Treasured Truth

As we begin a series of messages that Pastor Ford hopes will help us get our money right, he has a sobering reminder for those who follow Jesus.  As His followers, our main priority ought to be focused only on Him, not on money.  The Bible states clearly that we cannot serve the Master and money.  We have to have Jesus in a priority position in our lives.  The Master has to be first.

As we look further at the account of the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah in the book of Genesis, Pastor Ford will show us that the story of how God brought them together in the Old Testament is a beautiful picture of the salvation that was to come in the New Testament.

As we continue to look at the criteria we need to consider when dating someone, Pastor Ford will remind us that God always wants us to be equally yoked in marriage. So one of the first things to consider about a person who is potentially a mate is whether or not they are a believer.  God does not want us to practice missionary dating—when we date someone with the intention of helping them become a believer.

We need a list of criteria for dating and mating.  We have to be more concerned about a person’s character than we are about their clothes.  But while we’re worried about what they’re wearing, we ought to be worried about what’s wearing them.  Beause, as Pastor Ford will point out today, they could have expensive clothes and a raggedy character.

As we begin a new study in Nehemiah, we’ll learn that we should expect to encounter critics and haters along the way.  Pastor Ford will explain that any time there is an opportunity, there will always be opposition. Whenever we step out in faith, we better believe something will come along to make us fear.  We need to understand that victory will always be followed by a valley.

If we encounter problems in our marriage, we will often blame God for allowing us to marry the wrong person.  But Pastor Ford will counter that today by reminding us that we came up with the idea of marrying that person.  It was our choice to proceed in the relationship.  But now we say, “Why did God allow it?” God didn’t do anything!  We did it.  We made the decision and the choice.  So, why are we blaming God?

According to Pastor Ford, you have to get a divorce from yourself, before you get into a relationship with a potential spouse.  There has to be two funerals before there’s one marriage.  Each spouse has to die to self!  Because marriage is not a 50/50 venture.  It requires 100 percent from each person.

Pastor Ford has this question for us today—what makes us want to get out of so quickly the marriage that we wanted to get into so desperately?  As we continue to discuss issues that may arise in a marriage, we’ll explore why so many people easily seek a divorce in today’s society, after desparately wanting to be married to their spouse in the beginning of their relationship.

If you married in search of happiness, then you didn’t really understand what marriage is all about.  The goal of marriage is oneness.  The Bible says, “Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother, cleave to his wife and the two of them will become one flesh.”  Oneness is the goal of marriage.  Happiness is a by-product.  Join us today as we look further at the what happens when a marriage has a case of the “toos”.

Pastor Ford has some encouaraging news to share with us today—even if we’re just cop outs, Christ will give us all a bail out, so we can break out and carry out the purposes He has for our lives, and to use us for His glory. And that’s why scripture tells us that Jesus will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory!