Blog Posts

Shut Down The Accuser!

7/22/2016

I had a dream last night that was strange. I was at a function that was honoring my husband. The room was filled with family, friends, church members, and people I didn’t know as well. There was a lot going on. People were eating, mingling, and very busy. When it came time to honor my husband, a family member stood up and started making accusations about him. They were spilling out shortcomings from his past and trying to discredit the honor that was being placed on him. As I listened to this, I began to feel enraged. Not at my husband for the awful accusations, but at the accuser. I grabbed the microphone and started roaring. I told the people that if we were all judged by our past then we would all be going to Hell. None of us would deserve any honor. I got extremely emotional and shared God’s grace and forgiveness. I talked about His love and how He is willing to deliver us all from our destructive past. The people starting weeping and bowing in the presence of God…..

God honors us when our hearts are towards Him. When we repent and receive Him, He doesn’t hold our past against us. He makes us new and places us on a path of righteousness. It is our job to follow that path. Even when we stay on the right path, they enemy will come to accuse. He will try to attack our character. He comes to kill, steal and destroy. He wants to devour us. Most times he uses people to do this. Too often it is the closest ones that stir up the mess. Thank God that Jesus came to give us life!

John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The enemy hates marriage. He hates covenant and doesn’t want to see God’s people blessed, multiplying and prospering. In my dream, I immediately shut the enemy up by sharing the truth of God’s grace. God released His glory and the people were humbled.

Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

We must stay in unity with our spouse. We can’t jump to conclusions from accusations by bound, jealous, or unsaved people. The quickest way to shut the enemy down is to expose him with the truth. Most times we know the past of our spouse and what God has delivered them from. Just as God has forgiven us, He has forgiven them also. We can’t entertain the words of the enemy by allowing him to speak accusations against our spouse, causing dishonor. When someone speaks badly about them, they are also speaking badly of us. We are one. Our relationship with our spouse represents our relationship with God. Are we going to allow people to dishonor our God? Maybe that is the problem. We have become too passive and politically correct to stand up for our beliefs.

I encourage you today to be careful whose words you entertain. Don’t engage in conversations that will bring dishonor to your marriage. Your tongue is a powerful weapon that can bless or curse.

Proverbs 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Be intentional about speaking blessing over your marriage. Quickly expose lies with the truth. Don’t let anyone divide what God has put together!

Matthew 19:6
6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Father, we thank You that You are a God of covenant. Thank You for joining us together with our spouse. Forgive us for entertaining thoughts or conversations that come from the enemy to cause division and confusion in our marriage. Forgive us for allowing others to dishonor our spouse. Forgive us for allowing others to dishonor You. Give us boldness and courage to expose evil with Your truth. We will not be moved by accusations from the past or plans that want to divide our marriage. We place honor on our spouse and rebuke all that would come to dishonor. Help us to use our tongues to bless and not curse. Let our marriage give You glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

Love Your Spouse Challenge

7/15/2016

1 Comment

For the past few days there has been a love your spouse challenge that has been circulating on social media. Though I usually don’t participate in the different challenges that pop up, I was inspired to accept this one. The point of the challenge is to promote marriage and inspire others to celebrate their own. In these times where so much hate is being spread and the world is suffering from the sins of the land, I find it refreshing and beautiful to see all of the pictures and posts of people that love their spouse and are still honoring the covenant that they made before God.

It’s funny, as I look through my photos, it has been hard to find ones with just my husband and I. Most of our pictures revolve around the children, so I have to go through hundreds before I get to one of just us. Going through these pictures bring back memories of happiness and milestones. It’s amazing how pictures always capture our best of times. Rarely do we take pictures of our worst moments. It has forced me to focus on our joy that has flooded the memories of any hurt.

I believe this is how God wants our frame of mind to be. When we sin and repent through the new covenant, God forgives and remembers no more.

Hebrews 8:12
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds[a] I will remember no more.”

When we go through struggles in our marriage, once we reconcile, we must forgive and give it to God. If we keep bringing it up, we will open a door to the enemy for bitterness and resentment to divide unity by the bond of peace in our homes. Love holds no records of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).

To keep the God of peace with us, we must focus on what is positive in our marriage and move forward. We can’t hold on to the sins of the past. The enemy would love to fill our thoughts with paranoia and suspicions. We must resist the temptation to replay bad circumstances in our minds over and over.

Philippians 4:8-9
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Of course, if there are current issues, they must be addressed and conquered. Ignoring problems won’t create a solution. Marriage takes warfare, but once the battle has been won, we move forward in faith. We must trust God for healing and restoration. Only He can heal matters of the heart.

Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

God honors marriage and wants to bless and prosper yours. Keep moving forward. I challenge you to go through your own pictures and stir up the memories of good times. Thank God for how He has brought you through and blessed you. Be intentional about focusing on your love for each other.

Father, we thank You for Your mercy towards us. Forgive us for not offering that same mercy towards our spouse and holding records of their wrongs. We want our marriage to represent Your love. Flood our thoughts with memories of goodness and blessing. Help us stay focused on You and resist the urge to come into agreement with lies of the enemy. We come against every lie and false accusation that the devil has used to try to destroy our marriage. We submit ourselves to God and resist the enemy so he must flee. We declare today that we love our spouse and look forward to a lifetime of Your favor, blessing, and prosperity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

1 Comment

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

7/8/2016

0 Comments

I am a white woman married to a black man. We have five children who although they are biracial, will be seen by society as black. I am not an expert in black society or claim to understand the emotional and mental hardships that the community goes through based on the history of injustice it has suffered, but being raised in a black community, I realize there are struggles and can empathize with the pain that it’s suffering right now. My heart is broken from the string of events that have been blatantly allowed by America’s justice system. In a country where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is supposed to be our inalienable rights (rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws), black lives have been stripped of their chance by unjust government and people who are “above the law” (based on the lack of any convictions). Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are supposed to be self-evident (obvious truths). The Declaration of Independence itself says that they were endowed by our Creator.

This is where as believers, the rubber meets the road. America has taken our Creator, God, out of everything. God has been mocked and rejected by government and we are now seeing the fruit. What are we going to do church? Are we going to continue to be silent and let our husbands and sons die to lawlessness? It starts with us. Hate is a heart issue that can only be defeated by the love of God. We have to save souls in order to save lives. We have to restore husbands/fathers to their rightful positions. Society is operating in the works of the flesh:

Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It will continue to do so if we don’t take action and Give them Jesus. We can no longer be passive Christians who are satisfied with our own salvation. We have to represent Christ in everything that we do. We have to operate in the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another

The Bible says that we are known by our fruit and also that they will know us by our love. We are also called to love our enemies…. How else can we win them over?

Galatians 5:14-15
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[a] 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

I know this is easier said than done, but consuming one another won’t solve anything. We need to be consumed by the love of God and take it with us wherever we go. We have to plant ourselves in places of influence. We need to be in government, education, media, and entertainment. We have to be decision makers and world changers. God has put a solution in us that can shake the world and turn it upside down like Paul and Silas did (Acts 17:6-7). We all play a part. It is past time to inquire of God what we are to do. We must pray and also take action. We must unify because a house divided can’t stand. We have to humble ourselves and repent for the sins that corrupted our land. We must turn from our own wickedness. God will forgive America and heal our land.

2 Chronicles 7:14
14 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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

We have to pray for the families of the lost. We need to be active in our communities. We have to plant seeds of righteousness in the children. We have to give them hope and a future.

I can’t imagine the internal struggle that comes with being black. I can’t imagine the rage that bubbles up in their hearts as they watch this injustice happen over and over. I do know that God is a deliver and He is the only answer to this cry.

Today I bless the black community. I place honor on the leaders that are working in the trenches to make a difference!

Father we thank You that You are our deliverer. Forgive us for being complacent and not taking action in our own spheres of influence. We need You in America. We pray that the world changers arise and turn the world upside down. We bind up white privilege and arrogance, and loose the equality of the Kingdom of God. We pray that the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with the black community. Give them strength to overcome and hope for their future. We pray that God’s love and all the fruit of the Spirit saturate The hearts of Americans. Let the conviction of the Holy Spirit hover over America and change the hearts of its people. Let Justice prevail and our inalienable rights be restored. Heal our land and let Your name be great above our nation. Jesus, we need You back in our schools, government, and everyday lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

No Ball And Chain

7/1/2016

0 Comments

People are always amused to know that my husband and I got married on the 4th of July. I always joke and say that “they” always celebrate us with fireworks. The day is filled with all of the things that we love. Family, fellowship, barbeque, good fun, and of course each other. The fireworks are a plus and represent our marriage: exciting, beautiful, hot, loud, and consistent. Just as people look at the fireworks as a symbol of their natural freedom, people are looking at us as a symbol of Godly marriage because we represent Christ.

It’s funny to me the irony of our day being a day of freedom, when the world links marriage to having a ball and chain. But we all know that what the world thinks and what God says are two very different things. People will postpone marriage because they don’t want to be tied down, but will end up living together as such while sacrificing all of the benefits.

Galatians 5:1
[ Christian Liberty ] Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

The yoke of bondage is sin. We cannot receive the benefits of marriage if we haven’t made covenant before God. God cannot bless a relationship that is operating against His will. God honors marriage and wants to bless it. When we become married, we become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). This creates a bond of unity and covenant/commitment that we don’t have if we are just living together.

No man or woman can take away or give you freedom. Freedom comes from Christ alone. If we deny Him of our relationships, then we are a slave to whatever sin that we commit while in them.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

God’s Spirit brings freedom. His grace will cover our mistakes, but only if we allow His Spirit to deal with it. Freedom comes by living according to God’s Word. His Word is the absolute truth.

John 8:31-34
The Truth Shall Make You Free
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

By no means do I want to bring condemnation on anyone. I just want to expose the lies of the enemy. Fear to commit is brought on by the devil to withhold the blessings that God has for you. If you are with the one that you are called to, there is still time to repent and make it right. If you are with the wrong one, there is still time to repent, cut soul ties, and ask God to connect you with the one that He ordained to honor, love, and respect you. You do not need a spouse to make you whole, only Jesus can do that. Seek counseling and explore God’s Word for all of the promises that comes from freedom in Him. Marriage done His way is beautiful. Contrary to what people think, there is freedom in sex, freedom to be yourself, freedom to pursue your purpose, freedom to enjoy life, and freedom from the doors of the enemy created by the sin of disobedience.

God created marriage for our pleasure. He didn’t want us to be alone. He wants us to have help. He wants us to be an example of Christ and the church. Godly marriages honor God and give Him glory. Let’s bring God’s Glory back to our nation by representing His Word. It starts with marriage that lays a foundation of Christ and imparts it into their children. Let us not forsake His Word to satisfy our flesh. We can no longer pick and choose which parts of the Bible we want to believe. Our nation’s standards have been compromised and we’ve allowed it to happen. America has relinquished its freedom because of sin. Our liberty is dependent on Christ. Let’s get it right and let God back into all parts of our lives, starting with biblical marriage.

Father, we thank You for freedom in marriage. Forgive us for feeling like marriage somehow steals our identity. We do not want to be slaves to sin. We want to find our freedom in You. Help us honor You with our covenant and take pleasure in all parts of our marriage. We don’t want to forfeit our blessing because of sin. If we have not obeyed your Word, expose the devil and show us the truth. We want all that you have for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

Unity In Marriage

6/24/2016

0 Comments

It is so easy getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Work, kids, chores, ministry, and regular day to day activities can leave our marriages stressed out and overwhelmed. God knows all that we have on our plate and doesn’t want our marriages to suffer because of chaotic schedules. He doesn’t want us to be so stressed out that we begin to neglect or abuse or spouse mentally, emotionally, or physically. He wants us to be united and on one accord.

Ephesians 4:3
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Our marriage should have unity by the bond of peace. Peace is the glue that holds us together. Where there is peace, the cares of this world can be dealt with appropriately and without offense. So how do we obtain this type of peace?

Philippians 4:6-8
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace comes by prayer with humble requests. It comes by being thankful to God and all that He is and has done for us. The verse goes on to tell us what to think about.

Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

When we set our minds on these things, we can see things from God’s perspective. We close the gate of our brains to the enemy to speak lies and give us false imaginations about our situations. We can have peace in knowing the truth, instead of making things bigger than our God and worrying ourselves into division.

Matthew 18:18-20
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say[a] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

It is good to have a personal prayer time, but is important and strategic for you and your spouse to pray together. When you come together in God’s name the devil doesn’t stand a chance. God is surely with you.

Deuteronomy 32:30
30 How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the Lord had surrendered them?

When you pray together, God exposes ten times the amount of enemies. He will uncover them before they have a chance to subtlety sneak into your marriage and steal your peace.

I encourage you today that your problems aren’t too big for God. He has a plan and a strategy to bind those demons and loose his unity over your marriage. Seek His peace through prayer. Be intentional about agreeing together in prayer with your spouse, and watch God move in your marriage.

Father, we thank you for giving us peace as a fruit of the Spirit. Today we choose to seek peace through prayer. Forgive us for murmuring and complaining instead of coming to you. Teach us how to come together with our spouse in prayer to create a bond of unity. We want to put all enemies to flight by being in agreement. Help us to meditate on the truth instead of focusing on things that will cause chaos. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

The Best Father's Day Gift

6/17/2016

0 Comments

With Father’s Day approaching, I’ve been thinking about what I can do for my husband to make him feel special. So often, mothers get spoiled for all that they do and fathers get the short end of the stick. When I think about the things that my husband likes and enjoys, nothing really compares to what I know he really needs and craves which is honor/respect.

Proverbs 12:4
4 An excellent[a] wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

We honor our husband by being their crown. This is a result of how we respect him. When we expose them and embarrass them we are causing bitterness to rot their bones. How we treat them publically will determine how they show their love toward us.

Ephesians 5:33New King James Version (NKJV)
33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Our respect for him and his love for us work together. If you are feeling unloved, check the respect level that you have been showing and ask God to calibrate your hearts to work together.

1 Corinthians 11:3New King James Version (NKJV)
3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Our husbands are the head of our house if they are following Christ. Although we are to submit to one another, we should also respect their leadership. If we don’t let them lead, then we are taking away their masculinity. This is part of the problem with families today. Men need to know that their role is respected. As a true leader, they will always consult their wife, but we need to honor them and let them take charge.

1 Peter 3:7
[ A Word to Husbands ] Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

If they are to honor us as the weaker vessel, then this means that we respect that they are the stronger vessel. Men want to feel strong. We have to stop being so stubborn, trying to prove that we can do things without them. They want to know that we need them and that we honor them as protector of our homes.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

We honor our husbands with our intimacy. God created sex for marriage. If we withhold it from them for manipulation, then we are practicing witchcraft. Although there should always be agreement, if we constantly reject them then we open up a door for the enemy to come in and tempt them (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Proverbs 21:19New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

We honor them with our attitudes. If we are always angry, then we drive them away. If he is spending more time away than with you then check to see how your attitude has been towards him.

1 Timothy 5:8New King James Version (NKJV)
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

We should honor their work. If your husband is providing for your home, he is worthy of honor. There are a lot of husbands/dads who don’t. I thank God that mine works so hard!

Titus 2:3-5New King James Version (NKJV)
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

We honor our husband by teaching our children good things. They learn how to honor and respect from us and we must make it a priority in our homes. We are training them how to be productive adults. If we don’t train them naturally and spiritually they will be immature and unproductive.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27New King James Version (NKJV)
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

When we withhold honor, suffering takes place in the entire household. When we place honor where it’s due, then we all can rejoice. This makes an atmosphere of unity, peace, and joy in the home. We all want to be respected.

Isaiah 61:7New King James Version (NKJV)
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

So today I declare double honor on all the husbands/dads who are making it happen for their family. May God increase your portion to double naturally and spiritually. May everlasting joy be yours!

Father, we thank You for our husbands. Forgive us for not honoring him in the way that you desire according to Your Word. Convict us of the areas that we need to work on and deliver us from any pride that would keep us from doing what is right. We want to be an excellent wife that our husband wears as a crown. We want to rejoice in honor placed on our husband and give him the respect that he needs to affirm his manhood. Let our honor be a gift of everlasting joy to him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

Solitude

6/3/2016

0 Comments

The chaotic life of being a Proverbs 31 wife can sometimes leave us overwhelmed, drained, and irritable. It is important that we find time for ourselves not just to be pampered (although that is nice too), but to get in solitude and pray.

In our homes, we become superhuman. Everyone pulls on us from all directions. The hats we wear are countless and sometimes invisible to our spouse. There is an entire different stack of hats that we must wear for him. Mommy rarely gets a break, but we can’t let that stop us from being wifey!

Luke 5:15-16 (NKJV)
15 However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

Jesus himself had to withdraw alone to pray. Everyone around Him needed something from Him. He was well equipped to give it, but He also had a cut off point. When being drained of all spiritual resources, the only way to get refueled is by the presence of God. No amount of pedi/mani treatments, spa sessions, or shopping sprees will restore your soul. Only by prayer will we have the energy to do what we do.

Matthew 14:23 (NKJV)
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

Sometimes, we might have to wait until everyone goes away to sleep (including our spouse). It is then we can enter into our secret place and get refreshed to be the wife and mother that we are called to be.

If we neglect prayer, by the time we get alone with our spouse we will have nothing for him. We will be missing the peace and fullness of joy that comes by prayer. We give our husbands balance. We are his help (Genesis 2:18), his crown (Proverbs 12:4), and his favor (Proverbs 18:22). While it important for him to have his own prayer life and important for us to pray together, we still need to get alone with God. Not only will He give us strength, but also strategy and wisdom to use all of the hats that we wear!

I know your busy. I know it’s hard. I know you don’t feel like it. These are all excuses from the enemy to keep you from being the wife and mother that God has called you to be.

I encourage you today to find a place of solitude and pray. Pray for yourself. Pray for renewed strength and energy. Pray for peace and contentment. Pray for joy and compassion. Pray for endurance, perseverance, and most of all wisdom to do everything that makes you so awesome. You are an excellent wife! You are an excellent mother! You are a Proverbs 31 woman!

Father, we thank You for being all sufficient. You have everything that we need to achieve success in all that you have assigned us to do. Forgive us for trying to do things in our own strength and forgetting that only you can restore our souls. We want to give our husbands help, favor, and a crown that shows him as the king that he is. Show us opportunities to get into solitude to pray and commune with You. Help us resist the enemy that would cause us to be lazy and make excuses. We submit to You so the enemy must flee! We want to be a wife that represents Your name and gives You glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

Love Yourself!

5/27/2016

0 Comments

Every once in a while there maybe seasons in our marriages where we don’t feel loved to the extent that we feel that we deserve. We might feel distant, misunderstood, or unappreciated. While many factors can be the cause of these type of feelings, I’d like to address the part that we have control over ourselves.

People can only love you in the degree that they love themselves and vice versa!
Seek God’s love, get deliverance, then work on relationships!
LOVE YOURSELF HOW YOU WANT OTHERS TO LOVE YOU!

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Usually at the times when I feel the most neglected in love, distant, and unappreciated; those are the times when I’m not really happy with myself. I have gotten too busy with everyday life and denied myself the things that keep my purpose alive. I am like Mary in the story of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to their house (Luke 10:38-42). I am a worshipper and would rather stay at His feet then do busy work. When I don’t take the time to get into intimacy with God, I become extremely frustrated. This is because in worship, I hear the voice of God, He shows me things, and I feel the love of His presence. This is uniquely tied to my purpose and charges who I am. I have to stay in fellowship with God. My husband can’t replace the presence of Jesus. In His presence, I know who I am and can perfectly love myself. In return, my husband can fully love me because I am being who God called me to be.
I know there is work that needs to be done. I can’t neglect my home, my husband, my kids, or other natural responsibilities, but I have to stay in balance or frustration fills my home affecting everybody.

What is your purpose? What charges your spirit? What do you do that makes you feel the love of God causing you to love yourself? Are you doing those things? Next time you are feeling unloved. Ask yourself these questions. Evaluate yourself first and bring those things to Jesus. Let Him love on you and bring you back to a place of self-love. It will open up a door for you to love more deeply and for your spouse to love you more as well.

Mark 12:29-31 (NKJV)
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’[a] This is the first commandment.[b] 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] There is no other commandment greater than these.”

God has to be first. When God is first we know His love. We can love ourselves and our neighbor (or spouse) in the same way. Without God it is impossible to love completely. When we bring our emptiness to God, he is sure to fill it with His love. He will heal every broken place and deliver every unclean place. He is Lord over our lives and over our marriages. He is the head coach of our team, without him we have no direction, instruction, or encouragement.

So today, let’s evaluate how we feel about ourselves before making our spouses responsible for our emotions. Let’s reconnect with our first love and know that we are loved with an everlasting love. Let’s be reminded of who God says we are and what He has called us to do.

Father, we thank You for Your everlasting love. Forgive us for getting too busy to connect with You and blaming others for the way that we feel about ourselves. Show us how to love you completely so we may love ourselves and in return love our spouse in the same way. Heal our hearts and deliver us from anything that is hindering how we love or receive love. We put You first and ask You to resurrect our purpose and establish our identity in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

Share Everything!

5/20/2016

0 Comments

Being married to the person God sent you is a great blessing. It is wonderful to have someone to spend your life with and share everything with. The hard part is that you have to share everything with them, lol!

I’m not talking about material things (although sometimes it’s nice to have something to yourself), but I’m talking about things in our soulish realm. Sharing our thoughts, feelings, desires, hurts, disappointments, fears, and dreams, can put us at a place of vulnerability that makes us feel uncomfortable. I’m no expert at marriage. I make mistakes every day and am learning as I go. One thing that I do know is that if we are not willing to share “everything” then there will be some type of confusion to pop up later. The quicker we express ourselves the better. Our spouse can’t be our help if they don’t know what is wrong. Many frustrations can be avoided with proper communication.

Just because we both love God doesn’t mean that we don’t go through times of pain, heaviness, or even anger. We have to recognize the signals when we see a shift in the way our spouse is responding and immediately step in as an edifier. This is not always easy, especially when their attitude is altered, but God wants us to get over ourselves and come in times of weakness to bear our spouses burdens. We have to be quick to pray and speak life to the situation. We must give them hope instead of adding fuel to a destructive fire. When we pray, God will release His Word, His will, His mind and release His comfort and peace over the situation. This will allow us to come into agreement and as one release glory to the Father.

Romans 15:1-6 (NKJV)
Bearing Others’ Burdens
15 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”[a] 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today I encourage you to endure times of weakness. Pray without ceasing over your marriage and listen for what God is saying. Watch as God quickly moves in your hearts towards one another to give Him glory! God loves both of you and wants to work it all out for your good.

Father, we thank You for giving us a lifetime helper in our spouse. Forgive us for keeping things to ourselves and not being an edifier when they needed it most. We want to have one mind, bearing each other’s burdens, and giving You glory. Let The Holy Spirit show us when things are off and tell us what to pray and speak over our spouse. We want our marriage to honor You in all that we do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

0 Comments

Teamwork

5/13/2016

1 Comment

By nature, I am a pretty independent, do-it-yourself type of girl. Surrendering to God’s will for my life has been a process of chipping away at the pride that says “I don’t need any help”. Even at that, surrendering to the voice of God is way easier than surrendering to the voice of my husband. I’ve had to learn to trust that God speaks to him too and that God gave him to me to lead. This doesn’t mean that my husband doesn’t consult me and listen to my ideas, it just means that I was not designed to do everything myself.

Ephesians 5:20-22 (NKJV)
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.[a]
Marriage—Christ and the Church
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

During our move I was feeling a little sad because I wanted to be involved in the painting and preparing the house. My husband took off work and worked endlessly to make the house move-in-ready. It’s not that I didn’t think that he could do it, there is still a part of me that not only wants to be involved (which is okay), but also wants to supervise to make sure everything is right (which is not okay). There is a spirit of perfection that comes in to sometimes bother me causing me not to be satisfied with what is going on around me. I want my way! Lord help me! I know that God’s way is always better than mine, but sometimes it takes me a minute to realize when I’m not in alignment.

Isaiah 55:8-9(NKJV)
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

So while my husband got to “play” in our new house, I had to stay at the old house trying to pack while tending to our five children. I know that this is honorable and important, but I didn’t feel like I was a part of transitioning to our new house. I am with the kids every day and with three toddlers it is almost impossible to be extra productive.

Despite my feelings, my husband never suggests that my work is less important or easier than his. In fact, he always tells people that my job is harder than his. He goes out of his way to let me know how he appreciates everything that I do.

Proverbs 31:30(NKJV)
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Marriage is a team. Each one is different. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children. Although sometimes I feel a desire to get away into the “real world”, I know this time when they are young will go by quickly. God designed my marriage to work this way. He is teaching me new levels of trust and surrender every day. He is teaching me to be satisfied and find contentment in every situation. He is teaching me that I don’t have to be “in control” of every situation (we really don’t have control anyway, God does).

Philippians 4:11(NKJV)
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

If I didn’t stay home with the children, my husband wouldn’t be able to work the job that he loves (it’s too demanding). If my husband didn’t work the job that he has, it wouldn’t be possible (financially) for me to stay home. It works for us because God put us together as a team. As long as we stay in position and go over the playbook together (communication), then each move we make flows smoothly. If we get distracted and start trying to step into another position, then we drop the ball. Sometimes we feel like our position is not as important as the other, but that is just a lie that the enemy tells to keep us from working together. Know your position. Know your season. Time goes by quickly. When you stay in alignment with God’s plan, then surely you will prosper!

Father, we thank You for our marriage. We thank You that You put us together as a perfect team. Forgive us for pride and discontentment that keeps us from staying in position. Help us know our role and how You designed our marriage to flow. We want to be in alignment with the purpose that You have for our marriage. Deliver us from the things that keep our marriage from prospering. Grow us in new levels of love trust and faith. Make us examples of marriage that reflect You and Your church. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

1 Comment

<<Previous

Forward>>

SECRET GARDEN

Shut Down The Accuser!

Love Your Spouse Challenge

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

No Ball And Chain

Unity In Marriage

The Best Father's Day Gift

Solitude

Love Yourself!

Share Everything!

Teamwork

Bonnie Kay Rimpson

Archives

Categories

﻿SECRET GARDEN﻿

Bonnie Kay Rimpson

Archives

Categories

SECRET GARDEN