Recently I was blessed with an opportunity to witness. In recent years ATT has sent mailings offering money by saying they could save us money for our church if we would call them. A few years ago, I responded and they did save us money by lowering our monthly phone rate (I suspect it was to be more competitive) and we got money for calling. Last month they sent a similar note offering a $10 Visa card, if they could save us money. I responded and they offered to change our messaging system and save us 95 cents a month or the way I look at it is $11.40 a year. It didn't appear to happen, as there was to be an informational email and a letter following up that never came. Over a week later I called and was told that she didn't put it through but they would do it now and the person I was talking to would just credit our bill for the $10. The next day I received a Visa card from ATT made out to me with my name misspelled. I used the card for some roof patching material for the church and then our bill came with a $10 credit. Just now I called ATT and informed them of the error and after checking they thanked me and said they don't get many calls like this and said they would treat the extra $10 as a courtesy credit. Btw, for those who are thinking negative about the 95 cent reductions, on the day of the original call I ended up talking to two more people as a result of the call for different reasons and the total additional savings for our church was an additional $13 a month from our bill. WOW- God is awesome. God brings us money from many sources, including ATT. Since the account is in our church's name it is a witness for Jesus that we were willing to give back their $10 error. Many years ago it was a woman with the same phone company that helped when we got our first phone number and I was looking for a number easy to remember. She said she knew a good one but she would have to check on it and would call me back the next day. She called back and we have had 918-83-JESUS ever since.

To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop

In our marriages, the first thing to go is being a friend. Friendship type activities and taking time to talk like friends. A friend listens without being defensive, respects their friend's opinion and doesn't offer an unwanted advice, unless asked. With a friend you feel safe to open up and often you develop mutual interests. It is important to set apart a time of friendship time together. It is good to protect that time together by eliminating issues and possible problems by having your weekly couples meeting in advance using the Speaker Listener Technique.

The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage ("all things are possible with God", Mark 10:27 NIV). Even without you spouse's help you can be a good friend. Like doing friendship type activities and taking time to talk like friends. A friend listens without being defensive, respects their friend's opinion and doesn't offer an unwanted advice, unless asked. With a friend you feel safe to open up and often you develop mutual interests.

A Psalm for reflection "You have examined my heart. You have tested me all night. You questioned me without finding anything wrong. I did not plan any evil." Ps 17:3 (IC)

Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).

Before Jesus came it was common for God to speak through someone. Now God communicates directly with us through His Spirit as Jesus tells us God's Spirit "will teach you everything" and "will lead you into all the truth"1. In King David's day there was a man of God named Nathan that helped King David in knowing what God said and wanted. King David very eloquently described to Nathan why he believed he should build a house for God. Who could object to building a house for God, who was living in a tent? Nathan responded from his heart as he said, "Go and do whatever you have in mind, for Yahweh is with you". That night God told Nathan to tell David that he was not to build Him a house but that David's son would do it in the future2. You may hear God's voice like Nathan or you may not, but to assume what God wants based on what seems good to you is risky. What is logical or what feels right may not be the way God thinks. God said through the prophet Isaiah that God's ways are "higher than your ways"3. Many people do not understand why Jesus had to die for our sins and think there must have been an easier way. You are not alone in thinking this way as Jesus asked God three times if there was a way He could avoid it4 while agreeing to do what God wants.

The ideal way to be sure is to confirm by talking to God. As I mentioned previously, God will communicate directly with us. I have shared how God communicated with me when He healed my eyes and when helped me on a Greek Test. Communication with God needs be daily. Last week our garbage disposal went out and I picked up a new one on Saturday and installed it on Sunday afternoon. It was more difficult than I remembered, as it had been many years since I had replaced one. The existing discharge line was not very compatible with the new disposal but finally late Sunday evening I seemed to have all the leaks stopped. During my prayer time that night God told me to replace the old sink flange and mounting assembly, which I had never done before. Monday morning there were no visible leaks and the dishwasher which drains through the disposal had drained through it the night before. I checked every thing including having standing water in the sink and no leaks. I had decided that I had not understood God correctly. Monday night the final test was for my wife to rinse the day's dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Her "rinsing" is more than most peoples washing. Sure enough it leaked and Tuesday, I replaced the sink flange and mounting assembly like God had told me to do. God cares about everything in our lives, even replacing disposals.

Can God allow us to be tempted to sin? Yes, God can test us. Remember when God told Gideon to take his men down to the water and "I will test them for you" or when God's Spirit led Jesus "to be tempted by the devil"5. God has made it very clear that stealing is wrong. In the story I shared at the beginning of these notes, if I had decided to not inform ATT the mistake they made, I would have been stealing from ATT for the church. It is good to remember to pray to God daily, as Jesus teaches, "Please don't bring us into temptation…6 ".

"God help us to know what You want in every situation. Help us to communicate with You so we can confirm what You want us to do. Thank You for guiding us in every situation, in Jesus' name, amen."

Weekly MINISTRY NOTES including a JESUS TEACHING

Home - Pastoring is the finest guidance in the world - Believe the Bible the way it is written
About the Pastor of Jesus Center - Abbreviations - About our Church - Our Wedding Ministry

FREE MARRIAGE WORKSHOP

Hebrew is essential to know Jesus

Book - Dr. Cho's Secret Weapon