WHY ME, LORD?

How do we test our love for God; i.e., how do we know that we really love God?  Study the Word:  "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected ..."  (I John 2:5)  "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ..."  (John 14:21)  "... If a man love me, he will keep my words ..."  (John 14:23)  Even in the midst of heart-breaking circumstances, we have to examine ourselves.  Are we keeping His Word by our actions and thoughts?  Are our responses and life-style patterns biblical?

How do we determine that we are "called according to his purpose"?  Consider the issue of family reconciliation.  We know that God's design is to have families dwell together in unity - to forgive one another as many times as necessary in one day, to love one another "in the fear of the LORD" (biblically).  He has given all of us the responsibility to perform our part to reconcile - until death us do part:  "... and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation."  (II Corinthians 5:18)  "And they twain shall be one flesh:  so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."  (Mark 10:8,9)

BEWARE OF THE "SPIRIT OF SLUMBER"; TEST TO SEE IF YOU HAVE IT!

Perhaps your mate has been given the "spirit of slumber" - temporarily - for God's greater purpose.  Why might this have happened?  Study Romans 11:8,11:   "(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."  "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall?  God forbid:  but rather through their fall salvation is come ..."  Isaiah records that the people of Israel were given a "spirit of deep sleep" - a judgment of slumber as they were resolved to continue in sin.  (Isaiah 29:9,10)  This meant that they had eyes that could not see spiritually and ears that could not hear God's Word.  They saw Christ but did not believe in Him; i.e., did not obey His commandments.  They heard His Word, but did not receive it.  It was, therefore, as if they neither saw nor heard.  Of all judgments, spiritual ones should be those most feared.  They make the least noise but have horrible eternal consequences.  "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."  (II Thessalonians 2:10-12)

FIGHT ADVERSITY GOD'S WAY

There is no one who cannot be touched by the love of Jesus.  This love can be channeled through you if you are willing to pay the price to stand in the gap; to pray and intercede for loved ones; to "... fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives [husbands], and your houses."  (Nehemiah 4:14)  Through the power of prayer and using the weapons of warfare (Study Ephesians 6:10-18.), the lost can be brought into the kingdom because of the power of God, even when they seem most hardened, blinded and obstinate.  There is not a person reading this article who was not at one time or another in his/her life, rebellious, obstinate or walking in some degree of unbelief.

Most Standards testify that they never studied the Word like they did once their spouse left the home.  (Standards are those who stand in the gap for a lost spouse through prayer, fasting and all means of intercession.  The same term applies to those who live by God's Standards as they are recorded in the Bible in other daily challenges and life's issues.)  Many have found a new way of living - one based upon a lifestyle centered on the Word and dependent upon faith for God's provisions.  For a season, perhaps your mate's "candle" has been extinguished so that yours might be lighted by the power of God which brings good out of evil; i.e., all things work together for good ... (Romans 8:28)  Then, in due season if you faint not ... (Galatians 6:9), you (and your family and/or loved ones) shall reap.  The continued light of your candle, in due season can be a means of lighting theirs [again].

DON'T LET TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCES DISCOURAGE YOUR INTERCESSION FOR LOST ONES - NOAH DIDN'T!

Don't be discouraged by your circumstances or the length of time you are called to stand in the gap.  Just this week, a call was received from a faithful woman who has been praying and interceding for her husband for 20 years.  He now wants to come back home!  Praise God!  Can you process what a miracle this is?  God hears your pleas, your crying.  He knows your heart.  Remember Noah who waited nearly a century!  He prepared (built) an ark.  Why did he do this when there had been no rain and certainly no physical signs that a flood was coming?  Hebrews 11:7 gives us the answer.  "By faith Noah ... prepared an ark to the saving of his house."  Noah's faithfulness resulted in his entire family being saved.  All others were lost in the flood.  He probably became discouraged at times, but he didn't stop the work to which the Lord had called him.  If Noah were living today, would you try to talk him out of standing for the Word of God for perhaps 100 years?  I pray that you will meditate on the faithfulness of Noah and his calling to be a "Standard" for his family.

BEING A STANDARD APPLIES TO TRAINING UP OUR CHILDREN ACCORDING TO GOD'S ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES

A principle was established in Deuteronomy, chapter six, that few families have obeyed.  Parents are called to diligently teach their children the words of God:  "... when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up ..." Study Deuteronomy 6:6-9.  Most families have not done this, and today we have generations who have no idea what the Word commands about marriage and family order.  Perhaps, the light (candle) has been put out in many families so that someone will answer God's call (warning) to come out of this "spirit of slumber" which has brought about the tragedy of over one million divorces in America every year.  We must rise up and begin to teach the adults of today and tomorrow what the Word says.  You may be holding the candle that can bring life back into your family and to many others who have been destroyed by a "spirit of slumber"  So, don't "... be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  (Galatians 6:9)

OVERBURDENED?  YOU ARE JUST THE ONE THAT GOD CAN USE IN A MIGHTY WAY IF ... !

Remember Paul who, in his weakness, was made strong!.  You may feel that you are hurting too much, have too many financial and emotional burdens to be effective.  However, you are just the person God can use.  As you reach out to others through your pain and distress, He can supernaturally mold your broken pieces into a vessel that will be able to channel love to others who are hurting.  You can best understand their hurts, fears and inclination to give up.  Or as a standard recently wrote, "Pray that I will not grow weary but will totally lean on His faithfulness."  Also, brought to mind are two young women in their twenties.  The one is struggling with the threat of having her home and car taken; yet, she, in one week ministered to two couples; one of whom was headed for divorce court; the other was divorced.  Both are now reconciled because of the biblical counsel received from one who is surrounded by difficult circumstances.

Another woman, recently divorced with four small children (in fact, she is still nursing the baby) has been instrumental in teaching others what the Bible says about marriage and divorce and is encouraging people to reconcile.  Think of the impact on families if each of us would set a goal to be such witnesses!  It's difficult to "reach out" to others when we are hurting, financially destitute, cut off from our loved ones; but that is one of the best antidotes for our hurting soul - to help others.

Contact us by e-mail if you need prayer or guidance in the above issues.

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