TILL DEATH DO US PART

July 19, 2013

Nearly Two million divorces will probably be granted this year in the United States. This is three times the number recorded just twenty years ago. The 21st century has witnessed a striking increase in the Divorce rate. Most nations of the world seem to be following a similar trend.

Today, more than one out of every three marriages ends in divorce; unfortunately, families within the church are following this world pattern to an alarming rate. More and more spouses choose divorce as a way to escape from Obstacles in their family life, instead of facing the problem, while allowing God to be the center of their marriage. Usually the reasons for this rising divorce rate, falls into three main categories:

1. Changes in the women’s roles in the home.

2. Adultery in the marriage.

3. financial instability.

As we leap into the 21st century, we face a whole new world of marital problems, especially as we focus on the breakdown of the modern day marriage and family, and the epidemic statistics as such, in our society as a whole. While there is hardly a Christian family that, directly or indirectly, does not know the pain of divorce.

An important factor that contributes to this alarming escalation of divorce among Christians is the growing acceptance of the societal view or compromise of the standard of marriage as a social contract, governed by civil laws, rather than as a sacred covenant, witnessed and guaranteed by God Himself.

Instead of promising each other faithfulness “till death do us part,” many couples are adopting the modern day version of the marriage vow, by pledging to remain together “as long as we both shall love. The recent, no fault divorce law, makes the dissolution of marriage so easy that some lawyers advertise divorce services for less than $100.00. All legal fees and services are included in one low price. What a sad commentary on the cheapness of marriage today.

What God has united, many will put asunder for less than what Judas sold our Lord and Savior for, a measly thirty pieces of silver. Satan therefore is gaining much more success as he plants his banner in the marriage institution that same institution God implemented and blessed at creation, between man and woman, in the Garden of Eden. But it has always been Satan’s plan to debase, demoralize, and pervert the marriage institution while weakening its sacredness, and commitment to the words that couples should make in the presence of God which states.

To be true to each other in good and bad times, to love and honor each other all the days of your lives, committing to have and to hold for better or worse for richer or poorer in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do us part.

And once repeated before God these vows should be with God’s grace, who is and should always be the foundation of the marriage and home. On this happy occasion Satan observes carefully each day, as he studies one’s heart, and mind, as he has with fiendish intensity for six thousand years, while pointing out most easily one’s character flaws that would cause each and everyone who takes their marriage vows to lose sight of Christ, while never willing to yield or compromise with one another thus bringing on unhappiness and most cases divorce.

But each, man and woman must have the Spirit of God and if the Spirit of God dwells in one’s heart there will be a type of heaven on earth in the home, and by God’s grace each will succeed in making the other happy till death do you part. So as your marriage vows unites you as one, the wife is to respect her husband, the husband is to love and cherish his wife so their belief in Christ should make them as one in Him, while they seek to become more and more imbued with the Spirit of Christ.

Thus, allowing for a perfect harmony between the husband and wife who enter into a covenant with God. So today, let man and woman in the presence of God pledge themselves to love each other as God has ordained they should, and in your life together your affections are to complement each other’s happiness and individuality in other words, God should always be the focus of your individuality.

Of Him you are to ask: What is right? What is wrong? How may I best fulfill your purpose in our union together? For if we don’t place God at the center, Satan will be ever ready to take advantage when any matter of variance arises. Because it is at that point he moves upon the objectionable and different traits of character in husband or wife, while causing alienation between both parties who have united a solemn convenient before God.

So always remember, in your marriage if the law of God is obeyed, and cherished, Satan will be kept out of the home and family, and compromise of interest for one another, will always take place, and no alienation of affection will be permitted.

And as we move closer to Christ soon coming, Satan will work with all the powers he tempted ancient Israel, just before they entered the PromiseLand. He will lay snares for those who claim to keep Gods commandments and as we are right at the heavenly borders he will use all powers, to destroy God’s children at their weakest point in their marriage.

But if you will stay focused on Christ abiding love, and endure through His word and Spirit while upholding those vows sacred you both made in His presence. what grace has begun, the glory of God will present with A victory crown one day, very soon, in His pure and holy kingdom.

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

WHY IS NO ONE LISTENING, SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP

When we as Christians think simplistically about saving souls, especially in regards to our family, friends love ones, and co-workers we set ourselves up to always expect simple solutions recognizable answers, and precise results even under insurmountable situations and circumstances.

But as Christians, we all need to come to terms with the actuality that Satan still exists and he is as strong as ever. But my friends the story does not end there. But through Christ, he whose heart is fixed to serve God will always find the opportunity to be a witness for Him, because the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary by being A humble servant to others as we carry out Christ mandate to go into all the world and tell everyone of His love, grace, and mercy.

As a story is told about the duke of Wellington who was once present where a party of Christian men were discussing the possibility of success in a missionary effort among the heathen. They appealed to the duke to say whether in his judgment such efforts were likely to prove successful, proportionate to the cost, the old soldier replied:

“Gentlemen, what are your marching orders, Success he said, is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your orders, they run thus, ‘go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.’ So the secret to every Christian’s success as to his or her mandate from God will be found in the harmonious and daily workings of all Christians, along with the Holy Spirit in the finishing up of Gods work regardless of what this world deems as success.

Remember success as a Christian for Christ is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause: but for us to yield ourselves to His will. Every excuse in word and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness to continue witnessing for Him was challenged and answered on the cross.

Therefore, in the sense of one’s faith, genuine heartfelt obedience, and invincible courage, may we prepare each and every day, to hear these words repeated to us, as we stand before Christ at His soon return. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

While much of the fruit of our labor will not be apparent in this life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As our example, the world’s redeemer was constantly confronted with obstacles each day. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do in uplifting, and saving souls, because the forces of Satan were constantly working to obstruct His every move. But He would not be discouraged.

For He would forever stay focused on His goal, which was the cross, and our salvation. So He who does all things according to the will of His Father will always place men under various situations, and circumstances, in order to instill upon Them, duties that will be peculiar to the times in which they live, and the various conditions under which we as Christians are placed.

Especially as we enter into the final days of this life’s history, while constantly studying the word of God and seeking His Spirit daily, as we sustain a heartfelt prayer Life, while allowing the light of Gods Spirit to be open before those we witness to. But remember truth is no more desired by the majority today than it was when Christ was on this earth.

So we must not get discourage as we use Christ as our example forever enduring to the end so never give up, continue the fight to spread the word of God, in this immoral world we live in, and endure, and never give up until the race is over, and you have reach the finish line. So each follower of Christ will most likely have a series of victories, that will not be seen as victories on this earth, but will only be recognized as such in a pure and holy society.

Oh the gratitude of souls that will meet us in the heavenly courts, to thank us for our efforts in presenting the gospel of Christ to them, and at that time they will finally come to understand the sympathetic, and loving interest which was taken by the faithful workers of Christ, so that they may have salvation.

And then, on one accord, in adoration, throughout the heavenly courts, we will all give God the praise, glory and honor, for we will forever recognize, without Satan telling us otherwise, the Love grace and mercy employed in the salvation of mankind on this earth that were ready to parish, until God sent His only Begotten Son, to die on a cruel cross, so that we may all be saved from the penalty of sin.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that

believeth…..Romans 1:16 

And now my friends that is how the story ends.

Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes:

• 4.9 million, or 18.7 percent of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
• African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non Hispanic whites.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications, and

certain populations experience an even greater threat. Good diabetes management can help reduce your risk; however,

many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its complications.

• Blindness
  African Americans are almost 50 percent as likely to develop diabetic retinopathy as non-Hispanic whites.
• Kidney Disease
  African Americans are 2.6 to 5.6 times as likely to suffer from kidney disease.
• Amputations
  African Americans are 2.7 times as likely to suffer from lower-limb amputations.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose. It results from defects in insulin

secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can be associated with serious complications and premature death, but

people with diabetes can take measures to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences. Most African Americans (about 90

percent to 95 percent) with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes usually develops in adults and is caused

by the body’s resistance to the action of insulin and to impaired insulin secretion. It can be treated with diet, exercise,

diabetes pills, and injected insulin. A small number of African Americans (about 5 percent to 10 percent) have type 1

diabetes, which usually develops before age 20 and is always treated with insulin. Diabetes can be diagnosed by three

methods:

• A fasting plasma glucose test and a value of 126 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) or greater.
• A nonfasting plasma glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater in people with symptoms of diabetes.
• An abnormal oral glucose tolerance test, with a 2-hour glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater.

Each test must be confirmed, on another day, by any one of the above methods. The criteria used to diagnose diabetes

were revised in 1997.

How Many African Americans Have Diabetes?

The proportion of the African American population that has diabetes rises from less than 1 percent for those aged

younger than 20 years to as high as 32 percent for women age 65-74 years. In every age group, prevalence is higher for

women than men: overall, among those age 20 years or older, the rate is 11.8 percent for women and 8.5 percent for men.

About one-third of total diabetes cases are undiagnosed among African Americans. This is similar to the proportion for

other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. National health surveys during the past 35 years show that the percentage of the African American population that has

been diagnosed with diabetes is increasing dramatically. The surveys in 1976-80 and in 1988-94 measured fasting plasma glucose and thus allowed an assessment of the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes as well as of previously

diagnosed diabetes. In 1976-80, total diabetes prevalence in African Americans age 40-74 years was 8.9 percent; in 1988-94, total prevalence had increased to 18.2 percent–a doubling of the rate in just 12 years.

Prevalence in African Americans is much higher than in white Americans. Among those age 40-74 years in the 1988-94 survey, the rate was 11.2 percent for whites, but was 18.2 percent for blacks–diabetes prevalence in blacks is 1.6 times the prevalence in whites.

What Risk Factors Increase the Chance of Developing Type 2 Diabetes?

The frequency of diabetes in African American adults is influenced by the same risk factors that are associated with type 2 diabetes in other populations. Two categories of risk factors increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. The

first is genetics. The second is medical and lifestyle risk factors, including impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Genetic Risk Factors

The common finding that “diabetes runs in families” indicates that there is a strong genetic component to type 1 and type

2 diabetes. Many scientists are now conducting research to determine the genes that cause diabetes. For type 1 diabetes,

certain genes related to immunology have been implicated. For type 2 diabetes, there seem to be diabetes genes that determine insulin secretion and insulin resistance.

Some researchers believe that African Americans inherited a “thrifty gene” from their African ancestors. Years ago, this gene enabled Africans, during “feast and famine” cycles, to use food

energy more efficiently when food was scarce. Today, with fewer such cycles, the thrifty gene that developed for survival may instead make the person more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.

Medical Risk Factors

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)

In some people, their blood glucose level after a meal or after an oral glucose test rises higher than is considered normal but not high enough for them to be diagnosed with diabetes. These individuals are described as having impaired glucose

tolerance (IGT). IGT may be an early stage of diabetes, and people with IGT are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people with normal glucose tolerance. Rates of IGT among adults age 40-74 years in the NHANES III survey were similar for black (13 percent) and white (15 percent) Americans.2

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

About 2 to 5 percent of pregnant women develop mild abnormalities in glucose levels and insulin secretion and are considered to have gestational diabetes. Although these women’s glucose and insulin levels often return to normal after

pregnancy, as many as 50 percent may develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy.

Hyperinsulinemia and Insulin Resistance

Higher-than-normal levels of fasting insulin, called hyperinsulinemia, are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia often predates diabetes by several years.

Among people who did not have diabetes in the NHANES III survey, insulin levels were higher in African Americans than in whites, particularly African American women, indicating their greater predisposition for developing type 2 diabetes. Another study showed a higher rate of hyperinsulinemia in African American adolescents compared with white American adolescents.

Obesity

Overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The NHANES surveys found that overweight is increasing in the

United States, both in adolescents and in adults. Figure 2 illustrates these data and also shows that African American

adults have substantially higher rates of obesity than white Americans.

In addition to the overall level of obesity, the location of the excess weight is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Excess

weight carried above the waist is a stronger risk factor than excess weight carried below the waist. African Americans have a greater tendency to develop upper-body obesity, which increases their risk of diabetes.

Although African Americans have higher rates of obesity, researchers do not believe that obesity alone accounts for their higher prevalence of diabetes. Even when compared with white Americans with the same levels of obesity, age, and

socioeconomic status, African Americans still have higher rates of diabetes. Other factors, yet to be understood, appear to be responsible.

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is a protective factor against type 2 diabetes and, conversely, lack of physical activity is a risk factor for developing diabetes. Researchers suspect that a lack of exercise is one factor contributing to the high rates of

diabetes in African Americans. In the NHANES III survey, 50 percent of black men and 67 percent of black women reported that they participated in little or no leisure time physical activity.

How Does Diabetes Affect African-American Young People?

African American children seem to have lower rates of type 1 diabetes than white American children. Researchers tend to agree that genetics probably makes type 1 diabetes less common among children with African ancestry compared with children of European ancestry.

How Does Diabetes Affect African American Women during Pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes, in which blood glucose values are elevated above normal during pregnancy, occurs in about 2 percent to 5 percent of all pregnant women. Perinatal problems such as macrosomia (large body size) and neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are higher in these pregnancies.

The women generally return to normal glucose values after childbirth. However, once a woman has had gestational diabetes, she has an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.

In addition, experts estimate that about half of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy. Several studies have shown that the occurrence of gestational diabetes in African American women may be 50 percent to 80 percent more frequent than in white women.

How Do Diabetes Complications Affect African Americans?

Compared with white Americans, African Americans experience higher rates of diabetes complications such as eye disease, kidney failure, and amputations. They also experience greater disability from these complications. Some factors

that influence the frequency of these complications, such as high blood glucose levels, abnormal blood lipids, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking, can be influenced by proper diabetes management.

Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy is a deterioration of the blood vessels in the eye that is caused by high blood glucose. It can lead to impaired vision and, ultimately, to blindness. The frequency of diabetic retinopathy is 40 percent to 50 percent higher

in African Americans than in white Americans, according to NHANES III data. Retinopathy may also occur more frequently in black Americans than in whites because of their higher rate of hypertension.

Although blindness caused bydiabetic retinopathy is believed to be more frequent in blacks than in whites, there are no valid studies that compare rates of blindness between the two groups.

Kidney Failure

African Americans with diabetes experience kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), about four times more often than diabetic white Americans. In 1995, there were 27,258 new cases of ESRD attributed to diabetes in black

Americans. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and accounted for 43 percent of the new cases of ESRD among black Americans during 1992-1996. Hypertension, the second leading cause of ESRD, accounted for 42 percent of cases.

In spite of their high rates of ESRD, African Americans have better survival rates after they develop kidney failure than white Americans.

Amputations

Based on the U.S. hospital discharge survey, there were about 13,000 amputations among black diabetic individuals in 1994, which involved 155,000 days in the hospital.12 African Americans with diabetes are much more likely to undergo

a lower-extremity amputation than white or Hispanic Americans with diabetes. The hospitalization rate of amputations for blacks was 9.3 per 1,000 patients in 1994, compared with 5.8 per 1,000 white diabetic patients. However, the

average length of hospital stay was lower for African Americans (12.1 days) than for white Americans (16.5 days).

Does Diabetes Cause Excess Deaths in African Americans?

Diabetes was an uncommon cause of death among African Americans at the turn of the century. By 1994, however, death certificates listed diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death for African Americans. For those age 45 years or older,

it was the fifth leading cause of death. Death rates (mortality) for people with diabetes are higher for blacks than for whites. Figure 3 shows death rates for whites and blacks with diabetes in a national survey of people first studied in 1971-1975 whose mortality was confirmed

through 1992-1993.13 In every age group and for both men and women, death rates for blacks with diabetes were higher than for whites with diabetes. The overall mortality rate was 20 percent higher for black men and 40 percent higher for black women, compared with their white counterparts.

Points To Remember

• In 1993, 1.3 million African Americans were known to have diabetes. This is almost three times the number of African Americans who were diagnosed with diabetes in 1963.
• For every white American who gets diabetes, 1.6 African Americans get diabetes.
• The highest incidence of diabetes in blacks occurs between 65 and 74 years of age. Twenty-five percent of these individuals have diabetes.
• Obesity is a major medical risk factor for diabetes in African Americans, especially for women. Some diabetes may be prevented with weight control through healthy eating and regular exercise.
• African Americans have higher incidence of and greater disability from diabetes complications such as kidney failure, visual impairment, and amputations.
• If African Americans can prevent, reverse, or control diabetes, their risk of complications will decrease.
• Healthy lifestyles, such as eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise, are particularly important for people who are at increased risk of diabetes

Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, National Institute of Health Sep. 1998