CAN MARRIED COUPLES WATCH PORNOGRAPHY TOGETHER?

The object of sexual stimulation should be the body of your own spouse, not sexually explicit pictures and videos wherein the other person’s body is viewed for sensual provocation.

Many don’t give careful thought to what happens when couples watch pornography together for the purpose of stimulating themselves to have sexual intercourse. Are they
are not receiving sensual stimulation from others’ bodies, nakedness and sexual act? Don’t you think the bodies of other people would become more stimulating for them than the
body of their own spouse? Who ultimately is your source of sexual pleasure—your own spouse or that sexually explicit person in porn?
Here is a fact which many are unaware.

Porn stars often build up the structure of their bodies for public attraction. Their breasts and
genitals are enhanced surgically. They project themselves in such a sexy way that they become irresistibly fascinating.

Now how does this impact the couple who watch these unusual bodies? The bodies of their own spouses become unappealing in comparison to those projected in porn. Women in particular may feel inferior when they see their body structure not as fascinating as
women in porn. Men may even compare their wives with those women in porn, finding themselves more dissatisfied with their wives and more lustful towards other women. They may crave and cherish more of who they see
and what they see in porn than their actual marriage partner.

Some women from a study stated:

“I am no longer sexually
attractive or desirable to
him.” “He’s more attracted to
the women depicted in the
movies, magazines, and
websites than he is to me,
and I feel completely unable
to compete with these
women.” Research has shown
that most men experience
decreased sexual intimacy
with their marriage partner
when they are given to porn.
(The Men’s and Women’s
Program, 2011, pg. 140-141)

Dear couples, do you hear this? In making a decision to watch porn alone or with your spouse, rather than resisting it, you are making a choice to lose yourself from each other’s world.

Beware, it could also become an
addiction without which, i.e. without looking at the naked bodies and sexual intercourse of other people, you cannot enjoy sex together.

Besides, here is another dangerous thing that could happen when couples watch porn: When watching porn together with a purpose of engaging into sexual activity, there is a high possibility for either of them or both to secretly fantasize having sex with the person in porn while actually having sex with their own spouse.

Take note of this: since mind is prone
to easily absorb sensual images, what we watch has a terrible impact upon how we think, fantasize and act.

One woman expressed her embarrassment this way: "I am no longer a sexual person or partner to him, but a sexual object. He is not
really with me, not really making love to me… He seems to be thinking about something else
– likely those porn women… He is just using me
as a warm body."

Therefore, dear husbands and wives, let the
source and contentment of sexual pleasure be
the body of your spouse, not those sexually
explicit images and videos of strangers that rob
true sexual pleasure within marriage.
Some justify watching porn to learn some sex
positions in order to enjoy good sex in
marriage. However, the fact is pornography
mostly portrays sex in unrealistic ways,
particularly hardcore porn wherein sexual
images and videos are more violent and has
negative impact upon sexual relationship with
one’s spouse. But there are good books written
with balance and decency about how to stimulate each other sexually, providing good sex techniques for sexual fulfillment in marriage.

IS IT RIGHT: TO JUDGE, TO EXPOSE ERROR, & TO CALL NAMES?

Many today believe that it is wrong to expose error and to name names. Liberals have always seemed to believe this, but in recent times it has been widely espoused by evangelicals and charismatics. Now we are seeing the same fatal error being declared by those who profess to be Bible believing fundamentalists. Those who are faithful in exposing error according to the Bible are now being widely denounced, and are accused of being unloving and unkind. In this tract we intend to present the teaching of the Bible on this vital subject.

I. It Is Right To Practice Biblical Judgment

One of the most misused verses in the Bible is, "Judge not, that ye be not judged"(Matt. 7: 1). Every Scripture verse should be read in its context, if we are to properly understand the true meaning. In vs. 2-5 of this same chapter it is evident that v. 1 is referring to hypocritical judgment. A brother who has a beam in his own eye should not be judging the brother who may have a mote in his eye. The lesson is plain, you cannot judge another for his sin if you are guilty of the same sin.

Those who cling to "Judge not, that ye be not judged, " to condemn those who expose error should read the entire chapter. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing... " (v. 15). How can we know false prophets unless we judge them by the Word of God? If we know the false prophets, how can we fail to exam the sheep of these "ravening wolves?"All through the Bible we find proof that they should be identified and exposed.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (vs. 16,17). Did the Lord mean that we could not judge the tree (person), by the fruit of their life and doctrine? Certainly not, for you cannot know without judging. All judgment should be on the basis of Bible teaching, not according to whims or prejudices.

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment " (John 7:24). Here our Lord commands that we are to "judge righteous judgment, " which is judgment based upon the Word of God. If judgment is made upon any other basis, other than the Word of God, it is a violation of Matt. 7: 1. Webster's Dictionary says that a judge is "one who declares the law. " The faithful Christian must discern or judge on the basis of God's inspired law, the Bible.

A fornicator is described in I Cor. 5:1-13. Paul "judged" (v.3) the man even though he was absent, and he told the Church at Corinth that they were to "judge" (v. 12) those that were within. The Greek word for"judge" is the same here as in Matt. 7: 1. Paul did not violate "judge not, that ye be not judged, " in judging the man, nor in instructing the Church to judge also. All of this judgment was according to the Word of God.

A person who is able to discern between good and evil, has at least one of the major marks of spiritual maturity. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14). W.E. Vine says of the meaning of discern, "a distinguishing, a clear discrimination, discerning, judging; is translated 'discerning' in I Cor. 12: 10 of discerning spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God. " Strong also agrees that it means to judge.

Those who are unwilling or incapable of discerning or judging between good and evil are in this manner revealing either their disobedience or their immaturity.

II. It Is Right To Expose False Teachers

False teachers are free to spread their poisonous doctrines today because there is a conspiracy of silence among many Bible believers. Wolves in sheep's clothing are thus enabled to ravage the flock, thereby destroying many.

John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees (the religious leaders of his day)"a generation of Vipers" (snakes) (Matt. 3:7). Today, he would be accused of being unloving, unkind, and unchristian.

Jesus said to the religious Pharisees, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). To many evangelicals and some fundamentalists, this would be unacceptable language today, but it is biblical language and it came from the mouth of the Son of God.

Standing face to face with these false teachers, Jesus Christ the Son of God, called them "hypocrites", "blind guides, " "blind, " "whited sepulchres, " "serpents, " and "ye generation of vipers" (Matt. 23:23-34). Yet, we are told today that we are to fellowship with men whose doctrines are just as unscriptural as those of the Pharisees. Some who say they are Bible believing Christians insist on working with Roman Catholics and other assorted heretics. Yet, according to many, we are not supposed to rebuke them for their compromise.

Near the beginning of His ministry, "Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence, make not my Father's house an house of merchandise"(John 2:13-16). Our Saviour is presented today as one who was meek, lowly, kind, and loving, even to false teachers, but this is entirely false. When dealing with false teachers and prophets, His words were sharp and His actions plain.

Near the end of His public ministry, Christ found it necessary to cleanse the temple once again. The exposure of false doctrines and practices is a never ending job. At that time He said, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves"(Mark I 1: 17). Is it any different today? The thieves come into the house of God, and rob God's people of the Bible and peddle their perverted Bibles instead. At the same time this den of thieves rob the people off the doctrine of separation and the doctrine of sanctification. Then you can hardly tell God's people from the people of the world. In all honesty, should not these thieves (false teachers) be exposed?

In our day these false teachers have come into the churches with their books, music, literature, movies, psychology, and seminars, and have turned the Father's house into a den of thieves. It is time that men of God stand up and expose their errors for all to see.

The Bible Admonishes Us To Expose Error

We are to TRY them. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4: 1). All doctrine and teachers are to be tried according to the Word of God. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). Every message, messenger, and method is to be judged according to the Word of God. The church at Ephesus was commended because they had "tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars "(Rev. 2:2). The church at Pergamos was rebuked because they tolerated those that held "the doctrine of Balaam, " and "the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2:14,15). It is never right to tolerate false teachers, but they are to be tried by the Word of God, and exposed. Of course those who want to disobey the Word of God will seek by every means to avoid this teaching.

We are to MARK them and AVOID them."Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them " (Rom. 16:17). Those whose conduct and teaching contradicts the Word of God are to be marked and to be avoided. This requires discernment and judgment in the light of the Bible. The ecumenicalists, new evangelicals, and compromising fundamentalists will resist any effort to obey this Scripture. They cannot be marked and avoided, unless they are judged according to the Word of God.

We are to REBUKE them. "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith " (Titus 1: 13). This was written to Titus, because there Were those going from house to house and subverting whole houses with false doctrine (v. 10-16). Oral Roberts, Robert Schuller, Jimmy Swaggart, Pat Robertson, and others are subverting whole houses with their false doctrine today. Are we to sit silently by, while they do this, without rebuking and admonishing people to avoid their teaching? No, the faithful servant of the Lord is to be "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers "(Titus 1:9).

We are to have NO FELLOWSHIP with them. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them " (Eph. 5:11). Reprove means to censure, condemn, find fault, rebuke, and to refute. How can we obey this Scripture unless we try them by the Word of God?

We are to WITHDRAW from them. "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us " (II Thess. 3:6). We are to withdraw from those whose doctrine and conduct does not conform to the Word of God. The context clearly shows that obedience to sound doctrine is what Paul has in mind, for he says, "if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet, count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (II Thess. 3:14-15). Paul admonished Timothy to "withdraw thyself " from those who "consent not to wholesome words ... and to the doctrine which is according to godliness " (I Tim. 6:3-5).

We are to TURN AWAY from them.Concerning the last days, he says that some will have "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. from such turn away" for such people are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (11 Tim. 3:5,7). How can we turn away from them if we do not identify them, and this requires that their message be compared to the Word of God. It is the business of the true preacher to:"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine " (II Tim. 4:2). This is usually an unpopular and thankless task but it is the duty of the God-called man.

We are NOT to RECEIVE them into our house. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds " (11 John 10, I 1). There is no doubt about who John is speaking about, it is " Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ... " (v.9). By radio, TV, music and literature, false prophets are brought into the homes of many Christians today. Brethren, this ought not to be!

We are to REJECT HERETICS. "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject " (Titus 3: 10). We should reject those who deny redemption by the blood of Christ. There are many who deny this or some other doctrine of the Word of God. If they will not respond to being admonished, then they are to be rejected.

We are to look out for those who preach another gospel. Paul warned about those who preached "another Jesus ... another spirit ... or another gospel" (II Cor. 11:4). How can we know them unless we judge their Jesus, their spirit, and their gospel by the Word of God? Paul called such preachers "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (11 Cor. II: 13). He explains in v. 14-15 that these preachers are the ministers of Satan. The God-called man must be just as faithful today in exposing the ministers of Satan.

Paul warned the Galatians about those who"pervert the gospel of Christ." He also said,"If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (See Gal. 1:6-9). Multitudes today are preaching a perverted gospel. Those who teach salvation by baptism, or by works, are teaching a perverted gospel. Those who preach a salvation that you can lose, are preaching a perverted gospel. The charismatics, Catholics, many evangelicals, and many fundamentalists (?) are preaching a perverted gospel. Yet, we are supposed to cooperate with them in evangelism and Christian work, according to many today. If we fail to expose these false prophets, then we have betrayed Christ and His gospel.

We are to SEPARATE from them."Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no the unclean thing; and I will receive you " (II Cor. 6:17). This makes it plain. God's people are to come out of apostasy and religious error. How can any Bible believer remain in the National Council or World Council of Churches? How can they remain among compromising evangelicals and wishy-washy fundamentalists?

III. It Is Right To Name Names

Many mistakenly believe that it is wrong to expose error and to name the guilty teachers; but they are wrong according to the Bible.

Paul named Peter publicly. Peter was guilty of unscriptural practice. "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed ... But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (Gal. 2:11-14). The whole issue revolved around salvation by the law or by grace. When the integrity and purity of the gospel is at stake, then we have no choice when it comes to the matter of exposing error and naming names.

Paul named Demas for loving the world."For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Tim. 4:10). Those who forsake the cause of Christ for worldly living and pleasures should be named and exposed. (Christian Rock!)

Paul named Hymenaeus and Alexander.Paul told Timothy to "war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some have put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme " (I Tim. 1: 18-20). God's true servants should war a good warfare, and name those who have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Paul is not here discussing the faith of salvation but the faith as a system of doctrine. These men had made shipwreck of it and Paul exposed them and called their names.

Paul named Hymenaeus and Philetus. He told Timothy to "study" that he might be able to "rightly" divide "the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth as canker. of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some " (11 Tim. 2:15-18). False doctrine overthrows the faith of some, so those who are proclaiming it must be exposed.

Paul named Alexander the coppersmith."Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil. the Lord reward him "cording to his works: Of whom be thou ware also, for he hath greatly withstood our words " (II Tim. 4:14-15). It is clear that this is not a personality problem, but a doctrinal problem. Alexander had withstood the words and doctrine of Paul. He was an enemy to the truth. Godly pastors face the same problem every day. They stand and proclaim the truth, then their members go home and hear this truth disputed by radio and TV preachers. Often times these false prophets are sending their publications into the homes of members of true churches. Then the man of God is suppose to keep his mouth shut, according to many.Only a coward will be silent when the truth of the Bible is under attack.

John named Diotrephes. "I wrote unto the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not" (III John 9). He related how this man had prated against him "with malicious words " (v. 10). He further said, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God " (v. I 1). It is not wrong to name those whose doctrine and practice is contrary to the Word of God.

In fact, the whole Bible abounds in examples of false prophets being named and exposed. All this modem day talk about love, used as an excuse for not exposing error, is not really biblical love but is really sloppy agape.

Moses called the name of Balaam. (See Num. 22-25). Peter exposed "the way of Balaam ... who loved the wages of unrighteousness " (II Pet. 2:15). Balaam was a prophet that was in the work for money, just like some of the TV false prophets today. They beg for money and live like kings, while multitudes of innocent people send them their hard earned money. They are always building colleges, hospitals, TV network satellites, and amusement parks that have a water slide for Jesus. And then we are suppose to keep our mouth shut about these religious charlatans. How can we be silent and be true to God?

Jude exposed "the error of Balaam "(Jude I 1). John exposed "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication " (Rev. 2:14). This gets right to the heart of the matter, concerning the doctrine of separation. Balaam never did curse Israel even though he wanted the wages that he was offered to do so. The men of Israel committed "whoredom with the daughters of Moab ... and bowed down to their gods " (Num. 25:1,2). Why did they do this? Because Balaam taught Balac how to break down the barrier of separation between the Moabites and the Israelites. We know this to be so because it is plainly stated in Rev. 2:14 and Num. 31:16. This sin resulted in 24,000 men of Israel dying under the judgment of God. (Another good example of Christian Rock)

False teachers are breaking down the barrier of separation between God's people and false religion. There is too little preaching and teaching on the doctrine of separation. Balaam breached the doctrine of personal separation by causing the men of Israel to commit fornication with the Moabite women. He breached the doctrine of ecclesiastical separation by causing the men of Israel to bow down to Baal. This brought a curse upon Israel. Until we get back to teaching the truth about personal and ecclesiastical separation, we can expect the continued widespread havoc that we have today.

It seems to be believed by many that some people are too high and mighty to be named or exposed. Men in high places, pastors of large churches, and those with great radio or TV audiences, are supposedly above criticism. Whatever they may do or say, no matter how contrary to the Bible it may be, is supposedly all right. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nathan identified the man. There was a man in a very high place who was a secret adulterer. Surely this man who held the highest office in the land could not be rebuked by a lowly unpopular prophet. Nathan went right into the presence of David, revealed the sin in a parable form, and then told the enraged David, "Thou art the man " (II Sam. 12:7).

Hanani named king Jehoshaphat. In many ways Jehoshaphat was a good king, but he mistakenly forgot to practice religious separation. He caused his son to marry wicked king Ahab's daughter. (See II Chron. 18: 1; 21:1-6). He made an alliance with Ahab and went to the battle of Ramoth-gilead with him (II Chron. 18). Hanani "said to King Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? " (II Chron. 19:2). We have a question for those, "Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?"

Yes, it is right to expose error and to name those who are in error. It is right to"earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). It was once delivered and it has never been recalled for revision. We had better beware of "false teachers ... who privily shall bring in damnable heresies " (II Pet. 2: 1). Faithful messengers will warn the sheep of these heretics, and identify them by name. It is not enough to broadly hint of their identity, for the young lambs will not understand and will be destroyed by the wolves.

SIMPLE FAITH AND UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29.

Many are strongly convinced of the truth, but either husband or wife prevents their stepping out.How can one who is in fellowship with Christ’s sufferings refuse to obey His will and do His work? ...It is by following in the path of obedience in simple faith that the character attains perfection.

Christ has promised us sufficient power to reach this high standard. He says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive” (John 14:13-17)

Consider this statement a moment. Why “cannot” the world receive the truth? “Because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him” (verse 17). The world is leagued against the truth, because it does not desire to obey the truth. Shall I, who perceive the truth, close my eyes and heart to its saving power because the world chooses darkness rather than light? Shall I bind myself up with the bundles of tares because my neighbors refuse to be bound up with the wheat? Shall I refuse light, the evidence of truth which leads to obedience, because my relatives and friends choose to follow in the paths of disobedience which lead away from God? Shall I close my mind against the knowledge of truth because my neighbors and friends will not open their understanding to discern the truth as it is in Jesus? Shall I refuse to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ because my neighbors consent to remain dwarfs? 

We cannot overestimate the value of simple faith and unquestioning obedience.

FAITH THAT PURIFIES THE LIFE.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11, 12. 

Many teach that all that is necessary to salvation is to believe in Jesus, but what saith the word of truth?—“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). We are to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” take up the cross, deny self, war against the flesh, and follow daily in the footsteps of the Redeemer.

It is a fatal mistake to think that there is nothing for you to do in obtaining salvation. You are to cooperate with the agencies of heaven. ... There is a cross to be lifted in the pathway, a wall to be scaled before you enter the eternal city, a ladder to be climbed before the gate of pearl is reached, and as you realize your inability and weakness and cry for help, a divine voice will come to you from the battlements of heaven saying, “Take hold of my strength” (Isaiah 27:5).

The controversy that was waged between Christ and Satan is renewed over every soul that leaves the black banner of the prince of darkness to march under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. The evil one will present the most subtle allurements to draw those away from their allegiance who would be true to Heaven, but we must yield all the powers of our being into the service of God, and then we shall be kept from falling into the snares of the enemy.

Any course of action that weakens your physical or mental power unfits you for the service of your Creator. We are to love God with all our hearts, and if we have an eye single to His glory we shall eat, drink, and clothe ourselves with reference to His divine will. Every one who has a realizing sense of what it means to be a Christian will purify himself from everything that weakens and defiles. All the habits of his life will be brought into harmony with the requirements of the Word of truth, and he will not only believe, but will work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, while submitting to the molding of the Holy Spirit.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD REQUIRES.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20. 

The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was of a selfish character, consisting of external forms. The righteousness which God requires is internal as well as external. The heart must be purified, else Christ cannot be enthroned there. The life must be conformed to the will of God.

External forms cannot take the place of inward piety. The Jewish teachers exalted themselves as righteous; they called all those who differed from them accursed, and closed the gates of heaven to them, declaring that those who had not learned in their schools, were not righteous. But with all their criticisms and exactions, with all their forms and ceremonies, they were an offense to God. They looked down upon and despised the very ones precious in the sight of the Lord.

Human devices, human plans, and human counsels will be without power. Only in Christ Jesus will the church near the period of Christ’s coming be able to stand. She is required of her Redeemer to advance in piety, to have increasing zeal, understanding better as she nears the end that her own “high calling” is “of God in Christ Jesus.”

There are glorious truths to come before the people of God.Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing God’s will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God, and be established in right doctrines. 

The baptism of the Holy Spirit will dispel human imaginings, will break down self-erected barriers, and will cause to cease the feeling that “I am holier than thou.” There will be a humble spirit with all, more faith and love; self will not be exalted....Christ’s spirit, Christ’s example, will be exemplified in His people.We shall follow more closely the ways and works of Jesus.... The love of Jesus will pervade our hearts.

WATER FOR THE THIRSTY

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37.

Once a year, at the Feast of Tabernacles, the children of Israel called to mind the time when their fathers dwelt in tents in the wilderness, as they journeyed from Egypt to the land of Canaan.The services of the last day of this feast were of peculiar solemnity, but the greatest interest centered in the ceremony that commemorated the bringing of water from the rock. When in a golden vessel the waters of Siloam were borne by the priests into the temple, and, after being mingled with wine, were poured over the sacrifice on the altar, there was great rejoicing.... On this occasion, above all the confusion of the crowd and the sounds of rejoicing, a voice is heard: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” The attention of the people is arrested. Outwardly all is joy, but the eye of Jesus, beholding the throng with the tenderest compassion, sees the soul parched and thirsting for the waters of life.

The gracious invitation, “Come unto me, and drink,” comes down through all the ages to our time.And we may stand in a position similar to that of the Jews in the time of Christ, rejoicing because the fountain of truth has been opened to us, while its living waters are not permitted to refresh our thirsty souls. We must drink.

As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt to the Promised Land, so should the people of God at the present time gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised to bring them out from the world, out from the darkness of error, into the precious light of truth.... We should gratefully regard the old waymarks, and refresh our souls with memories of the loving-kindness of our gracious Benefactor.

As we journey onward, what a blessed privilege is ours to accept the invitation of Christ, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

IS IT THE WILL OF GOD FOR ME TO MARRY OR REMAIN SINGLE?

Is It The Will of God For Me To Marry Or Remain Single?

I've had individuals ask me in tears,  how can I know if God wants me to be married or remain single?"

Are you struggling with that question? Are you wondering if marriage is God's will for your life?

Would you like to get that questioned answered, once and for all? In this practical teaching, I'll help you come to understand if it is the will of God for you to marry.

Who Should You Ask Such A Critical Question?
Depending on who you ask, you could get a variety of answers. Some of the answers will literally take your breath away. You'll walk away from these people thinking, "Dear Lord, if I get married, I might be going against the will of God for my life!" Others will leave you dangling in a state of immense confusion.

When they are through giving you their personal opinion, or their religious or denominational viewpoint, you won't know what the Lord's will for your life is. Various ministers tell people to ask God if it is His will for them to be married. On the surface, that sounds like a super spiritual prayer, but is it? Can you find anyone in the Bible praying that prayer?

Read this Scripture in Psalm 119:89, and don't ever forget it: "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." There are certain issues that you don't pray about under any circumstances, nor do you seek a prophetic word, a sign, or a vision from God. What you do concerning these issues is go to the Written Word of God. Once you find out what the Lord has said, your responsibility is to get in line with His Written Word. Below is a list of a few issues the Lord has already settled with His Word.

Is it the will of God for you to be saved? Answer: (I Timothy 2:3-4)
Is it the will of God for you to pray? Answer: (Luke 18:1)
Is it the will of God for you to forgive? Answer: (Mark 11:25-26)
Is it the will of God for you to attend a church? Answer: (Hebrews 10:25)

To pray about any of the above issues would mean that you have rejected what God has already said concerning that matter. People who pray over issues God has already settled in His Word, set themselves up to be deceived and misled. The question about whether you should or should not get married has also already been settled in God's Word. Before we learn what God said about this issue, let's briefly examine some of the common ways ministers and others mislead God's flock with their man-made opinions.

Do You Have The Gift of Marriage Or The Gift of Singleness?
This popular teaching has been circulating in many Christian circles for years. However, it does not originate from the Written Word of God. There is no such thing in the Bible as the gift of singleness or the gift of marriage! If you have been wondering which gift you do have, I command you in the Name of Jesus, to stop it right now!

You have neither because in the economy of God they do not exist. I realize the people espousing such doctrines are sincere; nevertheless, this teaching does not emanate from the Scriptures. It stems from the opinions, pride, fears and subverted beliefs of men. That is why you are bound under God to fully reject it, (See Acts 17:11 and Revelation 2:1-2).

Do You Have The Gift of Celibacy?
This is another one of those debilitating man-made doctrines floating around in the church. This doctrine stems from what Paul said in I Corinthians 7:7, "For I would that all man were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that." Various preachers read that verse and concluded that Paul was referring to some sort of a gift of celibacy. But they missed three crucial points.

(a)   The definition of celibacy means: to abstain from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows. God has initiated no such vows.

(b)   In verse six, Paul clearly stated that his position to remain single and his suggestion to others to follow his footsteps was not a commandment of God. Paul emphasized that he was speaking from his PERSONAL CONVICTION! You do not base such a critical decision on someone's personal convictions. I don't care if it is the Apostle Paul or the Apostle Bishop Doctor Zuma Zuma! Your decision must be based on the Written Word of God.

(c)   Paul's remaining single was not a gift. Like everyone else, Paul had a sex drive and a desire for companionship. He stated emphatically that he beat his sex drive and natural passions into subjection, (See I Corinthians 9:27). If he had not beaten his body into subjection, he would have fallen into sexual sin and become a castaway like others had become!

Certain preachers have erroneously taught that Paul had a special gift of celibacy. Paul had no such gift! What he had was an ironclad determination to beat his body into subjection so that he could focus all of his attention on serving God. To be blunt, Paul had to force himself to:

(1)    Keep his eyes off of the beauty of the female gender
(2)    Not think about marriage 
(3)   Not think about having children or a family 
(4)    Daily put a cap on his God-given sex drive, and 
(5)  Daily deaden his natural desire for companionship

If you are not willing to take ALL FIVE of those RIGOROUS STEPSfor the rest of your life, then don't deceive yourself; you ARE NOT a candidate to remain single!

Let God Be Your Husband or Your Wife?
I have heard many single Christians be told by well meaning ministers to allow God to be their husband or wife. To be quite frank, I don't know where this ludicrous doctrine started. All I can tell you is that it did not originate from the Written Word of God. Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is a spirit."

I cannot kiss a spirit. I cannot make love to a spirit. I cannot hold a spirit's hand. I cannot run my hands through a spirit's hair. Are you following me?

A spirit cannot rub my back, eat breakfast with me, hold me or give birth to my children. Only a live flesh and blood wife can do those things.

God can no more be your husband or your wife, anymore than He can be your postman or your auto mechanic! When you hear people make such ridiculous statements, mark them as spiritually unlearned, and go on about your business.

Did God Call You To Be a Eunuch?
In times past, certain cultures would castrate men and place those males as guards over their harems. Since they were emasculated, this guaranteed that the men would not make sexual advances toward the females in the harem. These men were called eunuchs. In Matthew 19:12, Jesus revealed three classes of eunuchs:

(1)   Those who are born eunuchs. People from this group are born impotent or with birth defects and with other deformities that prevents them from having sexual intercourse. Also included in this group are the male babies who were ordered castrated by their parents for religious purposes.

(2)  Men who were castrated. People in this group include the individuals who had an accident, operation or physical attack that prevents them from having sexual intercourse. It also includes people who were ordered castrated by a court and those who engaged in self-mutilation.

(3)   The people who made a decision to become a eunuch. These individuals have decided, on their own, to forgo marriage for various reasons.

You have to go on spiritual high alert when you hear people claim God told them to remain single. Especially when these men and women cheerfully attempt to persuade others to follow them in their singleness. I have sat down with many of these individuals and what I have uncovered is this. They decided to remain single, not because God commanded them, but primarily because of one or more of these reasons or problems:

They have a fear of marriage   They lost hope in finding a mateThey have a fear of the unknownThey have physical problemsThey fear the opposite sex  They are spiritually immatureThey fear raising childrenThey'd rather chase career ambitionsThey have a fear of trusting others No one could ever live with them  They have low self-esteem                 They don't want to be bothered with kidsTheir secret sins might surfaceThey have a fear of getting a divorceThey contracted the HIV/AIDS virusThey have contracted some other STDThey have a fear of failure           They have emotional problems   They are bitter toward the opposite sex No human can meet their expectations     They have a fear of commitment     They'd rather chase career ambitions   They have a cantankerous attitude          They have lost hope in marriage They don't want to be bothered with kids

I sat down and listened to a well-known unmarried minister who preaches the gift of singleness with zeal and a passion! As he began to talk, the real reason why he was single came to the surface.

For some undisclosed reason, he was ashamed of his physical appearance!

His self-esteem was at a minus twenty and that caused him to be afraid of the opposite sex. This minister turned his fear into a false doctrine he entitled: The Gift of Singleness.

He DID NOT have the gift of singleness.

He was SCARED of women!

If you listen to ministers like him, they will lead you away from finding and following the will of God for your life.

Let's get clear on this point. God does not call a person to be a eunuch. Neither does God call or choose a person to be single for the rest of their life. That is a personal decision a man or a woman makes using his or her own free will and volition. God did not call or assign Paul to be single for the rest of his life. Paul made that decision on his own. Had Paul married, God would not have been mad at him.

Do You Have The Gift of No Thirst?
You need to carefully ponder this next point. God gave each of us asex drive and a desire for companionship. These things were installed in us before we were born. How unjust would God be to give us a pre-installed sex drive, a built-in desire for companionship, emphatically tell us that it is not good that man should be alone, command us to be fruitful and multiply, and then turnaround and: (a) condemn us if we desire to get married? Or, (b) tell us, "By the way, "I know what I put in you, however, I'm calling you to remain single!"

That's like God giving us a desire to drink water, but then condemn us if we try to quench our thirst! Do you go around praying if it is the will of God for you to quench your thirst? Do you have the gift ofNO THIRST? No you do not! If you do not drink water, you don't drink water by choice, but your body still craves it!

Marriage Is Not A Gift - Marriage Is God's Divine Order
Here are some critical things God said about marriage:

Genesis 1:28, “… God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth…”

Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone…”

Genesis 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Proverbs 18:22, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing…”

Jeremiah 29:6 NIV, “Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

I Timothy 5:14, “I will therefore that the younger woman marry, bear children, guide the house…”

Proverbs 5:18, “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Ecclesiastes 9:9, “Live joyfully with the wife of thy youth…”

Engrave this crucial point in your mind. Marriage is not a gift. Marriage is God's divine order for mankind!

Don't Be Led By The Doctrines of Devils.

I Timothy 4:1-3 [Emphasis added]
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry.

Paul by the Holy Spirit alerted us that a group of ministers would creep into the church and teach doctrines of devils. One of the components of the doctrines of devils is forbidding men and women to marry. Some denominations and religious organizations demand that their clergy make vows of celibacy.

These people are bound by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The Lord classifies what they teach and impose upon others as doctrine of demons because they directly defy the command God gave to the church, which is to: marry, be fruitful and multiply!

Is It The Will of God For You To Marry Or Remain Single?
Answer: That is a personal decision! If you decide to stay single, do not attempt to impose your beliefs, thoughts or opinions about your singleness upon anyone.

Do not try to appear super spiritual by claiming God called you to be single.

He did not!

By making such false statements, you do two things: (a) You make yourself to be a practicing LIAR! And (b) You mislead others down a road of unnecessary prolonged agony and personal and spiritual confusion.

If you stay single, you made the decision to remain single on your own! You say, "But Brother Triplett, Evangelist So and So, says God called her to remain single." All that means is that Evangelist So and So lied on God, whether she knew it or not!

Singleness Is Not a Gift Or Calling From God!
Remaining unmarried is a decision some people make for various reasons, some of which may have nothing to do with serving God. Singleness is not a gift or calling from God. Let no man deceive you, deciding to remain single for the rest of your life is strenuous work! When a person is married, they can legally relieve their sexual desires and tensions.

A single person cannot get relief unless they get into sexual sin. Very few people can accomplish Paul's feat of remaining single their entire life and at the same time remain sexually pure. That is why Paul said in I Corinthians 7:9, if you cannot refrain from desiring to have sex or extinguish your desire for companionship until the day you die, then it is better for you to marry than to be inflamed in sexual sin.

The people who claim God will somehow magically wipe out your sex drive, take away your desire for companionship and eliminate your attraction to the opposite sex, have subverted the Word of God! You cannot find anywhere in the Bible where God did that to one single solitary person, including the apostle Paul. If that single person does not daily beat their body into subjection and if they don't daily deaden their natural desires, they are going to fall into sexual sin.

That is not the picture of a gift of celibacy, that is a picture of hard work!

What you cannot do is be double-minded about this crucial issue. In other words, one moment you believe God wants you to be married and the next moment, you believe God wants you to remain single. You've found The One, but then someone comes along and preaches a message about the gift of singleness. The next thing we know, you're wondering if it is the will of God for you to marry.

That is called being double-minded, (See James 1:6-8). You'll never receive anything from God wavering like that. I have showed what the Written Word of God says about marriage and singleness. Clearly, the will of God is for you to marry. But, if you decide to remain single, just as in Paul's case, the Lord will accept your decision!

THE KEY TO PROSPERITY

A key is a device, usually metal, used to unlock a lock. It allows a person to gain passage to an otherwise prohibited area.

What is the key to prosperity?

You are just minutes away from finding your destiny and experiencing prosperity as God designed it!

God is a God of provision.

He is Jehovah-Jireh, "The Lord Will Provide."

He provides everything, but He provides it after you begin the work of the vision.

Your obedience to your vision affects not only your life but also the lives of those who will work with you.

This means that obedience to vision is not a private issue.

It affects everyone who is supposed to work with you and be impacted by your life.

Prosperity means having everything that is needed.

It doesn't necessarily mean having a large bank account, several cars, and a large house, although you might need those things to fulfill your vision.

For example, because of our purpose, my wife and I need a long dining room table that can seat a large number of people since we often have guests of the ministry to dinner. That's part of our assignment. It might also be yours, depending on what you are called to do. However, perhaps you need a four-chair table rather than a twelve-chair table because you usually just have your family at dinner.

Instead of using the money on a large table, you use it for other things related to your personal or church vision. Similarly, I may not need something that you must have to fulfill your purpose. If I had it, it would be excess. The point is that God provides for all the needs of our visions, no matter what they are, large or small.

Several years ago, I got the opportunity to tour the Sewing Machines Company.

I soon discovered that the company makes the spare parts before they build the new cars.

Then they make the cars.

That's why, when anything needs to be replaced on your car, the part is already prepared.

They prepare what you're going to need before you even buy your car.

In the same way, everything you're going to need for your vision is already provided for. Even before you came on the scene, God had it all prepared. Daily we should ask God, "Deliver to me what I need today."

Second Peter 1:3 says that God's "divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness."

Where is it?

It's waiting for you to ask for it with confidence.

God is not short of anything you need. What I'm concerned about is that you may be asking for some things that aren't yours. Let me explain.

If you pursue the wrong assignment, you're going to need things you can't get, because the provision isn't there unless the vision is yours. It's someone else's assignment, and he has his own warehouse.

Sometimes, people make demands on God that He can't supply because He can't give us what doesn't belong to us.

Again, knowing God's will for your life is the key to your prosperity.

HOW DO I FIND MY GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE?

You were born with a God-given purpose and fulfilling that purpose must be your primary mission in life. Your fulfillment, satisfaction and peace of mind are all tied to that purpose!

"How do you I find my God-given purpose?" That is another question I get asked on a consistent basis. So many people are lost when it comes to knowing why they were born. In this vital life-improving article, you'll learn how to learn your God-given purpose.

You Were Born With a Specific God-Given Purpose
I'll start this session off by making a critical six-part statement.

1.      Every human being entered into the earth realm with a God-given purpose, (See Ecclesiastes 3:1).

2.      No man or woman ever born came without a God-given purpose, (See II Timothy 1:9).

3.      Every one was born with gifts, talents and abilities to assist them in fulfilling their God-given purpose, (Romans 11:29).

4.      It is the responsibility of each individual to learn his or her God-given purpose, (Romans 12:2).

5.      You must be able to convey your God-given purpose to others, (Habakkuk 2:2).

6.      If you fail or refuse to learn your God-given purpose, your options automatically become: (a) your own personal vision for your life, (b) society's vision for your life, or (c) the devil's vision for your life. With these plans, you may experience great financial success, but in the end, none of these visions will bring you fulfillment, satisfaction or peace of mind, (See Proverbs 19:21).

You Don't Find Your Purpose - You Learn It!

You don't find your God-given purpose anymore than you find mathematics or aerodynamics. To find means to come upon, often by accident. When it comes to mathematics or aerodynamics, you learn them! You do the same with your God-give purpose. You learn it! Here is the first crucial point to learning your God-given purpose: God hid His purpose for your life deep within the recesses of your heart.

Proverbs 20:5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

In order to draw His purpose out of your heart, you must be a man or woman of understanding. I'll show you how to become that man or that woman! Using the illustration of a man drawing water from a well, the Lord makes another crucial point. If you don't draw out your God-given purpose from deep within your heart, you will never learn it. He goes on to say.

Proverbs 20:18
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Without proper counsel, you will not be able to learn your God-given purpose. During my senior year of high school, my guidance counselor was a nice lady. She was intelligent, had a college degree and had comprehensive training to assist students make life-altering career decisions.

She said my test scores revealed that law school, electrical engineering or the Air Force was best for me.

The problem with her professional assessment.

As sincere as she was, she was not my designer or manufacturer. She had no idea what I was capable of because she was not the one who installed the gifts, talents and abilities within me.

To ask any man or woman, including your parents, to tell you what your God-given purpose is, is like asking the Ford Motor Company, "What is the purpose and capabilities of a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber?" The folks at Ford have some sharp minds, but they cannot answer that question for one reason.

They did not design or manufacture that aircraft.

If you want to know your God-given purpose, you must go to your manufacturer, (See Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7).

When the Lord God created us, He gave each of us an operator's manual. It is called the Bible - the Written Word of God.

Our operator's manual tells us which counselor to inquire of concerning this critical issue.

Isaiah 9:6 [Emphasis added]
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Our counselor is none other than the Lord God Almighty!

He is not just any counselor. Read Isaiah 9:6 again! He is our Wonderful Counsellor! He is the only one who can reveal to us our God-given purpose.

When you seek His counsel, there is no possibility of you failing in life because His counsel is excellent in working, (See Isaiah 28:29). Read how the prophet Habakkuk sought out the Wonderful Counsellor, became a man of understanding and got clear on his God-given vision.

Habakkuk 2:1-3
1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Note the sequence of events...

(1)    You must engage in earnest prayer, (Habakkuk 1:1-17)

(2)    Next, get quiet before the Lord, (Habakkuk 2:1)

(3)    The Wonderful Counsellor will speak to you, (Habakkuk 2:2)

(4)    When He speaks, write the vision down, (Habakkuk 2:2)

(5)    Be ready to convey your God-given vision to others, (Habakkuk 2:2)

(6)    Rejoice, because God's vision for your life is coming to pass, (Habakkuk 2:3)

You must earnestly pray, "Lord, what is my purpose and what did you put in me?" I have some great news for you! When you ask the Lord those questions, He will always answer you, (See Matthew 7:7).

How long will He take?

He will answer you immediately, but how you hear Him depends on your level of spiritual growth and development, (See Hebrews 5:13-14).

The people who are attentive, quick to listen, quick to obey, quick to forgive and quick to repent, effortlessly hear God's voice and act on His Word, (See Mark 4:20).

The people who are distracted, slow to listen, slow to obey, slow to forgive and slow to repent, have a harder time hearing from God, (See Mark 4:14-19).

After praying that prayer, you need to analyze and take inventory of your gifts, talents and abilities.

Your Gifts, Talents and Abilities Help To Define Your Purpose

Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Prior to your birth, God installed in you all of the necessary gifts, talents and abilities you would need to fulfill his purpose for your life. Those gifts, talents and abilities help define your purpose.

I have traveled to the Bering Sea on a number of occasions. I have been there when it was so cold, when you breathed, your breath would instantly freeze and fall to the ground. With the proper protective clothing, a human being could withstand that type of cold, but only for a short period of time.

Polar bears, however, are superbly adapted for survival in that type of freezing weather. They are so well insulated that they experience almost no heat loss. They can withstand temperatures of minus 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of their insulation, they tend to overheat in warm weather.

They cool down by diving into the ice-cold waters. Polar bears are champion swimmers. Using their partially webbed forepaws, they have been clocked swimming as fast as six miles per hour. They also have excellent underwater vision. Scientists tell us that polar bears can spot food up to 15 feet away while submerged.

BUT! If you take the Polar Bears from the Far North and place them in the Sahara Desert, they will eventually die prematurely. The gifts, callings and abilities of the Polar Bear are ideally suited for the Far North, not the Sahara Desert.

The Polar Bear's heavy insulating fur and thick blubber layer was made for the ice cold, not the heat.

The Polar Bear's swimming abilities, fur, blubber, webbed forepaws and its ability to withstand extreme cold, help to define its purpose.

It is the same way with everything!

The wings of the eagle reveal that the eagle was made to fly. The eyes of the owl reveal that it is more suited to hunt at night. The anatomy of the fish - the scales, slime coat, gills, ventral, pectoral and dorsal fins, and fact that they have no arms, legs or wings, reveals that they were designed for the water.

How Were You Designed?
What do you like to do? Solve mathematical problems? Play chess? Sing? Create music? Write? Build things? Invent things? Paint? Design things? Are you artistically inclined? Do you have a love for biology, nature or medicine? Do you have an analytical mind? Are you mechanically inclined? Are you a bookworm? Do you enjoy baking? Do you like to teach or train people? Do you love working with children? Do you like watching attorneys litigate? Do you have an inquisitive investigative mind? Do you love to make delectable culinary dishes?

What You Naturally Gravitate Towards - Helps Reveal Your Purpose
I started writing poetry when I was in grade school. I can't explain it. One day I picked up a pen and paper and just started writing in a romantic flow. By the time I reached high school, people were paying me to write poetry for their wives, girlfriends and special events.

I noticed something else while in high school. I had this knack for training others. That gift carried over into the corporate arena. I spent over eight  years training individuals during my corporate days. But even after I saw the success of the men and women who sat under my tutelage, something was still missing. I was not fulfilled.

The problem?

I was fulfilling (my vision) for my life and not my God-given purpose!

The Lord put within me the gifts, talents and abilities to hone and fashion men and women to find and fulfill their God-given purpose. I could not fully accomplish my God-given purpose, while training people to analyze circuits. Once I learned my God-given purpose, my life completely changed. It became fulfilling and satisfying! I have no greater joy than being able to help God's people walk in the Truth and fulfill His purpose for their lives!

What Happens After You Learn Your God-Given Purpose?
Once you know your God-given purpose and have taken inventory of your gifts, talents and abilities, go for it with all of your might!

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

What is the Lord saying? Don't take your gifts, talents and abilities to the grave! Get busy about fulfilling His purpose for your life! Give it all that you've got!