I absolutely loved today's reading and the story about the couple helping others and using their marriage as a ministry. I also really never thought about how God chose Justin just for me to be my gift and my counterpart. Sometimes in the midst of an argument I have had negative thoughts like God why didn't you give me someone that is/does/has _____________. I feel ashamed for those not so great moments in which Satan attacks me and my thoughts about my husband. Justin and I had a great time at our new Life Group last night. The study we are doing there relates a lot to what Jennifer talks about in today's video. It is called "Twisting the Truth" by Andy Stanley. It is all about the schemes of evil and Satan.I think my eyes are really starting to be opened to instances that our marriage is under attack. Does anyone else see that in their marriage at certain times? I wanted to share this verse about safeguarding against Satan's silly tactics.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
Ephesians 6: 13-16
I am just getting ready to meet Justin for lunch in about 5 minutes. I can't want to see him and view him as this amazing gift God picked out just for me! I am going to do exactly what the challenge for today is! HUG HIM! I am also going to start praying for God to use our marriage as a ministry. I know God has a purpose and plan for us and God also gives us resources and talents to bless others. Have you guys ever thought about what your spiritual gifts/talents might be to bless others through your marriage?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM-n_GYXmUc
Here's another quote from another wife I really liked:
from Rebecca Anton:
"I know at times I have
thanked God for my husband. I have even told my husband that I thank God
for him. But I have not had the perspective that he was a gift for me,
CHOSEN by God. When I choose gifts for people, I choose them because I
think "Oh this is perfect! That is soooo "So and so"! Thinking of my
husband in this way was such a "lightbulb" moment. I will strive to
always view him as the perfect chosen gift from God."
Trina, thank you for your post today. You hit the nail on the head for me multiple times. I loved today's reading as well. It was so heartwarming about the couple at the gas station, but also the scripture and the context Jennifer put it all in for us.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the bigger picture of my marriage continuing to become more clear for me each day. I mean, God chose Torey for me and blessed me with Torey as a perfect gift. Obviously, he is not seen as a perfect gift in my eyes 100% of the time. I also now realize that Satan is involved some of the time as well (thanks Trina for the verse). But, overall, my perspective of Torey, of me, and of us and where it all began is different. It was all in God's design and God's plan. He knew that we were gifts for one another from the moment we became acquaintances, then friends, then husband and wife. He blessed each of us with the gift of one another. How cool is that?
I also really enjoyed the thought of bringing this big concept back to God by your attitude and how you might or might not be accepting your gift in your husband. I have to be honest and tell you that I have not always felt thankful for Torey and I know there have been times I have taken him for granted. But to know that Eve was created specifically for Adam by God and Torey was created as my soulmate by God and God has given this gift to me, I will appreciate my gift fully and treat Torey with thankfulness.
The last part of today's devotional that I wanted to touch on is that I struggle with ministry. I struggle in the sense that I don't know when I am being called to do something by God. Maybe I am thinking a little too deeply into this, but I mentioned it as one of my prayers that God makes my heart a little more sensitive to ministry. I also pray that God shows Torey His truths about ministry in our marriage and together we can become a deeply rooted team of God's ministry.
Oh, I almost forgot! Trina, I loved this quote from you.. "I know God has a purpose and plan for us and God also gives us resources and talents to bless others."
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of our talents and resources as being a means to bless others, but now I do. Thank you!
I have to admit that I have not always viewed my husband as a "gift." It is hard to admit that I have sometimes questioned why God decided that we should be together in the first place. However, I have realized that we balance one another out. He is the one that keeps me grounded and helps me to see the bright side of every situation. He is a true "gift" that I would never want to return.
ReplyDeleteI also realized through this reading that love is not based on performance. I should love and respect my husband, not because he earned it, but because he deserves it as my partner in life.
I am absolutely LOVING this devotional!
ReplyDeleteThis is a bit off topic for today, but I just want to share how great God is. Over the past four days, God has really revealed some things to me regarding the purpose of our marriage. For the longest time, I never understood why we had to endure so many years of struggle and heartache within our marriage. I don't think that God allowed all of the negative things to happen, but because we were following our own plan for our marriage, it literally fell apart. So what did God do? He brought us back to Him, restored our marriage, and now allows us to use our experience to help others. How amazing is that?!
Back on subject now...Lately, I find myself thanking God more and more for blessing me with such a hard working and dedicated husband. However, I never perceived it as God choosing Chris to be a gift specifically for me. This revelation is powerful and explains how our marriage survived against all odds.
Trina, yes, I consider many of our issues (past and present) as attacks from Satan. He knows just when and how to intervene. For us, it is when we are not intentional about placing God at the center of our marriage. For example, we know that not investing in our marriage through community group is not an option anymore. We have made every excuse there is as to why we don't have time to commit to community group (Satan at work again), but we have learned that it's a must for our marriage.
ReplyDeleteShauna: We just joined a new Life Group and it is so important for us to go every week! Especially since Justin works on Sundays and has to miss out on church service.
ReplyDeleteTrista: you have many talents and gifts! God gives each of us different gifts so we can bless others in many ways!
ReplyDelete