What does God think? A biblical perspective on gay marriage

In making the right decision concerning the laws of marriage or any law, instead of asking what an individual thinks, we must ask, what does God think? Many people don't consider this because they don't believe in God. They make their own conception of God based on their own desires. I was one of these people. The sin in my life and the sin in my parents' life, having nothing to do with God, distorted my view of Him. Abuse, divorce, and my feelings for women. I reasoned that because men were wicked, why should I believe in a male God? Although I accepted Jesus in my heart at eight years old, experienced His redemption, I walked away from my relationship with Him. I still talked to Him, pleaded why my family was broken, but I continued to live life how I saw fit. It was on the day of my accident, I called out to Him. Rebuilding my life as a quadriplegic was not easy. But I understood that God saved me and had a plan for my life. He restored my family. I no longer felt lonely. I searched the Bible for a confirmation. I found that human mistakes were due to man's inherited sin nature from Adam. Instead of relying on God's promise for a child, Abraham and Sarah decided to have a child with Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid (Genesis 16:1-2). As a result, Abraham had to put out his child, Ishmael. He was grieved over it, but God told him he would have a child with Sarah. This promised child is the one in which God would have His covenant (Genesis 17:19, 21). When Abraham made his mistakes, God did not beat him over the head about them. Instead, Abraham had free will to make them. This is the way it is with all of us. We are faulty, but God is faithful to keep His promises, no matter what.

How do we know that the Bible is true? Is it an accurate copy of what was originally written? Do we have reason to believe what they wrote actually happened? As an overview, the Bible consists of 66 books written over 1500 years in 3 different languages by over 40 authors and yet it fits together as one story. It speaks of the fall of humanity and God's plan of redemption through the nation, Israel. There, a messiah would be born to bear our iniquities (Isaiah 53:4-5). Old testament prophecies show that this messiah would be 1) Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) 2) Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), Of the line of David (1 Chronicles 17:11-12), a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18), killed for others (Daniel 9:26), raised from the dead (Psalm 16:10). Jesus fulfills all these prophecies and more. There are at least 24,000 manuscript copies of the New Testament that attest to its accuracy. Most scholars agree that the New Testament was completed around 80 A.D. This was 20-30 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Again, this contributes to the accuracy of the text, in that the people most closely associated with Jesus wrote these accounts soon after events happened.

The conclusion is that Jesus is who he claimed to be and he truly was crucified and rose from the dead. This is the main creed spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15. When faced with this historical reality, one must come to the realization that we are accountable to God. God is Holy, just, and He gives us His moral law. Whether we like it or not, God says sleeping around is wrong. He says men sleeping with men and women sleeping with women is wrong (Gen 18:20-21; 19:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-27; Leviticus 18:22). Our morality indicates a moral lawgiver. Once we realize this, then we understand that there is a divine plan for our lives and it lies in the truth of the Bible. Richard Wurmbrand says it excellently in his book, "In God's underground,"

"We must also teach that sex is a gift that God gives mankind. We must tell the whole truth to free it from obscenity. There is divinity here. The union of man and woman as one flesh is a picture of the intimacy between Christ and the Church." (Wurmbrand, pg. 120)

I didn't want to face this at first. I liked my gay life just the way it was. I was good at it, it was an integral part of my identity. How was I to change? Eventually, I gave it to the Lord, I told him to take it from me and change me. He showed me that He would sustain me through this circumstance. Everyone has temptations. But God promises us that we can combat these with the word of God (1 Corinthians 10:13) Jesus has atoned for all our sins for those who believe, and we have an advocate with the father (1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1-2). God destroyed Sodom and Gommorrah and He will judge nations again according to their sins. I've learned not to rely on my "feelings," but depend on Christ, His grace, His will.

As of now, I'm married to the Lord. I have no idea what God has in store for me but I know I want to be ready for His return. I found the ultimate treasure and it is fellowship with Christ.

Have you given your life to the Lord? If you understand that you are separated from God and want to be reconciled with him, come to Jesus. He will break those yokes and give you peace you've never known. Pray that you've sinned, and believe Jesus died for your sins. Pray that you want forgiveness and make Him your Lord and Savior of your life. Read the Bible and pray to God in your own way. (Phillipians 4:6-7). Fellowship with other believers and join a bible teaching church. I pray that you grow richly in faith and be blessed with this testimony.

Highs and Lows

Saturday, I was due to go out to birthday party but I didn't feel well that morning. I felt weak and had a bad headache that didn't go away. I had the nurse check my vitals and my pressure was very high. High blood pressure is a sign of Autonomic dysreflexia which, unattended to can lead to seizure, stroke or death. It happens usually because of bowel or bladder impediment. Since my bladder was draining fine, I concluded that my bowels were impacted. I also felt nauseous which is a sign of impaction. I took a slew of stool softeners and utilized digital stimulation to move things along. It worked and I initially felt relieved but then my pressure went from extrememly high to extremely low. This has never happened before so I was very concerned. I was also still nauseous and sweating profusely. I told my father I thought it best to go to the hospital. I knew they would give me fluids and work quickly to find the problem. Beth Abraham on the other hand, doesn't know how to deal with SCI concerns and I'm frustrated with their ignorance on this front when they have many people with spinal cord injury. An ambulance quickly came and asked me what I was feeling. They knew I had very low pressure and concluded I needed fluids. They quickly set up an I.V. in the van and I began to feel better. I only stayed for a few hours which is mamzing for being in the ER! The longest part was waiting for my ride back.

I felt okay to go to church the next day and after getting in the chair, eating breakfast and getting to church, I had another bout of really low pressure! So low, I could barely see anything! I told my father to tip my chair back and it worked a little but after passing out in church, I knew it was time to go. I pray this will stabilize and I'll be able to go out more frequently with less trouble! Keep this in prayer as I continue to heal and see what the Lord has in my life.

Post Op

I got back to Beth Abraham on thhursday, after 8 long days post-op Mitrofanoff procedure. I had an NG tube in for four days which was very difficult. It had to be reinserted 3-4 times because it was dislodged. Succtioning was very uncomfortable with the NG tube. I struggled to hold the tube in place, trying not to gag it out. I couldn't speak because they changed my trach to a shiley. Amazingly, it wasn't that hard for people to understand me. I annunciate well and most times, people were attentive.

I have mixed feelings about nursing care. I went to a "step-down" unit located in 8 Center Guggenheim Pavilion, where the staff seemed to complain about patients if they called too much. That included me, since I needed succtioning and turning. I made a complaint to the adminstrator. My father spoke with my neighbor and confirmed the complaints.

I was very weak after surgery and laying on a pegasus bed made me less mobile. Everrything was uncomfortable after a few days! I was also off from all of my meds, so I went through serious withdrawal. I hallucinated scenarios and at points was convinced that I needed to escape and my family was struggling to "free me." I disconnected my I.V. lines and refused to be scanned until I saw my parents. I had to seriously focus on the Lord then to get over my state of mind and discomfort. Needless to say, this is a very difficult surgery to get through!! By the last day, I couldn't wait to get out of there. I wanted my hair washed and to get in my chair. I tried yesterday, but it was too soon. Now I am practicing sitting up, eating better and stretching out my arms/hands. In two weeks, I'll go back to Dr. Vapnek to take out the stiches and utilize the stoma for the first time!

So far, everything is a success. My new T-tube, however, I'm not fond of. It seems smaller than before, and it is very difficult to get secretions up. So far, I cannot uncap myself, and succtioning is more of a serious matter. Please pray for conntinued healing in this area.

It is easier tto eat. I no longer have that volcanoe feeling in my bowels. This should get even better with time. I'm looking forward to gaining weight and exercising again. I depend heavily on God's grace every day; for comfort, peace, healing, strength. I'm not brave at all. I cling to God's word for hope that he will deliver and he has been faithful.

Girding the Mind

Tomorrow I have surgery and I seem to be pretty calm about it. I've been on a liquid diet for two days and gearing up for my colonoscopy tomorrow. I have to drink up to a gallon of "GoLytly"-a liquid that flushes the system so they can look into my colon.

The reason why they're doing the colonoscopy is because my intestines have been severely irritated for over a month now and no one knows why. I haven't been able to eat normally or go normally. I had to change my bowel routine to exclude enemas and bowel irritants. It's very hard for someone who is paralyzed to "go" without some laxatives and digital stimulation! Needless to say, I've been struggling with with a lot physically. I have a lot of nerve pain, constipation, and irritable bowels. I hope they can continue the surgery as planned without any major complications. I'm relying on the Great Physician to get me through.

I've been listening to The Comforts: a CD for those who are hurting. The music is wonderful and soothing and the scripture from Joe focht is on point!

Thank you for your prayers and I'll see you soon.

Maranatha!

Nicky

My Testimony

I wanted to rewrite this because I want to properly honor my parents while giving glory to God. Many people share my experience and walk away from God because they feel "God's not fair." At times it feels that way! But I submit to you that He is just, gracious and merciful.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord my strength and my redeemer.-Psalm 19:14

I grew up in the Bronx in the 80's, and my parents strove to keep me safe. They dedicated my brother and I to the Lord as Hannah did Samuel:

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 1 Samuel 1:11

The point was to raise the child in the ways of the Lord. We are now under the covenant of grace through Jesus Christ, where we do not have to keep dietary or any other law to be considered righteous. We are covered by the righteousness of Jesus.

My parents were young and were not perfect. They made some sore mistakes that lasted years. But I was blessed they raised us with values that kept us off the streets. My parents did not stay together and my broken home broke my faith. we stayed with my mother and that became difficult after awhile. I became depressed and did not get along with my brother and mother. I went upstate for college and was sure I would never come back after much hurt. How could God let this happen? I walked my own way and led a gay lifestyle. I did things I would never do. All the while, I petitioned for God to answer me why there was so much hurt in the world continually. Where was His justice? Little did I know He was holding his wrath from me, maybe the person reading this now...I did not graduate college by one semester and my mother was not pleased. I flailed from job to job until 2007 when I had a work accident falling from a roof. While I was slipping I thought, "Lord take me!" After years of not walking with God, I put ultimate faith in Him because He was all there was! I didn't want to remember the fall or impact and he was merciful for that. I woke up in ICU, in the throes of being intubated, between life and death. Lord only knows how I had the guts to fight. Every night, I asked God to let me live one more day to see my mother. It was the most difficult time of my life to date. There were moments I thought I would die. But God had me live to share my story and glorify his name.

After 18 years of not seeing my father, The Lord brought him back into my life. God molded him into a patient, Godly man yielding the fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) After a month in ICU, I was weened from the vent and went to rehab at Mount Sinai in NYC. While recovering some function, I sought the Lord again, knowing he saved me from physical death and quite possibly, spiritual death. Because of the life I was living, I was at enmity with God (2 Peter 2:20-22). His word clearly says those who practice homosexuality will not enter the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rom. 1:26-27; Lev. 18:22; Gen. 19:1-13) Homosexuality occurs because of a brokenness in the world, a break in God's initial perfect will. When Adam and Eve disobeyed it was all down hill! We only "feel" it's natural because we go by lusts! however, when I sought the Lord Jesus to change me on this, He did! My father has been single for many years. But he is not alone! He has Jesus and if He wills, a Godly woman will come into his life. Jesus spoke to me then and said just to trust him. "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Since, I have felt more spiritually content and not lonely. I would be happy and honored to have a Godly man in my life as he has shaped me into a Godly woman. But I''m married to the Lord first and am happy to serve him until He takes me home or raptures his church at the last trump. (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 thess. 4:13-18)

If you do not know the peace of God in your life, I would suggest searching the scriptures. They are backed by many manuscripts, textual criticism, extra-biblical sources and archeological evidence. Our faith is based on facts, not fairy tales. Today is the day of salvation. Do not let pride or disobedience hold you.

Pray to Jesus for forgiveness and that you want him to be Lord and Savior of your life. Find a bible teaching church and study his word. Share what God has done in your life!!!

A great site to answer your questions is gotquestions.org

True Salvation: Making Jesus Lord of your life!

What makes a true Christian or genuine salvation? Whether people believe in God or not, when the time comes, they hope to go to heaven because they were a "good person." But even Christians, especially in western countries, become comfortable after accepting Jesus as savior that they don't recognize him as LORD.

I have a roommate that *loves* Jesus. She will watch "lift every voice" on BET or Joel Osteen on Sunday. The rest of her week she dedicates her time, and I mean d-e-d-i-c-a-t-e-s her time to watching shows like Maury Povich, Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos show and anything drama related. Something is amiss here:

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

4Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

I have purged myself from various shows for this reason. I think the only show I enjoy watching that isn't filled with sexual innuendos, God mocking and violence is "The Office." However, I sojourn my time with a holy fear, the spirit tells me to work and serve the poor and needy. What will happen to my roommate when she meets Yeshua face to face when she has not let go of her worldly ways?

Jesus clearly sets the stage for who is and who isn't a real follower in John Chapter 13: "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'

Another important aspect in being a disciple is love. In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Paul understood this importance when he wrote the 13th Chapter of 1 Corinthians: "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." This is tough! Many people are what I call "unloveable." Sometimes I am! I can be irritable from pain and frustration of being in this body. True love, agape love, is a selfless love that comes from the spirit. I'm learning this slowly as I pray more to be filled with the spirit daily. This is necessary to grow in grace and love people the way the Lord loved us:

"But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 2Corinthians 8:7-9

Love is the chief fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law."

Back in the Gospel of John, Jesus explains the parable of the true vine: "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

That's serious and concerning. There are many "good" people out there that do not believe in God, or that believe they will get favor with him because they are good people. Maybe they go to church once in a while. But believing and obeying God's word are very important to salvation. David says in the Psalms, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name." James also says to be doers of the word, not just hearers (James 1:21-24).

The Lord has set an example for a reason. He came to be a servant because he wants us to serve. It's a hard pill for us to swallow but there's many cases where Christ wants us to turn down the "me" and up somebody else whether that be our neighbors or even our enemies! "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."Luke 6:27-28

Follow Jesus before Friends, family, possesions, even your own life. No one understands this better than the persecuted church!

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matt 19:23-29

This is what Jesus meant when he said, "I came not to bring peace but a sword." Families are divided for belief in Jesus and you need to be ready to choose. It's not always easy, but in light of eternal life and everlasting peace, the choice is clear. Jesus offers these and more.

Work for the Kingdom of God? Believe it or not, salvation is not just about Believing on the name of Jesus and then going on your merry way. Jesus said "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

This is referring to the man who wanted to say goodbye to his house before following Jesus. Following Jesus is so important, you can drop something at any notice if it calls for it. This is the living God in bodily form asking you to follow him! Many people will be like " yeah, yeah I'm all about Jesus," but will be quickly distracted by other things. Jesus being Lord of your life means top priority. You work as if you serve Him, love as if it were Him and constantly strive to be more like Him.

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed." 1 Peter 2:21-24

This is not easy! We are not expected to do things perfect like Jesus, but to strive to conform to his image (2 Peter 1:5-10; Philipians 3:13-16)

Finally, if you do not know by now, we are living in the end times. Unnatural storms, earthquakes undetected and unprecedented wars prophesied from the Bible are right on target. Some to note are Luke 21:25-26; Isaiah 19:2, Matthew 24:5-12, Zechariah 12:2. Prevalent in the Christian church are "lukewarm" people--those who aren't fully committed to Christ (Read Revelations 3). They call themselves Christians, they believe in Jesus, heck, they may even go to church, but they have not let go of world ideas. These include music, movies, politics, lifestyles and relationships that are contrary to the Word of God. Again, this is not easy from experience, but when faced with the Creator of Heaven and Earth, who are you going to follow? All flesh is as grass but the word of the Lord stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8) It is then that our spirit will spend eternity somewhere. Will you be with God? Or will you be condemned in hell forever?

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He [is] your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." --Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Encouraging Scriptures for those who suffer

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6

My surgery was postponed due to trach complication! The only way to have the surgery is to take out the trach, put in a shiley trach during the surgery, and then the next day, have the t-tube put back in! It sounds incredibly risky but I'm trusting the Lord, not my understanding.

I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

All I know is that I love the Lord with all my heart and I am forever grateful for His mercy saving my life and showing me His Truth through the sacrifice of his son Jesus. His Spirit has pressed upon me to share my story, that God has been gracious and merciful. Regardless of anything in my life, God has been faithful. On the day I broke my neck, I seriously called out to God and trusted him with my life. Nothing else mattered. Since then I've learned to depend on him and hear his voice through his word.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1-

"And our hope of you [is] stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so [shall ye be] also of the consolation."

"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

"Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

"Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf." 2 cor. 1:7-11

Many people have prayed for me and continue to pray for me. I'm not crazy about the surgeon working on my t-tube. But I have the Great Physician on my side and he's going to make things happen! I cannot be plucked from his hand! (John 10:27-30)

"Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; [and] he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Ps. 41:1-3

The Lord answered my prayer with this Psalm as I prayed about anxiety over my pain, over the surgery decision. In the interim, I fight off urinary infections and it's extremely painful. It's not sensational pain, but a searing nerve pain that's difficult to tame. Sometimes all I can do is pray and eat God's words, cling to his promise that this suffering is nothing in comparison to the Glory that will be revealed in the last time (Romans 8:18). I imagine those who are in prison for sharing the Gospel in many other countries where it is "illegal." People are tortured, maimed and killed. When my pain is at it's height, I shake. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:20) I also pray for Joni Eareckson Tada, who suffers from excruciating pain. Her testimony has been a blessing to me in my journey, particularly her latest battle with pain and her drive to work for the Lord! Listen as she reads in "A Place of Healing."

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday..." Ps.91:1-6

This Psalm has been very strengthening and encouraging as I go through many physical trials in and out of the hospital. I have a CD called no storm too Great! that prays focusing on this Psalm. I highly recommend it for people who need calming meditation on God's Word!

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." (Eph. 6:18-20)

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for this upcoming surgery that should be in early-mid March. Pray that all goes smoothly with my tracheostomy and my bladder surgery and I recover well. I want to be strong and back in my chair!

Maranatha