It's Sunday Morning Again... Can You Relate?

It’s Sunday morning again.  You get into your car and drive to church – again – alone.

I attend a couple’s class at our church.  I used to be in a women’s Bible study group years ago, but since I have been attending my current church, my husband has attended services on occasion with me. He is comfortable with our pastor and is familiar with some couples that we knew from another congregation.  I say all that to say this: Then why do I feel so out of place in church?

When our son was young, or when he was older still living at home, it seemed easier to go to church and not get distracted by couples sitting in the pews.  Now that we are empty-nesters – it seems that I have become increasingly more aware of the fact that we are not worshiping together.  We’re not even sitting in church together – much less worshiping together.  I struggle with wandering and sometimes inappropriate thoughts.

In II Corinthians 10:4-6 Paul tells us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

 To my husband’s credit – he does attend services with me on occasion.  He has joined me in attending a class social or couples dinner outing – albeit reluctantly.  He just doesn’t have a desire to fellowship with believers or be in a church setting.  I have stopped trying to play Spiritual Shrink or Holy Ghost Investigator when it comes to “why?”

Truth be known, it was somewhat easier for me in years past when I attended a women’s only Bible study because we supported each other in prayer, in fellowship and in mentoring.  It was more comfortable to be surrounded by other women who didn’t have spousal spiritual support.  Now I find myself feeling like a fish out of water, or you could say – out of “living water”.

I often feel like a salmon, swimming furiously upstream – trying to leap over the rapids of “happily married couples” and the rocks of “you can be happy too!” mentality in my quest to reach safety.  I know in my mind and heart that God loves me and I press into Him all the more when I feel discouraged.  But there are times during the church service when I struggle to keep my focus on the preacher’s message – and simply look around at all the “couples” in church.  Please, tell me I’m not alone…

Back to II Corinthians 10:  in a spiritual sense - I shake my head and gather my thoughts once again. I sit and re-evaluate what’s going on in my mind and feelings, and give it over to God. 

I take time to thank God for my salvation and thank Him for such a good man He gave to me 30 years ago for a husband – though I didn’t come to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior until 7 years into this marriage.  

 I regain my focus as I tune-in to my pastor’s sermon and re-adjust my thinking to align once again with what God’s Word tells me about my situation at home.

I recall to my mind I Peter 3:1-4, and how it is my “inner” woman that will attract my husband to Jesus Christ.  The years of seeking to know God better, attending church, working on my Bible studies, praying, helping others and living out my faith – that is what is drawing him closer to the Savior.  My Spirit woman will draw him nearer to the God who created him for fellowship. 

I consider what I Corinthians 7:13-14 has to say concerning the unbelieving spouse, and how they are sanctified by the believing spouse. If the unbeliever desires to stay in the marriage, the believer is obligated to dwell with them in love and devotion – as unto the Lord.

This verse in I Samuel speaks to me regarding the above scenario: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (vs. 22).  The Lord spoke to my heart that my obedience to Him in loving and being devoted to my husband – regardless if he is a believer or not – is better than my “sacrifice” of living in an unequally-yoked marriage.  

 I do not have the right to play the victim and feel sorry for myself.  I do not have the right to hold it against him.  I must love him with the love of Christ and let God move in his heart and mind.  I must concentrate on my obedience to what God has for me to do as a godly wife and helpmeet.  I must keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and not on my circumstances or feelings.

(Here is an excerpt from  MISSION POSSIBLE  Chapter 6 - In the Meantime, Serve)

Beware, that while you are busy serving and waiting, often the enemy will delight in torturing you with thoughts of defeat. You’ll be sitting in church, watching the other couples and think, “Lord, what about them?” “They’ve got each other, Lord…” “When is it going to be my turn?”

 And the Lord would answer me, “What is that to you? You follow me.” The Apostle Peter questioned the Lord about John and Jesus told him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me” (John 21:21-22). We need to have an attitude of gratitude and not question God’s authority and sovereignty. We are human and we will have days when we’re discouraged and down, but we must encourage ourselves in the Lord as David did in Psalm 42:11, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” If we never had anything else to praise God for except our salvation, we should be a most grateful people!

This past Sunday was no different than many previous Sundays, except for the fact that I caught myself doing exactly what I mentioned earlier in this article.  But this time I looked around and said to myself, “It sure will be great to sit here with my husband, Lord, and worship You together. So glad You’re working in his life and heart.” 

What a relief it is to give it all to HIM…

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

It's Sunday Morning Again... Can You Relate?

Hope of the Resurrection: The Living Dead

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25)

Webster’s definition of resurrection is this: the rising of Christ from the dead; the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment.

Death has finality. It means an abrupt ending of one’s life. A certain step into eternity.

What does the Resurrection mean to you?

Here is a familiar passage from Luke 24:46-49 –

Then [Jesus] said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endured with power from on high.”

Oswald Chambers sums it up this way:

Our Lord’s Resurrection destiny is to bring “many sons unto glory.” We are never in the relationship to God that the Son of God is in; but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship. – My Utmost for His Highest

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become children of the Most High God. We are adopted into the family of God. His love prepared the way for us to be reconciled to Him. I John 3:1-2 says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

One day we will have a glorious resurrection body, but we can also now know the joy of His resurrection and walk in the newness of life. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I would know Him in the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).

Once we have buried the old sin nature and taken on the new man in Christ, we will begin to live in the realm of the supernatural saint. Paul tells us in Romans 6:5, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” The resurrection life consists of total reliance on the nature of the resurrected Christ.

Paul again stresses the importance of Christ’s resurrection in I Corinthians 15:13-14; 16-19, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain… For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

Lastly, Christ’s resurrection gives us the opportunity of witnessing to others and sharing how the gospel has an eternal impact on souls. Peter exhorts us, saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time… But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (I Peter 1:3-5; 15)

The final stanza in the hymn Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain, joyfully proclaims Christ as King Immortal. The ancient music and words was composed by John of Damascus in the eighth century. It was later translated from Greek into English by the prolific scholar John Mason Neale in the 1800’s for the modern church.

                                                              

 “Alleluia!” now we cry

To our King immortal,

Who, triumphant, burst the bars

Of the tomb’s dark portal;

“Alleluia” with the Son,

God the Father praising;

“Alleluia!” yet again

To the Spirit raising.

 

 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com 

Hope of the Resurrection: The Living Dead

Mom, you DO have the greatest influence on your children...

Statistically, women who attend church alone with their children are on the rise. 

Women’s Sunday school classes are flourishing. Why is this trend so prevalent across the spectrum of Christian denominations? Theories range from the lack of strong, spiritual leadership by the husband in the home, to absentee fathers, to women being more open to the spiritual things of God. No matter the reasons, women make up a larger percentage of regular attendance in most churches – oftentimes alone, with their children in tow.

Barna, a popular Christian research group had this to say, “Moms are more religiously active. In a typical week, mothers are more likely than are fathers to attend church, pray, read the Bible, participate in a small group, attend Sunday school, and volunteer some of their time to help a non-profit organization. Women in America have high levels of spiritual sensitivity and engagement.” 

As a new Christian, I was eager to go to church – and at first, it was just my young son and myself. My husband wasn’t interested in going with us. I had made a decision for Christ, and I intended to keep it! We attended most services and enjoyed the fellowship with other believers.  Just remember, your conversion is personal. It is a revelation given to you, and you alone. God draws us by His Spirit, and we follow Him into our relationship one by one. There are no family conversions, except each member responds individually to God’s invitation (Acts 16:31-34) Here is a post I wrote concerning true salvation  A Bona Fide Convert

In scripture, there are several examples of mothers who influenced their children by being Godly examples. One of my favorites is Hannah, the mother of Samuel, who became a great prophet to Israel. I Samuel 1-2 tell us that Samuel was an answer to prayer, and a gift of faith to his mother. Hannah had only a short time to shape his understanding of who God was. She had made a vow to the Lord to dedicate him to God’s service. She would wean him and leave him with Eli the priest to serve at the temple in Shiloh. Hannah, no doubt, spent much time with young Samuel, sharing her love of God and the nation’s historical narrative as any mom would – in story-telling. She most likely prayed with him and sang hymns. She most likely shared age-appropriate things with him regarding sacred religious feasts, festivals and rituals. Samuel grew up before the Lord and pleased Him in his service. Even at a young age Samuel heard God’s voice, which was rare in those days. God used him mightily, and according to God’s leadership and direction, he became the kingmaker, anointing both Saul and David.

Another great example of a mother’s influence is in II Timothy 1:5. Paul recalls Timothy’s upbringing by his mother Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. The name Timothy means “honoring God,” and it was probably given to him by his mother. Timothy was born in the province of Galatia, the offspring of a mixed marriage between a Greek father and a Jewish mother (Acts 16:1). While growing up, Timothy was taught the Scriptures by his believing mother and grandmother. He certainly sang hymns, participated in Christian first century practices and traditions, and learned the power of prayer from his Godly role models. He was most likely led to Christ by Paul, later circumcised by him, and was Paul’s missionary companion for much of the rest of his ministry. Paul later considers Timothy to be his closest disciple, and often referred to him as his “son in the faith”.

While you are serving the Lord at church, be mindful of your spouse and home situation. Be discerning, not disruptive. Walk in love and wisdom. Approach your new found faith with enthusiasm, but give yourself permission to “stay at home” on occasion for a family outing or special time together. Be a Godly role model to your children, but don’t use your church attendance or them as a form of punishment against your spouse and their lack of interest.

Pray with your children for your spouse in a way that honors them and glorifies God. Lift them up to Him in a loving, meaningful way, that your children may see your devotion them, and your genuine concern for their salvation (all age-appropriate, of course). Provide spiritual nourishment to your children by memorizing simple scripture verses, reading bible stories, and talking about what God is doing in your life on a daily basis. Always be ready to use everyday situations as “teaching moments”.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” There is no guarantee that your children will serve the Lord all their days, but there is no doubt that using your influence for Christ, at any age, will certainly sow seed for others to water, and for God to bring the increase…

My book "Mission Possible" addresses many difficulties in an unequally-yoked marriage.  You can preview my book here:  AMAZON

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It was written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

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Mom, you DO have the greatest influence on your children...