Perhaps the most difficult natural instinct we have to overcome as we stand for the restoration of our marriages is our tendency to respond to the difficulties and challenges we face with either flight or fight. But neither reaction allows the Lord to be glorified in our lives, much less in the restoration of our marriages and families. Yet, our natural self-defense mechanisms and pride tend to make either flight or fight our first reaction, which is why we have to take those thoughts and impulses captive, making them obedient to the Lord and His word for the victory we want. And one way to do that is to ALWAYS keep 1 Peter 5:6-7 in mind, because it tells us Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. And as one of the FAM Fellowship members reminded us last night on the private site, we have to remember and rely on the awesome promise in Isaiah 26:3, which says You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. And Joshua 1:9 tells us Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

All this past week, we’ve been blessed with similar messages on all of our favorite programs about the power of God’s word when it’s sown in our hearts and when we speak it aloud in faith, and the absolute necessity of trusting God no matter what. And Joyce Meyer’s TV broadcast message this morning was one of the best I’ve ever heard about trusting the Lord and relying on Him for vindication when we’re going through difficult times or when we’ve been wronged by others. And she makes the same point several of our members have reminded us of in the last few days, which is that we go through the things we do for others; for the restoration and deliverance of our loved ones; and for our children and others who are watching us. Some times we have to suffer through difficult times for the glory of the Lord and for the benefit and furtherance of His kingdom, because that IS what we signed on for when we accepted the name of Christ. But that’s not popular doctrine and it’s certainly not preached or taught very often. And that’s why so many of us were caught totally off guard and unprepared when all hell broke loose in our homes and marriages. Joyce uses a lot of powerful scripture references and makes some very profound points, so be prepared to take notes as you listen to A Trusting Attitude – Part II. And you might want to listen to A Trusting Attitude – Part I too.

Then Creflo Dollar’s TV broadcast message this morning is a perfect compliment to Joyce’s, because he even covers some of the same passages of scripture and confirms topics covered on the site earlier this week, such as the power of speaking God’s word out loud and relying on angels for protection and deliverance as they work to accomplish God’s will and purpose. That’s confirmed in Psalm 103:20 (NKJV), which says Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. And the amazing power of angels to guard and protect us is confirmed in Psalm 91:9-16, which says If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge-then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” And what an AWESOME example we find of exactly how that works in Acts 12:4-11! So here’s Creflo Dollar’s message, How to Get Angels to Work for You, which will be very helpful as we strive to be more steadfast about putting our trust in the Lord and relying on the power of His angels to protect, defend and deliver us! So be blessed and encouraged!

Posted Friday, January 19th, 2007 at 2:45 pm in Seeds Of Faith.