The Power of a Praying Wife 12/17- UPDATED *** #139 - His Relationships

[live4christp1]

Friday September 19, 2008 - His Past

Wow! Today's chapter is so good, I wish I could post the whole thing! My DH was never close to his parents, being the oldest and only child of his mom & dad. He felt more or less like a bargaining chip and to this day is not close to either of them. When we found out we were expecting our first child it was really scary for him as he wanted to be a good dad but felt like he didn't have anything to model after. He has had to learn to let God be his father and follow His ways.

Today's excerpt:

"The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn. We forget "those things which are behind" and reach "forward to those things which are ahead," and we're to "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13, 14. God is a redeemer and a restorer. We need to allow Him to be both. He can redeem the past and restore what was lost. He can make up for the bad things that have happened (Psalm 90:15). We must trust Him to do those things. We can never move out of the present into the future of what God has for us if we cling to and live in the past."

"God says we are to cry out for deliverance, walk in His ways, proclaim His truth, and then we will find freedom from our past. But sometimes there are levels of freedom to go through. Your husband may think he's gotten free of something and it will rear it's head again, leaving him feeling like he's right back where he started. Tell him not to be discouraged by that. If he has been walking with the Lord, he is probably moving into a deeper level of liberty that God wants to work in his life. Your prayers will surely gird him for the journey to greater freedom."

Today I pray for my husband to be set free from any bondage that the past has upon him. Replace his feelings of inadequacy and rejection with the knowledge and strength "that he can do all things through Christ". Give him an assurance that You are with him and will lead and guide him.

 

[live4christp1]

Today's weapons of warfare:

Isaiah 43:18, 19 - Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shallspring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

2 Corinthins 5:17 - If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 

[live4christp1]

Tomorrow's Topic - His Attitude



Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[breezy1077]

This one spoke to me today. Thanks.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Wow! What a fantastic thread! Everyone can use some encouragement throughout the day, BTW, I loved today's excert. Thanks for sharing this, I gave my book to a friend that was in need of it. It's a terrific book!

 

[debbieandroo]

Should I buy the books, or is it something I can get from the library?

Hey, Breezy --

This book is at your library --

http://catalog.columbuslibrary.org/

well, maybe not yours in Dublin but you can get it sent there from another branch.

[I am not married - and don't really plan to be anytime soon! - but I've heard wonderful things about this book - hope it helps...]

 

[live4christp1]

Saturday September 20, 2008 - His Attitude

I really needed to read this one today. DH struggles with a negative attitude. He has gotten so used to being negative that it seems almost any situation that is where his attitude goes.....almost to being intolerable. I must confess that I have not reacted well to this at instances and even remarked to him that I didn't even like to be around him any more because he was always so negative and in a bad mood, which was not the correct way to react. It's very trying at sometimes especially when trying to encourage the kids to have a good attitude about things that aren't necessarily always fun to do (like school and homework).

Todays excerpt:

"No one wants to be around a person with a bad attitude. Life is hard enough without listening to someone consantly complaining in your ear. I know a man who is so in the habit of being angry and miserable that it is his first reaction to everything - even good news. Perhaps no one ever showed him how to enjoy life. But allowing the past to control today is still a choice he makes. Because of that, not only will he never be happy, but neither will those around him. We don't want to be that kind of person, nor do we want to live with one."

"An angry, dour, unforgiving, negative person can get that way for various reasons. He stays that way because of a stubborn will that refuses to receive God's love. The Bible says we have a choice as to what we will allow into our heart (Psalm 101:4) and whether we will harden it to the love of God or not (Proverbs 28:14). We choose our attitude. We choose to receive the love of the Lord. We permit an attitude of thankfulness to rise in us."

Today I pray that the joy of the Lord be poured out upon my husband. That he would allow it to fill his heart and choose to be content, thankful, and joyful. That he would put off all negativity, that satan would not have a strong hold in this area of his life. That he would learn to enjoy the blessings that the Lord has given him instead of focusing on what he doesn't have.

 

[live4christp1]

Today's weapons of warfare

Psalm 101:2 - I will bahave wisely in a perfect way, Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

1 Corinthians 13:7 - Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Proverbs 15:13 - A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.

 

[live4christp1]

Tomorrow's Topic - His Marriage

 

[breezy1077]

Hey, Breezy --

This book is at your library --

http://catalog.columbuslibrary.org/

well, maybe not yours in Dublin but you can get it sent there from another branch.

[I am not married - and don't really plan to be anytime soon! - but I've heard wonderful things about this book - hope it helps...]

Thank you so much!!!! I really appreciate this - I'm going this afternoon to see if it's there.

Today's weapons of warfare

Psalm 101:2 - I will bahave wisely in a perfect way, Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

1 Corinthians 13:7 - Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Proverbs 15:13 - A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.

Wow, did I ever need to read this one today. DH recently went on meds for ADD - that's helped his negativity A LOT, but the meds don't help everything. So, I'm going to have him read your last two posts and I'm going to use the passages to help us in our "outloud" prayers tonight.

Thanks OP!

 

[live4christp1]

Good morning everyone! We have end of year physical inventory this weekend so I am here instead of at church.

Sunday September 21, 2008 - His Marriage

DH and I have had major ups and downs in our marriage. Some of the same issues that almost everyone faces, job stress, financial stress, etc. Others have been really devastating blows and I can honestly say that without knowing Jesus and having a relationship with Him I don't think that we could have withstood some of the issues. There have been instances were I have done everything humanly possible to fix situations that only got worse.....it wasn't until I finally brought it to the Lord and said, "Lord, I have tried everything I know to do, I can't do any more, if this is going to change You are going to have to do it." For me, prayer was what I held fast to through those times, when it seemed like my world was spinning out of control I found peace and comfort in prayer.

Today's excerpt:

"Marriage is great when two people enter into it with a mutual commitment to keep it strong no matter what. But often a couple will have preconceived ideas about who the other is and how married life is supposed to be, and then reality hits. That's when their kingdom can become divided. You have to continually pray that any unreal expectations be exposed and all incompatibilities be smoothed out so that you grow together in a spirit of unity, commitment, and a bond of intimacy. Pray that your marriage is a place where two agree so God will be in the midst of it (Matthew 18:19 & 20). If either of you has been married before, pray that you do not bring any residue from that into your marriage now. Break any ties - good or bad, emotional or spiritual - with any former relationships. You can't move forward into the future if you have a foot stuck in the past."

"Don't take your marriage for granted, no matter how great it is. "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" 1 Corinthians 10:12. Pray for your marriage to be protected from any person or situation that could destroy it. Ask the Lord to do whatever it takes to keep the marriage intact, even if it means striking one of you with lightning when you think about giving it all up! Pray that God will make your marriage a source of joy and life to both of you, and no a drudgery, a thorn, a dread, an irritation, or a temporary condition."

Today I pray for my marriage to be protected from neglect and attack. I pray that it will be a source of joy and that we would both enjoy to be in the others company and not seek refuge somewhere else. Help us to be knit together through the love of God and build a strong foundation that will withstand the test of time.

 

[live4christp1]

Today's weapons of warfare

Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

 

[live4christp1]

Tomorrow's topic - His Emotions

 

[live4christp1]

Just wanted to say and to all of you who are reading along and to those of you who join in with posting. You are a huge encouragement to me to keep going. This book has been a tremendous blessing to me and I enjoy sharing it. Hope each of you is blessed in the same by reading.

In His Service,
Cristy

 

[live4christp1]

Monday September 22, 2008 - His Emotions

My DH can get very angry very quickly. While he is never physical, he can say some pretty cutting things and sometimes when addressing the children, it's not even really the words that are bad, just the tone. He knows it is a struggle and I realize it's an area of his life that I need to continually cover with prayer.

Today's excerpt:

"Anger and depression are but two of the many negative emotions that can torment a man's soul. Often they are only an habitual way of thinking that has been given place over time. Men tend to believe it's part of their character that can't be altered, but these patterns can be broken. Don't stand by and watch our husband be manipulated by his emotions. Freedom may be just a prayer away."

Today I have opted to post the prayer at the end of the chapter in the book:

"Lord, You have said in Your Word that You redeem our souls when we put our trust in You (Psalm 34:22). I pray that (husband's name) would have faith in You to redeem his soul from nagative emotions. May he neer be controlled by depression, anger, anxiety, jealousy, hopelessness, fear, or suicidal thoughts. Specifically I pray about (area of concern). Deliver him from this and all other controlling emotions (Psalm 40:17). I know that only You can deliver and heal, but use me as Your instrument of restoration. Help me not to be pulled down with him when he struggles. Enable me instead to understand and have words to say that will bring life. Free him to share his deepest feelings with me and others who can help. Liberate him to cry when he needs to and not bottle his emotions inside. At the same time, give him the gift of laughter and ability to find humor in even serious situations. Teach him to take his eyes off his circumstances and trust in You, regardless of how he is feeling. Give him patience to possess his soul and the ability to take charge of it (Luke 21:19). Anoint him with "the oil of joy" (Isaiah 61:3), refresh him with Your Spirit and set him free from negative emotions this day."

 

[breezy1077]

Thanks for this one. It's an issue with DH as well. In fact, last night I had him watch the Joel Osteen show - it had to do with this very topic. About control over emotions and not letting anyone or anything steal our joy.

Thank you - I look forward to your topics everday!

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm still here, still praying. Thanks so much for doing this.

 

[live4christp1]

Today's weapons of warfare

Proverbs 28:26 - He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Psalm 33:18 & 19 - The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death.

Psalm 34:22 - The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

 

[live4christp1]

Tomorrow's topic: His Walk

 

[live4christp1]

Tuesday September 23, 2008 - His Walk

My DH is a very giving person. He has always given of his time and gifts to the church and to others. I've always said that I'm proud of the person his is as he sets an example for our kids of not just preaching it but walking it. He isn't just saying someone needs to do this and this but he's in there doing. That is a big part of his walk, but I know that each of if we examine our lives could do so much more to improve our walks as reflected in today's chapter.

Today's excerpt:

"A man's walk is the way he journeys through life - his direction, his focus, the steps he takes. Every day he chooses a path. One path will take him forward. All others will take him back. The way he walks affects every aspect of his being - how he relates to other people, how he treats his family, how people view him, even how he looks. I've seen men who were unattractive by any standard change radically as they learned to walk with the Spirit of God. As His image became imprinted upon theirs, they developed a richness of soul, a glorious purity, and an inner confidence of knowing what direction they were going. This gave them strength and a sense of purpose that is not only attractive and appealing, it's magnetic."

"God desires that your husband's every step be led by Him (Galations 5:25), so He can walk with him and grow him into His image. A man who walks with God is very desirable indeed."

Today I pray that my husband seek the Lord's direction in every aspect of his life. That he would listen to the prompting and direction of you. That he would learn to trust the path that You have prepared and not try to force things to his will.