Thread: THE INNER ROOM - "Learn and Grow - to Maturity". Please read the OP.

I did a post of the animals lost in our fires, incl. pics of a possum and an AMAZING koala one, HERE.

- BM

Do We Really CARE?

THINK ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE SICK...

Now imagine that you have to suffer in silence. You are too poor to buy any medicine or even visit a doctor for help. Even if you had the ability to pay, it would be of no use because the nearest medical facility would require you to walk a whole day just to get there.

This is the dilemma many Indians and other South Asians find themselves in every time they become ill. That's why Missionary Medical help is so vital. Teams of trained nurses and doctors visit dozens of villages, and special School Centers for Dalit ("Untouchable") children, ministering to thousands of people each year, all in the name of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.

The treatment is free to the recipients, but the eternal difference it makes in their lives cannot be measured monetarily. To the mother who cradles a sick infant in her arms, to the father who suffered broken bones in a natural disaster, to the elderly person who needs blood pressure medication, to the outcast leprosy patient, all receive the necessary medical treatment and hear that Jesus loves them.

PRACTICAL NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY

MESSAGE #173

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS - Part 3

... Continued from Part 2

My generation (and maybe my family also) more or less ignored Valentine's Day. And so I still pretty-much do... (probably see it as just one more 21st Century commercialism). But with Beloved from a somewhat different generation, some understanding of each other simply MUST be made in such situations.

Which is a major part of what A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE is about (and any close relationship). It's about keeping the LOVE and CARE going. It's about CONSIDERATION and THOUGHTFULNESS, and ADJUSTING to the other, and being VERY UNDERSTANDING of each other (to me anything less is just about pure selfishness, and dare I say, is barely Christian).

It's also about something I've written privately to others, but doubt I've shared here. It came to me over 20 years ago. I wish I could say I put it into practice immediately and am 'perfect' with it now, but sadly no. What I CAN say though is that it HAS made a big difference in my life, so at least that's something!

Here's what I suddenly saw that we all need in what's clearly the HARDEST but one of the most IMPORTANT things in the world: RELATIONSHIPS!! What we need to AIM FOR is:

EXPECTATION 0%. ACCEPTANCE 100%

And this is true to the Scriptures! Tough to achieve, sure, but still should be our GOAL!! Stop those EXPECTATIONS, putting them onto others, especially your spouse! (yes, we do them all the time!) Instead ask the Lord to help you ACCEPT that they are who they are, (and different from you!) GROW THE LOVE IN YOUR MARRIAGE BY PUTTING THE ABOVE TWO GOALS INTO PRACTICE!!

And so Beloved accepts that I'm not into Valentines, but because she accepts me as I am, but STILL LOVES ME (I am SO grateful!!), here's what I got for Valentine's Day - which I barely knew had even arrived... (Yep, Chocs!)

BUT so I wouldn't feel bad, at the same time, this year she bought a different gift for me to give to her! *Just love that!!* (both quite inexpensive I should add; also that as I'm now housebound, no personal shopping possible). So I give her full credit for how well she did with Expectation and Acceptance!

(As she doesn't expect me to do Valentines, and is perfectly okay with that, I still don't. If she was NOT okay with it, of course I would change for her! I should add here that we count ourselves VERY fortunate with the love relationship we have - considering it very definitely as God's quite undeserved blessing to us both!)

So to finish, I definitely understand how life can be racy and VERY busy - but isn't that all the more reason (maybe especially for we guys) to REALLY WORK at keeping the LOVE and ROMANCE going in our marriages!! Praying that some of the above may help!

- BM (with his Valentine *hee!*)

Love is a CHOICE. And the More You Choose to Give,
the More You're Likely to Receive.

PRACTICAL NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY

MESSAGE #174

THE DANGER OF RICHES (and how to fix this!)

It's ages since I read this sermon by the Rev. John Wesley, the man chiefly responsible for Revival in the WHOLE of England which CHANGED that country forever, and the changes spread out into the whole world - being obvious still today in numbers of the things we quite take for granted in our socities: such major things as no slavery; our systems of Government; our freedoms; and much more!!

We owe him a very great deal, a debt in fact, that we can never repay.

Speaking of paying, below is from his sermon titled as above. Re-reading it kind of personally blew my brain, as my searching of the Scriptures on this subject has led me to believe and write the same conclusions as he sets forth below!

But why am I surprised: the Scriptures are there for all Believers, open to be read and studied, and with the help and guidance and revelation from the Holy Spirit made clear! (Still seems amazing to me though...)

Read and reread, and take in EVERY POINT HE MAKES, and note HOW MUCH he says TO GIVE! And in WHAT ORDER - so incredibly PRACTICAL!! This is all SCRIPTURAL folks!! - straight from the heart and mouth of one of the greats of Christianity since the time of the Reformation (which opened up true Biblical Christianity to the world)!!

I pray you'll truly profit from the wisdom of this great man!!

John Wesley, Sermon 87, “The Danger of Riches”.

Your way lies plain before your face; if you have courage, walk in it. Having gained, in a right sense, all you can, and saved all you can; in spite of nature, and custom, and worldly prudence, give all you can. I do not say, "Be a good Jew, giving a tenth of all you possess." I do not say, "Be a good Pharisee, giving a fifth of all your ubstance." I dare not advise you to give half of what you have; no, nor three quarters; but all! Lift up your hearts, and you will see clearly, in what sense this is to be done. If you desire to be a "faithful and a wise steward," out of that portion of your Lord's goods which he has for the present lodged in your hands, but with the right of resumption whenever it pleaseth him, (1.) Provide things needful for yourself; food to eat, raiment to put on; whatever nature moderately requires, for preserving you both in health and strength; (2.) Provide these for your wife, your children, your servants, or any others who pertain to your household. If, when this is done, there be an overplus left, then do good to "them that are of the household of faith." If there be an overplus still, "as you have opportunity, do good unto all men." In so doing, you give all you can; nay, in a sound sense, all you have. For all that is laid out in this manner, is really given to God. You render unto God the things that are God's, not only by what you give to the poor, but also by that which you expend in providing things needful for yourself and your household.

- BM, with his Lady

AS WE USE OUR RICHES LIKE THE LORD INSTRUCTS,
MAY SUCH GOOD COME FROM THIS AS TO
OVERWHELM YOU WITH GODLY JOY!

INTERNET BIBLE HELPS THAT I USE ALL THE TIME


Like I have, you may like to add some of these to Favourites, so you can go there often!

NOTE: The Links to these could change over time. If you find this, then simply search for the item in Google, and change Favourites.

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• CROSSWALK.com. You can search the Bible, Read or Listen to Devotionals (e.g., Dr Michael Youssef). Bible Study Tools is great, and so much more! My BST allows you to Study Different Translations, Cross-reference, Mark Verses, and piles more! ALL FREE!

• BIBLEGATEWAY.com. My Favourite to find Words and Verses (and Check and Read different Versions of the Bible). The Amplified Bible will help you Understand what you're Reading. There are Audio Bibles, Commentaries (including Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary of the Bible - RECOMMENDED). Nave's Topical Bible means you can Find Words and TOPICS (try 'righteousness'). And there's so much more. ALL FREE!

• STRONG'S REFERENCES allow you to Check the Greek (and Hebrew) Words and their Meanings in the Whole Bible. FREE!

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May His Word change you and your life forever!

Much love in Jesus!

- BM

Originally Posted by Faithwoman

Ok Bondman, you are spot on! Whoo hoo! Great posts lately! I have so much within me and so much happening. I must remember the above.
Thanks for continuing to share from your heart!
My prayer is that folks will continue to grab ahold of the messages and start maturing in their Christian walk, myself included. I have come far, but not arrived yet.. lol.. but we know we truly will arrive in eternity.

Hugs

Faithwoman

What I see is that every day we aim to place NO expectations on others, but rather TOTALLY accept them as they are and not JUDGE, then the closer we're coming to truly LOVING with Jesus' love, like He commanded!

Yes, we're all on our journey in Christ. I earnestly PRAY for those like yourself who are prepared to give it their all, so that they are the ones who one day will realise they've reached a place of true maturity, having actually become what few do - become a Man or Woman of God.

Wow, what an exciting thought that is!!!

Love n hugs, cos with your demanding work for Him I know you need 'em!

- BM

P.S. Thankyou for your encouragement, something we ALL need (even when folks think we don't!)

Hi Bondman, it's been a while since I've posted in here, sorry for neglecting you guys.

How have you been? PM me if you wish. I like your new (to me) avatar.

You've still been blessing me, thank you thank you thank you. *HUG*

Originally Posted by Mark_18

Hi Bondman, it's been a while since I've posted in here, sorry for neglecting you guys.

How have you been? PM me if you wish. I like your new (to me) avatar.

You've still been blessing me, thank you thank you thank you. *HUG*

G'day, man!! Nar, we don't really feel neglected. A lot of people read the IR all the time, so there's a pretty fair lot of LOVE around the place (otherwise we would feel lonely)!!

I just love spreadin' them there blessings around as well, so you're most welcome!! *HUG RETURNED WITH INTEREST!* (PM coming.)

- BM

P.S. One of the things I've missed most in the many years since we've been able to attend church is Christian hugs from guys! All of our Government carers who come in to help us three times a week are women. I hardly ever even see a guy now that I'm housebound, let alone get a hug! *wipes away a tear... hehe*