the Father from the beginning in Spirit. This is an amazing truth that we believe through the Faith He has instilled within us who embrace His infallible Word! There is absolutely nothing that has ever happened or will happen in Heaven or earth that God is not totally aware of. He is omniscient He knows everything that has happened, is happening and will happen. It is God’s desire that we draw closer to Him daily!
Everything that God made was good! God wants us to experience the goodness of His grace. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God‘s Grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And made known the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in Heaven and on earth together under One Head, even Christ!” Ephesians 1
God created and provided everything for Adam & Eve that was needed or necessary for them to live a rich full abundant carefree spiritual, emotional and physical life in His presence. He created Adam in His own image, who was the first man. He created them as one. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1 God made Adam from the dust of the ground. He then placed Adam into a deep sleep, and took one of his rib bones. From the rib bone that was taken from Adam God miraculously created him a companion wife to be by his side! They both were as one, God named them Adam. Marriage was created by God. God’s grace was upon them. It was not until after they had disobeyed and sinned that Adam named his wife Eve. Adam & Eve was the first couple and they lived in harmony with the Lord until they disobeyed. From Peter we learn that the Lord extends His grace to us in marriage. It is important that God is or becomes the center of your marriage. “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them in understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1Peter 3
God’s Grace was with Adam & Eve from the very beginning.
Why Marriage God’s Way is Important Part 1
June 12, 2015 by Elder/Minister DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Christian Living, Marriage & Relationships
Why Marriage God’s Way is Important!
Part 1
There are an endless expansive array of life lessons. We will encounter many upon traveling this remarkable journey during the course of life. If you are a believer getting to better know our Lord, Creator & Maker; “The Most High God” is most important. It is imperative to spend personal time in His Word! It is through His Word we are better able to understand why He has created us. Within His Word we are taught how to better navigate through the seen and unseen spiritual warfare that is designed to take us off course.
A little history how marriage began
Early on in His Word we are taught the origins of mankind and marriage. We can learn much from Adam & Eve who were the first married couple. The Lord created Adam first. He made them as one! “The Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man that He had formed.” Genesis 2
The Garden of Eden is where the Lord intended for Adam & Eve to live a well-rounded abundant life. Here in Eden God had provided them within this marvelous lush green haven everything that they would ever need. He told the man Adam to attend the garden. He even told Adam “that from every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of GOOD & evil thou shalt not eat; for in that day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die. And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a help meet for him.” Genesis 2
The Lord then provided Adam with a wife. She was created from his very own rib bone that was taken while he was asleep. The Lord brought the woman to Adam. Here we learn about God’s original superlative model for marriage. Did you know it was Adam that named Eve…
One Man + One woman = Marriage God’s Way!
Marriage God’s Way = One Man & One Woman
God has not changed His unique design. From the marital union of Adam and Eve, mankind that we know as the human race was birthed into existence by God. God told them to be fruitful and multiply.
My how things have changed in this 21st century. I realize that the Supreme Court voted against the WORD of GOD! But we who say we are believers have made a commitment to GOD’S WORD. That is why we are called believers. Know God and His Word you say you believe in for yourself. He did not make us robots. GOD is gracious and gives us all the freedom to choose. We must pray for discernment so we can better righteously judge what is or is not of the Lord!
First Married Couple
Adam was an extremely highly intelligent man, so much so that he even named all of the animals. He was given dominion over everything that the Lord had created. In Adam’s original state he was innocent, sinless and created in the image of God. The Lord spoke to Adam directly. There are numerous references within the Word that confirms the origins of marriage between a man & woman. Adam is the earth forefather of the human race. Eve was actually named by her husband Adam, but this was only after she was seduced by the serpent. Before she and Adam were known as one and the same.
Eve was deceived and listened to the devil who was in the form of a serpent, instead of obeying God. Adam named her Eve because she was now to become the mother of all the living. Before she sinned GOD brought forth life peacefully from Adam. Now she would bear children in pain. She willfully chose to eat the forbidden fruit when God had adamantly told Adam that they were not supposed to do so. Eve then convinced Adam to do the same. Adam should not have listened.
Adam knew better. Because of their disobedience, sin now enters their lives. They no longer feel welcomed in their God given wonderful flourishing Garden of Eden as their glorious habitat and their sin now separates them from God. Therefore, they hide and become ashamed for the very first time. They then hide in the trees from God who had given them absolutely everything they needed! Adam & Eve hear the sound of the Voice of The Lord while He was walking in the garden. Adam and Eve were then banished from the Garden of Eden.
Listen to GOD rather than to this world
Today we can learn much from this lesson. It is important to know the Word of God for yourself. God knows what is best for all of us. Eve should have ignored the serpent and held fast to the Lord’s command. We must hold fast to our marriage vows. Marriage is not an idea it is a genuine Covenant relationship. We should always listen to God rather than to the world. Invite God into the center of your marriage.
A good marriage does not yield disrespect nor violence. When we honor our marriage vows we honor God. Faithfulness, love, loyalty, respect, transparency and trust are definite components of a great marriage. Keep God as the Center of your marriage. This is why it is so very important to not take marriage lightly. Be wise! Think, think and think some more before you commit to marry someone… Ask the hard questions before you say “I DO!” We do not have to repeat the past. We can learn an invaluable lesson from Adam and Eve. Daily seek to always improve your future. Enjoy your life together. Daily embrace
God’s principles. Comfort and encourage one another whenever life throws you a curve. Know that marriage is only for this side of Heaven. For we HIS CHURCH are the BRIDE of CHRIST JESUS! So, know when you honor your “Own” husband or your “Own” wife you honor God. Always encourage one another to embrace the Will & Way of God! Marriage is honorable in the eyes of GOD!
GOD truly is The Great “I AM” and there is no other above HIM. When you truly believe God is Omnipresent you live and think differently. HE is A GOD of order and we so need HIS WORD & HIS HOLY SPIRIT to guide us in the path of righteousness.
THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR MARVELOUS OMNIPRESENCE!
Kindle Edition
Marriage: A Covenant Agreement
May 31, 2012 by Minister/Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans
Filed under Marriage & Relationships
Our Marriage
Marriage is one of the greatest relationship commitments that a man and a woman can have. It is an agreement to Love, Honor, Trust and Respect your spouse for life! Marriage is also a covenant agreement not only between a man and a woman but it is an agreement with God. You both together pledge and make vows that should always be honored within your marriage…
Your Wedding Vows
If you are already married reflect back for a moment on your Wedding Vows. What did you pledge to one another? Those vows are so much more than words. So if you have not married and are planning on getting married really think about what you are agreeing or pledging to do! If you have been married before really think things through because you have been here before! You are entering into a contract not only of the letter but of the heart as well as legally.
Marriage & Divorce
If you are not married get wise counsel before you enter into marriage. In this 21st century more than 55% of marriages are ending in divorce. This should not be. Many enter into marriage not really intending to keep their vows. There are also many who are ignorant of what it really is all about … Too often there are many emotional issues that have not been properly addressed and they eventually begin to weigh the marriage down.
Marriage has its mountaintops as well as valley experiences. However, working togetther you can together make you vally experiences short and few. It is important to know no matter how much you know about your fiancé there is so much more to learn. Marriage is a place where both spouses can grow as individuals as well as together. You want to make sure that you are willing to go through the valley with your spouse as well as share in the Joys & Celebrations. Know this or at least discuss it before you are married!
building a Strong Foundation Together
Your marriage is or will be as strong as the foundation that you build it upon. God is the Creator of marriage. “But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD GOD cause the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he as sleeping, He took one of the man’s rib and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord mad a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.” Genesis 2.
This is such a beautiful passage of Scripture. It merits some serious, loving thought provoking discussion between you two. The man and woman was a precious gift from God to one another.
Adam no longer had to be alone without a companion. Listen closely to what he says: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman.’ For she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united with his wife, and they shall become one flesh. The man and the woman where naked, and they felt no shame.” Genesis 2. This is also why it is so important to keep God and His principles as the center of your marriage!
Nurture your marriage
If you are already married make it a point to rekindle the passion and dedication that was apparent when you first came together. If you have allowed time, things and people to allow you to drift apart renew your commitment to one another. You can’t change what has happened but you can build a better future right now. What if we are not on the same page? Then it is time to have a serious discussion and make some plans for your path forward!
Life is precious and you can’t get time back. So you really do not want to spend the majority of the time being uncertain and unhappy! You cannot change your spouse but you can have an intervention and confront what has or has not been happening! Remember speak the TRUTH in Love!
If you have kept your commitment and your marriage is flourishing then help, support and mentor other couples along the way. Those who are married or desire to marry encourage them to keep their marriage vows they have made or will make to one another. Life often takes on many twists and turns and will at times present some adversity. Let them know some of the joys and sometimes sorrows of marriage. How together they can celebrate the mountaintop experiences of life and build an ongoing loving, growing, principled, faithful, respectful and honorable marriage.
Yes there still be some rain and there will be some tears. But there is nothing like a good rain to make you enjoy the beautiful sunshine! With the rain comes much growth. A good marriage brings much contentment and fulfillment. So get busy! Showers of Blessings from above awaits you in many marvelous This is why it is so very important to know that marriage truly is a covenant agreement. Rememer to embrace and cherish your vows. If you have not revisit them. So keep God as the Center of your marriage.
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Food For Thought “Before” and “After” You Say I DO!
Food for thought “Before” and “After” you say I DO.
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