How Israel could be dragged into Syria's civil war

Syria's civil war is spiralling out of control, and is now threatening to drag Israel into open conflict with its northern neighbor after rebel forces captured a border town just a little too close to Israeli towns and military installations
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Source:http://www.christiannewstoday.com

BOAZ AND RUTH By.Samuel GP

INTRODUCTON:

The book of Ruth is true love story, relating the romance of a poor, wildowed, gentile servent girl, and a rich, powerful jew of Bethlahem. The poor widow’s name is Ruth.” The wealthy jewis sboaz”. The story is full of pathos and drama. Alternating the sorrow and joy, tears and laughter, weaping and singing, and ends in typical story book fashion with the marriage of the two lovers, and they lived together forever. It reads like a novel, but it is not made upstory but a real story of the love, between Boaz of Bethlahem and Ruth of Moab. It is one of the most clear and precious portraits and types of the love of our redeemer, the lord Jesus, for Hid bride, the church. And also this love story gives some moral character in the marriage life.

BACGROUND OF THIS STORY:

There was a family in Bethlehem during judges period. The name of the man was Elimelech, and his wife name was Naomi. He had two sons called Mohlon and Chilon. Now the great famine was take place in Bethlehem. Elimelech family went to moab in order to escape from the famine in Bethlehem. They stayed in Moab almost for ten years. Elimelech’s two sons married Moabitesin Moab. Mahlon married ruth, Chilon married Orpha. After some years unfortunately elimelech and his both sons were dead. That family began to struggle. In this situation Naomi came to know that in Bethlehem is fleshering by God’s providence. She was planning,  to go to Bethlehem, before that she wanted to send both her daughter in laws to their own home, here both were crying after that Orpha kissed her mother in law and went back to her home, but in the case of Ruth it was different she did not want to go home. She wanted to stay with her mothe in law until her death. Ruth was pleading to Naomi to stay with her. Finally Naomi agreed and they both started their journey to Bethlehem.

THE HEART OF RUTH:

Ruth was a Moabite women. The meaning of her name is friendship or beauty. She married mahlon. The son of elimelech and Naomi. Sfter some years unfortunately Ruth’s husband died. Ashe became a widow. Now Naomi request her to leave from her for Ruth’s betterment, but ruth did not leave from her mother in law. She was so strong in staying with Naomi. Mostly people will look for the comfortable place when the things are going bad in their life. Ruth could have gone back to her own people and get marry with somebody in order to enjoy her life. But she didn’t do that. In this circymstances we can easily request recognize the heart of Ruth. She did not think about her future settlement. Just she wanted to stay with hewr mother in law. We may wonder why she did not go back to home. The reason may be she loved the God of Israel. It may be the place of God. When Ruth and Naomi arrived Bethlehem they had no hope about their basic needs. Here Ruth said to her mother in law, “let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him …” work from the morning till evening. Though she was suffering in this manner she never discouraged about her life. Then we understood that she had sacrificial love towards her obeyed whatever her mother in law said. She had great respect towards Naomi. Ruth’s character was really not think about goning back to her hometown and she lived with humiliation. She did not complain about anything. I didn’t find that she murmered against anybosy. And though she is young her exception was really great because she could have chose any young man to marry, but she went after Boaz because it was guided by her mother in law. When Naomi told her story with Boaz, she did not think about Boaz age, whereby she looked only the heart of the Boaz. By reading the book of Ruth we can clearly understand Ruth was humble and obedient in all the area. 

“YOUTH AND MINISTRY” BY.SAMUEL GP

Table of contents

Introduction

Biblical  Principles Of Youth Ministry

Models of Ministry:

Special Needs of Young People

Psycho-social needs:

Youth ministry options

The volunteer youth minister

Advantages of using volunteers:

Disadvantages of using volunteers:

The summer youth minister

Advantages of a summer youth worker:

Disadvantages of using a summer youth minister:

The permanent part-time work

Advantages of a permanent part-time worker:

Disadvantages of having a permanent part-time youth minister:

The full-time youth worker

Advantages of having a full-time youth minister:

Disadvantages of a full-time youth ministry program:

Conclusion

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE OF MARRIAGE BY.SAMUEL GP

TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

Gods view on marriage

The hope of biblical marriage

BIBLICAL MODEL FOR MARRIAGE

God has ordained marriage

God has established the character of marriage

God has made the marriage relationship basic to society

God has designed some to receive the blessing of remaining single

MARRIAGE IS A SEXUALLY INTIMATE AND PASSIONATE RELATIONSHIP

MARITAL CONFLICT

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

The biblical principle of marriage is a must for every Christian life, since God instituted and honour marriage. Family without biblical principle would be like a society without law, rules and regulation. Therefore here in this assignment one can realize the need of biblical foundation in marriage. This research is divided into three sessions. They are as follow:

God intends an expect marriage to be a life time commitment between a man and women, based on the Biblical love. The relationship between Jesus and his church is the supreme example of the committed love that a husband and wife ought to follow in their relationship with each other (ecc.9:9, Mal.2: 14; Matt.19:3-6;I cor,13:4-8).

While there are only a few passages in God’s word that specifically address the marriage relationship, the provide all that is necessary to understand God’s exalted view of marriage.

Gods view on marriage

Marriage is neither a social convenience nor simply an invention for living together. It is ordained by God to be a covenant of companionship and mutual complement (Gen 2:18, 22-25; I Cor 7:10-11), and it is meant to keep you set apart in your physical relationship for one another (I Cor 7:2-5).

The marriage relationship is designed to be one of unity and one- flesh permanency (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31) that reflect the loving relationship between Christ and His church (Eph 5:21-23)[1]

The hope of biblical marriage

If a person get married, God’s word instructs he or she is to love their spouse (Eph 5:25); and, if a person believer in Jesus Christ, you have already been enabled to do so (Rom 5:5). Even if their spouse never practices biblical love, the person can still beat peace (ps 119:165) and can do their part to foster harmony in their home (I Peter 3:8-9). Remember that you are not responsible to change others (phi.1:6), but your responsibility to examine yourselves continually in a biblical manner (matt.7:1-5).

As you continue to be a biblical servant and be a blessing to your spouse (phi.2:3-4),you can be assured that God will work all things for good in your relationship with your spouse. No one, not even an unbelieving or unloving are rebellious spouse, can prevent it (Rom.8:28-29)[2]

BIBLICAL MODEL FOR MARRIAGE

God has ordained marriage

When the person marries, the people commit themselves in a covenant before God to a life time of companionship with your spouse (pro 2; 11-19).

Marriage relationship with spouse is to be patterned after the relationship of the lord Jesus Christ and His Church (Eph 5:21-33).[3]

God has established the character of marriage

Biblical love for your spouse is to be based on based on God ‘s love for you I John 4:7-11) and must be practiced out of a desire to please the Lord (Col 1:9-12, 3:17).

Marriage is to be a one-flesh relationship, not only physically but also in mind and purpose (Eph 5:31).

In God’s sight, marriage partners are equal in value (I Cor 11:11-12) but have and same judgment (Phil 2:1-7).

Marriage partners are to leave the parent-child relationship with their own respective parents in order to cleave with one another (Matt 19:5; Eph 5:31).

Marriage is to be undefiled and is to be held in honour by all (Heb 13:4).[4]

God has made the marriage relationship basic to society

Marriage is designed to give society stability in relationship and responsibilities (Eph 5:21-33).

Marriage is designed to give the necessary stability for bearing and up children (Gen 1:28).[5]

A biblical marriage relationship is designed to be a criterion for the evaluation of the maturity and development of potential elders in a church (Titus 1:5-6,2:3-5)

Marriage is integral to the life of a local church (I Tim 3:2; Tit 1:5-6)[6]

God has designed some to receive the blessing of remaining single

If you are single, you have a great opportunity for ministry in the life of a church family, since you do not have do not have the responsibilities or potential distractions of married people (I Cor 7:32-35).[7]

God has given singleness as a gift to some. He desires those who are presently single to be content and to bless others with their time, material goods, and energy, making the most of every opportunity to serve (Eph 5:16; Ph 4:11-13, 19).[8]

Marriage is a sexually intimate and passionate relationship.

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.( Genesis 2: 25)
Before we address this Biblical truth about marriage, some spouses avoid this topic altogether and do not discuss intimacy and passion with anyone (including their spouses). With all due respect to everyone's privacy, please skip to the next section if this topic offends you. Please continue reading to understand what the Bible has to say about passion, which is different from lust.
“Until the day comes that you are totally ravished with your wife, you have not fallen in love with her. Until the day comes that you cannot even imagine how another woman could satisfy you like your wife does, you have not yet obeyed the commandment to love your wife like the Lord loves us all.”
18: Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19: Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.  Proverbs 5: 18-19

There is a world of difference between lust and passion. Lust is sin and a loss of self-control; passion is a fire that forms the very metal of marriage. Men are highly visual and imaginative creatures when it comes to sex. They perceive a direct link in their sexual energy with the very energy of life.

Wives like to have sex in marriage also, but not like a man. Wives view marital sex differently. What wives really want in marital sex is romance and passion.

A Biblical marriage is a sexually intimate and passionate relationship. The satisfaction, fulfillment, joy and pleasure are part of God's plan for the marriage. You don't have to be an expert at the very beginning of the marriage. Many believe that the very learning experience of sexual intimacy is part of the lifetime of joy in marriage. Marital sexuality is a life-changing-experience and part of the changing-of-life-experience.[9]

MARITAL CONFLICTS

Many conflicts in a marriage result from living to please self instead of living to please the Lord. These conflicts can be resolved and are actually opportunities for spiritual growth when death with in a biblical manner (II Cor 4:7-10).

1.                        When living to please self, each spouse will blame the other for problems and difficulties even though booth are sinning (Gen 3:12-13; Jem 4:1).

2.                        When a husband and wife live to please themselves, they often try to solve marital conflicts man’s way by: compromising biblical principles to solve conflicts; seeking to find trade-offs and bargains in order to get their own way; basing decisions and actions on the world’s erroneous of having a good self-esteem or self- image; trying to find someone “more compatible;”Immersing themselves in work, children, travel, sports, alcohol, drugs, friends, etc.

3.                        God desires that problems in marriages be solved for the good of each spouse, as each seeks to please the Lord within the marriage relationship (II Tim 3:16-17; Heb4:12). God commands a believing spouse to love Him (Matt 22:37-38) and to obey his word (Lu 6:46-49).

As a believer esteems his spouse as more important than himself (Phi 2:3-4),he will face and deal with all difficulties in a manner that  pleases the Lord (I Pet 4:1-2).This leads to an increasing oneness of mind and purpose as both spouses receive encouragement from Jesus Christ (Phil 2:1-2).

4.                        Spouses are to be drawing closer to god, especially during times of conflict.

As both believing spouses individually draw closer to God the father through the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 4:14-16). Even when only one spouse draws closer to God, it is the best hope of drawing the other spouse to the Lord (I Cor 7:16;I Pet 3:1).[10]

CONCLUSION

The Bible has much to say about marriage and our parents are responsible for most of our teaching to be good husbands and wives. However, throw this paper I understood, marriage is God’s plane and God intends and expects marriage to be a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman, based on the principles of biblical love.

Being wise and knowledgeable are good things but developing the ability to understand, especially to understand your spouse, is consistent with being intimate, knowing God, follow the biblical principles in marriage, and having a well established house called a home.

---

[1]  John Broger, Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Biblical Discipleship,(California: Biblical Counseling Foundation,1991),p.245.

[2] Dr.Dobson, Answer Your Questions About Marriage and Sexuality, (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers Inc, 1982), Pp., 10-15.

[3] Charls R.swendoll,strike the original match,(Minneapolis world wide publication,1980),P.23.

[4] John Broger, Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Biblical Discipleship,P.247.

[5] John Broger, Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Biblical Discipleship, Pp.246-247.

[6] Tim Lahaye, How to be Happy Through Married, (England: Tyndale House Publisher, 1977), P.136.

[7] John Broger, Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Biblical Discipleship, P.247.

[8] Tim Lahaye, How to be Happy Through Married, (England: Tyndale House Publisher, 1977), P.137.

[9] O.E Feucht,  Family Relationships and Church, (Chicago: Concordia Publisher House, 1970), Pp., 25-40.

[10]  El Worthington Jr., Christian Marital Counselling,(Secunderabad: OM Book Andrapradesh, 2005), Pp., 39-50.

Church in Venezuela mourns oil refinery deaths

Photo via wnct.com Venezuela's bishops grieved over the explosion and fire at an oil refinery in the country – one of the four largest in the world – that killed 41 people, left dozens injured and is still burning after three days, reports Catholic News Agency. Authorities at the Amuay refinery, the largest in Venezuela with a capacity of 645,000 barrels per day, said that if the flames cannot be extinguished, they will wait for the fire to burn out and cool off for two days before re-launching operations. The bishops of Venezuela said the 41 deaths caused by the explosion and fire are cause for “mourning and saddens for the entire Venezuelan nation, and especially for the inhabitants of the state of Falcon.”  As pastors of the Church, we want to convey our words of Christian comfort and solidarity to those affected by this unfortunate incident. May faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life, the physician of our souls and bodies, sustain them in their sorrow and grant them the peace that only He can give. May they be assured that the prayers and affection of all Catholics in Venezuela are with them at this time. bishops , Venezuela “As pastors of the Church, we want to convey our words of Christian comfort and solidarity to those affected by this unfortunate incident. May faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life, the physician of our souls and bodies, sustain them in their sorrow and grant them the peace that only He can give. May they be assured that the prayers and affection of all Catholics in Venezuela are with them at this time,” the bishops said. They also offered prayers for the eternal repose of the deceased. “We pray that trust in the one who says: 'I am the resurrection and the life,' will strengthen those who today mourn the deaths of their loved ones in the hope of eternal life.” The explosion at the refinery appeared to be caused by a three day-long gas leak, although President Hugo Chavez has denied this. Ivan Freites, the union president at the Paraguana Refinery Center – which includes the Amuay and Cardon refineries – called the denials an “attempt to confuse the public.” “The managers are acting like political operatives. They are saying what they have to say to keep their positions,” he argued.

sources:http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17221.html

Catholic-run business asks Obama to respect its faith

Photo via catholicnewsagency.com Catholic-run business asks Obama to respect its faith A spokesman for a Catholic family-owned business in Colorado is asking President Obama to respect his family’s faith after the president reaffirmed his support for the controversial contraception mandate during a recent campaign swing through the state, reports Catholic News Agency. “Instead of rewarding political special interests and punishing family businesses, the president should instead be true to the oath he swore to uphold and defend the Constitution and religious freedom,” Andy Newland, Vice President of Hercules Industries, told CNA Aug. 13. “At Hercules we offer generous compensation and benefits to all ouremployees, including for women's health, pregnancy and wellness. We are only asking that the government not force our family to violate its faith in order to earn a living and create jobs.” Hercules Industries manufactures heating, ventilation and air conditioning units and has locations in several U.S. states. Its owners, William Newland, Paul Newland, James Newland, and Christine Ketterhagen, all identify as practicing Catholics. On July 27 a federal judge in Denver granted the Newlands and their business a legal injunction against a Department of Health and Human Services mandate they say forces them to violate their Catholic beliefs. The HHS mandate requires most employers to provide no co-pay insurance coverage for sterilization and contraception, including some early abortion-causing drugs. The mandate’s narrow religious exemption would not apply to many Catholic charities, health care systems, and universities. It lacks any protections for secular businesses run by Catholics and others who object to providing the coverage. Employers who refuse to provide the coverage face possible fines of $100 dollars per employee per day. Hercules Industries employs 300 people. The Obama administration has said it will work to provide an accommodation for religious institutions. However, it has also advocated against broad exemptions. President Obama reaffirmed his support for the mandate in a campaign rally on Denver’s Auraria Campus last week. He criticized his opponent, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, for favoring legislation the president said would “allow any employer to deny contraceptive coverage to their employees.” “It would be up to the employer to decide. Your boss, telling you what’s best for your health, your safety,” the president said Aug. 8. Andy Newland questioned why the law’s many other exemptions would not apply to the HHS mandate. “The federal government cannot pick and choose what faith is and who can practice faith, and then target people of faith for punishment while exempting nearly 200 million other people from this mandate for purely political reasons,” Newland said. more >http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17155.html

Christians desiring settlement camp in park

Christians protesting — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Residents of G-9/4 Wednesday occupied a wooded area to prevent the return of a group of Christians intent upon settling there.

Tension has been persisting between the two sides since Tuesday when the locals and the police foiled the group’s first attempt to settle there. The 100 odd Christians have set camp in a nearby park after being driven out of the wooded area.

A police contingent is deployed in the contested area and local volunteers are standing watch on the campers in the Neelum Road park to block any move to raise a settlement there.

On the other hand, the Christian campers claim they are waiting for permission from the authorities to settle there.

The Christian community was reluctant to talk with the media, while claiming that their lives would be in danger, after their names were published in the media.

Only one man, talking on condition of anonymity, said: “We are afraid and do not return back to our homes at Merhria Jaffar.”

He added: “Our people locked their homes and left Merhria Jaffar. Besides, the church setup on a Rs7,000 per month rent is secure.”

They said that efforts were in progress to get permission from the authority for the settlement and the Christian families are camping in the park.

On the other hand dozens of local residents of G-9/4 started watching the wooded area in which some area was chopped off by the Christian families.

President Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Islamabad Chapter Babar Minhas told Dawn that the matter was in the knowledge of the police, city administration and Capital Development Authority, which were asked to intervene in the matter.

Mr Minhas said that he met with chairman CDA, who assured him that a fence would be installed around the wooded area along with fresh plantation at the place of chopped trees and bushes on Thursday (today).

He said that there was no settlement in the wooded area and that no-one would construct new one without any permission from the authorities concerned.

The Margalla police said that a contingent of the police was deployed in the wooded area to avoid any confrontation between the local and the Christian Community.

Besides, avoid any further move from the Christian community to occupy the land for the settlement.

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minster Rehman Malik here on Wednesday said that the Christian girl allegedly involved in blasphemy was in safe custody and would not be subjected to injustice.

Talking to media after National Peace Conference, the minister said that the girl was safe and would remain safe.

The responsibility lies with the government to provide security to her, Mr Malik replied to another question.

The judiciary is independent and police would investigate the issue on merit, the minister said, adding, that the girl would not be subjected to injustice.

He reminded the international community that “Pakistan is a sovereign country; allow us to proceed in accordance of the law.”

sources:http://dawn.com/2012/08/30/christians-desiring-settlement-camp-in-park-2/

AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH: THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE -CHAPTER 4-AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH IN THE MARITAL EXPECTATION

Chapter IV

The preceding chapter have dealt with the failures in the relationship with God and in marital relationship, the need to have proper spiritual and marital and the modern to have a perfect relationship with God and the mate in the marital relationship. In the order of priority, they are the personal relationship with God and then the marital relationship. In each of these areas, God has made perfect relationship possible.God had made the perfect marriage available to those in the marriage who will believe and obey Him.The realization of having been living on too low a led in marital relationship means it is directly proportional to the relationship with God.

One of the most revolutionary features of the teaching of Jesus was His standard of marriage. He refused to settle for anything less thanthe original purpose of God.For this reason, Solomon’s picture of “a cord of three stands” not only illustrates the pattern of marriage establish at creation, if also portrays just as accurately the pattern of marriage for believes today who are united through their faith in Christ. Derek Prince, about this “three strands said,

The three strands are the man, the women, and God. The Principle that binds them inseparably together is covenant.[1] This covenant represents final irrevocable commitment. Commitment leads to life, a blessed life, a shared life and fruitfulness bots spiritually and in marriage.[2]

Commitment in the life of a Marriage Christian

The concept of covenant is central to the whole of divine revelation. So is the concept of commitment is central to the whole of divine relationship and marital relationship. God considers the breaking of a covenant a very serious matter and one which will bring judgement on the guilty party. So could hold the commitment which is the ingredient of covenant. Commitment is the basis of relationship. The full understands the concept of commitment. Every permanent relationship of man with God and man with women us based on commitment.[3]

Commitment of God to Man

The sacrifice is the emblem of the covenant, and the wren ant is God’s final, irrevocable commitment. Covenant involves sacrifice and in turn sacrifice involves commitment. In God’s sight, the act of making covenant is no empty ritual. It is a solemn and sacred commitment.[4]

God made Commitment to Man

If traced through history the course of events that resulted from the Lord’s covenant with Abram, It is seen that each party had to make good the commitment which the covenant represented. That is how the Lord and Abram entered into covenant. Each passed in turn between the pieces of the sacrifices. It is amazing that a Almighty God would do that with a man. In a certain sense, God had come all the way down from heaven to pass between those pieces of slain animals to make His commitment to Abram. This commitment of God to man was unconditional and sacrificial.[5]

God Himself was a Commitment

Commitment of God to Abraham was not the end. God had also committed Himself His commitment to Abraham. Two thousand years later God, in His turn, fulfilled His past of the covenant by committing Himself, He offered up His only son. There was no last minute reprieve. One may pass through a time when they can see nothing but the one fact that Jesus died for them. That is all need to be known. Everything is included in that. In Romans 8:32 He that spared not His own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? There could be times when only this commitment is all one can hold on to. It is the covenant and commitment made in the sacrificial death of the lord Jesus Christ.[6]

On the Cross, Jesus laid down His life as the full price of redemption for Abraham and all his descendants. That act was the outcome of the commitment that God and Abram made to each other on that fateful night, two thousand years earliest, when they passed between those pious of the sacrifice. All that followed from then on in the course of history was determined by theircovenant and committed. God would go to such lengths to make his personal commitment to man.[7]

Commitment of Man to God

Husbands and wives in the marriage are of two kinds religiously. They may be church goers, or at least have a church background. They may be familiar with the accepted phrases used by religious people. They may actually had experienced moments of uplift or inspiration when they knew that god was real. Alternatively, they may to the person withno church background. Although they are on adherent of any definite religion, there is hunger in their heart which they long to satisfy. Or again, they may not belong to either of these categories. They may have come to the point of religious hunger of some unique route of their own. That really is not the issue now. But they have to come to a point where they long for an intimate, personal relationshipwith God, something that could be so deep and real that they will never again need to question it. They should be ready, therefore, tomake a sincere,whole hearted commitment of themselves to God through Jesus Christ.[8]

Prayerful Life

The natural way for a person to make the commitment is by prayer. By praying one gives the expression of what is in the heart, in the process of verbalizing it one gives it content. Prayer makes the commitment specific. Prayer is like crossing a bridge. It takes a person over into new territory. Prayer will not let a person. Replying on something vague and undefined in the shadowy realm of one’s mind. Prayer makes a passion to know and understand what they are committed to, when and where they made their commitment .the on-going relationship withGod will hence forth have a definite starting point- something fixed in a time – space world – a point of decision. Prayer leads to simple faith that in turn leads to god through Jesus Christ commitment involves cultivating new relationship with God. Prayer strengthens the relationship withGod. Commitment in prayer life is setting aside a period of each day for God. Spending part of this period is reading the bible and part of it is praying – that is talking to God in a committed sincere and natural way. All this will put a desire in one’s heart to know god in a real and personal way ever if they do not fully understand everything.[9]

Witnessing Life

The commitment to God should be known to the people around. This is not being spiritually aggressive or putting on religious airs. But as opportunities come in the normal course of daily life it must be made known in a quiet, but firm way that Jesus is in full control of life. A person life could be a witness of his commitment to God. A family could be a witness of its commitment to God. It is a wonderful means for evangelism. It could serve as a vehicle to ministry running on the wheels of commitment Hughes said, “

As ministry professionals, we hold the firm conviction that family is ministry and that the most effective spread of the gospel occurs through family, at the heart of the family is ministry. Christian families are magnetic and therefore when Christian families are living under Gods word, people will find themselves drawn to them.[10]

It could be unfortunate when Christians separate family and ministry. Commitment leads to ministry. They are inseparable. God has given this church much , and he distress for it to minister to others in order to give back a portion of what his church has been given the ministry and witness out of commitment  is both in the family and to beyond the family. Ministering and witnessing in the church should be earnest. God’s people are to seek God and his kingdom before all else the relationship with God is the priority. God should be loved above all else. Pleasing God, obeying him and spending time in fellowship with him. All of these come out of commitment to him and leads to witness. Ministry involves love and commitment for god and love and concern for people rather than ac commitment a task.[11]

Commitment to Mate

After the personal relationship to god, the next most important area of a believer’s life in marriage is their marriage and home. The right order of priorities should be made sure. For committed believers, marriage is “a cord of three stands “a covenant between husband, wife and God, it takes the personal commitment to make the covenant effective. This commitment between husband and wife should be at same time and same level, which is possible by all sufficient supernatural grace to God, which in turn involves their commitment to God. Packekrk said, “Commitment to marriage has become passé”[12] instead of “till death do us part” today’s culture a society has changed the words to “till disagreements do us part”. This attitude is contrary to god’s original plan. Quitting the marriage is an all too quick first response for these experiencing difficulties. Christians are not exempt studies show the divorce rate for Christians is equal to the secular worlds rate because Christian have the help and power from god available, quitting should not be the initial response to domestic problems. Commitment to the marriage must be affirmed while at the same time dealing with issues in troubled marriage.[13]

Commitment living out the Plan of God for Marriage.

                A committed believer earnestly wants to follow god’s plan for his life for god’s purpose are always good. Committed to marriage should be based on a desire to obey god. Commitment for mate provides a safe environment for love tograce and matures. In the beginning, God created the man and the woman to be one of flesh. This oneness was described a cleaving, or being glued together. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus described marriage with the word joined. Joined means to yoke together, uniting in a permanent bond. Permanence is what god intended for husbands and wives in marriage. Malachi 2:14, calls marriage a covenant relationship. Divorce does violence or irreparable damage, to the divine plan for marriage, which was to be a committed relationship. Gods covenant relationship with Israel is compared to a marriage relationship. The church is called the bride of Christ) Rev 21:2). Committed covenant marriage for Christians is thus modelled after Christ’s love for his church.[14]

Committedly living by trust in Marriage

Trust is marriage is by faith on God and faithfulness to mate. This trust on god is the outcome of commitment to god and faithfulness to make is the outcome of commitment to mate.[15]

Trusting God

God is faithful and all powerful and can work through any circumstances for his purposes and his glory. God did not promise that life would be easy, but he did promise that he would be with his children through everything, even though difficult times in marriage. A believer’s responsibility is to respond to life events in the way that pleases God.[16] Packer said, “Hope is bound up in the presence and purposes of God in our lives.[17]

Trusting Mate

One’s thoughts can totally sabotage the commitment level by focusing them on their spouse’s negative aspects and short comings. This trust for each other could be revealed by god, if asked for. Men and women in marriage must know to trust in each other. Trusting each other will make each other trusted. Marriage may at times seem an arduous and difficult but commitment in necessary to keep trusting in god and mate. Trust in marriage is mutual.[18]

Being faithful

Faithfulness is the core of commitment unhappiness and difficulties in marriage of ten arise out of sinful hearts rather than from circumstances and people. Faithfulness if trust worthiness. There should be absolute fidelity to spouse and marriage. There could be nothing that violates trust like adultery. Trust is broken quickly but takes time restore, said Omartian.[19]Faithfulness could be the most delicate. Most important and strangest part of marriage. Faithfulness to spouse comes out of faithfulness to God.[20]

Commitment of the Church of God

This is commitment to God’s people commitment gains people. Those who have a committed relationship with god necessarily also have a committed relationship with each other. He relationships established by commitment should extend in two directions. Vertical and horizontal, the commitment that brings a person into union vertically with God must of necessity also bring him into union horizontally with all who have entered into the union with god with same commitment. No one could have right to claim to the benefit of committed relationship with god, while at the same time refusing to accepts the obligations toward those who share the same covenant commitment with him. The same covenant commitment that brings individuals into union with God also brings them into collective union with one another.[21]

The New Testament set forth, for all who enters into the new covenant the ways in which they are obligated, by their covenant commitment. To relate to one another,

                 Wash one another feet (John 13:14)

                 One may edify another (Romans 14:19)

Receive ye one another (Romans 15:7)

Admonish one another (Romans 15:14)

Salute one another (Romans 16:16)

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Bear ye one another burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Bearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)

Be ye kind one to another (Ephesians 4:32)

Forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32)

Submitting yourselves one to another (Ephesians 5:21)

Admonishing one another (Colossians 3:16)

Comfort one another (I Thessalonians 4:18)

Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)

Consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Confess your faults one to another (I Peter 4:9)

Pray one for another (James 5:16)

Use hospitality one to another (I Peter 4:9)

Subject one to another (I Peter 5:5)[22]

Believers could fulfil the turns of the new covenant as they discharge these mutual responsibilities toward one another. To the Greek vocabulary of the New Testament, one very important word describes the distinctive life style into which a committed believer is initiated through the new covenant. It is koinonia, derived from the adjective koines which means common literally and basically koinonia is “having in common “this costs commitment.[23]

Walking in the light is worked out through commitment. but walk in the light, as he is in the light, were have fellowship one with another…’’ commitment is the only way to rough   waling I the light as individual believers, one can only achieve true fulfilment and wholeness by entering into a committed relationship with other believers in such a way that they can together with them, function as a single body.[24]

Marriage from the Perspective of God

                            The relationship in marriage should be based on God’s perspective. The most needed thing for family is God’s perspective one of the biggest commitments a person will make during his or her life time is that of marriage. Unfortunately this is one of the promises most often broken. The reason that this important commitment could fall apart is an improper understanding of what marriage is. Until a person understands the solemn union that God intended marriage to be, that person will never be fully committed[25]. Taylor said, God intended for marriage to be an iron- clad promise”.[26]

Contract Marriages

In spite of the fact that the concept of covenant is seen throughout the Bible, in today’s contract-oriented society. Marriage is treated as a contract relationship. Even many Christian couples have brought this contract mentality into their marriages. They busy themselves with making contract and trying to force each other into living up to them. Unfortunately, this kind of marriage stimulates resentment heart and anger and eventually leads same couples to divorce.[27]

Basically, the contract is an agreement between two or more person specifying that one will do something if the other will do something. Legally, marriage between legal marriage and covenant marriage. In a legal marriage, if one party does not live up to the contract, then legal actions forces them to do so or to end the marriage with an equitable settlement. Contracts are important but problem arises when marriage is viewed only as a contract or a series of contracts because contracts are most often made for a limited period of time. This involves mutual benefits for the parties involved, and breaks apart when circumstance change. This does not involve the commitment of “till death do part us”. This contract mentality predisposes the couple to divorce when the relationship comes upon hard times. Contract marriages often deal with specific actions, which does not involves love and concern for each other in marriage.[28]

Contracts are based on an “if …, then…” mentality. They are motivated by the desire to get something one wants. This kind of marriage same sometimes unspoken and implicit. A society would not exist without laws regulating marriage relationship, so in this sense, marriage is a contract. But when this happens in a Christian marriage, then the husbands and wives in the Christian marriage have become totally secular in their thinking and have abandonment the biblical view of marriage. The Bible views marriage ultimately as a covenant although contracts may be an important part of carrying out the covenant. For a Christian, however, marriage is more than a contract.[29]

Covenant Marriage

The word covenant is a biblical term and it most clearly denotes the uniqueness of Christian marriage. The concept of covenant runs throughout the Bible. Marriage is also viewed as a covenant a between a man and woman. God often depicted His relationship with Israel as a covenantal marriage. Jesus Himself clearly viewed marriage as a lifelong covenantal relationship (Matt. 19:4-9). The sacrifice upon which the covenant of Christian marriage is based is the death of Jesus Christ on sinner’s behalf. He is the sacrifice though which, by faith, a man and a woman can pass into the relationship of marriage as God Himself ordained that it should be. In this marriage relationship, each party has a special contribution to make. It is noteworthy that in every passage of the New Testament which deals with marriage explain the mutual obligation of both husband and wife.[30]

A covenant, like a contract, an agreement made between two or more persons, but the nature of the agreement is quite different. Covenants are initiated for the benefit of the other person. In covenant relationships, God made unconditional promises and He expects the same in the covenant marriage. Short coming son private behaviour should be forgiven and characterized by unconditional promises covenant marriage are based on steadfast love. The characteristic of a steadfast love at the centres of covenant marriage. God’s steadfast love motivates a believer’s best interest. In covenant marriage, it is same. Husbands and wives should enter marriage with a sense that they are loved and that they love each other and then they are responsible for maintaining this attitude of love through the marriage. Bible commanded husbands (Titus2:4). Covenant relationships require confrontation and forgiveness. Confrontation means holding the other person responsible for his or her actions. Forgiving means a willingness to lift the penalty and continue a loving, growing relationship. God’s response to man’s failures has always been confrontation and a willingness to forgive. There will be failures in every marriage but a covenant marriage is marked by a commitment to responsible living and a willingness t forgives when the spouse fails. This approach to marriage, which sees it in terms of a covenant, is very different from the attitude with which most people today enter into marriage.[31]

Marriage- The Glorious Relationship

Christian marriage between a man and woman is so glories that it exhibits the relationship of Jesus Christ to His church. At all costs one must not misrepresent this relationship.

The Greatness of the Church

The application to earthly Christian marriage of how Christ does it all for the church should be valued as Christ values it. This is God given pattern for the marriage. Christ as a glorious bride. The relationship between Christ and church is a great mystery. It could be the secret of how oneness is achieved in the body of Christ, the church. It is the secret of how headship body headship and body principles are achieved. This is an open sacred secret too. Church is so precious in the sight of God and that His relationship with His church is so very much precious.[32]

The Glory of the Marriage

Bible compares marriage to the relationship between Christ and the church. Christ loves His church and is committed to it one hundred per cent. A marriage should be the same. Surely a marriage built on this biblical view would be delightful and fulfilling. Some people have noticed that in this passage of scripture Paul so intertwines the subject of Christ and the church and the relationship of husband and wives that bible reader might wonder if he has lost teach of the main subject. And that may be the significant point he is making that the best example of how Christ relates to the church is found in a godly marriage.[33]

So how can New Testament believers understand and apply this passage in today’s modern culture, a culture vastly different from that to which Paul originally wrote? The cultural expectation of the first century was that wives would submit to their husbands and that husbands would use their wives for their own sexual and social gratification. In that context Paul could assume that wives were submissive and that the husbands we the ones in need of major instruction. However, the point is to show how marriage can be an example, and expression of the mutual submission demonstrated by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church.[34]

Surely the application is not that one garden is to submit and one gender is to love. Rather, the application is that Christian’s marriage is to be an example of the relationship that exists between Christ and the church. Both parties are to love and submit. To those who argue that “somebody has to be in charge of the come” Paul might well respond, “Yes, Christ must be in charge of the home”. And if Christ is the Lord of the home, then mutual submission and mutual love are possible and ultimately inevitable. Christ marriage is so important because it is a picture of Christ and church. This magnificent picture was a mystery, never known in the past, but now revealed. The sacredness of the church is wed to the sacredness of marriage; so, by marriage one can be either a symbol or denial of Christ and His church.[35]

The purpose of the covenant between God and the individual believer is to bring all believers into union with each. The purpose of the marriage covenant is to bring man and woman into union with each other. Thus the end purpose of covenant marriage, but contracts alone does not provide a covenant marriage. The intimacy and fulfilling God intended for marriage can be experienced only if couples in marriage are committed to a covenant marriage. The relationship with God is central in building and intimate marriage, which could picture Christ and His church.

---

[1]Derek Prince, the Marriage Covenant: Marriage is a Covenant,(New Zealand: Derek Prince Ministries, 1977), p.23.

[2]Ibid,42.

[3] Mitchell G.Taylor, unbroken promises (panama: Whitaker House, 1963), p.77-84.

[4]Ibid.87.

[5]Ibid.43.

[6]Desk prince, The marriage covenant: The nature of covenant, p.42.

[7]Ibid.44.

[8]  Desk prince, The marriage covenant: The nature of covenant, p.1o6.

[9]Stormic Omartian, The power of a praying husband: The power, (Oregon: harvest house published, 2001), p.23.

[10]Kent Barbara Hughes, disciplines of Godly family: spiritually,(Illinois: cross way books,1995),p.87

[11] Desk Prince, The Marriage Covenant: Union WithGod, p.1o6.

[12]Lana Packer, Women Making a Difference in Marriage: Covenant Commitment,(Tennessee: Life way press, 2001), p.159.

[13]Desk Prince, The Marriage Covenant: Union between man and woman, p.48. 

[14]Desk Prince, The Marriage Covenant: Union between man and woman, p.48.

[15] Desk Prince, The Marriage Covenant: Union between man and woman, p.112.

[16]Dr.Lilan Stanley, wings for women: creepers without support, (India: Blessing Youth Mission, 1995), p.69.

[17] Lana Packer, Women Making a Difference in Marriage: CovenantCommitment, p.163.

[18]Dr.Lilan Stanley, wings for women: Creepers without Support, p.70.

[19] Dr.Lilan Stanley, wings for women: Creepers without Support, p.62.

[20]  Dr.Lilan Stanley, Jolly Family: Rebuild Your Castle, (India: Blessing Youth Mission, 1995), p.69.

[21] Lana Packer, Women Making a Difference in Marriage, (Tennessee: ministering to others, 2001), p.91.

[22]A.D. Adams, Cruden’s complete Concordance: Love,(Torato: The John C. Winster Company, 1949), p.399.

[23]  Dr.Lilan Stanley, Jolly Family: Good Deeds, p.69.

[24]Derek Prince, The Marriage Covenant: Union between man and woman, p.90.

[25] Charles R. Swindoll, Strengthening Your Grip:on the Family, (Texas: Word Books Publisher, 1986), 256.

[26]Mitchell G. Taylor, Unbroken Promise, 107.

[27] Gary Chapman, Covenant Marriage: Dream on reality,(Tennessee: Broad man & Holman Publisher,2003),27.

[28] Ibid.,7.

[29] Ibid.,9.

[30] Larry R. Morris, Making A Marriage: He is Our Lord, (Kansas : Beacon Hill Press,2007,129

[31] Garry Chapman, covenant,: Dream on Reality,31.

[32]Douglas Mac Carkle, God’s Special Secret: The Church as the Bride of Christ,(Florida: MBM Books.1993), 203.

[33] Mitchell G. Taylor, Unbroken Promise,107

[34]Larry R. Morris, Making A Marriage: Unconditional Acceptance, 137.

[35] John Mac Author, Family Feuding: How to End it,(California: Word of Grace Communications,1981), 61.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CONCLUSION

          The development of the relationship between a husband and wife is not always easy. This relationship should be built on Bible. To live the marriage successfully, marriage has to be understood from its beginning. God is the author of marriage, design it to be wonderful. Every husbands and wives in the marriage who understand this should also know that this wonderful relationship was distorted by Satan from the beginning. It is important to understand that Satan brings confusion in marriage through his corruptions and society. Christian marriages are not exceptional. This explains why the divorce rate inside the church parallels the divorce rate in secular culture.

          If a couple cannot experience the saving power of Jesus Christ and the transformation of the inner man, it is impossible to experience something of the love and joy and that Christ  came to give, and to share these in their marital relationship. For those who are married, marriage should become the second most important relationship in life, the first and the most important being one’s relationship with God. In order to know the divine pattern that can make the family and marriage meaningful, and to make the security of man a reality, there is a presupposition-one must be a Christian, but when he is no controlled by the Spirit of God, the family life will manifest it. So to be a Christian is the starting point; but to be controlled with the Spirit is the power that makes it all happen. The Spirit of God brings satisfaction in marriage and makes it meaningful. God’s intention for marriage is mutual fulfilment, satisfaction, harmony and goodwill which are possible only in the Spirit-controlled marriage. Commitment to God is revealed by commitment to mate in the marriage and commitment to other believers. The intimacy and fulfilment God intended for marriage can be experienced only if one is committed to God and to the covenant marriage.

          By understanding God’s pattern for marriage, taking the relationship of Christ and His church, men are blessed  by wives and are to please, honor and love them. Women are blessed by husband and are to please honor and love them, looking after each other’s best interest. The Christian church has not only the model of covenant marriage but both the clear instruction from God on how to have such a marriage as well as the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit who enables husbands and wives to love unconditionally and to give lives in marriage.

          The marriage relationship between a man and a woman is the most delightful and challenging partnership in life. Christian marriage will be successful if they have the relationship between Christ and His church as their foundation. Successful marriages, one’s that brings the greatest satisfaction to both parties, are based upon joint, significant commitment to God and each other. When these commitments are honoured by both parties, God blesses that relationship, and the rewards are eternal. Once Christian marriages begin to take seriously the biblical pattern for marriage, it will become exceedingly attractive to the non-Christian world.

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CHAPTER 1 -AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTORS THAT MAKE SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE SO DIFFICULT

CHAPTER 2 -AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH IN THE ENGAGEMENT 

CHAPTER 3 -AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH IN THE MARITAL EXPERIENCE 

CHAPTER 4 - AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH IN THE MARITAL EXPECTATION