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Live A Lover's Life

9/30/2016

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​Love is at the core of all relationships. How we view people through the eyes of love is how we will treat them. While Jesus calls us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), most of us have issues loving the people that are closest to us.
 
Love is a choice, not an emotional response to how somebody makes us feel. We have to choose to love just like every other fruit of the spirit that was giving to us as a gift from God (Galatians 5:22-23). It is a free will decision. Nobody can make us love, just as nobody can make us hate.
 
God calls our love to not only grow, but to abound (exist in large numbers or amounts; plentiful; abundant) in knowledge and discernment.
 
Philippians 1:9-11 (NKJV)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
 
What does this mean? God wants us to gain understanding and learn His heart towards people. He wants us to be led by His Spirit and see people with His eyes. The NIV version says that this will make us pure and blameless. The kind of love that Jesus wants us to love with, will leave us without offense. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for us if we could achieve this in our marriages? Oh how wonderful it would be to live without offense. Well, it is attainable through God’s Word, but we must take action.
I love the way the Message version translates this verse:
 
Philippians 1:9-11 (MSG)
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
 
Wow! God wants quality not quantity. We have to LEARN to love appropriately! How do we do that? We do that by studying Jesus. We have to take on the mind of Christ even when dealing with our emotions and feelings. We need to get out of our own heads and feelings. We have to stop letting the devil wreak havoc by playing with our emotions. Love needs to be sincere (free from deceit; genuine) and intelligent (perceptive).
 
When Jesus looks at our relationships, Can He be proud of our love? Are our souls producing the fruit that He gave us full access to abound in? Are we choosing to love? Are we pure and blameless in our deeds and motives? Are we seeking things with understanding and intelligence?
 
It is normal for certain things to trigger our feelings some sort of way. The devil is always waiting for the opportunity to have us snap. When a situation occurs, we have the power to resist the urge to fall prey as a victim to the devil’s schemes. We can submit to God and His fruit, resist the devil, and he must flee. We can seek understanding for the circumstance and ask God to show us how to love; even through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
 
God is love and we are known by our love. Our love is what makes us attractive and draws people to us, and ultimately closer to Christ! So let our love abound today. Not just in quantity, but in quality. Let’s choose to put our love into action and defeat the plans of the enemy to divide and concur. There is unity in God’s perfect love!
 
Father, we thank You for Your perfect love. Thank You for giving us love as a perfect gift. Forgive us for not always choosing to love. Help us perfect our ability not only to love our spouse, children and those close to us, but also our enemies. Help us separate love from our feelings. Let our emotions and thoughts be bound to those of Christ helping us love appropriately. We want to draw people to You by our display of love. We want You to be proud of our love. Heal every broken place that has caused us to respond in a way that opposes Your definition of Love. Deliver us from any pain, hurt, offense, and trauma that has caused us to choose hate instead of love. Let the quality of our love be blameless and pure in every area of our lives. We especially submit our marriage relationship to You today and show us where our love has been breached and perverted by the enemy. Give us understanding and discernment to perceive the hearts of our spouse and see them with Your eyes. Let our hearts be renewed. Let our new abounding love attract our spouse in a fresh new way so that You will get the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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Redefined, But Not Redesigned

9/23/2016

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Marriage is a beautiful reflection of God’s relationship with us. Marriage teaches (and challenges) us many things including patience, endurance, mercy, forgiveness, selflessness, gentleness, communication, teamwork, unconditional love, and I think you get the idea. Every situation that we face together is for our growth and maturity into the purposes of God. It is not just for us though. People are always watching and waiting to see how we respond to the things that we go through. The more years we put in, the more people will look to us for advice and counseling.
 
Hosea 2:19-20
19 “I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord.
 
As Christians, we are not perfect, but are being made perfect into the likeness of our Savior Jesus Christ. In all of our weaknesses, He will come in and show Himself strong if we allow Him to. Our trials and tribulations fuel our testimony with victory as we stand on God’s Word with trust and faith. We should be working towards a standard of marriage that is measured by God’s Word.   Everything else will disappoint us with wrong decisions and confused emotions. Wise counsel always comes from the Word.
 
Philippians 3:12
[ Pressing Toward the Goal] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
 
 
Our biggest spectators are our children. Our children learn how to have relationships based on how they see us react to one another. Unfortunately, they see all. They see the good, the bad, and the ugly. They see the unmasked truth that uncovers itself when out of the public eye. Are we being consistent in our behavior? Do we act one way with each other in church, then completely change in the comfort of our own homes? If we are hypocrites, they will surely rebel against any advice about relationships, even if we are giving them the truth! It’s okay for them to see our vulnerability, but they must also see the resolution. When they see us make things right through repentance, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, this will help them understand that relationships take work and intentional understanding/compassion towards another person.
 
Matthew 7:3-5
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
 
The sad part is, that many children don’t have any model to gleen from. The devil has surely done his part at destroying the honor and respect that was once placed on marriage. Homes have been destroyed by sin, and divorce has become an easy fix instead of a last resort. Marriage has become so unattractive that many choose to just cohabitate and have children, instead of committing to a covenant that would be legally harder to get out of. I was one who thought like this before I got saved. I dated my first husband on and off for 7 years before we got married. Our first daughter was already 2-years-old. Even then I had reservations (rightly so) about making a commitment. Our relationship was toxic and marriage didn’t fix anything. Marriage only works if two people come together knowing that they are already complete. A spouse can’t complete you. Only Jesus can! Unfortunately, my two oldest girls have witnessed many dysfunctional relationship responses and have also been subject to our divorce and living without their father. The good news is, that they have also witnessed my healing and deliverance through Jesus and have seen how God restores and makes things new!  It might seem like the enemy has won the war on marriage. It has been “redefined” by law, but it can never be redesigned! Man cannot re-create something that God has already established. It is not too late to overturn the world’s perspective. It starts with our example. It gets passed on to our children and those who we touch.  
 
Colossians 2:6-10
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
 
Take time to reflect on your marriage. How is it honoring God? What are some things that can be improved? How do those who see you perceive you? How do your children see you? Make note of all these things and give them to God. Let Him search your heart and give you wisdom on how to improve your marriage and strengthen the next generation.
 
Father, we thank You for completing us and making us whole. Forgive us for not always being an example of Your love and reflecting Your image. Show us places that we act like hypocrites. Deal with our hearts and give us greater compassion to deal with every situation with love. Help us be pillars in our sphere of influence that glorifies Godly covenant. We want to turn the world upside down with an army of marriages that bring respect and honor back to marriage as You have designed it. Let our children be witness to the truth of Your Word and form their identities around that truth. We rebuke the devil who would make things appear hopeless and loose the hope that comes from the testimony of Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
 

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Deeper Intimacy

9/16/2016

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Marriage is a reflection of God’s relationship with us. The Bible illustrates this and calls us His bride. Jesus is our bridegroom. While Jesus should always be first priority in our lives, our marriages must come in second. There is a natural desire for us to seek more of Jesus. We should hunger and thirst for Him in every situation. As we seek deeper intimacy with God, we should also be seeking deeper intimacy with our spouse. If we forsake our marriages because of our pursuit of God than we will run into trouble in our homes. This is why it is so important to be equally yoked. As we become more intimate with Jesus, the more Christ-like we should become. We should be displaying a kind gentle spirit that should draw our spouse closer to us. If we do not include our spouse in our journey to knowing more of God, than eventually it could lead to a self-righteous attitude that will be condescending and arrogant towards our spouse. If we think that we know more than them, then we won’t value their input and start discluding them from decisions.  A haughty spirit always leads to destruction!
 
As we learn more about Christ we should also study our spouse. People are always growing and changing. Day to day circumstances can put a toll on our attitudes and disposition. Do we really know what is going on? As we seek our spouse, we must listen and pray. This brings communication to a new level. By including God, we create a 3-fold cord that is not easily broken. We must also be honest and open on the issues that we our facing as well. As long as everything stays out in the open, the enemy has no dark place to torment us with.
 
 
Psalm 63:1-8(NKJV)
Joy in the Fellowship of God
A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
63 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
 
God wants us to experience this type of joy with our spouse as well. We should be seeking, thirsting, and longing for more of them. When we are in a dry season in our marriage, the God in us should show His power and glory in our homes. We should be rich in the goodness of our love for one another and continue to bless and praise each other with joyful lips. Our marriage bed should be honorable and made exclusively for our spouse. We should be helping each other in times of need and be able to rejoice in the safety that we bring to each other. Our souls should be following closely to each other that we can help each other up when we fall.
 
We have to chase after our spouse as we chase after God. They are a gift that God has given us, and part of the plan/purpose for our lives. Never stop learning them. Never stop seeking understanding. Never stop communicating. Never stop praying. Let our marriages represent in the natural what are relationship with God is in the Spirit!
 
Father, we thank You for the blueprint of marriage that You have given us in Your Word. Forgive us for going hard after You, while leaving our spouse behind. Help us take on Your character as we grow closer to You. Help us always be kind and gentle. Deliver us from any pride our self-righteousness that would make our spouse reject us. We want our marriage to be like the 3-fold cord that is not easily broken. We want to grow in intimacy with our spouse. Give us a hunger and thirst for them just as we hunger and thirst for You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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God Will Show Them

9/9/2016

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Bringing 2 people together in marriage is a miracle. It is hard to live with another person and mesh your values, beliefs, dreams, purpose, work, and desires together.  This is why it is so important to take marriage seriously and know that you are equally yoked and called by God to be together. God has a way of bringing the 2 most unlikely people together and creating unity and love that can only come from Him. When we pick our own mate without God’s help, it can lead to a long road of striving and battling to make it work. But even then, if you surrender the relationship to God, there is nothing too hard for Him to achieve.
 
Many times in marriage, one person might have a dream, vision, or assignment given to them by God that might seem impossible or undesirable. Sometimes we might think that our spouse won’t agree with it, or that they might think it is crazy or too risky. We might be afraid of their response or rejection of the plan.
 
God doesn’t make mistakes. Everything has a purpose and is for a purpose. If He is calling You to something, then He will soften the heart of your spouse to understand it. God will reveal His plans to your spouse because you are one flesh. He will have them come into agreement and be your help to support, protect, and advance you in what you are supposed to do.
 
Mary experienced this first hand. I can’t imagine how afraid she was to tell Joseph of her conversation with the angel and the conception of Jesus. Mary was favored by God and she was obedient. She and Joseph were called to be together. Even in the most troubling circumstances, God called Joseph to come into agreement with God’s plan for Mary.
 
We can’t let marriage come between us and our purpose from God. We can’t be afraid to share what God has revealed to us with our spouse. When God is the source, He will always work it out and together for His good.
 
What has God revealed to you that you are afraid to share with your spouse? Is your fear of what they think keeping you from obeying God? I encourage you today to pray. Confirm the plans of God for your life. Take a step of faith and share them with your spouse. You are favored by God and He has already established your victory!
 
 
Luke 1:26-33New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,  27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[a]
29 But when she saw him,[b] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
 

Father, we thank You that You favor us. We thank you that we each have an individual purpose designed specifically for us. Forgive us for allowing fear to keep us from being obedient. Deliver us from the fear of man’s opinions. Deliver us from the fear of rejection. Deliver us from the fear of failure. Bring us in alignment with Your plans for us. Tenderize us towards our spouse, and us to them, that we may see and recognize the plans of God in their life. We want to fulfill what You have called us to do. Let Your promises be established in our lives. We declare victory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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Young Marriage Trailblazers

9/2/2016

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Marriage has become an undesirable institution in our society. With divorce rates high and multiple sexual partners no longer taboo, it’s no wonder why young people would shy away from committing their lives to another. Society makes sin/infidelity so ready available with social media and internet porn right at our fingertips. It’s there even when we aren’t searching it out with provocative ads and friend requests from high school flames. The young generation has watched their parents’ divorce or never marry. Even the ones that do grow up in two parent households, are urged to wait for marriage and start a career first.
 
It’s amazing how quickly the culture can change. I remember my mother thinking that something was wrong with me because I wasn’t married yet in my early twenties. Her generation got married straight out of high school. She married my father at 19 and stayed married until her death 52 years later.
 
Society has pushed education and career to the forefront and in higher priority than God and family. This is where the enemy has had an opportunity to come in and pervert the foundation of morals and beliefs.
 
People get so educated that their intellectualism gets in the way of faith. They become too logical to believe what seems as “foolishness” in the Bible. They want to find their own way and prove that they are “somebody”.
 
 
 
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[a]
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;  23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[b] foolishness,  24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
 

The faster we get the revelation that we, as a nation, can do nothing without God, the better. 
 
Although young people have been waiting to get married, most of them aren’t waiting to have sex. We were created as sexual beings. God created sex for marriage to enjoy and to multiply. The longer that we wait to get married, the greater the temptation to fornicate. No one is exempt. My husband and I both love God and had both committed to celibacy years before we met. After both living a lifestyle of sin for many years before our commitment to God, we were successful from abstaining from sex. When we starting growing closer to one another and spending more time together, it became harder to resist our flesh. By the grace of God, we made it until after marriage, but in our own strength we would have never made it.  So young people are going away to college, getting indoctrinated into intellectualism and swayed from their beliefs.  They come home and want to wait to get married until they have their career established and are financially stable. This sounds very good on paper, but the problem is that we never achieve a place of arrival. We are always wanting to do more. At what point do we stop and say “I’m ready to settle down”?  It’s nice to have it all together, but what about building something together?
 
I’m not against education or waiting for God to get married at the right timing and with the right person. I just feel our culture has twisted our privilege to work against us and make us rely on self, more than God. Our bodies hit puberty at a young age. In Bible times, people got married extremely young, probably more comparable to the time of hormonal changes. While our culture has changed, the human body hasn’t. This is why teenagers find themselves caught up in situations that can threaten their virginity. Unmarried sex causes soul ties, hurt, low self-esteem, and so many other things that can be devastating to their bodies, souls, and spirits. We have to take our culture back and make “waiting” the norm. God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman for the rest of their lives. We must bring back God’s statutes and family values if we want to strengthen our nation. We need husbands/fathers to take their rightful place. We need wives/mothers to let their spouses lead.
 
I believe God is restoring marriage in this hour. I have witnessed many young people getting married and setting an example for their generation. These are young people that love God, are intelligent, and are still pursuing education and working towards career goals. They are building their foundation together. This might seem like a small insignificant occurrence, but I believe they are trailblazers for their generation to restore the foundation of family and Kingdom values to our culture.  Their decision might seem foolish to many, but God says that they are wise. They are putting to shame the lies of world spoken against marriage and family.
 

​1 Corinthians 1:27
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
 

Father, we thank You that You give us wisdom and strength. Thank You for Your Word that gives us instructions and encouragement in trying times. Forgive us for conforming with the culture of the world instead of transforming the world’s culture with Your Word. Thank You for the trailblazers that are changing the standard of what is acceptable for marriage to align with your Word. Help us all to pioneer change by using our marriages to glorify Your Kingdom. Restore honor to marriage. Restore Biblical principles and Kingdom values to our homes. We want to transform the nation by being who You have created us to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!  
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    Bonnie Kay Rimpson

    God has truly restored me after having a torn soul from broken relationships and even a divorce. After receiving Jesus as my Savior, God took me through a process of knowing my identity and loving myself so that I may love others. Now I am happily married to a man after God's own heart, who loves me with the love of God.

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