As I was writing this teaching. . .I had just prayed over more prayer requests than I can count. People facing unknown transitions and difficult choices.

Are you going through a transition?

Does it seem that you're facing difficult problems without seeing an answer in sight?

If so, this teaching is for you.

David was in a time of transition. . .He had been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be King of Israel.

However, David was far from the throne. He was living as an outcast on the run from the current King, Saul, and dwelling among his enemies the Philistines.

On top of all of it, David’s spiritual guide and mentor, the Prophet Samuel, had just died.

1 Samuel 25:1 says:

Let’s establish a couple of facts.

First, no matter how anemic your bank account may be. . .you’re not broke.

Second, even though your money may run out before the month does. . .you’re not broke.

Before going any further. . .let’s define the word broke which according to dictionary.com it means:

“without money, penniless.”

I hear from people who have a six-figure income who talk about how broke they are.

And by the same token, I hear from people receiving government assistance talking about how broke they are.

In our effort to figure out why some people are or feel like they are broke. . .let me ask you several questions.

Are you spending more money than what you’ve got?

According to dictionary.com the word motive means:

“something that causes a person to act in a certain way; do a certain thing; an inner drive, impulse or intention that causes a person to do something.”

Motives are what make us do what we do.

Motivation to a Christian is like gas in the tank of your car. It gives you what’s desired or necessary to be a success in life.

Motivation unfortunately is not a class you take in school.

Motivation can’t be inherited because it’s not hereditary. It can’t be passed from parent to child automatically.

Motivation is not necessarily circumstantial or environmental. . .it’s an inner working.

Circumstances can happen that may motivate a person and certainly a good role model in a person’s environment may motivate them to do well… but it still must be transmitted like a light bulb that turns on in a person’s mental hard drive.

Sometime last year, the Lord stirred me about the institution of marriage. Since Harold and I just celebrated our 47^th year of marriage … I thought this might be a good time to share.

Now understand this, I’m not sharing because I think we have a perfect marriage because there is no such thing as a perfect marriage.

As a matter of fact, Harold and I have often been asked to write a book on marriage. But, the longer I live the less I think that I know on the subject.

What works for one couple may not work for another.

That doesn’t mean there are not obvious foundational aspects that all marriages need like love and respect. But those are obvious.

However, there are probably just as many myths about marriage as there are foundations … so I decided to address some of those instead.

Myth 1 You will just naturally get along if you are meant to be together

Even if you know God put you together with your spouse…marriage is and always will be an ongoing effort.

Saying all that … there are certain things that can help a marriage last.