It is IMPOSSIBLE for the soul to flourish while PRAYER is NEGLECTED!!!!
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the FALSE prophets." Luke 6:26.
"Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, Himself the source and sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship." PP 305.
The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced into co-operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily submitted. Were it possible to force upon you with a hundredfold greater intensity the influence of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven. The stronghold of Satan would not be broken. The will must be placed on the side of God's will. You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God; but if you are “willing to be made willing,” God will accomplish the work for you, even “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. Then you will “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12, 13. MB 142.1
Then I heard a voice saying to those who had been pushed and derided, “Come out from among them, and touch not the unclean.” In obedience to this voice, a large number broke the cords which bound them, and leaving the companies that were in darkness, joined those who had previously gained their freedom, and joyfully united their voices with them. I heard the voice of earnest, agonizing prayer from a few who still remained with the companies that were in darkness. The ministers and leading men were passing around in these different companies, fastening the cords more firmly; but still I heard this voice of earnest prayer. Then I saw those who had been praying reach out their hands for help toward the united company who were free, rejoicing in God. The answer from them, as they earnestly looked to heaven, and pointed upward, was, “Come out from among them, and be separate.” I saw individuals struggling for freedom, and at last they broke the cords that bound them. They resisted the efforts which were made to fasten the cords tighter and refused to heed the repeated assertions: “God is with us.” “We have the truth with us.” Persons were continually leaving the companies that were in darkness and joining the free company, who appeared to be in an open field raised above the earth. Their gaze was directed upward, the glory of God rested upon them, and they joyfully shouted His praise. They were closely united and seemed to be wrapped in the light of heaven. Around this company were some who came under the influence of the light, but who were not particularly united to the company. All who cherished the light shed upon them were gazing upward with intense interest, and Jesus looked upon them with sweet approbation. They expected Him to come and longed for His appearing. They did not cast one lingering look to earth. But again a cloud settled upon the waiting ones, and I saw them turn their weary eyes downward. I inquired the cause of this change. Said my accompanying angel, “They are again disappointed in their expectations. Jesus cannot yet come to earth. They must endure greater trials for His sake. They must give up errors and traditions received from men and turn wholly to God and His Word. They must be purified, made white, and tried. Those who endure that bitter trial will obtain an eternal victory.” Early Writings, p. 240.2
If we are going to put GOD first in our lives and marriages, shouldn't we KNOW who HE is?
GOD, the Father of Christ, is IMMORTAL, meaning He cannot die (everything would fall apart if He died) and GOD is a Spirit (John 4:24) who is INIVISIBLE to us after Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17. "But to us there is but one God, the Father, OF whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, BY whom are all things, and we by him." 1 Corinthians 8:6
. Rom 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [RSV: “deity”; NIV: “divine nature”], so that they are without excuse.
God is the Head of Christ - the GodHEAD.
God is the Father of Christ
"At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." John 14:20
God, is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," Ephesians 1:3
"The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, " 2 Corinthians 11:31
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 1:3
"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to MY Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto MY Father, and your Father; and to MY GOD, and your God. John 20:17
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Luke 4:8
the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3
"And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (KJV) 1 Corinthians 3:23
Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1 Corinthians 15:28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him (the God and Father of Jesus) who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Jesus said in John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."
1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Cor 15:28 "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." [God All in All = be everything to everyone, supreme, Sovereign, the indwelling and controlling factor of life]
Here is this same verse 1 Cor 15:28 in another translation. Most people do not understand this concept, and it is SO IMPORTANT to "get":
"However, when everything is subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also subject Himself to [the Father] Who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all [be everything to everyone, supreme, the indwelling and controlling factor of life]." 1 Corinthians 15:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)