As so often happens in the FAM Fellowship, we’ve had a definite theme running through our midst this week, which was “It doesn’t matter!” And we praise the Lord, because we’ve seen yet another restored marriage proving that!

That came about, because it’s what I’m known to say when someone starts telling me all about this an that; and since it’s all stuff that is totally contrary to the Word and promises of God, it doesn’t matter! IF we truly believe the Word of God and all of the verses of scripture we love to quote; when we encounter situations and circumstances the devil intends to sow seeds of doubt, discouragement and disobedience, we have two choices. We can go down the road with Satan and those thoughts as we focus on the situation or circumstance, or we can take our thoughts captive, which means arresting them, stopping them dead in their tracks. And the quickest and easiest way to do that is to say “It doesn’t matter!” Then once we’ve taken the thoughts captive, we’re able to MAKE them obedient to Christ through the power and promise of His Word. We are in a spiritual battle when we stand for the restoration of our marriages, and we have to fight that battle as instructed in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, which says For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And most, if not ALL, of those things that get us in a tizzy and cause us to get discouraged and doubt the restoration of our marriages are the result of some kind of stronghold in our spouses life, or some kind of argument or pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. So when we REALLY believe God and take Him at HIS Word, no matter what we see and hear, if it’s contrary to the following verses and the rest of God’s Word and His awesome promises, IT DOESN’T MATTER!

Matthew 19:3-6
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Malachi 2:15-16 (AMP)
And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].

Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:11-12
He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Malachi 2:13-14 (AMP)
And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering any more or accept it with favor at your hand. Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows].

1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a water course wherever he pleases.

Proverbs 16:1
To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Isaiah 46:11
From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

Isaiah 55:8-11
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

These are just a few verses that came to my mind, and there are SO many more. But the point is that we have to decide whether or not we REALLY believe the Word of God, no matter what verse the Lord uses to speak to us as we stand for the restoration of our marriages. Because if we believe, nothing we see contrary to His Word matters. And if it matters, then we DON’T believe the Word of God, and that would be a very bad place to be according to what Jesus told Satan in Matthew 4:4, which says Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ “ But we can’t live on the Word of God without digesting it and getting it deep down into our inner being; it has to be heart knowledge and not just head knowledge. And when it is, we will truly be blessed and encouraged, because NOTHING else will matter! So we need to stick with the basics, which is God’s Word and not worry or fret about things that don’t matter in the light and power of God’s Word. The following messages and responses were posted earlier this week on the private websites, and I greatly appreciate permission to share them here, because they are very important messages as we stand for the restoration of our marriages. So be blessed and encouraged!

Back to Basics — by Diane
God has been dealing with me and I thought I would share what HE is doing in my life. I was hearing from Him, but I wasn’t really listening. So I have now repented and received forgiveness for not being obedient. It took Linda to point out that I was being disobedient, so I thank God for my FAM family every day. I went back to the basics, and I took out the scriptures I started with and reread them. I have pages of affirmations I used to read, and rereading them, I felt the joy return and I smiled. I had been feeling out of touch in some way and I just needed to get back to basics. I needed to feel on fire for the Word; I had been just “reading” and not feeling it. I had been looking at my husband and not God, and leaning on my own understanding of the circumstances, and God was dealing with me about that. I know I can not “fix” what SNO (spouse name omitted) is going through; only God can do that, so I gave it to HIM again. Satan was definitely trying to steal my peace, so I laughed when I came on today and read Thursa’s post…more confirmation. Thank you Lord you are always faithful to show me your presence in my life. So I write this in hopes of reminding someone else that may need a refresher on Gods promises. Remember what He gave you in the beginning; He has not changed and HE will do what He promised. God never stops working on us or our situation. In listening to Beth Moore today, God was just confirming what I knew last night. I thank you, Lord, that when we are not faithful, You continue to be. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. “It really doesn’t matter…” has been popping up everywhere and it finally sunk into my soul again. God is in control and it doesn’t matter what anyone else says or does, God will get the glory. And I know Our God is bigger than anything or anyone and no devil is going to change HIS mind. So maybe someone else also needs to go back to the basics and reread something God has given you. Another thing that came to me is that I had been “telling God that I wanted to burn those “papers”, and I kept feeling “Get rid of them. Don’t have them in your house.” So I finally threw them in the garbage yesterday. I had a plan, but it wasn’t God’s plan for those papers. HE was saying get rid of them now, and I was trying to change His plan, again being disobedient. I repented all the way to the garbage and I slept better last night. Thank you, God, for showing me Your love and kindness. God is so awesome and He will receive the glory for all these marriages turning from ashes to beauty. Praise Him. He is worthy. Be encouraged. Diane

Response by Maria on June 13th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Diane,
I marvel at your firm stand and not wavering from what God promised to do in your life and ours. You are standing and refuse to budge. You are such an inspiration to all of us in your humbleness, and you are going through the final polishing act so that you may shine brightly for everyone to see God’s brilliant light through you. So I pray, Father, that you keep Diane and SNO safe in your arms and their family, away from the enemy. Just guide them step by step to the newness of life that you are giving them according to your love and kindness. May we give you thanks and glory for ever. Amen

Response by Dan on June 13th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Diane- yea, I think God is probably speaking to several of us. How quickly we forget or give up on Him in our impatience. I agree. Thank God He does not lose faith in us as quickly as we drift from Him. The funny thing is that even when nothing has changed, I can still question if I am doing the right thing. Of course I am; -God doesn’t change His mind. It has been written down for thousands of years; so why would I expect Him to suddenly not want MY marriage to be restored? We know the answer is Satan, but I also know who the victor is. Thanks for the reminder. God is good at that, isn’t HE!!!

Response by Thursa on June 13th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Thanks so much for sharing, Diane! You mention my post, but yours has sent me encouragement and affirmation as well! Isn’t God awesome in the way He knows what each of us needs and how He will speak to us through all of His children!!! “It Just Doesn’t Matter” is ringing so loudly to me right now as well. Satan so wants us to turn our head to our circumstances, just as he got us to in the beginning. But even then all it did was give us a lot of “supposes” to deal with; “suppose this” or “suppose that”. THEY DON’T MATTER!!! I read that in a devotional recently and it said its the “supposes” that got us where we were at…do we want to go back? NO WAY! Satan would love for that to happen, but it WILL NOT! We have the strong promise from our Dear Heavenly Father that He will NEVER leave or forsake us. As we said in the beginning of standing, do we think we’d be the first promise God has never come through on? NO! He is faithful and will complete all that He has started! Romans 8:28 may seem like such a basic verse, but it is so true and complete. It is the Word of God to always hold on to very strongly! God does ALL things for our good and He WORKS even NOW!

Oy, I could go on and on about the really cool way that all the wonderful gifts God gave me in the beginning, are the very things that are sustaining me even now. The “claiming” of restoration was a suddenly, but just as the road TO restoration is narrow, the road OF restoration is as well! I will persevere, just as you will, and we will ALL receive the many blessings He has in store for us!

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you so very much for all the wonderful gifts and ways you have worked in each and every one of our lives and in the many ways you will continue to work! We thank you for giving your Living Word that we can read, absorb and apply even today. We thank you for each and every promise you have given us and your faithfulness in fulfilling those promises. We thank you for the mighty testimony you have given Diane and SNO through the gift of restoration. We know you are not done; you are still working in both of them and will never stop working. We thank you for your righteous refining touches, which you will make to create in them an even brighter light of Your Glory. Please continue to bless Diane. Continue to speak to her, giving her the love, comfort and peace you have given since the beginning. Continue to speak to SNO, alluring him completely back to You. You are awesome, Lord, and we thank you that you will complete all the wonderful works you have started! Please send an extra blessing to each and every member of FAM over the next few days. Give us that extra blessing of complete joy and peace that we only find when our eyes are on You! Please continue to love, bless and encourage Linda also as she speaks to each and every one of us. Continue to fill her with Your Holy Spirit as she helps each of us to refocus and look only to You! Thank you, Lord, for the family we have in FAM; thank you, Lord, for the family we have in You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Response by Paula on June 13th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Diane, this post was really for me. I have found myself going back to the basics too; taking myself back to where I met Jesus in his word; where I found peace and joy. I tend to focus too much on what SNO is doing or not doing. But, I must remember that IT DOESN”T MATTER! And GOD is in control and he knows what is best for me. But sometimes it is good to have someone remind me to go back to the basics.

Response by Joe on June 13th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Well, thanks for these messages, and posts. I’ve been here for only a short while, and thought something was wrong with me, because Satan has been trying to discourage me also. I know what He has told (promised) me, but when you let go and let God handle it, you don’t get to see behind the scenes, and Satan has a way of telling you it’s all going his way. I trust in the Lord, and know his will will be done, and He is confirming a lot of things in my Christian life. But like I said, when you don’t see behind the scenes, and what you do see doesn’t look promising, it is hard not to listen to Satan and his lies. My strength and love of Jesus is growing so much that Satan is trying to destroy even my faith. It will never work though, because during every battle, and every trial, Jesus is with me. I praise You, Lord, for giving me the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth to me.

Are You Worried? – by Amy

I wanted to ask you all if you are worried, because too many times lately I have found myself “worried”…worried about my husband; worried about his relationship with the NCP; worried about a new woman who seems to be showing up more and more; worried about when we will move; worried about how we will move; and on and on. I realized something tonight, as I sat here at the computer, reading through devotionals. All this worrying is hindering God’s power in my life, in my husband’s life, and in my kids’ lives. What am I doing! And then for some reason I felt the need to come here and ask you all. Are you worried? I know I tend to worry about whether or not SNO will visit; will he call; will he be nice today or not so nice…worry, worry, worry! And what is worse is that I have not worried whether or not he is coming home, because I have always trusted that he is coming home. It was all this in between stuff that kept creeping up on me.

When we worry, are we trusting God? Of course, it’s always the things we already know, but just like Diane, I needed a refresher. WHY am I worrying when I already HAVE THE VICTORY! This was one of those slap yourself in the forehead moments for me.

Major things have been happening between my husband and me, and in his life alone, this past month. God has been working in such a mighty way…bringing us closer, even spending a few nights out in public with his friends! SNO is calling me more and more, and leaning on me for support. And finally, the relationship with the NCP has been severed. Because of all this I found it easy to lose focus and start worrying about what would happen next. What I should be focusing on is seeking God, praising Him, loving Him, wanting HIM. And once again I praise you God for knocking me back on track!

It seems that a few of us have been on that same level here and there this week. I say we are smarter than Satan. I mean come on; he has been trying to get a few of us with the exact same game this week. I praise God that Satan isn’t bright enough to switch it out! I praise God that He has given us the wisdom and knowledge we need to fight these battles and win! What a wonderful God we have to step in at just the right time. He will never let us fall further than He can reach us. Isn’t it great to know that our spouses aren’t any different than us? They can never fall too far for God to reach them. What a blessing just to know that!

Response by Diane on June 13th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I am with you, Amy. When we look too much to our spouse, God brings us back. I thank Him that He is faithful, even when i was not. I too was focused on what was happening, but I received Gods message loud and clear. Keep HIM first and let Him do the work. I see Satan is trying his best to get in this place, but we are having none of it. Stand firm everyone and do not be anxious about anything. Ask God for what you need, always asking with a thankful heart, and the peace that surpasses all understanding will protect your heart and mind. “It doesn’t matter…” is so on my mind and tongue this past few days that I just keep saying it over and over; and “It really doesn’t matter.” God is in control and He has it covered. But this is confirmation that we do seem to find a theme passing through our midst all the time. Satan is a liar and he is defeated, so it doesn’t matter. Be encouraged everyone and just smile God loves ya. Diane

Response by Thursa on June 13th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Thanks for the post, Amy! I have seen worries creep in, but I too have used the “It Doesn’t matter!” God does tell us to cast ALL of our anxieties on Him because He cares for us! We really just have to leave it to Him, He IS in control!!! We all just need to get a little Linda in us and keep saying, “it doesn’t matter!” =)

Response by Paula on June 13th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Amy! I could relate to everything you said! I’ve given too much attention to the “circumstances.” Your post was definitely for me! I thank you for sharing your wisdom and instructing us. God is for us and if He is for us he is greater than the world against us!! Satan is a defeated foe! I have so much peace in the presence of God and that is where I need to stay!! Love you, Amy! God Bless and rejoice in your victory!

Response by Jenn on June 14th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Amy,
this is beautiful! Thank you. It’s a wonderful reminder that no matter what circumstances there are in our marriage or just in our personal lives themselves, worry just means we have taken our eyes off the prize, GOD!

Response by Sharon on June 14th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Amy,
It is amazing that Satan will use the same tricks on all of us. I must also confess that the ‘worry bug’ hit me Tuesday. “It doesn’t matter” also had to be confessed verbally and silently all day, and especially during the night hours. God is faithful, and I thank the Holy Spirit for reminding me of all the teachings of this ministry, which helped to get me through the day. Thanks for sharing! Sharon

Response by Christy on June 14th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Yep, I’ve been there this week. If you read my post from Tuesday, I confessed I am obsessed with moving and what will everyone think and on and on… See, I think we are all close to our restorations, so Satan is working overtime on us, trying to get us to fall away from God and not trust Him. He works overtime on those who are joyous and when he knows something good is getting ready to happen to us. He wants us discouraged. “Worry” is his weapon this week, but no weapon formed against us will prosper! We can trust God’s word that whatever we ask in His name, believing, it will be given to us. So, ladies and gentlemen, no worrying! BELIEVE!

Posted Friday, June 15th, 2007 at 6:37 pm in Seeds Of Faith.