DOES YOUR LIFE HAVE MEANING - SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUE ? - TO KNOW GOD IS TO LOVE HIM - Part 2

Whether you are Myspace Mad or a Facebook fiend, if you are among those who frequently check in with these social networking websites, then identifying what's at the center of your life may at times be a challenge. Some people feel as if their day to day living has no real significance and so they are in search of something but they don't know what. Others find meaning for their lives in the things that they do or the places that they go. Many have no conscious dignity of character or wonder what the purpose of life is. For a great majority of people, life is defined by the relationships they have, don't have or have had. Do you know the reason why a living, ongoing relationship with God and Jesus Christ is so important to us as human beings ?

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW GOD

1. Our lives are pure only when we are under the control of GOD and happy only when we are in communion with HIM. Human beings were created by God to enjoy only those things that do not violate the conscience. Because of an inherited bent towards sin and selfishness, we enjoy the opposite. There is a greater tendency to gratify the senses and please oneself which grows uncontrollable if it continues unchecked. While there is in many hearts a desire for good, as human beings we are generally inclined to enjoy those things that are not pure and those things that violate the conscience but the evidence is clear...after all is said and done, we still are not happy...

2. "Like our SAVIOUR, we are in this world to do service for GOD. We are here to become like GOD in character, and by a life of service to reveal HIM to the world. In order to become like HIM and to reveal HIS character, we must know HIM aright. We must know HIM as HE reveals HIMSELF." No one can serve God right and reveal His character with a mere intellectual or mental knowledge of God. Only a personal experience with the transforming love of God that influences the thoughts and feelings in the right direction is properly called knowing God or a knowledge of God. Only an experimental knowledge of God transforms a person and reaches others.

3. "A knowledge of GOD is the foundation of all true education and of all true service." The absence of humility and the predominance of pride in modern society would be done away with were human beings to begin education with a knowledge of themselves as they really are in the sight of God. Education that separates the thoughts and feelings from the Creator is positively dangerous.

4. "Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right knowledge of GOD." In connection with the grace of God, knowing that God is love and that He loves each person individually and personally is motivation and inspiration and empowerment for the highest character development.

5. "The value of man is estimated in heaven according to the capacity of the heart to know GOD." If human beings could not know God, then we could not know eternal life and of all the realities that exist in human minds, eternity in the presence of eternal love is the ultimate reality and God's reality which is really the only reality that matters in the end.

John 15:10,11/Jeremiah 9:23,24/1 John 4:8/2 Corinthians 4:5-7/Psalms 147:5/Proverbs 2:3-6,9:10,1:7/Colossians 2:3/Romans 11:33

ULTIMATE END RESULT OF KNOWING GOD

"To know GOD is eternal life"

Personal knowledge of God gained by actual experience with Him in prayer, in assisted living and in reflecting the image of Jesus Christ to others.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU hast sent." John 17:3

"According as HIS divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that hath called us to glory arid virtue." 2 Peter 1:3 .

The ultimate purpose and result of an ever increasing knowledge of GOD is godliness, eternal life---salvation.

"Look unto ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am GOD, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22

"Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to GOD through CHRIST."

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from a study entitled, "To Know God Is To Love Him." Look for more pages from this study in future blog posts...

LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING - HOW TO BE A MAN - HOW TO BE A WOMAN - 1

There is your view, there is my view and then there's God's view. It is taken for granted that most everyone of adult age and reasoning comprehends what it means to be a man or woman. One common definition found in the dictionary and the minds of most people is a male or female individual of the human race, of adult growth or years. This is the generally understood meaning. God's definition of a man or woman differs somewhat from this. It is the purpose of this series of posts to explore, understand and inspire appreciation for God's view of manhood and womanhood and to create a desire to be as He intends that human beings should be through the grace of Christ. The word man as used in many Bible verses often refers to mankind or the human race and therefore includes both men and women.

While scientific teachings acknowledge no specific objective or ultimate plan for the human race, God makes clear that He made man and woman for a purpose. The fulfillment of this purpose was to be the aim and joy of human beings. It is failure to recognize and conform to God's purpose for life that leaves human beings empty and without a compass in this world ever seeking to fill the void with inadequate and often self-destructive substitutes. There are literally thousands upon thousands who can explain the purpose of life with no more than the words "to be happy."

Many misunderstand the object for which they were created. It was to bless humanity and glorify God, rather than to enjoy and glorify self. Only by understanding God's purpose for creating human beings and giving us life can we truly see that the plan of salvation encompasses more than simply forgiveness of sin. It includes restoration from sin's power as well.

When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. "God created man in his own image" (Gen. 1:27), and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image--the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator

Above all lower orders of being, God designed that man, the crowning work of His creation, should express His thought and reveal His glory, and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image--the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. Hence we see, that the purpose for which human beings were created and the ultimate purpose of life is - to continually reflect more and more of the image of the Creator expressing His thoughts and revealing His glory.

What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. (Psalms 8:4-8) These verses may lead us to consider man as God made him and as he is now.

MAN/WOMAN AS GOD MADE THEM

When God had made man in His image, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it was without life. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, breathing, intelligent being. All parts of the human organism were put in action. Man came from the hand of God perfect in every faculty of mind and body; in perfect soundness, therefore in perfect health. All his faculties were harmonious. In all his emotions, words, and actions, there was a perfect conformity to the will of his Maker. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason.

Woman, as God made her, was a perfect and lovely image of the divine ideal of womanhood. She was noble, perfect in symmetry, and very beautiful. When God created her, He designed that she should possess neither inferiority nor superiority to the man, but that in all things she should be his equal. Her heart had the glow of healthful feelings and the tint of her complexion was soft and radiant being untainted by no artificial cosmetic. She had a well-balanced mind and a pure character, reflecting only the true, the good, and the beautiful. She was not loud, forward nor presumptuous but poised, modest and morally charming.

Someone may ask how it is possible to know what the first man and the first woman were like. It all depends upon who you trust for your information. According to the Bible, they were created in the image of God. They reflected His character - they were pure and sinless because God's character is pure and sinless.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:27,31)

After each day of creation, God saw that what He had done was "good." After creating man, He viewed this work as "very good." If God says something is very good, that is exactly what He means.

MAN/WOMAN AS THEY ARE NOW

Here is where most human beings, including many religious people are deceived concerning human nature. The heart of man is by nature cold and dark and unloving; Man's wisdom is untrustworthy. Man is fickle, filled with self-esteem, pride, and selfishness. By nature man has no love for God. It is not natural for him to think of heavenly things. The natural heart is at enmity against God, and will resist the clearest evidence of truth. It is ever pleading in favor of worldly customs.

Man is worshiping the reflection of his own image. The nature of man is in opposition to the divine will, depraved, deformed, and wholly unlike the character of God expressed in his law.

Selfishness is the essence of depravity, and because human beings have yielded to its power, the opposite of allegiance to God is seen in the world today. Nations, families, and individuals are filled with a desire to make self a center. The human heart is naturally inclined to idolatry, self-gratification and self-exaltation.

In the scenes that transpired at the judgment hall, and at Calvary, we see what the human heart is capable of when not under the influence of God's Spirit.

Jeremiah 17:9/Mark7:21,22/Galatians 5:19-21/Romans 1:26-31/2 Timothy 3:1-5/Matthew 24:12

RETURNING TO GOD'S PURPOSE FOR CREATING MAN AND WOMAN

Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created is the great object of life--the object that underlies every other. (Romans 8:28,29/Ephesians 2:10,1:4,5/2 Timothy 1:9)

This series of studies will be continued in subsequent posts.

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from part 1 of a study entitled, "How To Be A Man - How To Be A Woman" Look for more pages from this study in future posts...

IT'S WHAT YOU KNOW AND IT'S WHO YOU KNOW THAT MATTERS - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part IX

In the competition for Miss Teen USA, Miss South Carolina attempted to answer a question and in doing so she demonstrated that at times, "what you know" really does matter. Her reply has had more than 43 million views and she has been condemned and judged by many as lacking vital knowledge. It is not known how many viewers would have been able to answer the same question that was given to her. On the other hand, we also have words of Jesus to consider emphasizing the importance of "who you know" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23) Jesus describes religious people who never really knew Him as is evidenced by the Lord's statement that He never knew them. A theoretical or mere intellectual knowledge of God and Christ will never transform the character of the one who does not have a practical experience in the application of Bible principles for daily living. If God is good all the time, why not have a preference for Him all the time ? In other words, why do we not choose to allow the principles of His word to govern our choice of leisure, recreation and relationship activities. Why is He not the center of our joy and living ?

Many people know a lot of things and some people hardly know anything but very few people know much about the most important things in life. Very few really know God as it is our privilege to know Him. The more satisfied anyone is with himself and his present knowledge, the less earnestly and humbly will he or she seek to be guided into all truth. Truly knowing God is an educational relationship process which involves more than seeking intellectual stimulation or emotional ecstasy. As one comes to know God more, the inclination to sin is lessened and the desire to do right is increased and this is manifested in words and actions.

While worldly education prepares one to help build the national economy, true education embraces not merely a training of the intellect, but is a symmetrical development of all the powers--physical, mental, and moral. It is the inculcation of those ideas which will impress the mind and heart with the knowledge of God the Creator and Jesus Christ the Redeemer.

A student may go through all the grades of the schools and colleges of today. He may devote all his powers to acquiring knowledge. But unless he has a knowledge of God, unless he obeys the laws that govern his being, he will destroy himself. The so called "higher" education of the world in no way inspires obedience to the laws of God or the development of a Christlike character.

The educational curriculum that lays great stress on memorizing, produces a class of conservative people who are more inclined to trust society's institutions rather than the simple words of God. Such are more easily led by human authority and scholarship than by the wisdom of God. Indeed, any knowledge upon any subject that references from inspirational sources will be typically viewed with skepticism while that which is chiefly a product of the highest human reasoning is readily accepted.

Notice, the type of reasoning that God encourages - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD (Isaiah 1:18)

The highest education will be that which will teach our children and youth, our teachers and educators, the science of Christianity, that will give them an experimental knowledge of God's ways, and impart to them the lessons which Christ gave to his disciples of the paternal character of God. Obtaining an experimental knowledge of God comes by wearing the yoke of Christ.

There is no education to be gained higher than that given to the early disciples, and which is revealed to us through the word of God. To gain the higher education means to follow this word implicitly; it means to walk in the footsteps of Christ, to practice His virtues. It means to give up selfishness and to devote the life to the service of God. Higher education calls for something greater, something more divine, than the knowledge to be obtained merely from books. It means a personal, experimental knowledge of Christ; it means emancipation from ideas, from habits and practices, that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness, and which are opposed to loyalty to God. It means to overcome stubbornness, pride, selfishness, worldly ambition, and unbelief. It is the message of deliverance from sin. It may be wisely interwoven with any other study or discipline by the Christian teacher.

In this post we continue learning the principles which inspire and make possible the victory over sin and selfishness.

PRINCIPLES THAT ASSIST IN OBTAINING THE VICTORY

PRINCIPLES THAT STIMULATE OR INSPIRE A DESIRE FOR VICTORY

#2 SEEKING TO KNOW GOD AND CHRIST

a) The less we meditate upon Christ and His matchless love and the less we are assimilated to His image, the better will we appear in our own eyes, and the more self-confidence and self-complacency will we possess.

b) The one who talks most familiarly with his divine Leader has the most exalted conception of His greatness and is the most obedient to His commands.

c) The experimental knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, transforms man into the image of God. It gives to man the mastery of himself, bringing every impulse and passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher powers of the mind.

d) It is essential to our eternal well-being to know more of God; for love to God depends on a conception of His goodness. His excellence, and a knowledge of His will.

e) It is necessary to know God in order to be attracted to him.

f) When the transgressor becomes acquainted with GOD, and experiences HIS love, it produces in his heart a hatred for sin and a love for holiness.

g) The more we know of God, the higher will be our ideal of character and the more earnest our longing to reflect His likeness.

2 Peter 1:2,3:18/Proverbs 9:10, 16:22, 19:27/John 17:3, 15:10/2 Timothy 3:7,16/Genesis 2:17/ Job 22:21/1 John 2:3,4, 3:6,24, 5:2/Jeremiah 9:23,24/Isaiah 1:17,46:8/Matthew 11:29, 7:13,26 /Hosea 4:1,2 /Romans 1:28/Philippians 3:8/Colossians 2:8/Mark 7:9/2 Corinthians 3:18/Revelation 2:5,3:3/Luke 8:21/James 1:22,23/Exodus 23:2/

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 9 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.

DO YOU KNOW GOD ? DO YOU LOVE HIM ? - TO KNOW GOD IS TO LOVE HIM - Part I

Movies don't usually do a good job of honoring God and often times they portray themes exalting human traits above His mercy and love. One of the differences between human love and God's love is the ability of God's love to transform a person's character. When a person comes to know God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, he or she will continually be elevated and transformed while remaining in that relationship. What is not commonly understood by many who profess to love and know God is that their claim is either supported or not supported by evidence in the way that they live their lives. It is not possible to love God secretly; to love Him without revealing a preference and desire for Him in one's leisure, labor and life time. While God loves human beings, it appears that sin has so blinded our minds as to prevent most of us from realizing that God expects us to love Him in return. Many people would probably agree that a one-sided relationship is one where one person gives all the love and the other person does all the receiving. All growth and advancement in the relationship is checked because of the selfishness of the one who chooses only to receive. Is the purpose of life merely to receive love from God ? We will explore this and other questions as we look at how God expects us to love Him in return.

WHAT DOES GOD WANT WITH YOU AND I ?

"Ye are MY witnesses saith the LORD, and MY servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am HE: before ME there was no god formed, neither shall there be after ME." Isaiah 43:10

Notice that the Lord has chosen human beings to fulfill two very important roles -

"MY witnesses"

"MY servant"

We may ask the question - for what purpose has God chosen witnesses and servants ?

THAT YE MAY KNOW

BELIEVE

UNDERSTAND

We may further ask - What are we to know and believe and understand ?

"that I am HE" (and what else ?)

"before ME there was no god formed (and)

"neither shall there be after ME."

The verse indicates choice, trust and thought - important components of every relationship.

God chooses servants

He trusts persons as His witnesses

He invites the thoughts of the mind to know, believe and understand Him

"Be still and know that I am GOD..." Psalm 46:10

What does it mean to know someone ? To know God in particular ?

Know - to perceive with certainty; to understand clearly; to have a clear perception of truth, fact, or any thing that actually exists -to recognize by recollection, remembrance, representation or description

Why does God want human beings to know Him ?

"GOD desires to bring men into direct relation with HIMSELF."

From the first verse in the first chapter of the first book in the Bible where GOD introduces HIMSELF---"In the beginning GOD..." (Genesis 1:1) to the first verse in the first chapter of the last book in the Bible--- "The Revelation of JESUS CHRIST..." Revelation 1:1, GOD is trying to make HIMSELF known to us...Why? Another one of the reasons why God wants us to know Him is given as follows -

GOD desires from all HIS creatures the service of love - service that springs from an appreciation of HIS character.

HOW DOES KNOWING GOD IMPACT A PERSON'S LIFE

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto YOU through the knowledge of GOD and ofJESUS CHRIST our LORD." (2 Peter 1:2)

This verse, as well as Job 22:21, tells us what may be multiplied unto us by knowing GOD and JESUS...Grace and Peace--

"Gr.ace gives man power to obey the laws of GOD."To learn of CHRIST means to receive HIS grace, which is HIS character. Many people are willing to accept God's forgiving grace for the pardon of sin but very few believe in or are willing to accept God's enabling grace to overcome sin.

"The peace which CHRIST called HIS peace, and which HE bequeathed to HIS disciples, is not a peace which prevents all divisions; but it is a peace which is given and enjoyed in the midst of divisions. The peace that the faithful defender of the cause of CHRIST has is the consciousness that he is doing the will of GOD and reflecting HIS glory in good works. It is an internal rather than an external peace."

Other ways that a person is impacted by knowing GOD...

a) "To know GOD is to love HIM."

b) "When we know GOD as it is our privilege to know HIM, our life will be a life of continual obedience."

c) " the more we know of GOD, the more intense will be our happiness."

(John 14:15,21/1 John 5:3/Psalms 16:11/1 John 4:7,8/Hebrews 12:28/Romans 1:3-5, 6:14,15/1 John 2:3,4/Isaiah 26:3/Psalms 119:165)

The above is self-explanatory and clear beyond question. Knowing GOD-- perceiving HIM with certainty, understanding HIM, recognizing HIM by recollection, remembrance, representation or description will lead to loving HIM, obeying HIM and the experience of happiness with an increasing intensity. Grace and peace are multiplied to a person through knowing GOD and JESUS CHRIST. The character quality of love in God will, if allowed, awaken and inspire love and gratitude in us which will be revealed in a practical revelation of the character of Jesus Christ.

"For the love of CHRIST constraineth us..." 2 Corinthians 5: 14

Constrain - to compel or force; to urge with irresistible power

Anyone who is habitually experiencing the love of Christ senses the compelling, urging power of that love to go forward in obedience to do whatever God asks or requires...

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from a study entitled, "To Know God Is To Love Him." Look for more pages from this study in future blog posts...

RIGHT THOUGHTS & THINKING RIGHT - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - PART VIII

Many mistakenly believe that because God is love, no matter what their character is like, somehow God will allow them into heaven. It is a significant tragedy that many will be unprepared for an eternal life in the presence of God because they choose not to believe one very important fact: that character is not changed in heaven nor at death. God does not change anyone after they die nor does He magically transform a person's character in this life against their will or without their cooperation. The development of a Christ-like character that can truly enjoy heaven and can be trusted in heaven must take place in this life on earth. This development of character cannot take place apart from the grace of God but we are reassured that God will perform the work in us as we cooperate and that we can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us. The need to have and the promise of obtaining victory over sin in order to be saved is clearly presented to us in the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy. This challenges us with nothing less than aiming for moral excellence in Christ through total dependence upon God's enabling grace. The good news concerning the practical "how" of attaining the goal of overcoming sin needs to be presented just as much, if not more, as the good news about the forgiveness of sin. Let's look at some of the principles that our heavenly Father has shared with us to help us obtain the victory over all selfishness and sin in our lives. The principles requiring human effort for victory over selfishness may be divided into two specific categories which are both physical and mental.

PRINCIPLES THAT ASSIST IN OBTAINING THE VICTORY

PRINCIPLES THAT STIMULATE OR INSPIRE A DESIRE FOR VICTORY

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5)

#1 HAVING RIGHT THOUGHTS

a) If the thoughts are right, then as a result the words will be right; the actions will be of that character to bring gladness and comfort and rest to souls. Think right thoughts and you will perform right actions.

b) The more we think of heaven, the more happiness we shall have.

c) As Christ the Pattern is constantly kept before the mind's eye, new habits will be formed, powerful hereditary and cultivated tendencies will be subdued and overcome, self-esteem will be laid in the dust, old habits of thought will be constantly resisted, love for the supremacy will be seen in its real, despicable character, and will be overcome.

d) Habitually dwelling upon Christ, his exalted character, and the all-sufficient merits of his sacrifice, increases the faith, sharpens the imaginative power, strengthens the longing desire to be like him, and creates holy earnestness in prayer, that makes it efficacious.

e) “...pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary.

f) As the mind dwells upon Christ, the character is molded after the divine similitude. The thoughts are pervaded with a sense of his goodness, his love.

g) By constantly contemplating heavenly themes our faith and love will grow stronger. With eternal realities in view we will habitually cultivate thoughts of the presence of God. This will be a shield against the incoming of the enemy; it will give strength and assurance, and lift the soul above fear.

h) And as one drop of rain prepares the way for another in moistening the earth, so one good thought prepares the way for another.

i) “...when the Lord sees the determined effort made to retain only pure thoughts, he will attract the mind, like the magnet, and purify the thoughts,..”

j) It is learning to think less of ourselves and more of making others happy that will bring to us divine strength.

(Proverbs 12:5,16:11,11:25/Romans 12:2/Isaiah 26:3/Titus 1:15/Philippians 4:8/1Peter 1:13/Hebrews 12:1-3/Ephesians 4:23/Psalms 94:19,104:34)

The unconverted, natural mind has no intention of overcoming sin and self and sees nothing particularly appealing about frequently contemplating heaven or having the thoughts centered in Christ. There is hope, however, for the soul who will recognize his or her need and cry out to God for a complete transformation of mind. This study will be continued in subsequent posts.

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 9 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.

FRIENDSHIP IS THE FOUNDATION OF GOOD RELATIONSHIP - Marriage Counseling With The Wonderful Counselor - XXIII

While many view movie going as a pleasant, leisure time diversion, the laws governing the human mind do not suddenly go on vacation when a person enters the theater. Movies have an influence on the thoughts and feelings and a movie/comedy about friendship is a reality show for many people. Often it is realized too late, not at all or after much loss of precious time that friendship is the basis for enduring relationship. Whether in courtship or marriage or even church fellowship, many may be acquainted with each other but may not in actuality be friends. Another consideration would be the meaning of the word "friends" as understood or used by different people. Like the word love, the word friends is often casually and improperly applied in a variety of ways that do not necessarily make clear what is being talked about. According to God, one of the closest relationships in which true friendship should be demonstrated in human relationships is the marriage relationship. This post will focus on friendship, according to God's view of it, in the context of a union between husband and wife. Several of the principles for friendship discussed here can be universally applied to all friendships although they may clash with the general worldly understanding of relationships. If we have difficulty accepting and living by these principles in this life, it is not likely that we could be happy nor trusted in the future life in heaven in the presence of God where everyone reflecting the image of Jesus Christ will eternally exemplify His traits of character in relationship toward one another.

HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THE FRIENDSHIP RELATIONSHIP

That which we prize we seek to preserve and make more valuable if we can. In the marriage contract men and women have made a trade, an investment for life, and they should do their utmost to control their words of impatience and fretfulness, even more carefully than they did before their marriage, for now their destinies are united for life as husband and wife, and each is valued in exact proportion to the amount of painstaking effort put forth to retain and keep fresh the love so eagerly sought for and prized before marriage. Love can no more exist without revealing itself in outward acts than fire can be kept alive without fuel. (Matthew 6:21/Proverbs 27:5/Song of Solomon 8:7/Romans 7:2/1 Corinthians 7:39/1 John 4:7,11)

In your married life seek to elevate one another. Do not come down to common, cheap talk and actions. Show the high and elevating principles of your holy faith in your everyday conversations and in the most private walks of life. Be ever careful and tender of the feelings of one another. Do not, either of you, for even the first time, allow a playful, bantering, joking censuring of one another. These things are dangerous. They wound. The wound may be concealed, nevertheless the wound exists and peace is being sacrificed and happiness endangered. (Ephesians 4:32/2 Timothy 2:24/Titus 3:2,3/Hebrews 3:13)

The husband and wife should be all to each other. The wife should have no secrets to keep from her husband and let others know, and the husband should have no secrets to keep from his wife to relate to others. The heart of his wife should be the grave for the faults of the husband, and the heart of the husband the grave for his wife's faults. Never should either party indulge in a joke at the expense of the other's feelings. Every couple who unite their life interest should seek to make the life of each as happy as possible. Live for the glory of God. Be tender, kind, and courteous to each other. (Ephesians 4:2/Proverbs 11:13,17:9,20:19,25:9)

The happiness of your life will consist in making God your trust, and in seeking to make each other happy. Practice self-control. It is so easy to speak thoughtlessly, words that grieve and wound. Do not venture to trifle with each other's feelings. Practice patience, encourage love, discipline yourselves to guard every word and action, and study how you can be a blessing to each other. Never recount the mistakes, or errors, or faults of each other in the presence of a third person, or in company, be the circle ever so select. Live for God and for each other. (Galatians 5:15/John 15:12,17/Leviticus 25:17/Proverbs 10:19,17:27,28)

Affection cannot be lasting, even in the home circle, unless there is a conformity of the will and disposition to the will of God. Bearing the marriage responsibilities in the home, linking their interests with Jesus Christ, leaning upon His arm and His assurance, husband and wife may share a happiness in this union that angels of God commend. The warmth of true friendship and the love that binds the hearts of husband and wife are a foretaste of heaven. (1 Thessalonians 5:11/Psalms 127:1/Romans 12:10/Galatians 6:2/Psalms 91:9-11/Zephaniah 3:9)

You have just been reading from page 25 of a booklet entitled, "Marriage Counseling With The Wonderful COUNSELOR." This was the last page of the book. If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.