Merry Christmas!!!

 

TSMSS - Christmas Medley

Christmas is just around the corner.  This certainly is my favorite season of the year.  I love Christmas!

This video I'm sharing with you today is something really special to me.  I grew up with these songs being played every Christmas at home.   This reminds me so much of my childhood days... happy memories!   I remember my dad would play Ray Conniff music while we put up our Christmas tree.

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Thankful Thursday

I have so many things to thank God for this week...

Last Friday, December 10, our High School class '90, section 5, had our second reunion at Cafe Romulo.  I was glad to see them again.  Some weren't able to make it, but that's okay.  I'm sure when we have our first ever Batch reunion next year, after 20 years,  they will be there.

 My Senior High School classmates. So glad to see them again!

L-R: Sherie, me, Joyce, Janice, Bia and Claire

Three days after, Monday, December 13, my officemates and I had our Christmas Party at Palladium Clubhouse.  Boy, this was really fun!  We had 70's as our theme.  Disco Fever!!!

 

 

Peace!

And finally yesterday,  December 15, a very special day for me.  While I am waiting for God's perfect time for my breakthrough, I went with my friend, Zenda, to do a feeding program for the elderly.  I felt a different kind of joy and at the same time my heart broke for these grandpa's and grandma's who were left to this home for the elders by their families... for good.

 

 

 

 The grandpa's and grandma's prepared a number for us.  Sweet!
They were all very happy to see us.  

The Double Happiness Team 
L-R: Zenda, me, Che, Raul, Kat & Christian

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Father, thank you for the fun and for the chance to serve others.  To You be all the glory and honor!

What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris over at Grace Alone.

WFW - Mark 10:9

Today is the day my husband and I said "I do" eight years ago.   

For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part...

Hop on to Amy Deanne's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

The Lord Will Restore

It's Monday once again and it's another day to share with you a devotional about covenant marriage this time  written again by David, a fellow stander from North Carolina.

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"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." Joel 2:25

Do not fear, for the Lord is on your side, the Lord sees your pain, the Lord knows what the enemy has stolen from you, and the Lord will repay in His perfect timing if we do not give up. He promises this to those who follow His ways.

"Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." Psalm 128:1-2

I know your pain is great, and the pain for the absence of your one-flesh spouse is especially deep at times. Please know that God is on your side, and He will not fail you. Just cry out to Jesus and tell Him of your pain. Surrender all things to Him and this will release power into your heart, and His peace will guard your heart and guard your mind in this spiritual battle (see Philippians 4:6-7).

Have hope today that the God of the universe holds you in His hands and the enemy cannot snatch you away from His hands. It is only the enemy's lies that will try to convince you that you must give up, or that God does not care. Listen to the Word of God alone, and you will be greatly encouraged.

"But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.'" Isaiah 43:1-2

One other encouragement I feel the Lord wants us to hear today is that when he repays, restores, replants, or revives, He does so in abundance. In fact, in many places we find the Lord speaks of restoring double what was taken or destroyed.

"Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope, even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." Zechariah 9:12

"Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours." Isaiah 61:7

Read also the story of Job, which you may already know. I had never paid attention before, but in the last chapter of Job you may know that it describes how God blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part of His life (Job 42:12). It also lists the amount of different types of animals that Job had in this latter blessing (the animals being a sign of his blessing and prosperity). Sure enough, compare the numbers to those in chapter 1, and God gave Job exactly twice as many of each kind of animal as he had before. A double restoration was given to Job in these areas.

"The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. They will say, 'This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden'...I the Lord have spoken and I will do it." Ezekiel 36:34,35,36

God has much to restore in your life and mine. Many marriages have been taken as plunder by the enemy, but God will restore and repay back all the enemy has stolen. Trust in Him and let Him be Lord of all in your life and He will not let you down. Let us pray in agreement with standers everywhere that many marriages would be delivered from the enemy's camp as we turn our eyes to Jesus.

"No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" Isaiah 43:13

TSMSS - You Belong to Me

I know a lot of you have already seen the movie Fireproof.  I just saw it the other day and boy, I almost finished a box of tissue.  My tears were just falling non stop.

Can't get this song out of my head.  It's actually a song I can sing from the heart.

You run, you hide
As tears fall from your eyes
They fall like snow
From a wounded soul
You hold inside
The hurt of great divide
The hole is starting to get old

So come back to the light
To the love, you will find
It’s been here all along
So come back to the start
And you’ll find in your heart
That you always belonged
To me

Just take the rope
I won’t let it go
Give in
We can start again
I’m life, I’m hope
And I’m ready to explode
With how bad I want you back home

So come back to the light
To the love, you will find
It’s been here all along
So come back to the start
And you’ll find in your heart
That you always belonged
To me (x2)

You’re my daughter, you’re my son
You’re the one I long to love
And you’ve heard I chose to die
Do you know you’re the reason why?

So come back to the light
To the love, you will find
It’s been here all along
So come back to the start
And you’ll find in your heart
That you always belonged (x2)
To me(x4)

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Fearless Friday

It's Friday once again. It's a day we commit to praying for our needs and the needs of others.  If you have prayer requests, you may leave me a comment here or you can email me.  I will be praying for you.

The past week, I've been really busy, frustrated, sad and irked.  I didn't even know exactly how else to describe what I was feeling because of so many emotions I was having all at the same time that I felt more like exploding.  Up until this morning, I was getting ready for my appointments when I got text messages one after the other that my meetings were canceled.  

Again! 

I looked at my planner from Monday this week, I was supposed to be busy like a bee.  And now, all I see on my planner are crossed out names and notes that say "rescheduled".  Argh!!!

I'm like what is going on???  I only have a week before the deadline and I'm still not even half way my target.  It's so frustrating!  

Would you pray for me please? Whatever is God's will for me on this aspect of my life, I will accept and obey.  Please pray for peace and a heart of obedience for me. God knows what He is doing and I just need to be still.  Not my will but God's will be done. 

I'm joining Angie over at Free Spirit Haven for today's Fearless Friday.

TSMSS - I Will Bless the Lord

When I first heard this song, I was immediately drawn to it and started singing along with the group. Sorry, I couldn't find a better sounding video of this particular song and it was cut short in the end.  But I hope you still enjoy it just the same. 

I chose this song for this week because I wanted to bless the Lord and sing praises to Him for this...

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Are you ready to receive His overflowing blessings?

I will bless the Lord with all my soul
I will bless the One who made me whole
For You alone my Lord my heart will sing
I will bless the Lord with all my soul

I will tell of all Your mighty love
Pulled me from the dark into Your light
For You alone my Lord my heart will sing
I will tell of all Your mighty love

Holy are You Lord my heart will sing out
Mighty Son of God my soul will cry out
Worthy Lamb of God my life will sing out
I will bless the Lord with all my soul

God of all the earth
God of all the earth
God of all the earth
Jesus

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

WFW - Daniel 12:12

Hop on to Amy Deanne's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

TSMSS - Your Grace Is Enough

This morning, I felt like I wanted to share this song with you. I just felt like praising God just because. Let this song be our heart's prayer as we sing along with Chris Tomlin.

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Be Still, Let God Work

It's Monday once again and it's another day to share with you a devotional about covenant marriage written by David, a fellow stander from North Carolina.

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"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

This is a well-known verse, particularly the first eight words. It was only a few weeks ago that a friend told me that the Hebrew word used for "still" in this verse is not what we might think. Strong's Concordance indicates that the Hebrew word used here can mean "cease" (my friend remembered it could be translated as "enough"). So, the idea here is really that God is telling us "that's enough" or "stop" and understand that He is God, and we are not. How often we forget this. If I had things my way I would try to control how everything works out in God restoring my marriage, but God wants me to realize that I will just get in the way of Him doing His work in my prodigal's heart. I felt that God was telling me today "Back off, and let me be God here" (that's an unofficial translation for sure, but you get the idea).

Here's what God told Moses to say to the Israelites when they were pinned up against the Red Sea with the Egyptians nearing them.

"Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14

Again, God is commanding His people to let Him do His work as God. He had already promised to bring them up out of Egypt, and He was setting the stage for one of the greatest displays of deliverance and power ever--the crossing of the Red Sea. Let's not limit what God can do. The Israelites had no idea (nor did Moses) that God was going to open up the Red Sea until this final moment when God told Moses to stretch out his hand and divide the waters. How awesome is our God! And all the while, the angel of God moved in between the Israelites and the Egyptians so that the Egyptians only saw darkness, yet the Israelites only saw light on their side of the pillar of cloud (see Exodus 14:19-20).

"Oh Lord, send Your angel to stand behind my covenant spouse _____ so that your deliverance will open up before him/her like the Red Sea did for the Israelites, but the enemy will be blocked off behind him/her. Let me let You be God, and I humbly ask that You build up a wall of fire that the enemy cannot penetrate and bring Your deliverance to _____. I pray this in agreement for all prodigal spouses, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen."

God will do whatever it takes to accomplish what He has planned, so let's just get out of the way (or, as Charlyne often says, 'Let go and let God'). Yes, we are in a battle for our marriages, but when the Lord has spoken to you that He will deliver your spouse from the enemy and restore your marriage, stand firm in His promises. He will never fail you...the honor of His name is at stake!

"...This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's....You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you...'" 2 Chronicles 20:15,17

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;..." Psalm 37:7

So as we wait patiently for Him to do what only He can do, be thankful and joyful that the Holy Spirit is continually speaking to your spouse in many ways. Take this time of waiting and standing firm in His promises as a time to praise Him every day. Praising the Lord pleases the heart of God in ways we will never fully understand on earth.

"May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him." Psalm 67:5-7

This wonderful Psalm is telling us that the land will not yield its harvest until the people praise Him. God may be waiting for your heart to fully surrender to Him in trust, thanksgiving, and praise before He will release His work in your marriage.

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:3-4

What is your heart's desire today? The Lord stands waiting to open His storehouse of blessings for those seek who His way as their heart's greatest desire.

TSMSS - Devoted

This group from Australia performed in our church last year. When I first heard their music, I loved them instantly.  I feel so close to heaven when I sing their worship songs.  Come sing along with me.  Have a great weekend!

by: Citipointe Live

I'm losing

my whole life

In your purpose and

for your heart's desire

I'm running

with blinded eyes

faith as my guide

let your love take flight

For you, all was put aside

all for you and I

Father it's you I love

I'm devoted to you

sacred love, my truth

I'm devoted to you

all in all I worship you

I worship you my Lord

Precious God

Into your arms

Without blame I come

Your blood has saved us all

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Fearless Friday

It's Friday once again. It's a day we commit to praying for our needs and the needs of others.  If you have prayer requests, you may leave me a comment here or you can email me.  I will be praying for you.

Today, I'd like to ask you, my friends, to pray for physical healing for our brothers and sisters in Christ, for our own physical healing as well.  Whether you have colds or cancer, God's word said,

"But he (Jesus) was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" Isaiah 54:5

I am convinced that He is willing and able to heal the sick and that Jesus Christ is still in the DIVINE HEALING business.  Let's not lose hope and faith.  We are serving a great and powerful God.  Nothing is impossible with Him. He will do it!

I'm joining Angie over at Free Spirit Haven for today's Fearless Friday.

Thankful Thursday

I'm currently an insurance advisor and training to be a financial advisor by next year.  One of the things this career taught me was to put my finances in order.  Not that I was naturally messed up in this aspect, it just so happen that a few years back, my husband and I were caught in a financial disarray due to health issues.  We accumulated quite a load of credit card and personal debts.

Now, I believe that for me to be an effective financial advisor, I have to clean up my yard first because who would believe me as an advisor when my own financial state is chaotic?  I think no one in his or her right mind would.

Today, I thank the Lord for putting me in a career where I won't just be helping myself, but helping others achieve financial freedom as well. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me how to be a good steward and most of all thank you for making it very clear that I am exactly where you wanted me to be.

All glory to God!

What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Laurie over at Women Taking a Stand.

WFW - Romans 4:18

Hop on to Amy Deanne's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

God Alone Opens Eyes

I'm enjoying posting something about covenant marriages on Mondays.  It encourages me as I read and post them here and really I'm hoping that somebody out there will also be encouraged. Here's another letter written by David, a fellow stander from North Carolina.

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"Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown." Numbers 22:31

When I was younger I knew the story because of the talking donkey, but it means so much more to me now. I encourage you to read the whole story of Balaam’s donkey, which starts in Numbers Chapter 22, verse 21. The angel of the LORD blocks the path of Balaam three times in this story. The first time (verse 22) caused the donkey to veer off the path to avoid the angel of the LORD. The second time (verse 25) there was not as much room and the donkey crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall. The third time (verse 26) there was no room to even attempt getting out of the way of the angel of the LORD, and so the donkey simply fell down causing Balaam’s already burning anger to boil over.

You see what God is doing here? As Balaam kept pursuing the rebellion (he went with princes of Moab, though God said not to in verse 12), God kept tightening the screws on him. Finally, God said enough is enough and opened Balaam’s eyes! Let us never forget that God alone is the one who opens eyes at the right time, and He will do that for our prodigals.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

All prodigals who walk away from the Lord’s path do so because they are chasing after the world. It does not need to be obvious stuff like riches or fame, but it can be selfish ambitions that put our own desires before God’s—many of these things are encouraged by the world. But, chasing after lovers of any sort, either sinful relationships or less apparent "lovers" like independence and prideful ambitions will only go on as long as God allows it...not a day longer. Let’s make a point to all to pray Hosea 2:6-7 over our own spouse as well as over prodigals continuously.

"Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now'" Hosea 2:6-7

Recall Saul, who was on the road to Damascus in Acts chapter 9. He was viciously pursuing Christians and had paperwork in hand so that he could imprison Christians if he found them there. God had other plans. He brought light into the darkness that had held Saul for so long. In fact, I think Saul had lived in darkness for so long that this is why the light blinded him (have you ever walked out into bright light after a significant time in a dark room or just had bright lights turned on early in the morning?)

Don’t give up on your prodigal, because God has not given up on him/her. I know how painful it is to see the hope that God has for your marriage, and yet your spouse’s eyes have not yet been opened (I’m there with you). "But God" will touch your spouse’s heart. It is the enemy who wants to convince you that it is hopeless. Jesus said "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Mark 10:9) God knows that to be rejoined, hearts must be changed. God knows that a marriage does not work when husband and wife are pursuing different paths. God knows all things.

"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" Amos 3:3 (NKJV)

God knows what must be done to bring you together again with your covenant spouse. We must simply surrender our hearts for our part, and then pray continuously. God tells us to pray boldly and continuously (Luke 11:1-11) and persistently (Luke 18:1-8). I don’t believe that Jesus Himself instructed us to pray this way for no good reason. I believe that Jesus is telling us that prayers definitely matter! I think prayers please God in ways we will never know, but if He tells us to pray and believe, then let’s do it! Trust God to do the rest.

"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27

"I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them." Jeremiah 32:39

Notice, God says He will do the work, so let’s praise Him in advance for His work in bringing our spouses back to Him and healing our broken marriage.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13

TSMSS - All Things Are Possible

It's my first time to join Then Sings My Soul Saturdays hosted by Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

I remember looking forward to hearing and singing this song whenever I go to church way back in the 90's.  I would jump and dance and sing at the top of my lungs when our music team would play this song.  This reminded me that all things are possible with God which is still true to this very day.

Have a blessed weekend!

Fearless Friday

Today is another day we commit to praying for our needs and the needs of others.  If you have prayer requests, you may leave me a comment here or you can email me.  I will be praying for you.

Dear friends, please say a prayer for everyone who are in need of financial breakthrough.   I know so many of us have piles of bills and debts to pay. Remember that the God we serve is able to deliver us from all these.  He can open up opportunities for us to earn more than enough.

"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14

That very thing , as long as it aligns with what we know to be His expressed will --- as a son was to Abraham and Sarah --- God intends to do for us. Yes, if we will let Him, God will do that very thing, even if we know it is such an utter impossibility. (Streams in the Desert)

Believe!  Don't give up!  Don't lose heart! Our God is ABLE!

I'm joining Angie over at Free Spirit Haven for today's Fearless Friday.

Thankful Thursday

Thank you, Lord, that you are all these and more... for me, for all of us.

What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Laurie over at Women Taking a Stand.

WFW - Psalm 37:1

Hop on to Amy Deanne's for more WFW entries. God bless!!!

God Rests When You Work

I woke up quite early than my usual this morning.  I hurriedly did what I had put off for days that should've already been done days ago.  A friend called me this morning asking if I wanted to watch a movie with her later in the afternoon.  Of course I'd love to, but I was a bit hesitant because of how much I've already spent the past few days. Quite alarming.  And I was in doubt if I could finish the work I kept putting off today.  I know, my time management lately sucks. 

Anyhoo, I'd like to share something with you again that was written by a fellow stander, Ben from Texas. I hope this will somehow speak to you and encourage you even if you're not going through marriage problems.

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Marital discord. It is so common these days. As we face these problems in our family, we seek ways to try to fix the problem. We want the associated pain to go away. It is just human nature. A light bulb in our residence burns out and we exchange it for one that is functional. Our car breaks down and we take it to the mechanic. The yard needs mowing so we just go and do it. Just think of all the things that you fixed today and you get the picture. But when it comes to fixing the things dealing with relationships, spiritual things, etc., we usually fail. We try to fix things in the "flesh" and forget that we have One who walks alongside us, each and every day, to whom we can look and depend on...Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Some of you may already be acquainted with the various 12-step programs that deal with drugs and alcohol. What I remember about such programs was a cliche..."Let go and let God." I know that early in my stand for my marriage, a wise friend who had walked this path before me, told me that I needed to get out of God's way so that He could do the work necessary in my wife's life. As so many of us do, I just wanted a certain person to talk to my wife, to straighten her out. I feel that many of you understand this. God is content to stand aside while you and I are frantically trying to "fix" our marriages using the world's way. We humans are just that stubborn. We are reluctant to admit that a problem is beyond our skills to fix. So God, in His infinite wisdom, is willing to let us struggle and fail until such time when we admit to Him that we are powerless without Him and we finally turn to Him.

Last week, a visiting pastor was sharing his perspective of our relationship with God when we have problems. How often have you said..."when all else fails, let's pray about it?" Wrong!!! Going to God in prayer should be our first line of attack when we have a problem. Prayer should be used whether it is a little problem or a huge problem; go to God first!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

God knows our deepest thoughts and desires. When you seek His face (counsel, help, etc.), He will always be there for you. Sometimes God may answer "no" or "not now," but be assured that God has your best interests on His heart and mind as He deals with your problem. No problem is too big for God...

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26b

Back to the title of this devotional..."God rests when you work." You probably figured out the second part of this statement..."God works when you rest." When we are in God's way, trying to fix the problem in the flesh (the world's way), God steps aside to allow us time to realize that we are powerless without Him. God sees the big picture. He can fix our messes if we will just get out of His way. We need to rest. It sounds so simple, but it is "oh so hard." We need to eat some "humble pie" as we look to God for His solution.

So remember this simple thing: God loves to solve our messes but we need to step aside as He performs one of those modern day miracles of marriage reconciliation and restoration. As you pray for your marriage, your part in this process is to align yourself with God and leave your spouse totally to God. When the timing is right, God will bring you and your spouse together again, showing you what each of you need to do under God's guidance to bring about reconciliation and restoration. It will take time to clean up the mess. But know this, leaning on God, He will never fail you if you put Him first; first in your marriage and first in your relationship with your spouse. Our God is a jealous God, not wanting to share "top billing" in your marriage with anyone or anything. He wants to be "number 1" in your life and your marriage. Never forget that. Put Him first and your life will always be on the right track.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

God rests when you work. God works when you rest.

Fearless Friday

I'm joining Angela over at Free Spirit Haven for another Fearless Friday.  Do you have prayer requests?  You can leave me a comment here or you can email me.  I will be praying for you.

My prayer request this week are for standers around the globe.  May God grant us peace, strength and grace as we stand and wait for God's promises to come to pass in our lives. 

I've met another stander when I attended a Bible study group last week.  Her story is somewhat similar to mine.  She was so happy to know that she wasn't alone in this world standing for a covenant marriage like hers.  So many standers around the globe are in pain because of their hurting, dying or already dead marriages.  But remember that we serve a God who is able and willing to restore hurting and even dead covenant marriages.  

Please pray with me. 

Thankful Thursday

Just got home and it's 11 p.m. My friend Babette said she had to join TT this week, she just had to she said.  I thought to myself  that I will just have to pass... again, take a quick shower, say my prayers and hit the sack.  Well, thank God that remained only in my thoughts. 

Lynn asked us to share a scripture verse that God is using in our lives to craft our character or one that has exposed a lie, a verse that brought us peace or comfort or a passage that has inspired us to draw closer to Jesus.  Here's mine.  This gave me peace and assurance that what God has promised, He will certainly do because...

"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"  Numbers 23:19

Lord, thank you that you are forever faithful and true. 


What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Lynn over at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

A Promised Suddenly

Wow, how time flies.  I was busy trying to finish uploading some photos since last week and it seemed endless.  Part of the reason was that my internet connection was acting up again.  Well, now it's done! Whew.  That's one work out of the way.  Next is I have to finish some cut outs that will be used at Kid's Church sometime next month.  Gotta move fast, it's almost November.

Anyhow, I would like to share once again something from Charlyne Cares Devotional written by a fellow stander, Terri from Minnesota.  I'm sure everyone will be able to relate to this as I did.

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"'Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,' says the LORD of Heaven's Armies." Malachi 3:1 (NLT)

Many of us have been fasting and praying for our marriages to be restored, waiting for God's "suddenly" to take place in the form of answered prayer. The word suddenly, by definition, means coming or happening quickly, in an instant, without warning. In other words, when you least expect it.

Living in a world of instant gratification, our definition of "suddenly" might be closer to "right now!" We pray and expect God's answer - NOW. Praise God, sometimes the answers do come that quickly...I believe He does that so we don't lose faith. Other times, the "suddenly" seems to happen about as quickly as the fulfillment of the promise in the verse above, which - by the way - took 400 years or so!

Make no mistake. From the moment we utter a prayer, our loving Father hears and responds. What we don't always understand are the things taking place in the spiritual realm in response to our prayers. As we intercede for our spouses, children and other loved ones, God is moving on the other side of the mountain working to accomplish His perfect will in the lives of the ones we're praying for. Looking at our side of the mountain (circumstances, etc), it appears as though nothing is happening, or maybe even as if things have gone from bad to worse as we watch those we're praying for fall deeper into sin, further into debt, more sickly...

Remember in Daniel 10:12-14 how Daniel's answer was delayed for 21 days by the enemy? Our enemy does the same to us. He wants to derail us, discourage us and bring us into despair so that we will give up and quit. If we could only see through God's eyes we would see that God is allowing things to happen in the lives of the ones we're praying for so they will become sick and tired of living in the pit and will finally come to their senses, repent and turn to God seeking His forgiveness.

That's when the "suddenly" happens. When we least expect it. When it seems like there's no way for our prayer to be answered. When the one we're praying for seems more lost than ever. Suddenly, God moves. Suddenly their heart is softened and ready to receive. Suddenly the scales fall off their eyes. Suddenly their ears are opened. And suddenly we realize that God has been working all along.

We must persist in prayer for our loved ones. Luke 18: 1-8 is the story of the persistent widow. I love the story. This woman simply refuses to give up. And Jesus says, in verses 7-8:

"...So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly (suddenly)! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?" Luke 18:7-8

Don't despair. Don't become discouraged. Don't buy into the enemy's lie by believing that your circumstances are your reality. Wait for your promised suddenly!

Take a Risk for God

Hi everyone!

As I was going through my daily readings,  I was very much inspired by this devotional found in Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc. I can relate to what the writer is going through and the things said to him by well-meaning people. I'm re-posting it especially for all those "standers" out there fighting for their marriages through prayer. This was from Ben of Texas.

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"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:4-6

Each of us are in a unique position. We see our marriages crumbling right before our eyes and our family units splitting up in such ungodly ways. Our situation, while unique to us, is commonplace today, a fact of life. Families and marriages are breaking up so frequently that it is hard to find a family that has not been touched by divorce. In the tidal wave that follows broken marriages, there are shattered lives and broken promises (broken covenant). Who is at fault? Whom are we to blame? Look in the mirror. The truth hurts but it must be reckoned with. Acknowledge your sin and your part in the breakdown of your marriage. Seek God's counsel, love, and grace and you are starting on the road toward marriage reconciliation. Stand for your marriage. Take a risk for God.

Standing (with God) for one's marriage is a difficult road to walk. Family, friends, your associates at work, the world and even your own church leaders don't understand this walk. It can be lonely if we don't take Jesus with us. Yet for the few of us who have been called by God to walk with Him in this stand, it is a blessing. Yes, a blessing, for each of us have been hand picked by our Creator to suffer for Him as we witness to the world about the truth and the value of the marriage covenant. I am fortunate to belong to a marriage reconciliation support group through my church. Such groups are few and far between.

Only yesterday, I drove by a large "modern-looking" church that had a big sign out front stating "Divorce Care" yet nothing about marriage care. In the support group I attend, we acknowledge that each of us are not there by accident but by Divine Appointment. Take a risk for God. Stand for your marriage.

I cannot even begin to count the number of times well-meaning people have suggested that I "should get on (move on) with my life." Sound familiar? In response, I proudly state that I am moving on with my life by standing with God as He heals my marriage. At times, this takes people back; they are lost for words. You see, I am taking a risk for God.

When we witness to the world (including our church leaders and fellow Christians) about the sanctity of marriage and our covenant marriage vows, we are taking a risk for God. God recognizes that life at times is difficult, yet perseverance in our walk brings great rewards. It was through the turmoil of the breakdown of my marriage that I found my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Frequently I tell people that I am thankful that God led me down this path of the breakdown of my marriage and the subsequent divorce for now I know where I am going to spend Eternity. I took a risk for God.

Yes, I am standing with God as He heals me and yes, heals my wife. My marriage failed because God was placed on a side track; He was not on the main track of my marriage. But even here, God must be the engine that pulls the Christian family along the track of life. God is in control of the universe and He wants to be in control of your life and mine. Take a risk for God.

Notice that I said take a risk "for" God, not "with" God. While God is with you as you stand, when you take a risk "for" God, you are in the front row of the battle against Satan.