Archive for devotional
The Safety Net – Part 4
Posted by: | CommentsWhat about major wrongs?
No question—there are some hurts, such as adulterous affairs or a spouse‘s addiction to pornography, that are extremely difficult to forgive and get over. There may always be some pain and distrust in the person‘s heart that has been so deeply offended. But we are still commanded by God to move beyond the circumstances and forgive.
That does not let the other person off the hook for completing necessary restitution and demonstrating repentance. Some boundaries may need to be erected in the relationship to prevent the sinful behavior from happening again. An intervention by a pastor, counselor, or mature friend may be required to make the sting of pain from the sin felt so sharply that the offending partner/spouse will finally realize that the behavior has to change. No one should be allowed to continue perpetrating serious harm on a mate.
Ultimately, though, forgiveness must rule. Anyone who says, “I cannot forgive you,” really means, “I choose not to forgive you.” If forgiveness seems impossible at that point, if prayer and reading the Scriptures do not seem to work, go to another person. Seek out a wise counselor—an elder at your church, a wise Bible teacher, a same-sex friend to confide in—and say, “Can you help me get beyond this?”
As Christians, we do not have the option of becoming embittered with our partner/spouses. The result of obeying God and forgiving is not bondage, but freedom. Ruth Bell Graham said it well, “A good partnership/marriage is the union of two forgivers.”
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Courtesy Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife
Bedtime Prayer
Posted by: | CommentsFrom the book “Walking with God” by John Eldredge
My dear Lord Jesus I come to you now to be restored in you and to renewed in you. And to receive you and your life and to take refuge in you (psalms 91) I honor you as my sovereign God and I surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you.
I give you my body soul and spirit my heart mind and will.
I cover myself with your blood and your holy spirit to restore my union with you.
Renew me in you and lead me in this time of prayer.
I now bring the kingdom of God and the authority of Jesus Christ over our home, our bedroom, our children, and anyone sleeping all through the hours of this night and the new day.
I bring the full work of the lord Jesus Christ throughout my home tonight the atmosphere in every room and over every object and every furnishing and ceilings, walls, floors and all places from the land beneath to the roof above to the borders of my domain.
Galatians 6:13. In the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. I bring the full work of Christ between me and all people now, their spirit, soul, and body, their sin, their warfare ( listen for people that God brings to mind)
I command the judgment if the Lord Jesus Christ on every foul power and every black art. I bring the cross and the blood of Christ. I bring his resurrection and his life. I bring His authority rule and dominion against every hex, vex and incantation, against every spell, against all rituals, all ritual devises all satanic rituals and satanic ritual devices, against every vow, dedication and sacrifice, against every word every judgment and every curse.
I send it all to the abyss in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and in his name.
Next. I want to name the spirits that are assaulting me ¤¤¤ Example. Fear, discouragement and depression, or anger rage, lust ( Mark 5:1-13) I now bring the lord Jesus Christ and the fullness of his work against Satan and his kingdom. I bring the cross the, resurrection and ascension, of Jesus Christ, against every foul and unclean spirit, every ruler power authority and spiritual force of wickedness. (Ephesians chap6:12)
I command all foul and unclean spirits, bound from my home together with all their underlings be removed from my house, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
And so I announce the Kingdom of God over our home this night and I summon the angels of the Lord Jesus Christ and ask them to build the shield of protection around us and our home and we ask your spirit to fill my home tonight with your presence and to go forth and raise up prayer and intercession for us tonight ALL of this I pray in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ and to his glory. AMEN
The Safety Net – Part 3
Posted by: | CommentsCourtesy Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife
Granting forgiveness is difficult, too
As difficult as it is to ask for forgiveness, it‘s no walk in the park to grant forgiveness when you have been wronged. I often advise any relationship to take out a joint membership in the Seventy Times Seven Club.
This club began when Peter asked Jesus how many times we must forgive one another. Peter wondered if seven times would be enough? Christ answered, “No, seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21–22). In other words, forgive an infinite number of times, not just when you feel like it.
You can tell whether you have forgiven your partner/spouse by asking yourself one question: Have I given up my desire to punish my partner/spouse? When you lay aside that desire and no longer seek revenge, you free your partner/spouse and yourself from the bonds of your anger. Forgiveness cannot be conditional.
Once you forgive, that‘s it. Feelings may still be raw, and it is not hypocritical to not feel like forgiving your spouse. If someone has hurt you, you can choose to forgive immediately but still be processing feelings of disappointment or rejection. Forgiveness is a choice, an act of the will—not an emotion. It may take a while for your feelings to catch up with your will. But your will needs to respond to the scriptural mandate to forgive your spouse.
In Part 4, the final installment of this series The Safety Net, we’ll discover how to handle “major wrongs”. Subscribe to the feed so you won’t miss it! And join our Facebook community page to be known and needed for family, marriage & parenting skills and sharing.
