FW: STANDING BASICS - From Standing Firm at Rejoice Ministries

I’m passing this through because in chatting & phone conversations I have heard from those who are discouraged at their outward circumstances during this holiday season & are ready to give up already due to anger & bitterness in their hearts from the pain of this trial & listening to too many worldly people who are pawns in Satan’s chess game verbalizing negatives to make you question what is it that you are doing or even if maybe the friends & family are correct in saying that you might be slightly crazy for doing this thing called “Standing” & even some have twisted bible scripture & teachings to try to convince you that it’s ok for you to move on & start dating others

Although this article is written by a man for standing husbands this is true for us & simply think husband where the word wife is currently used

-----Original Message-----
Subject: STANDING BASICS - From Standing Firm at Rejoice Ministries

Standing Firm (Rejoice Ministries)

STANDING BASICS 3/22/03


The key principles for standing for the healing of one's marriage can be summed up in the following scripture verses...

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage;
be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

1) BE ON YOUR GUARD

Do you know the enemy you are fighting? The key in fighting any battle begins with understanding your enemy.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms." Ephesians 6:12

Satan is your enemy. Your spouse has been taken captive by Satan to do his evil will. Satan is defeated by the blood of Jesus Christ sacrificed for all sinners when He was nailed to a rough-hewn cross on Calvary. Jesus died for your sins and for the sins of your spouse. Your first line of defense against Satan is praying the Word of God over your wife and marriage.

"He too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might de-
stroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and
free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear
of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's de-
scendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in
every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful
high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement
for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he
was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Hebrews 2:14-18

Since Jesus became man, He was tempted by Satan just as we are tempted. Pray that Jesus will help your spouse see the error of their ways, softening and turning their hearts towards home.

2) STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

Faith is comprised of two components:

1) Believing that God is who He says He is and

2) Believing God will do what He says He will do.

When we believe that God will fulfill His promises, even when we do not see a physical manifestation of these promises in our lives, we are operating in faith.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:1, 6

"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do
not doubt...you can say to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself
into the sea," and it will be done. If you believe, you will
receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'" Matthew 21:21-22

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Prayer is the physical demonstration of our faith that God exists, that He hears our prayers and that He will deliver on His promises.
Faith means resting in what Christ has done for us in the past, but also means trusting Him for what He will do for us in the future.

3) BE MEN OF COURAGE

It takes courage to stand for a broken marriage. The world bombards us with quick solutions and admonitions to "get on with your life." It takes real guts to be obedient to God by standing for your marriage vows. God is on your side. He will never leave you. Be strengthened in your faith, knowing that Jesus is with you every step of the way through the trial of separation and divorce.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because
of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave
you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't
be afraid.'" Matthew 14:27

May you find encouragement in knowing that the loving Father, in union with His Son and by the power of the Holy Spirit, is waging war against Satan and his minions for the salvation of your home and family.

4) BE STRONG

An important part of standing for the healing of one's marriage is realizing that we are powerless to change our spouses. Only God can change a hardened heart. Our strength is not in our own efforts but through humbly submitting our life and our families to God's loving care.

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will
exalt him." Exodus 15:2

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
2 Samuel 22:33

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in in-
sults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I
am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

"I can do all things though him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13

Trust God to strengthen you for the battle. Depend on Him for your every need. Believe in the power of the cross and the blood shed by Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. God does not want any of His children to perish. Be strengthened in your faith to stand firm with Jesus Christ for the healing of your home.

5) DO EVERTHING IN LOVE

The hardest part of standing for the healing of one's marriage is giving up the right to be angry and bitter towards the spouse that has left you. God commands us to do everything in love.

Everything? Always? Who can live up to such a demand? Much of what we do is done in anger, pride, or out of a desire to make our spouses feel some of the pain that we are feeling.

Held up to the scrutiny of this verse, most of us would have to confess that we seldom live up to it. But through the mercy of God (who does all things in love for us), there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Dare to examine your faults and ask God for His help in being more loving towards your spouse. He gives abundantly to those who ask. And He will do it!

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...we
love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19

We can love our spouses because Christ first loved us. He is our model of perfect love, giving His life as a sacrifice for many. Can you love your wife with the love of Christ? Are you willing to die for her? Your wife will be saved through your unconditional love for her.

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more
and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory
of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are
wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For
our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal
glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Cor 4:15-17

Your decision today to love your spouse unconditionally will echo through all eternity. Future generations will be spared the pain of divorce. Stand firm in the faith. Be strong in the Lord. Do not give up. The future of your children and your children's children depend on your decision to love without counting the cost. God will bless your obedience in this, now and forever more.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful
God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of
those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:5

May the Lord bless you and give you the desires of your heart.

Dennis Wingfield

dennis@rejoiceministries.org

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The "Standing Firm" Devotional is brought to you
by...
Rejoice Marriage Ministries
P.O. Box 11242
Pompano Beach, FL 33061
http://www.rejoiceministries.org