Everyday we strive to walk together towards God. Our new goal is to encourage other couples to do the same. We have had this passion for couples ministry for years and God has opened up various doors including this blog library of cataloged life moments.
Earlier last week, my son was being chased around the house by his brother. I was watching the whole thing from the top of the stairs. One of our house rules is no running in the house. So when I confronted my son about running, he blamed his brother. "He was chasing me", he said. I responded, "Then stop being chased. You can choose to stop running and obey the rules. That is under your control".
When I thought about that a short time later, it made me think about how we often blame other people and circumstances for our present failures in life. We seldom take full responsibility for our own actions even though we are completely under control of ourselves. I've heard it said that people may act a fool but your reaction shows if you are one as well.
Then I thought about how the enemy likes to "chase" the saints. He likes it when we give him the credit for our hardships. "The devil made me do it." or "That devil is so busy!" Stop being chased! The one who is the chaser can only chase something that is running away. God has not called us to run from our enemies, the devil or hardships in life. He has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
It is close to Halloween and folks are enjoying being scared. They get a thrill out of fear. I do not. I don't want to be chased so I will not be. The chasee gains power over the chaser when they stop running. Stand and face your fears. You have more control than you claim. Use it.
God's grace is sufficient for you. So even if you feel like you are being chased, God will not allow the enemy to overtake you. It's a scare tactic...to make you run in fear. Stand still. Do what you know is right. Your Father is watching the whole thing!
How do you know when God has His hands on something? It grows, it multiplies. Whenever God speaks a word, it is never just for a moment in time. No, He makes big plans that started before we were formed in the womb. His plans are never about just one person. He does not make a tree just to show it off, He makes multiple forests throughout the World to show His glory.
That is why I am in awe of my Savior today! He has done marvelous things and that my soul knows well! So what am I talking about? I am referring to Wifestyle Image Network (www.wifestyleimagenetwork.com). The Lord planted this seed in my soul back in September a month ago. I had no idea what would happen. At first, there was just a pebble in the pond that left a ripple, but the ripple has been rippling ever since! As a matter of fact, I am seeing waves that I can surf on coming at me. I am waiting for the typhoon because that is how God works.
When the ideas for the network were forming, I envisioned a web, an interconnection of relationships to support one another and build each other up. It is intertwining and complex yet ever so simple. Be a disciple, make a disciple and teach them to make a disciple. That's it. The Great Commission on a web. First, it starts in the corner of a house, then takes over a room then the house. What I did not expect is an international web. Really God? "Really" he said. It is the body of Christ. Ever reaching and never ending.
Sometimes we think our part of the web is too weak or we compare her web to ours. It's more decorative. She has the gift to make creative webs. She has finances and people build her web for her. Lol! Sounds funny doesn't it? But we have to ask ourselves, how should I be building my web. What is my calling? My ministry? My spiritual gift?
I ask you friends to explore that question with me. How has God supernaturally gifted you to impact this world for His glory?
If you care to share, I'd love to hear it. I will pray with and for you.
If you are a wife anywhere in the world, I encourage you to join the network of women who are passionate about using what God has given them to make disciples of future generations. If you are not interested in fellowshipping with other christian women, learning about discipleship or mentoring others to do the same, please do not join the network. I follow up with every woman so we can brainstorm how God will use your own gifts, talents and abilities to win the world for Christ Jesus. We do not have much time.
When most people think of ministry activity and ministers, natural questions follow. Where did you get your training? What church or organization are you associated with? Have a license? Degree? Credentials? Experience? These are important questions that deserve a response. As a matter of fact, even Jesus was questioned regarding His teaching because He had no formal education in Rabbi school and His disciples were "unlearned men".
The Lord taught me a long time ago that everyone who follows Christ is a minister of the gospel. We are legitimate carriers of the Word of God to others by our lifestyles and our testimonies. Before the world was formed, God's purposes for you were established. Our authority to minister is backed by divine authority. We have God's stamp of approval!
In John we see that those who are identified to be used by God are not the volunteers because of their great love for Him, but ones whom God has chosen.
John 15:16 KJV
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
God ordains people. They are legitimized by God Himself. They give account to God and not to men. Anyone who needs proof of your authority to minister can take it up with the Father! God can use whoever He desires. He even used a donkey to speak once! It's not the superstar or the great speaker He calls, but those who will obey.
Look at I Corinthians 3:5-16.
Once God showed me this truth, I became much more bold in sharing my testimony and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am one of the weak and despised that confounds the wise of this world. But it's only because Greater is in me. Now don't get me wrong. We are always learning, always the student of the Word. It's okay to be licensed, ordained, certified, whatever, but my point is...when is it enough to teach or preach? It is when God gives you something to share. Period.
I encourage every woman of God to realize their calling, gifting, authority and ordination by God. Embrace it and do not be afraid to make disciples. Go!
For some, Sunday is gameday. Football specifically at my house. My hubby loves the game. As his biggest cheerleader, I needed to get educated. I was not the groupie or the fan. But to know my man I need to understand what captivates him. Football is captivating. No, I'm not competing with the game, I'm learning about it in an effort to communicate with my husband better.
One thing I learned early in the season is this. If your quarterback is injured (in our case - Brian Hoyer of the Browns), then you need a humble replacement who can still give the team a victory. In our case, that person was Brandon Weedon. It reminds me that if my husband is ever "down" or unable to make the call for our family, I can play the quarterback position. I think I'm pretty good actually. Lol!
Another lesson is timeouts. Most games last three hours at a time. That's a long time to just watch a game. I've often told my husband that his time could be spent in a more productive fashion like reading or spending quality time with me for example, but then I learned a valuable truth. Watching football with him = quality time! Who knew! When I give myself a timeout from giving my opinions and actually practice listening more, my marriage works better. I suggest you try it. Think before you speak. Now that's a new idea...lol! Not really, but it definitely works!
God has a blueprint - the Word of God. It tells us what the perfect building will look like. He gives this precious plan to us and as we construct our lives accordingly, but there will be setbacks and times when we try to alter His masterpiece. In the end, He will compare His plan for your life to what you have done with what He gave you.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Keeping yourself pure of sexual exploits for your spouse is a noble thing. Even if you have given away your virginity, or it was stolen from you, God can re-new you for His purposes. God delights in making people new! He can still carry out the plan for your life!
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Most of us know that maintaining virginity and celibacy equals purity when one is single, but what does it look like in marriage? The bible speaks of keeping the marriage bed pure. Pure physically, mentally and sexually. Any perversion or accessories to God's original blueprint are not what He is building. Remember, marriage is to represent Christ and His Church. He washes her. He covers her. He presents her without spot or wrinkle.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
I recently had a conversation with several women who shared their stories. We chatted about women addicted to porn and those with issues of masturbation in their marriages. This is hard. This is real. There should be nothing else needed or required by you to fulfill your sexual needs beyond the marriage bed with your husband. What happens in your bedroom is personal and private bringing other things and people within those sacred areas can prove to be a hinderance to what God has originally intended in the blueprint.
Sometimes the issues that affect a healthy sex life in marriage are hidden in our pasts. A vast majority of women have had some sexual encounter by their teen years that will resurface during marriage. This can affect your marriage later whether is it a disease history, promiscuity, rape, incest or abuse of any kind. This is why pre-marital counseling can be so helpful to women. In marriage, you dedicate your body to your spouse. It is only fair that you both know what has happened in the past so that you can move into the future without fear.
Just a few testimonies form women I have spoken with in the past week.
Testimony #1
One woman had been abused by a man close to her and was already dealing with that pain when another man approached her sister. In an effort to protect her younger sister from rape, she offered herself instead out of desperation. Today she is married and tells others her story.
Testimony #2
Another woman lives with the memory of a rape that she hid because she was threatened. He told her that he would rape her sister if she told. However, today she is married to her Boaz, a caring man who treats her with dignity.
Testimony #3
Two women with sex issues prior to marriage have decided to combine their testimonies as a stepping stone into a ministry for other women.
No matter what has happened to you in the past, put God in control of your future. He alone can bring forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation in your relationship. If you are in need of counseling, I can do my best to put you in touch with a christian counselor in your area. Get the help you need to free yourself from bondage in any form and prepare for the calling that the Lord has already placed within you! He makes all things (even marriage) BETTER! You are His architect. Stick to the design.
