Yet, this is thanksgiving season.  I think of that in two words “giving” and “thanks”.  Which means that in order to “give” there may just be a sacrifice on my part.  In other words, it often takes a sacrifice to begin to focus not on our own circumstances but on what we truly have to be thankful for.  Paul says it in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you  in Christ Jesus.”

Yes, it is often difficult to focus and give thanks to God in ALL circumstances but it takes a conscience effort to look at the good in any negative situation.  What is it that you have to be thankful for this holiday. Consider making a list of 25 things you have to be thankful for and then at the end of the list thank God for each of them.  I would bet that you would probably not be very depressed at the end of the exercise.  So offer a sacrifice and give God thanks during the recession.

Here are just a few of the things I am thankful for:

1. My salvation-thanks God I’m not going to hell!!!
2. My personal relationship with Jesus Christ – thank God I can talk to the Almighty 24/7
3. My children – yes they are a handful, but thank God I have to bundles of joy.
4. My RTR Church Family – thank God for a body of believers who continues to love and accept me just the way I am
5. My job – although stressful at times, thank God I can pay the bills!

Well this is only a few you get the idea.  What are you thankful for?

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (Psalms 40:10)

Do you have a testimony that needs to be told? A story of salvation, healing, or restoration? A testimony of how God held you through a treacherous storm, and refused to let you go?

No matter how big or small, we all have a story of God’s amazing grace. And reading what God has done for others is refreshing and inspiring to us all.

Use the “Leave a reply” box below to share your testimony today!

Note: Your testimony may be used in Rohi Temple of Reconciliation publications and/or on Rohi Temple of Reconciliaton website(s).

If you have problems using this form please send your testimony via email to webmaster@rohi.org or call the Rohi offices at (408) 926-2926

There is no term for this or model for this in the bible! Let’s make a choice to stop dating and wait on God.

Then you may ask how do I find the right person for me.

Answer read below: (Here’s a hint: YOU DON’T FIND ANYONE) You allow God to send the right person to you!

Our real biblical model for marriage is Jesus Christ and the church ( Eph 5:22-32). Let’s look at how God the father, helped Jesus to be betrothed to his bride the church.

1) God the father chose the bride.  God chose us to have a relationship with Jesus. Translation – stop looking and allow a parent or if you don’t have one a spiritual parent to choose for you. No one seemed to like this. This means that as singles we should be focused on Jesus Christ first. As we focus on Christ and grow and mature- God will begin to speak to a spiritual parent or your natural parent about who a possible mate may be for you.

2) Jesus stayed in constant communication with the father in the process. Oh Jesus always talked to God about the church and his bride. We can also see this with Ruth and Naomi. Ruth 3:1-6. Ruth was a widow and Naomi was her spiritual parent. Naomi told Ruth exactly how to proceed in the relationship and she chose to obey. Hence, she ended up with Boaz and entered into the lineage of Jesus Christ. Listen and obey God and your spiritual parents. DON”T DATE – Listen to your spiritual parent.

3) Jesus paid the ultimate dowry for the bride. Jesus gave his life and body for the church. We shoud prepare to bring a dowry to the mate. The dowry is not just financial but the internal. We should bring to the table a person who is completely free of emotional baggage, financial baggage, prior datng baggage, etc. Deal with your issues. Until we deal with our issues we are not ready t be married. Bring a virgin heart and renewed body to the marriage.!!!

4) Jesus hasn’t touched the church yet! – It is interesting to note that we are betrothed to Christ as his bride and the wedding will take place on the last days when Jesus comes back see Rev 19. NOTE we should not touch a person physically. 2 Cor 6:9 – FFFFFFLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEE (Flee) Sexual Immorality. RUN Forest RUN!!! Stay away from them! No touching! THis is how we end up with more babies that are unplanned, sexual diseases, broken hearts, etc.

5) WAIT ON GOD – as you wait on God, he will develop your character and you will become the spouse he desires you to be and you will have a HAPPY MARRIAGE!

Let’s discuss, what do you think?

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Question of the day:  If there is no transformation in your life are you really a Christian? If there is no fruit in your life are you really saved? God says in Matthew 3:8 we ought to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

When you got saved did you just pray a prayer of salvation and that was it? Did you really become a new creation in Christ? If you are new in Christ where is the evidence of your salvation? Are you living as a new creation, has the old really gone?

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

1 John 3: 9-10 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”

Matthew 7:21 -23. ” 21″Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Where are you in your salvation? Are you really saved? Or are you going through the motions of Christianity? Are you proclaiming Christ but living any way you want, doing anything you want! Do you look like the world, smell like the world, act like the world, talk like the world but on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s go to church.

My dear loved one, God calls for so much more than that! He is worthy of a changed life! If we have really had an encounter with God you and I will never be the same again. So here is the question for you, Are you REALLY saved?