Marriage by Grace ~ Captured and Transformed by God's Amazing Grace
~ "However, let each man of you [without exception] loves his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that
she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him;
and that she defers him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly.]" Ephesians 5:33 ~
My Beloved Spencer,
I promise...
I will love you forever,
I will speak life into you,
I will treat you with respect,
I will support you,
I will be silly with you,
I will cry with you,
I would die for you,
I promise -
Always.
Your Best Friend ~ Tina
This poem was written By:
(c) Eurydice Stanley
~My Personal Memes~
My Prayer for this blog as well as my other three is the same prayer that Shannon Woodward has in her wonderful book:"A Whisper in Winter"
She writes;
"My prayer is that as you read through these stories,(my post) you'll begin to rest in God's perfect love, and maybe for the first time in a long while you'll stop struggling and striving.
Open your eyes and look up, and you'll see an amazing site: God is looking right back at you. He can't help it. Your Father loves you so much. He can't take
His eyes off you."
My personal prayer; my heart is that through my life and through God's wisdom and blessings that He has bestowed upon me, will reach out to all of you. That you will see my
heart to serve, love and nuture my beloved husband. That most importantly you will feel God's Amazing Grace through this site and it will so capture and transform
the way you live your life and the way you honor and represent your husband. May you adorn your husbands head with the finest gold and the most
precious jewels in the land. Amen
*The Excellent Wife
*Helper by Design
*Under the Apple Tree
*Romancing Your Husband
*Loving Your Spouse Through Prayer
*Liberated Through Submission
*Masters Degree
*Gentle Grace
~ 6 Way to Help Him Be the Spiritual Leader of Your Home ~
* Encourage him to be the spiritual leader at home.
When he leads be ready to follow.
* Pray God's Word over him daily. Pray over every area of his life.
* Encourage him to find an accountability partner, besides yourself, a
trusted and spiritual male friend. One that he can be transparent with and
one who shares his same beliefs in God, family and church.
* Help him make good use of his time. Time is critical to sustaining a spiritual
walk. A husband's schedule is often hectic, long, and stressful.
* Maintain a clean and organized home. Try your best to make the atmosphere
run smoothly and peacefully. Set aside a place in the home for him to be able
to study and read the word of God.
* Acknowledge his efforts around the house, do not nag him daily.
"But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully];
for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore,
I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes,
may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
Simply Romantic is just that. I will be adding some tips and ideas to add to your marraige that will add a little romance. Hope you enjoy.
Tip 1~
Write a check for 100 kisses and be available to cash the check when and whereever he please. (the secret ~ whose really counting how many he has spent? Heee)
Seeing your partner through the lens of love rather than fear automatically elevates the relationship to a higher plane.
When you can get quiet and note when you are projecting fear, you can make the adjustment to see through a different filter. So often we feel indignant or incensed, but upon closer inspection we will find that we are really afraid. Once we assume our partner's core goodness rather than focusing on their "guilt," they will be more free to show us their best, which accelerates the process of shifting our perspective from one of blame and anxiety to one of acceptance and peace.
Being willing to forgive yourself and your partner, and to make amends when necessary is an ongoing process of cleanup.
We all make mistakes; it's human. But when we hold fast to a grudge it eats away at our sense of peace and serenity. If you aren't willing to forgive, you might ask yourself what habit of ego you're attached to. Do you want to continue life with unresolved issues hanging over you?
When we take a stand and refuse to let go of something, we can always find evidence to justify it. Or we can try to make peace. Instead of blaming or making excuses, we can clean things up and move forward. This is not an excuse for staying in a dysfunctional situation, but an opportunity to see innocence. Once we do that, we gain—or give—freedom to move out of a "stuck" place.
Relaxing when times get tough; assuming that "this too shall pass" allows you to roll with the punches.
If you know things will inevitably arise to challenge you, you can be more detached when they do. Problems become worse when we dig in our heels and try to force a solution. By relaxing into whatever struggle arises, we remain flexible and open to inspiration and insight.
Even if you have a hard time letting go, you can at least observe yourself taking things very seriously, which in itself helps to detach you from the experience of anxiety. Whatever is happening now won't be happening a year from now, so just keep breathing through the situation and see if you can take things a little less seriously.
Seeing in the dynamic of the relationship the reflection of what you need to learn helps bring you back to what is important.
Sometimes we get lost in the chatter of day-to-day patterns and lose sight of the soul's mandate to bring us closer to realizing our Oneness. The best way to see where we need to work on things is to observe who we are and what we do within the context of a relationship. Any time you recognize your impulse to create distance rather than intimacy, you can make the adjustment and get back on track.
This relationship, as with all relationships, is part of a curriculum to evolve into our highest potential. We come to know ourselves by how we interact with our partner, and by so doing we come to know Spirit.
When you don't know how to handle a problem, pray and meditate, surrendering the decisions to Spirit.
Praying and meditating aligns your limited energy with that which is all-powerful. Of course we don't have all the answers, but by consigning our limitations to our Higher Power, our burden is lifted. We need to be accountable for our words and actions and be willing to work through where we are stuck. We need to stay present and forgive. Beyond that, our creative power is fueled by Spirit. By praying, we ask for help and guidance; by meditating we clear our minds so that the answer will become apparent. By moving aside, we create an opening for God to work miracles in ways we could never imagine.
Honoring your partner's path and allow them the space to find their own way sends a clear message of respect.
People need to work things out in their own manner and in their own time. If you try to help where help is not requested, you are signaling your lack of belief in your partner. If you back off and assume someone is strong and intelligent, strength and intelligence are what they will likely find.
Although we are all on this path of realization and expansion together, each of us is unique in our lessons to be learned; the way you do something might be totally different than how someone else needs to process a situation. Rest assured that Spirit is at work in all of our lives, and give yourself a rest from overseeing your partner's personal business.
Keeping up your personal growth work means you will keep your mind sharp and your awareness keen.
Read, study and attend lectures; don't rest on the laurels of what you think you already know. The moment we think we have it all figured out is the moment things will come crashing down around us. Arrogance leaves no room for intimacy or growth, and is certainly not part of a spiritual curriculum. When you immerse yourself in learning, you will always have new skills and interests to apply to a relationship, and thus the relationship will always feel fresh and relevant.
Following the path of your own creativity keeps you attuned to that which moves and inspires you.
As you indulge your creative side, you become less dependent on your partner to feel whole. Creative energy is the force that breaks new ground. To sustain love, we need to continually fuel whatever inspires us on the deepest level. Also, creativity balances out the egoic and intellectual side of life; it teaches us to play and have fun. When we engage our passions, we radiate passionate energy and thus maintain the interest of our partner as well as having your own sense of fulfillment.
Staying present keeps us in the moment which is where life is.
Life does not exist in future predictions or past grievances; all we have for sure is right here and right now. Every moment teaches us something, and if we are busily trying to change or control something we miss the grace intended for us.
By allowing the sacred mystery to unfold without trying to tamper with it, we can move through anything with much more ease and simplicity. As we cease resisting, any so-called negative situation or emotion will have the space to work out. And by the same token, when we are completely alert and aware in any given moment, we are open to the subtle miracles happening all around us. By staying present, we will see our partner for who they are; we will hear clearly their communication and respond to it astutely.
Being grateful for what you have zeros in on what is working, which in turn magnetizes more of the same.
Where you put your focus is where you direct your creative intention; so if you want abundance, be grateful for the vitality you have now. If you want a soulful relationship, be grateful for the soulful moments. Gratitude is like a seed you plant; it grows more as it is watered and nourished. Show your partner what you appreciate in them and let them know that they have a positive effect in your life. The acknowledgement of good will call forth more of the same
Here are some encouraging tidbits from Jillian’s post:
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth:
serve ye the Lord with gladness.
Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. – Psalm 99:2
“Everyone is drawn to a smile,
who and what you are is reflected in your face.”
–Created to Be His Helpmeet
The most effective beauty aid is free–a joyful smile.
“Is your husband still married
to the same sweet little thing you were
when you were courting?
Or a long faced sickly complainer? Love is like a flower, it grows only with sunshine.
Has your lover seen your sunshine lately?
Is he still your lover? What would HE say?”
–Created to Be His Helpmeet
If you have reason to be hurt or discouraged,
and yet you sing with thanksgiving,
this is a true sacrifice of worship to God.
A wise woman sets a joyful mood in her home.
… She knows that a lighthearted home relieves her husband of stress.
Joy begins with thankfulness.
It is amazing how your mouth controls your soul …you can smile, and say thank you,
and your spirit is directed into gratitude,
with joy following.
Thankfulness is how you think.
Joy is the abundance it produces.
Read Jillian’sjourney from discontent to joy
and how it is reigniting the spark in her marriage.
It was a good kick in the pants for me!
I struggle with pity parties from time to time
(although I rarely admit that’s what they are).
Time to quit being discontent and choose joy.
It’ll do wonderful things for your marriage.
Encourage your spouse
with a joyful heart and a smile on your face.
Remember, Ladies:
It is better to dwell in the wilderness,
than with a contentious and an angry woman. – Proverbs 21:19
A quarrelsome wife is like
a constant dripping on a rainy day. – Proverbs 27:15
Sunday, December 6, 2009~ Virtuous Women's Challenge ~ January 2010 ~
"Virtuous Women Challenge"
For the next 12 months in 2010, I will be challenging all of us to become better "godly" women.
Each month, I will present a new challenge. These challenges will involve memorizing Scripture and applying that Scripture to our lives.
Everything that we will be learning will revolve around the following: bettering ourselves as women, wives, mothers and business women, as well as becoming a better daughter, sister, Aunt, and friend.
May these cahllenges so richly bless you as you learn to become Virtuous Women.
Please feel free to post the above graphic on your blog as long as you provide a link back to my blog.
On my left sidebar, you can click on the graphic. A new window will open up with the graphic in it. Simply right-click on the graphic and save it to your computer.
Have a blessed day ladies, and be ready to be CHALLENGED!
Proverbs 31 challenge finally up. How many times have we read Proverbs 31 and cringed? Only to find ourselves saying, "I can never be her!" Well, ladies there is hope. I am so glad that God never puts anything in the word that we can not attain to. We just have to remember who is in control.
The challenge is to find your favorite version of these verses. We are going to memorize them and study them line upon line, precept upon precept. I will not be rushing this study. I will be challenging you to take part in many neat activities that I will include in this study.
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Materials you will need:
Your Bible
Composition Journal or a scrapbook
scrapbooking paper to decorate the front and back cover of your journal
a beautiful pretty pen with pink ink
also black ink pen
and passion, lots of passion.
I am so excited about this challenge.
I am currently decorating my journal/scrapbook and will post pictures as soon as possible.
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I want to start out by looking at two versions ~
The first version is the amplified and the second is the Message. Now I am not very fond of the message as a daily bible because it can water down the word too much, but I thought it's version of Proverbs 31 was nice.
Amplified Version of Proverbs 31:10-31
10 A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
13 She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
14 She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].
15 She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
16 She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]
17 She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
18 She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
21 She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
23 Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
26 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
27 She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
Footnotes:
Proverbs 31:10 It is most unfortunate that this description of God's ideal woman is usually confined in readers' minds merely to its literal sense--her ability as a homemaker, as in the picture of Martha of Bethany in Luke 10:38-42. But it is obvious that far more than that is meant. When the summary of what makes her value "far above rubies" is given (in Prov. 31:30), it is her spiritual life only that is mentioned. One can almost hear the voice of Jesus saying, "Mary has chosen the good portion... which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).
Proverbs 31:29 "Many daughters have done... nobly and well... but you excel them all." What a glowing description here recorded of this woman in private life, this "capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman" of Prov. 31! It means she had done more than Miriam, the one who led a nation's women in praise to God (Exod. 15:20, 21); Deborah, the patriotic military advisor (Judg. 4:4-10); Ruth, the woman of constancy (Ruth 1:16); Hannah, the ideal mother (I Sam. 1:20; 2:19); the Shunammite, the hospitable woman (II Kings 4:8-10); Huldah, the woman who revealed God's secret message to national leaders (II Kings 22:14); and even more than Queen Esther, the woman who risked sacrificing her life for her people (Esth. 4:16). In what way did she "excel them all"? In her spiritual and practical devotion to God, which permeated every area and relationship of her life. All seven of the Christian virtues (II Pet. 1:5) are there, like colored threads in a tapestry. Her secret, which is open to everyone, is the Holy Spirit's climax to the story, and to this book. In Prov. 31:30, it becomes clear that the "reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord," which is "the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom" (Prov. 9:10), is put forth as the true foundation for a life which is valued by God and her husband as "far above rubies or pearls" (Prov. 31:10).
Message Version of Proverbs 31:10-31
A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
Sunday, December 6, 2009~ I am returning to this blog. Stay posted. ~
Hello Ladies,
It has been awhile since I have last posted. Been through many trials and testings. But I am here to say that I am stronger than before. God has a reason for the wildreness. I cannot wait to get back to blogging again, Thanks for your patience, I have many stories to share. A beautiful testimony of God's Love!!
Buy Your Beloved Husband a beautiful leather bound journal and write your personal thoughts, inspirational and romantic quotes, and love notes for him. Also keep any memory keepers: tickets to movies you have seen together, little notes you have added to his lunch box for work, record each date night you have went on and how it made you feel.
****Add only good and precious thoughts in this journal. This journal is not a place to bash him, train him or ridicule him! It is a journal of unconditional love.
As you journey through life together, start a tradition that you give him one each Valentines Day to look over. This way he can see your love visually. He can also see all the activities that you all did and what you thought.
Let's face it ladies, they need help. They were not meant to have a detailed mind like ourselves. Let's give them the extra push.
Okay, go shopping. Look for the journal that says your beloveds name. Let it draw you to it. Don't pick something that you would like, but find a journal that makes you think of your husband when you see it.
Monday, November 16, 2009~ Commitment to Loveliness ~
Get up and make my bed every morning.
Get dressed for the day.
Watch my speech and my intentions.
Work on memorizing the Fruits of the Spirit and their order:
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[a]that can bring a charge].
The reason for memorizing them in order is because that is God's plan. Anytime their is a list in the scriptures. or people together. There is order for a reason. In people ~ they are listed by who had the most influence. In a list ~ you can't accomplish the second without doing the first. Example: you cannot have the fullness joy without love, you cannot have peace without joy, patience without peace, kindness without patience, goodness without kindness, faithfulness without goodness, gentleness without faithfulness and self-control without gentleness.
You may experience each one at times, but you cannot have the fullness, or walk in the fullnes of eachone without accomplishing the one listed before it.
It touched me the way I never expected it to be... This is by far the best Love Letter I've ever received... Enjoy~
My child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down, and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2), I am familiar with your ways (Psalm 139:3), even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move, and have your being , for you are my offspring (Acts 17:28).
I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your plans are written in my book (Psalms 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth, and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14), I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalms 139:13), and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalms 71:6).
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16),and it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1) simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 1:11) for I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receives comes from my hand (James 1:17) for I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33).
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts towards you are countless as the sands on the seashore (Psalms 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desired to establish you with all my heart and all my soul(Jeremiah 32:41).
And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4), For it is I who give you those desires (Philippians 2:13).
I am able to do more than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20), For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thesselonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11).
One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 1:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Jesus died so that you and I can be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10).
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). If you received the gift of my son Jesus, you received me (1 John 2:23), And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39).
Come home and I will throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15).
My question is, will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)
Sunday, January 27, 2008~ I have unexpected, but GREAT news ~
Many of you know I have been fasting. I was hoping to go all the way to Feb 3, 2008, but I had to stop due to some very important, yet suprising news that I received Friday night.
Little Ariana Mariah Faith, just turned 5 months, January 20, 08 and has heard that she is no longer going to be the baby.
Due date: Somewhere between September 3-8, 08
This will be my second set this close in age. My 9 year old boy Josiah and 8 year old girl Hannah, could pass for twins and they act just alike, it is scary. They are 14months apart.
Well, I thought I would share the GREAT news. So much for that full spees exercise video and kickboxing! I suppose it is Denise Austin Pregnancy Exercise Video.
I will be adding more about my fast and all the great things God is doing.
Back to normal posting in Feb, and new stuff going on that I will be doing.
My Monthly Journal ~ I jot down what God has been doing in my life and any revelations He has given me. Any words He may speak to me about changes that need to take place in my life.
I have prayers added and poems, anything inspirationaI. I used a composition notebook and added the paper decorations to it from the scrapbooking section at Walmart.
Is that not a true statement or what? I am learning daily that, I am learning that we must be the change we want to see in our marraige.
One of my favorite verses and the one that is the stamp of our marriage is Ephesians 5:33 which says;
However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].
Whew! I don't know about you, but when I read that I said to myself, hey wait a minute how come I have to do everything? I was a little preturbed, but God in His loving-kindness whispered to me and said, "Christina, won't you please rise up to this great calling I have set before you as a wife?, Do you not see what an honor you have in this responsibility? I gave it to you my child, because I know you can do it and I trust you."
Then I reread the verse again and I said, "Lord, Daddy, please show me what you would have me to see. I want to do your will in my life and in my marriage."
Oh, wives if you could of been in my heart that day. You would of been overjoyed, as I was. Did God ever show me. We have such an awesome priviledge.
Our husband represent Jesus. Jesus dies for the church, man is to die for his wife. Jesus is the word, man is to water the wives with the word. Jesus loved the church as He did himself, the word, God the Holy Spirit. Man is to love his wife as he loves himself.
Oh, but wives, we represent the church. We have the honor of demonstrating to the WHOLE world .
Ephesians 5:33
We get to show the world how to respect and reverence the Lord through our husbands [how to notice Him, regard Him, honor Him, prefer Him, venerate, and esteem Him; and to show the world how to defer to him, praise him, and most importantly love and admire him exceedingly].
I don't know about you, but when God showed me this my spirit leaped with excitement. I get to represent my Heavenly Father, through my husband. So, ladies I challenge you to memorize Ephesians 5:33 and practice it daily towards your husbands.
The bible says that what we do for our husbands we are to do it as unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22-24
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”
Many blessings dear wives, rise to the calling of representing our Heavenly Father, through our beloved men.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
I believe that the light in me is the light of Christ, and this year my purpose is to so let that light shine among all those I meet. This year I want to love like Christ loves, forgive like Christ forgives and speak words of wisdom as He speaks. I want to get out into my community and tell them about my best friend, Jesus. I want to win them to Christ, by sharing with them His love.
You see It isn't really about what I want this year. All I want is to die to this old carnal woman and live for my Jesus.
It isn't about what I do around the house on a weekly basis or even what shampoo I use? This year I want to serve Jesus 150%. I have chosen to be very selective this year in where and how I spend my time. You will notice that I am not doing as many memes this year.
I ask myself this 2008 question: Is what I am doing going to move me closer to God and to who He has created me to be? If not, I do not do it. It is just that simple.
I am a daughter to the most high God and I want to shout it from the roof top. Isn't He wonderful!!!!
So, this year I will be having my usual memes and doing bible studies. I will be picking up where I didn't start last year. So there is still time to join the book study. More on this on my other site.
****Everyday Sacred ~ Living our lives focused on Jesus and getting closer to Him. In everything we choose to do, it should be bringing us closer to Him. www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary
But for those of you who love detail, here is just a few of my inner thoughts on what I hope to accomplish this year.
Personal~
*Change, yes I want to change. My process has already began. During the last part of December many events took place in my life that caused me to value what is important in my life. Due to these events. I have come out loving more deeper and with God's Amazing Grace. This year is a year of transformation for me. Giving God my old heart and old natures and asking Him to create in me all that He ever desired for me. Change is good, but can be hard, but I am learning a great lesson that God's grace covers everything and will so transform you into His image.
"Every change --even the most difficult and painful--gives us an opportunity to receive the miraculous gift of personal transformation. The only real failure in life, is the failure to grow from what we go through." M. Williamson
This year I am focusing on Mind, Body, Soul and Spirit Tranformation~
Mind~
*I want to memorize more scripture this year,.
*I want to read all those books I have been putting off.
*Renew my Mind to the word of God, by making a conscious decision each day to take every thought captive and bring it under subjection to Christ.
*I want to study, practice and walk in the fruits of the spirit.
*I want to walk in complete love and grace this year. (the rest of my life)
Body~
*EXERCISE! EXERCISE! ~ I am starting my exercise program this year! Yes, goodbye 50lbs. Hello gorgeous. Heee
*Return our family to a more whole, natural, raw diet like before.
*Walk 3x a week
*Go to bed by 11pm at night.
Soul ~(relationships)~
*Love deeper.
*Send out cards this year to friends and family.
*Take time out for me.
*Start painting regularly again.
*Lots of crafts with the children.
*Breathe deeper, live stronger, laugh more often, cry deeper, get real with who I am and who I want to be. Dance as if no one were watching, Enjoy life to the fullest.
*Take time out to nurture my relationships this year and years to come.
*Every Friday go out to eat with my wonderful husband. Every other Saturday Family Night.
*!00% full force in my two businesses, Warm Spirit and A Piece of My Heart.
*By mid March have "A Piece of My Heart" items ready for sell. (I make quilts, hand bags, baby blankets, baby clothes, bible covers, basket slips, etc.
Spirit~
*Give God 150% this year and years to come. Living completely for His calling on my life.
*No more procrastinating!
*Finish my children's book and work on getting it published.
*Work on my woman's devotional/study and get it published.
*Begin my monthly groups:
~~Women's Prayer Walking Group ~ Ladies gather here at my house to go out into the community to pray for the community and we speak God's promises and word over our city.
~~Women's Prayer Teas Group ~ Ladies gather here at my house to pray for missions, missionaries, and countries. We have a prayer theme and we focus on that specific theme. We raise money for missionaries and different mission needs.
~~S.I.S.T.A.S Group ~ "Spirit Indwelled Sistas Together Achieving Sucess"~ This is my business group, ladies get together and we study god's word and what He says about being that Prov. 31 women in todays world. We pass couponc, we pass on tips, we go out into the community and help out where we are needed and we visit nursing homes, hospitals, we have book studies, we go out to lunch. We just have fun. (We are kind of like the Red Hat Society), except we are geared up for the work of the Kindgom!
Well, that is a little of what I plan on doing. Of course between the 3 blogs, you will find out more on how God is leading me this year.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008~ 2008 ~ A Year of Grace ~
As the New Year starts and the old year ends,
There's no better time to make amends.
For all the things we sincerely regret,
And wish in our hearts we could somehow forget.
We all make mistakes,for it's human to err,
But no one need ever give up in despair.
For God gives us all a brand new beginning,
A chance to start over and repent of our sinning-
And when God forgives us, we, too, must forgive,
And resolve to do better each day that we live.
By constantly trying to be like Him more dearly-
Assured that we're never out of His care.
And we're always welcome to see Him in prayer.
,
Tuesday, January 1, 2008~ Prayer ~ The First Step Towards Loving Your Husband ~
(By Leslie Miller)
How many times do we go to bed and think just before dozing off, "I didn't take the time to really pray to the Lord today, but I'll get up early tomorrow and have quiet time with God?"The next morning begins again with all sorts of things coming against you and again you realize at night that you didn't pray. That can go on for days, weeks, months or even years. It can easily become a habit, which Satan desires because he has you right where he wants you—doing things under your strength and not the Lord's.
"If Satan can't get you to stop taking good care of your family altogether he'll often help you put your foot more heavily on the accelerator so you're racing through your day all the faster doing so many things that seem so necessary that you neglect that which is most important: encompassing your husband and family in prayer." (Cindy Wright)
And when you actually do have your quiet time with the Lord to pray for your loved ones do you question whether prayer is really needed and does God really answer prayer? Do you question whether your prayers make a difference? Does God really care if you take the time to ask him for things that He's probably already poised to do anyway?
So why DO we pray? It's simply because God DOES answer prayer and He DOES care about us. Solomon's prayer to the Lord written in the Bible in 1 King 8:28 states, "Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you today".
In 1 Kings 9:3 we read: "And the Lord said to him, 'I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me."
In John 17, Jesus prays, "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." Jesus states in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing". God desires intimacy with us, that we become one with Him. But this cannot be accomplished on our own, we must be willing to sacrifice our busyness and spend time with the King of Kings — not only so that we can be strengthened but also so that our husband and family will be strengthened also.
If we think our days are busy, let's not forget to consider what our husbands' encounter each day at work also. They're in the "trenches" everyday. They get up early (most of them) and often have a full day of working with arrogant, selfish, self-centered people. (I'm generalizing.) They have deadlines to meet, appointments to make, perhaps driving around town, etc. With their busyness, they also have a hard time fitting in their quiet time with God.
A lot of husbands do spend time with the Lord before they go off to work, but many do not. We need to intercede for them because "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
We must "stand before God in the gap on their (our husband's) behalf" (Ezekiel 22:30) so that our prayers and supplications will be answered by our Father in heaven.
The enemy is all around us in subtle ways. We see that in the television shows which take up precious quality time between a husband and a wife. Movies, sports, sitcoms, reality shows, talk shows, news, anything and everything is available on television today—not to even mention how much more is available on the Internet—just a "click" away at any moment. It's a subtle way the enemy uses to separate us not only from each other, but also from time with the Lord.
Another obstacle, which the enemy has so conveniently worded as "providing for my family"—is the problem of working more than necessary. In today's work world, there's so much pressure in deciding how many hours is really necessary to work each week. Men, especially, can so easily be lured into this trap because they seem to almost be pre-disposed to draw their identity from what they do and who they are when they're at work. So they take on extra hours because they either feel pressure to do so from the organization they work for or from within themselves.
Is this necessary? Sometimes, perhaps, but more often than not, it's the man wanting an escape from home or feeling a need to get praise from others. Men today work in what can be referred to as a "war zone". And frankly, these men don't want to come home to another "war zone". They've already spent 8-10 hours in the "trenches". What they want and feel they need is a peaceful atmosphere to come home to.
How are we able to help our husbands? It's not by nagging, criticizing or talking. It's mostly by praying for them as they need us to. In 1 Kings 9:49 it states, "then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause." We need to pray for our husbands as it says in 2 Chronicles 14:11.
"Then Asa (wives) called to the Lord his God and said, "Lord, there is no one like you, to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You... Then verse 12 states, "The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah".
God heard their prayer and struck down the enemy. God answers prayer. And because of this we can boldly ask God to strike down the enemy in our husband's lives also. Whether it's asking God to defeat the enemy of non-belief, busyness, working too long and too hard, temptations at work, or anything else, we have the right and authority, as His children, because of Jesus Christ to "ask anything in His name and He will hear our prayers" (John 16).
The enemy wants to use anything he can to be a stumbling block between God and man (and a man and his wife). He wants us to give up on prayer. He doesn't like it that we can go directly to the Father in heaven through Jesus Christ to ask intercession for our husbands. As a prayer warrior in God's army, we can ask God to remove those stumbling blocks placed before our husbands and us and help us to be conformed to God's image.
We can pray from Bible verses for our husbands. Psalm 91:9-16 is a good example of asking God to protect us and our husbands (and children) from the enemy. It states, "If you make the Most High your dwelling — even the Lord, who is my refuge —then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 'Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honor him with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation'."
Prayer is so important; I sometimes think we forget how important it is. That is why I want to share with you how God has helped me with my prayer time.
In 1988, my husband and I took a Sunday School Class for adults. In this class, we were told how to pray for our spouses and families. The teacher said to get a 3-ring binder, notebook paper, and dividers. Use the dividers to write down the names of those you will be praying for. Then, put down your prayer requests as you pray for them. I have been praying for my family in this way ever since. I believe you, too, will be rewarded when you start praying with this type of prayer journal.
First, it is important to know some facts about prayer before we continue speaking on the prayer journal.
• Prayer is simply conversation with God—the interaction of the soul with God—not just in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to Him.
• Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, tossed up as an arrow prayer or formal. It is "beseeching the Lord" (Exodus 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven"; (2 Chronicles 32:20); seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Psalm 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Ephesians 3:14).
• Prayer accepts the belief in the personality of God, His ability and willingness to hold interaction with us; His personal control of all things and all His creatures and their actions.
• Our prayer must be sincere, offered with reverence with a humble sense of our own insignificance and our own unworthiness as sinners.
• We must come to him in total submission to His divine will.
• Prayer must also be offered in the faith that God hears our prayers and answers them according to His will. We shouldn't pray that our husband changes, rather that God give us grace, peace of mind and to help our attitude to change. In other words, again conform us to Your image, Lord.
This prayer journal will have significant influence on you and your husband and your marriage. It is a legacy for him and for your children. You can show your husband the prayer requests that God had put on your heart as well as answered prayers. You can also have a time of sharing the Bible verses that God revealed to you.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not trying to change your husband into whom YOU'D like him to be, rather you're lifting him up to our heavenly Father, asking Him to reveal to you what God wants you to pray. It is important to pray God's will, as He knows what the future holds, we do not.
Remember, God is omniscient — all knowing. Matthew 6:8 says, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" and my favorite is Psalm 139:1-4 where David acknowledges God is all knowing. He says, "O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. God is AWESOME.
These Bible Truths are important for us in our prayer journaling:
• THE PLACE FOR PRAYER — "EVERYWHERE". 1 Timothy 2:8 says, "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." Jonah 2:1, "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God".
• THE TIME FOR PRAYER— "ALWAYS". Luke 18:1 says, "Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Verse 7 says, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"
• SUBJECTS FOR PRAYER — "EVERYTHING". Ephesians 6:18 says, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."
• ANSWERS TO PRAYER — "ALL THINGS". 1 Chronicles 5:20 says, "They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted Him." Jonah 2:2 says, "In my distress I called to the Lord and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and You listened to my cry".
As I stated previously our prayers should be specific. Moses had specific prayers. Joshua did; Ruth asked the Lord to glean and gather among the sheaves (Ruth 2:7). Samuel, Elisha and Elijah, David, and throughout the Old and New Testaments we see specific prayers to the Lord.
Make it a point to be alone with God while praying in this manner. Jesus went out to be alone. Moses was alone; and there are more examples in the Bible. We need to try to get away from distractions.
WHEN YOU'RE ALONE AND CAN SPEND TIME WITH HIM PRAY THE FOLLOWING WAY: A.C.T.S. Adore, Confess, Thanksgiving, Supplication. This has helped me to stay focused on God—to honor Him, to be clean before Him; to thank Him for His faithfulness and to request my supplications to Him. PRAYING THE ACTS WAY:
ADORATION: Adore and praise God, not only for answered prayer, but also for who He is. You can use Bible verses to praise His name. Nehemiah 9:5b-7 says, "Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is in them. You give life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
CONFESS: Confess your sins before Him. Timothy 2:8 says, "So I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment. Psalm 32:6 says, "Now I say that each believer should confess his sins to God when he is aware of them, while there is time to be forgiven". 2 Chronicles 7:14 & 15 says, "If my people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."
THANKSGIVING: Thank Him for all he has done for you. Be specific. Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving". It also says in Ephesians chapter 1, "I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for your constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that He has done for you. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future He has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because of we who are Christ's have been given to him: I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him."
SUPPLICATION: Pray to Him—let Him know your requests. Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God". 1 Timothy 2:2 says, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for every one..."
PRAYER NOTEBOOK:
Try to find a specific place and time to pray when you use your prayer notebook. I pray on Monday mornings every week. Sometimes more, but I pray for my husband daily no matter what. Psalm 5:3 says, Each morning I will look to you in heaven and lay my requests before you, praying earnestly."
This is the only thing in my life that I have been disciplined with. I'm not a very disciplined person. (Just ask my husband.) I usually just "go with the flow", but God has shown me how important this prayer notebook is. I'm now on my second prayer notebook and should start a third soon. I also use the same Bible when I pray, so I can write answers to prayers or Bible verses God has shown me to pray.
Then I cross-reference it to my prayer notebook. Your prayer time can take as long or as short as you want. It's your time alone with the Lord. Listen to the Spirit and be obedient to Him. If for a season you can only spend 10 minutes with the Lord then start with that. God will show you if he wants you to spend more time with Him.
This prayer journal is your legacy to your husband and children. God instilled on my heart how important this is to our family. He had me give these notebooks to my family the Christmas of 2002. I made them into books for each person in my family. My husband's book was 50 pages of prayer requests, answered prayer and Bible verses. I added pictures with his favorite scripture verses. I then had it bound.
I did the same for our 3 children. It was made the same way as my husband using pictures and Bible verses they liked. This is an irreplaceable treasure for our loved ones. It is a treasure especially for our husbands. It tells them how much we love them. We're all busy, yet when we take the time to be alone with the Lord, we're so greatly rewarded, as are those whom we're praying for.
In looking back over the years of my prayer journaling, I've found so many answers to prayer. Some were to my liking and some were not, but I know God, who is faithful, answered the according to His will. Through our quiet times, as we pray to God and draw closer to Him, we also learn to trust Him completely with everything. God does indeed answer our prayers. He is concerned with our everyday lives. He loves us unconditionally and forever.
I pray you will live according to Colossians 4:2 which states: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Leslie Miller has been married to Phillip Miller for 35 years. They both graduated from Indiana University in South Bend, Indiana. Leslie has a BS in Secondary Education and over the span of many years has been involved in teaching at various educational institutions as well as churches and has also been a counselor with a Crisis Pregnancy Center—even being a foster mother to several different children. They now live in Tucson, Arizona. Leslie is very involved in marriage ministry and is serving the Lord by teaching other women to love their husbands unconditionally. They have 3 grown children
Tuesday, January 1, 2008~ Mine and my Husbands Covenant to eachother is this ~~ ~
Ephesians 5:33 ~
(33) However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].
1 Peter 3: 1-2 and 6 ~
(1) IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,
(2) When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].
(6) It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].
“Security is everything in a marriage. It's what every woman wants and what every man dreams of: a caring, secure marriage where each partner serves the other with equal love and faithfulness." Gary Smalley
If you keep Love and Respect as Your CONSTANT focus, you will NEVER go wrong.
Monday, December 31, 2007~ Scriptures on Godly Women's Duties ~
Our Duty Towards our Husband:
* I am to be my husbands helper (aid, assistant) Gen. 2:18
* My body BELONGS to my husband, also. 1 Cor. 7:3-5
* I am to be a FRUITFUL vine. Ps. 128:3
* I am to SUBMIT to my husband. 1 Peter 3:5,6
* I am to LOVE my husband. Titus 2:4
* I am to LEARN from my husband. 1 Cor. 14:34,35
* I am to REVERENCE my husband. Eph. 5:33
* I am to be TRUSTWORTHY. Proverbs 31:11,12
* I am to be OBEDIENT to my own husband. Titus 2:5
* I am to be his COMPANION. Mal 2:14
* I am to be a PRUDENT (act wisely)wife. Pr. 19:14
* I am to do my husband GOOD and not evil all the days
of his life. Pr. 31:12
* I am not to bring shame to my husband. Pr. 12:4
* I am not to be a contentious wife. Pr. 19:13,21:9
*~*~*~*~*~*
* A GODLY WIFE IS TO BE KEEPING, GUARDING AND WORKING AT HOME
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Keepers at home:
Strongs Concordance: 3626 oikourgos: (a guard; be "ware"); a stayer at home, i.e. domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper")
- I am to look well to the ways of my household. Pr. 31:27
- I am not to eat the bread of idleness. Pr. 31:27
- If necessary, I am to rise while it's still dark to take care of the needs of my family and household. Pr. 31:15
- I must see that my lamp does not go out night. Pr. 31:18
- If necessary, I am to make things from home to help the families income. Pr. 31:24
*~*~*~*~*~*
A GODLY WOMAN IS TO BE DEVOTED (have a REPUTATION for) TO EVERY GOOD WORK. 1 Tim. 5:10
A List of Good Works:
- Bringing up children (1 Tim. 5:10)
- Showing hospitality ( 1 Tim. 5:10)
- Washing the feet of the saints (what would be the equivalent to this today? What things could a godly woman do in her home to make a person comfortable when they enter her house?) 1 Tim. 5:10
- Helping those in trouble ( 1 Tim. 5:10)
- Help widows in her family (1 Tim. 5:16)
- Feed the hungry (Matt. 25:35)
- Give drink to the thirsty (Matt. 25:35)
- Take in strangers (Matt. 25:35)
- Cloth the naked (matt. 25:36)
- Visit the sick (Matt. 25:36)
- Visit those in prison (Matt. 25:36)
*~*~*~*~*~*
GODLY WOMEN HELPING THE CHURCH
- I am to be a servant of the church (Rom. 16:1)
- I am to open my home for church meetings. (Rom. 16:5)
- I am to work HARD in the Lord (Rom. 16:6,12)
*** I will also add (Tina, the owner of this site) Being a married godly woman does not mean that you set your calling aside. Whatever God has called you to do as well as your husband you are to do. A marriage is a partnership. We are to be sensitive one to another. To love eachother means wanting what is best for the other. A husband would want his beloved bride to fulfill her God-given destiny, because as his wife he will see the blessings and rewards in that. Same with the women - help your husband fulfill his calling as man of God, especially if they are ministers of the word or being called into the ministry.
We have got to stop all this non-sense in marriage. My husband is called to be an apostle. I know my calling is in the prophetic realm. I push and encourage him - if I find articles or great reading material on his calling I buy it for him. I want him to seek what God has placed on his life. Same with me, he pushes me towards my dreams and my callings. I am also an artist and he is always encouraging me to paint. DAILY, he lifts me up and tells me how proud he is of me. First, for being a godly woman who serves the Lord and second, for being a godly wife - who serves him in all that he needs.
Ladies, if we trust God with our lives and just enjoy life as a believer everything will be okay. We must make it a point to rise early and seek Him for those nuggets of truth, speaking the word over our marriage, our husbands, ourselves, and our children.
Praying daily for first ourselves ~ that God would show us our sin that we may be able to find the scriptures concerning our ways and to seek change. Pray for our children ~ "The word says in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go {and keeping with his individual gift or bent}, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (AMP) We are to ask the Lord what is it my child has been placed in this world to do, what is his or her calling? When we pray in the Spirit and ask the Father who knows all, he will begin to show us the calling on each of our children. When he releases that information it is our responsibility as parents to train them in that direction.
EX: If you have a talkative child, like I was when I was little, more than likely speaking will be apart of that child's life. If you have a child who prefers to read all the time and is rather quiet be sensitive to that and do not try to change that child. They are one who searches out a matter and they will be deep thinkers. Remember, God made them who HE has CALLED THEM TO BE! NOT what we want them to be.
Last but not least, Pray for our marriage ~ the most holy, sacred earthy covenant. This is the one the devil is attacking daily. If he can come between these two he has the whole house! I wake up early, read and meditate on scriptures concerning marriage. I speak the word over my husband, and before I finish I begin to pray in the Spirit. Praying for about 30 minutes or until God releases me. I pray that God would make my thoughts like His and make my heart just like His, make me compassionate for the world and those around me. I am always anticipating revelation and change from the Lord.
Jude 1:20 says: "But you, beloved, build yourselves up (founded) on your most Holy faith {make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher}, PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ -{which will bring you} unto eternal life."God's word is life, it is DOLCE ~ SWEET!!
Saints of God, my you seek Him in all His ways and may His blessing over take you.
Tina
Marriage alone can be difficult, but when we choose daily to love as God loves and to grace our spouse the way God graces us. Not only will your marriage be beautiful, but you will find yourself captured and transformed by God's Amazing Grace. You will see with new eyes, speak with new words and love on a much deeper level. Won't you choose this day to pray and speak God's life-changing word over your beloved spouse? I promise, you will NEVER be the same, as an individual, nor as a couple. Grace is waiting will you allow it to capture your heart?
Just a Thought....
"The Value of Life does not depend on the place we occupy. It depends upon the way we occupy that place." ~~~St. Therese of Lisieux
~My Ministries: The Father's Heart~
My desire is to see women set free. To see them walk into their God-given destinies. To share with them how to walk in God's Amazing Grace
in all that they do. To see themselves as completely His and designed uniquely by Him for His purposes. See my profile below:
A valued treasure I have learned as a wife, is to love my beloved husband unconditionally, full of grace.
I also have to thank Pamela Hines for her wonderful book: A Wife's Prayer.
She has taught me so much about the importance of praying and speaking the Word over my husband.
I have learned that instead of nagging and complaining to my husband about those qualities or situations that annoy me, I take them to God in prayer.
It has caused me to search and to know the scriptures.
You see, when I am faced with a difficulty in my marriage now. Here is what God has taught me to do:
*I get on my knees before the Lord. *I take it to Him in prayer. *I ask Him to reveal any selfish way in me. To remove it and to show me
His will in the matter. *I ask Him for a word to stand on. *I find any scriptures that pertains to the matter and I place my husbands name in the Word and I speak
life into that situation.*Then I love him with grace and let go and let God
Ladies, I promise! If you choose each day to wake up and to walk in love and grace, to honor and respect him no matter what! YOU WILL SEE CHANGE.
You will find yourself seeing your beloved husband through the eyes of our Lord Jesus. You will find yourself not being selfish, but selfless. You will find that you
speak to him with much more love, you enjoy and delight in picking up after him and doing for him. You will find that you want to please him in all that you do.
It caused me to fall in love with my husband all over again. Not to mention my love for God has gotten even deeper, which amazed me, because I adore Him with all my heart.
Most importantly, it will causes your husband to take delight in you and to trust you with his heart, completely! My husband tells me all the time he feels secure and trust me
with his heart. That statement alone is all I long to hear.
We represent the church. One day we will lay a crown at the feet of Jesus. Our life allows us to
fill that crown with jewels that represent what we did here on earth.
Today, I am a precious crown on my husbands head. What jewels have I placed in his crown?
What do I as a crown, say when others see my husband? Do I bring shame or honor to him? When I am seen do others admire our marriage? Or are they saying to themselves, "I am glad she isn't my wife!"
Proverbs 31:11 says, "The heart of her husband trust in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has not lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
Does my husband trust me? The word also says, "She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long has there is life with in her." Do I do this? The word says, "Her husband is KNOWN in the city gates, when he sets among the elders."
How is he know? Ladies, we have a great influence over our men. Let us influence them to be more like Christ.
Let us begin to speak the word over them and see them with God's eyes. You will be so glad you did.
Here is a wonderful site as well that refers to 31 Days of Prayer for our Husbands.
![However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. Ephesians 5:33](http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u159/ladolcevitabacon/blogs/Challenge.jpg)
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