Wednesday, October 3, 2012

WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK FROM AN AWESOME MARRIAGE?

What do you believe is holding back the awesome marriage you could be having? Are you sure? Fear is usually the main culprit for us not having the marriage of our dreams or the career we want. Some people actually have a fear of success. They fear that if their life will be too good, then it may not last. They fear what could happen instead of working on obtaining the results they want for their life and marriage. 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” Amplified Bible
 
In Luke 19: 1–9, we see that Zacchaeus had a goal; he wanted desperately to see Jesus. However, a very large crowd was in his way and being a short man he couldn't see over the crowd. Instead of him saying "Well I can't do this", "I am too short", Zacchaeus came up with a plan. Zacchaeus made a decision to see Jesus through the crowd. He decided no one would stop him. Zacchaeus expected Jesus to show up by the sycamore tree. He made a plan and followed through. He didn't allow others to dictate what he would receive from God. He didn't allow others to dictate the outcome of his dream. We must expect Jesus to show up in our marriage and in our bedroom. Tony & Alisa DiLorenzo have a great podcast on Jesus in my bedroom. Yes, Jesus is in your bedroom also. Why wouldn’t He be, God made sex for us to enjoy with each other and as a way to bring us closer together. Access the podcast here> http://www.oneextraordinarymarriage.com/130-jesus-in-my-bedroom
 
Let's now examine our marriages. Whatever barriers you believe are holding you back, no matter what they may be, they are only temporary barriers or obstacles. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus tells us to speak to our mountains. Too many times we make mountains out of molehills. Is the barrier (subject) a molehill or a mountain? Is it really worth battling with your spouse? It could just be that the barrier is worth both of you fighting for. Your marriage is worth fighting for! Fight with your spouse (not against them) to win the battle. You are on the same team.
 
No matter what, or who, Satan puts in our way, even if the doors seem closed, or barriers are in the way to accomplish your dream, be like Zacchaeus! I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippeans 4:13 NIV
 
Zacchaeus ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. Zacchaeus refused to say no. "If I can't get past the crowd I will climb that tree to see Jesus." Jesus saw Zacchaeus when he arrived at the tree; he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Jesus wanted it to stay at his house.
 
Don't let the fear of anyone or anything stop you from obtaining the marriage God has for you. Make a plan with God, be creative, and aggressively pursue a relationship with Jesus and pursue the awesome marriage God designed for you. Jesus will pass by and He will see you.
 
Jesus wants to stay in your house! It is up to us to invite Him in so we can live in the reward that He has set aside for us.

WHAT REJECTION MEANS

What does rejection mean? Rejection keeps us at a distance from those we love, like someone with an infectious disease. This is especially true for those of us who are adopted. The great news is that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are adopted into God’s family. So I am adopted twice, a double blessing so to speak.
 
Rejection is one of our greatest fears. Being rejected by someone makes us feel small, insecure and unwanted. We lose our self-confidence.
 
When a husband is rejected by his bride, he feels unwanted, unloved and unvalued. Instead of saying no, why not ask for a rain check and set a day and time to come together again intimately? Do not let Satan or his demons win the mind game they will play in your husband’s mind. Satan, our enemy, uses the pain of rejection to stop you and keep you away from the call that God has for your life. His goal is to steal, kill and destroy – your marriage, family, finances, health, etc.
 
Husbands, if we are rejecting our wife’s advances, they will feel the same as when the tables are turned on us. So, here is our homework – 1 Corinthians 7:3-4, “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.” This is never to take advantage of your spouse but to show your love for them and to bring you closer together. Becoming One Flesh Ephesians 5:31, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
 
Rejection and the fear of rejection did not stop Jesus! He was determined, and persistent in his ministry. Even to the point of death on the cross for you and me. Jesus gave us authority over Satan and his demons.
 
Jesus was moved by the Holy Spirit whether people accepted him or not. Jesus knows all about rejection. He understands how we feel when we’re rejected because he experienced it so powerfully and personally.
 
God cares about you! You are Loved, Valued and Accepted. We must show our spouse how much they are loved, valued and accepted not just by our words but also by our actions.
 
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3 God draws us to Him in the same way we are to be drawn to our spouse.
 
"These people who survived the killing. Israel, out looking for a place to rest, met God out looking for them!" God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! And so now I'll start over with you and build you up again," Jeremiah 31:3 Message Bible.
 
Are you hurt? The best medicine is God's Love + Love Others. We need to stop being selfish in the frame that we believe others owe us anything. We need to learn to care about other people and then the pain will go away.
 
Make a Decision. Live in God's Love.
 
Don't allow the rejection from a few stop you from blessing others – especially your spouse!

Friday, September 28, 2012

WHAT ARE YOU BELIEVING FOR IN YOUR MARRIAGE?

Hebrews 11: 1 tells us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” What are you certain of? We surely are certain of the sky being blue and the grass being green?
Why not be certain of having the marriage God intended? Is it the demon yelling in your ear that your spouse will never amount to anything, that they will never change, or that this is the best it will ever by in your marriage? You see, Satan loves to take a picture of where your marriage is right now and tell you that this is the pinnacle. Satan tells us to get ready because this will never get better.
First and foremost: tell Satan to take a hike! Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan” in Matthew 16:23. Jesus did not ask Peter why he said what he did. Jesus did not ask Peter if he was having a bad day. No. Jesus spoke directly to Satan. Remember, that we have that authority and we must exercise it daily.
We must use the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit, (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) and our Spiritual Gifts (Ephesians 6: 10-18) to thwart Satan’s attacks. I know some will say these gifts died with the 1st Century Church. It does not say that in the Bible. Either the entire Bible is true or all of it is false. Hint: it is all true – the living Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
If you really want your marriage to get better, here is the best way. Keep God first in our lives. By putting God first, we are seeking His will for our lives. This will help you hear the Holy Spirit speak to you on what to do next. A counselor friend says, “Do the next right thing.” Sounds easy but the world will try to rebuff your right thinking. Stand strong and then keep standing.
Put your spouse second. Many spouses put the children second by living their life through their kids. This is not respecting the husband or loving the bride. Ephesians 5:33, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” We must model the kind of marriage we want to our children. We don’t want the world modeling marriage for them. Satan is using inappropriate television shows and bad music to model the wrong kind of lifestyle to our children. They must see it at home first.
Our kids come third. Yes, third. Our role as parents is to train them up in the ways of the Lord. When they mature, 18-22, they will leave our nest and begin their own lives. Until then they are under our covering. But afterwards, we can become friends with them and give them advice – when they ask or if we see them about to go over the cliff.
Church and/or Ministry are fourth. Yes we all have a ministry whether we want one or not. It is to tell others of Jesus, to be the spouse God calls us to be, to model a Christian marriage to our kids and to teach our kids about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Verbal declarations are a great way to help set your mind on the things you are believing for. My bride and I have some we say daily. They are below. By saying them aloud, you are telling yourself, your mind, of what is to come. Remember Hebrews 11:1.
Our Declarations:
1. That we fulfill the call God has placed on our lives.
2. That our marriage is blessed by God and we are the spouse that God designed us to be.
3. That our finances are blessed and we have paid off all debt. That our finances increase because God prospers what we lay our hand to.
4. For witty ideas and inventions.
5. That we and our family walk in divine health.
6. That our children are blessed and they marry strong Christians, have a strong Christian marriage and that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are strong Christians.
God spoke the world into existence so we must speak our great marriage into existence also. Words are very powerful! That is why we are commanded to say with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and not just think it in our heads. Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Keep speaking life over your marriage!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Praise Him In The Storm With Hands Held High

A few weeks ago, the Lord told me, “Praise Me with your hands held high as Moses did in the battle with the Amalekites (Exodus 17: 8-16) praise me with your hands held high and you will win the battle.” In Ephesians 6: 10-20, Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, the helmet of salvation, breast plate of righteousness, and feet fitted with readiness. Paul then says for us to stand firm.


We must remember that the battle is spiritual. In vs. 18 Paul says to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. If you are not Spirit filled and flowing with the gift(s) of the Spirit, I urge you to read 1 Corinthians chapters 12 – 14. You will notice that chapter 13 is on love and is read at most weddings. It is not coincidence that God inserted a chapter on love between two chapters that deal with the fruits of the Spirit. God is love.

If someone tries to tell you that those gifts were just for the 1st Century church, ask them where it says that in the Bible. Then tell me because I have not been able to find it. 1 Corinthians 12: 10 states, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” This is why you and I could never give one of the gifts of the Spirit to another person. If you still do not understand how each person receives these gifts, reread vs. 10 again and then pray for God to tell you. He will.

Trying to win the battle without the gifts is like trying to swim across the Atlantic in a hurricane.

God’s promises are always yes and amen. I am so blessed to be His child.

Keep the faith and fight with the gifts. Satan is already defeated! God wins!