|
Abigail's
Newsletter |
November 3, 1999 |
| How do I trust God? How do you trust God? Is
our hope in Him? Would you still trust God if your husband died? or was disabled? Would
you feel betrayed? Trust is not always easy. But if we
remind ourselves of the attributes of God. God is just, loving, caring, all powerful
(omnipotent), eternal, supreme (sovereign), all knowing (omniscient), righteous and holy,
unchanging (immutable), everywhere (omnipresent), and truth. By looking at and studying
the attributes of God, we remember that God is worthy of all our trust, especially when we
do not understand. |
When I fully believe that God is loving,
omniscient and omnipotent, then I trust that He will do what is best: He knows what is
best, He has the power to do it, and He loves me. We also worship God because of who He
is: righteous and holy, eternal and immutable. God deserves all of our praise. Study the
attributes of God. Find scripture to impress upon your heart how God cares for you, never
changes, is the truth, supreme, holy and just. As you memorize the scripture, your trust
in God will grow. Trust God, so that you may say:
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." (v15 KJV) |
" 'Keep silent and let me speak; then let
come to me what may.
14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to
his face.
16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare
come before him!
17Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say.
18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.' "
Job 13:13-19 (NIV) |
|
November 17, 1999 |
| We may receive benefits from doing good to
others (v 2) but we should not do it for the blessings, but out of obedience to God. It
may be the same for marriage. God has ordained that the two shall become one, not just
when it is easy, or when the couple is thinking as one in times of love and romance, but
also when husband and wife are not in agreement, when it takes much work and effort to be
in the same room, let alone 'as one.' God wants us to bear fruit in our marriage, and the
fruit does not come without work. There will be many blessings as a result of hard work
and support through tough times. Our love should be
first to God, then to our husbands' and family. Out of this love, our marriage will grow
stronger. |
Love is a decision, not a feeling. I must
decide to love my son, even when his actions are not lovable. I must choose to love my
husband, especially when he does things that I do not like, or when we are not feeling
well. Love takes a decision of the will to love, and then action upon that decision. Honoring marriage is much more than just sexual morality (v 4).
Honoring marriage includes supporting others in their marriage relationship, whether it be
parents, friends, or children. Offer to babysit for a friend to have a date with her
husband. Encourage your parents to strengthen their marriage, and don't come between any
husband and wife. |
"Keep on loving each other
as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people
have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you
were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were
suffering.
4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God
will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free
from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
'Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.'
6So we say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?'"
Hebrews 13:1-6 (NIV) |
|
| Your husband is looking forward to some time off, time to be alone with
you. He has planned the time, and is excited to plan the whole day together. But you wake
up on the wrong side of the bed. You hold back. The sadness, and even tears in your eyes
show your moodiness about the day ahead. A friend or acquaintance pulls you aside and
prays for you. She points out that it is Satan, the deceiver, trying to destroy marital
camaraderie. Your mood can be the devil's tool, and make your time together less than God
wants it to be. You open your eyes and see God's purposes for glory in your marriage. |
Don't be pulled down, or away from your husband, by moods or other tools
of the devil. Know that by sharing your thankfulness with family, friends, or just with
God, can lift your spirit and bring you closer to God, and to your husband. Thank God for
your marriage and family. Thank Him for everything that brings you closer. I thank God
for a wonderful and understanding husband, who is helpful around the house, as well as
earning a paycheck. He loves my daughter as well as our son, and shows us his love daily.
God has blessed me with a husband and family that are beyond words. Praise God. |
"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in
the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a
new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6And
this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the
beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
7Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out
into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch out that you do
not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully."
II John 4-8 (NIV) |
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