The following message was posted yesterday on the private site by one of the FAM Fellowship members and since there’s so much encouragement in it, as well as in the responses from other members, I wanted to share it here, because there’s no way to read it without being blessed and encouraged! Thanks, Amy, for sharing this with us and reminding us of these important points to keep in mind as we stand against the ways of the world for our marriages. And thanks to everyone for such great responses!

“This morning I was also thinking about Diane and her husband. And I started to think about comments made to me continuously by friends and family. The same comments I know you have all heard. “If it’s not in God’s will, it won’t happen.” “If your husband doesn’t WANT to change, there is nothing God can do.” And on and on and on; lies, all of them. But, at times, we let those lies get to us, don’t we? Just look at Diane’s situation. A month ago, her husband would have none of it. He was done; it was over; it could never be repaired. He was never going to be lying around on that couch again! But it’s all different now, huh? And from what I see, even her husband is surprised at what is going on! Well first, we KNOW it IS God’s will for all of our marriages to be restored. Problem solved. Second, do you think that (name omitted) would be so flabbergasted by what is happening if he had already sat down and decided that this is what he wanted? Do you honestly think that he would be surprised at the events taking place if he had made up his mind, got down and said “God, restore my marriage!”? Nope. God didn’t care if (name omitted) wanted to change or not. He didn’t care if (name omitted) wanted to come back to his wife or not! What God cared about was simply (name omitted) and what HE knew was the best path for him. And God set it up and followed through! There are many in the Bible who were completely turned around and away from their sinful lives, solely because GOD wanted it; NOT because they did. How did we come to the Lord? I would bet that there are a few of us who had not intended at all to become who we are today. But God had a different plan for us and followed through. Praise God for that! So the next time you hear “They won’t change unless they want to.”…just smile and praise God that you know the truth. :)”

Response by Robin on May 8th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Thank you, Amy, for this post! The devil is constantly on his job of discouragement. He tried to attack my mind on several occasions this week and it’s only Tuesday. Usually I get a little discouraged when I don’t hear from my husband for a few days. But I told the Lord today. “I DON’T MIND WAITING ON HIM!!!” I just begin to bless the Lord with everything that is with in me and thank him for what He is doing in our lives. This post is a reminder that God has everything under control. I put Junita Bynum’s cd in and listened to “I Don’t Mind Waiting” and had an awesome worship service with the Lord this morning. Because it’s in him that we move, breathe and have our very being. Love ya and keep ’em coming!!!!!

Response by Janet in Maryland on May 8th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Amy, I loved this. It all goes back to the Word which says, “Many are the plans in man’s heart but God will direct his steps.” (Name omitted) and all our spouses could say anything they want; God is the one who will ultimately direct their steps. There isn’t anything that our spouses could do to thwart God’s plan. God’s plan will ultimately prevail in the end.

Response by Fran on May 8th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Amy,

This message is so encouraging. Most of what was said about (name omitted)’s words and actions sound just like my (husband’s name omitted). Satan is not clever at all. He uses the same tricks and devices every time to get to us. But, we have been given the authority. Satan is under our feet. I thank God continually for all His goodness, His mercy, and His faithfulness. God is awesome. He is great and greatly to be praised.

Although I don’t know any of you very well just yet, I know that we share so much. I am truly glad to be a member of this family and I give God all the praise for all He has done; is doing, and just for whom He is. I love Him.

Response by Dan on May 8th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Such a powerful testimony, Amy. Thank you.

“I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands.” Psalm 31:14-15

This is my Joyce Meyer devotion for tonight and I thought it fit well. She goes on to say, that trust requires you to place your time in God’s hands, believing that His timing is perfect for all things in your life. Our human nature wants good things to happen now – not later. But as we mature in the Christian life, we learn to believe for things not now, but in God’s perfect timing. Trusting God often means not knowing how God is going to accomplish something and not knowing when He will do it. But not knowing “how and when” stretches our faith and teaches us lessons in trust. Remember, trust is not inherited; it is learned.

We know what God is going to do. He gives us the promise of restored marriages, but when and how is put in His capable hands, His miracle working hands!!

Response by Diane on May 9th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Thanks, Amy. And you are so right; (husband’s name omitted) is so confused about how and why this change came about. But we all know how and why, and WHO. This is so true and all we need to do is let God do the work and be obedient to HIM. Satan likes to use people to try to discourage us and then we let our own minds do it. So it is so important to take those thoughts captive and speak things that are not as though they are. Keep saying that God has promised this and He will bring it to pass. Let’s not let the devil push us around; and use the authority we have been given and push those thoughts down under our feet. Let’s put on our armor and get ready to see Gods glory all over this ministry and this world. God is moving and He is bigger than anything or anyone that tries to change His plan for our marriages. Have a blessed week and keep praising. God loves those praises. Diane

And anyone who still believes in “man’s free will” might want to check out The False Doctirne of Free Will, which is a SOF post from one year ago.

Posted Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at 9:28 pm in Seeds Of Faith.