Deborah L. McCarragher's Blog, page 24

Are Moms Irrelevant in Modern Society?

The world  would have you think so…
Do you feel as though you have no influence in your home?  Do you look around at your children and wonder if anything you've taught them actually permeated their minds and spirits?  Are you even relevant to their success in a society that devalues Godly parenthood?  Well, in God's Eyes you are!
There are moments I wish I could go "back in time" and change what I did or didn't do.  There are things I should have done with my son, or times I should have taken ownership of a volatile situation or conversation.  I often remember opportunities missed, and instances where I just should have stood firm and said, "No!" 
We are not perfect Moms, though we strive to be.  We often wish our kids came with Owners Manuals.  I would have enjoyed a "free online Chat support" when I had a question, or perhaps a "pro-rated warranty" as they got older.  But wait - we have something even better – God's Holy Word and prayer! How many Moms have worn out knees and prayer journals full of petitions on behalf of their kids?  How many of us have purchased books like The Strong Willed Child by James Dobson, or The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartin?  Let's face it – we all need help; one way or another!
Here are two examples of motherhood in Scripture that I want us to look at:  Eve and Jochebed.  They are mothers of significance.  Both had children that shaped the future of mankind.   Both faced loss and eventual blessing.  Here are their stories…
Genesis chapters 3 and 4 introduce us to Eve , the first mother.  Adam called her name Eve , because she was the mother of all living humans.  She conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from the Lord."  Cain worked in the fields and tilled the earth which yielded crops, of which he presented his sacrifice to the Lord.  She then bore Abel, the son who was loving and responsible, tending the flocks in the meadows.  Able and Cain each offered sacrifices to the Lord God.  However, Able's sacrifice was accepted, and Cain's was not.  Cain killed Abel in a jealous rage over what appeared to be God's favoritism.   Cain was subsequently banished by God for shedding his brother's blood. 
What loss and devastation Eve must have suffered!  Do you think she blamed herself for the tragedy they were now facing?  How could she go on after losing both sons?  We can only imagine how Eve must have felt when she heard God's words ringing in her ears, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children."  She and Adam had been cursed by God after their disobedience.  Now that sorrow and pain were evidenced in the heartbreak Eve experienced.  The first mother on earth mourned one son who was now dead and the other who was never to be seen again. 
Eventually Adam and Eve conceived Seth, whose lineage began to "call on the name of the Lord" (Gen. 5).  Do you think Eve did things a bit differently in regards to child rearing the second time around?  I imagine she spent more time pouring herself into his little life – teaching him about God's Goodness and about Godly character.  She and Adam most likely recanted how his two older siblings had lived, and what happened when God's laws weren't adhered to.  In God's great mercy, their third son, Seth,  would provide the pathway to mankind's salvation over many generations, which eventually culminated in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Luke 3).
 In Exodus 2 we are introduced to Jochebed , the daughter of Levi, born to him in Egypt.  She was the wife of Amram and was the mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses.  Her courage and ingenuity saves her son Moses from the wicked mandate of the Pharaoh to kill every male Israelite child.  She cleverly hid him for three months, before placing him among the reeds in a water-tight basket along the Nile River.
As she watched Miriam approach Pharaoh's daughter, she must have been relieved to hear that she would be nursing and weaning the child herself before handing him over permanently.  Those few early years were no doubt full of Godly teaching and a loving example to that little Hebrew child.  Can you imagine the pain and sacrifice she endured as she watched her young son disappear into Pharaoh's exotic palace to be raised as an Egyptian?
 I believe Jochebed was an important part of Moses' life as a young child and into the reaches of adulthood.  She no doubt had an influence on his character, integrity and love for the Lord God of Israel.   She also raised Miriam (the eldest) and their brother Aaron, who appeared with Moses in front of the great Pharaoh of Egypt prior to releasing the children of Israel.  Were her children perfect?  No way.  All three had major character flaws.  All were reprimanded and punished by God for disobedience.  However, all three witnessed God's Sovereign power, deliverance and blessing in their lives and in their future destinies. 
The whole of the matter is this:  Mothers have great influence over their children.  God's Word is very clear on what we can do.  The book of Proverbs is rich in advice and practical wisdom.  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."  We must teach by example and pray for their spiritual growth.  We are to "watch over the ways of our household, and not remain idle" – but stay balanced as we lead our children into adulthood one step at a time.  May we look to our Heavenly Father for His guidance and strength.
Happy Mother's Day - 





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 

If You "Play God", You Just Might Get What You Want...

Oh, how we love to bash Eve for succumbing to temptation – but don't we all struggle with that? Satan does not tempt us in generalities. He is far too clever for that. He likes to pick out something specific to hone in on. Take discontentment, for example. He will tell you that you deserve so much more, or maybe something better, and of course, that one particular thing you don't have. He just aimed his poison dart at your "pride" and you fell for it. What happened to that shield of faith you were supposed to hold up for protection?

The enemy of our soul delights in focusing his deception on our desires or needs that haven't been met. He picks the time and place of our temptation and sends us an "engraved invitation", hoping we'll reply quickly. He knows when we're tired, hungry, upset, depressed, lonely or sick that we'll be more venerable to his deceit. He patiently waits for us to let down our guard. God's Word tells us to "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Satan loves to create doubt regarding God's love for us. He did the same with Eve. This is what he told her, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every three of the garden'?" He simply twisted the truth and got her to question God's goodness and character. We must be careful to not fall for the same trick. God may have given you a personal promise or verse to cling to regarding your mate. You may be waiting for God to do something special in your family, job situation, or with your children. Don't let the father of lies trick you into believing his falsehoods. He wants to destroy your trust in God and your confidence in Who He is.

We know from I John 2:16, "that all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but is of the world." Satan is the ruler of this age and our present physical world, and has been influencing the practice of sin since the beginning - starting with Eve. We must watch for signs of discontentment and jealousy as we evaluate our circumstances. We must focus on God's sovereignty and His wisdom. We cannot lean unto our own understanding in matters pertaining to the fairness of life. We must believe God and believe in His Word, and leave the results in His hands.   I John 5:4-5 says this: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

You may come to a point in your marriage when you were sure you heard from God about something, and then you didn't see any evidence of God working it out. Your waiting has turned into years, not months... Now you're not sure you heard from God.  You can be tempted to take matters into your own hands - at your own peril of course.  We must surrender our desires and plans to be denied, changed, or granted as God sees fit. He is Sovereign. If through a broken heart He can bring His purposes to fruition, then thank Him for breaking your heart!

I was tempted to contemplate divorce not long after my conversion to Christ, but God plainly spoke to my spirit that it was not an option for me. God promised me a new husband with the "same man"! I Corinthians 7:14, 16 tells us, "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy… For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?"


 Temptation is around every turn, and in every decision. You must stay strong and focused on Jesus. Use His Word to diffuse them all.  As Jesus said, "It is written…" So be it! Amen!







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  

How Will You Spend Easter Sunday? Do You Dread The Prospect?

What do you do when your spouse doesn't share your passion for Jesus?  Do you attend church alone with the kids?  How do you make Easter Sunday special for your family when everyone is not on board?

My husband has agreed to go to our early church service this Easter Sunday.  He hasn't attended church with me for a couple of months now.  That is in part due to some minor surgery he had earlier in the year, and a nasty cold a few weeks back.  At least he is willing to celebrate with me one of the most important events on the Christian calendar:  Resurrection Sunday!  However, it was not always so.

I can remember getting our son ready for Sunday School and church services many times - not knowing if Daddy would be coming with us.  I met the Lord Jesus in my mid-thirties, and our son was about 3 yrs. old in April of 1989.  There were many Sundays when we would go to church alone.  That was okay with me because I had met the King of Kings.   I made a personal decision that I would make the effort to attend church services and introduce my child at a young age to Jesus Christ.

This year our son and family are visiting during the week before Easter.  His wife's family has a reunion every Easter Sunday at the beach after church and has an egg hunt for the little ones.  They cook-out and enjoy the sand and surf while catching up with each other's family.
On some Easter Sundays we have a home-cooked meal with our parents and loved ones.  Other times we attend church and go out for Brunch afterwards.  Each year is different - especially now that our son is grown and living in another state. 

While the little ones are still at home - it's fun making your own family traditions and special memories.  When our son was young and attending a Christian grade school, he often made crafts with an emphasis on Easter.  They recited Scripture from the gospels and learned about Jesus and the resurrection.  They sang songs centered around our risen Savior and the cross of Christ. 

One year I made a "Resurrection Egg Basket" .  It consisted of a basket with brightly colored plastic eggs - each one containing a symbol of the life and death of Jesus.  The eggs were numbered, starting with "1".  They contained one or more tiny trinkets along with Bible verses.  The object is to tell the Easter Story as you open the eggs and read the Scripture corresponding to each item. One egg had a miniature loaf of bread in it.  One egg had a fish.  One egg had a piece of purple velvet and a small twisted piece of vine with thorns.  Another had a nail in it.  I put a small silk Easter lilly in an egg.  Another egg had a tiny cross, and one had a large stone.  The last egg was empty .  You can get creative and think of your own special touches.  I used that Resurrection Easter Basket year after year - and he enjoyed opening the eggs and discovering the treasures each time!

How do you keep the Easter season special and meaningful for your family?  What traditions do you have from growing up that you intend to continue with your own children?  Even if your spouse chooses not to celebrate Easter with you - you can have influence in your home that will last a lifetime.  Begin now shaping a legacy that will last from one generation to another.  Easter is a wonderful time to discuss "new life" and why the Resurrection is important to us as believers. 

Begin now by praying for your spouse to have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" the true message of Easter.  Here is an example to follow: 

Dear Lord, I lift up my (husband/wife) to you now.  I humbly ask that during this Resurrection season You would open the eyes of their heart that they may see who You truly are.  Thank You Lord that whenever they turn to You, the veil will be taken away and they will behold Your majesty.  Cause them to know the hope of Your calling and the riches of Your glory.  Thank You Lord you will save them, not on the basis of their deeds, but according to Your mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.  Lord, Your Word declares that You will be found by those who do not seek You, and You will be manifest to those who do not ask for You.  Thank You Lord that they will know Your love which surpasses all knowledge, that they may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  We thank You Lord that You are not slack concerning Your promise... but are longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  In Jesus Name we pray,   Amen.

(Ref:  Colossians 1; Ephesians 1; Titus 3; Romans 10; Ephesians 3; II Peter 3)











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

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 cryTo our King immortal,Who, triumphant, burst the barsOf the tomb's dark portal;"Alleluia" with the Son,God the Father praising;"Alleluia!" yet againTo 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  

Open Grave Alert! Where is the Lord?

Imagine visiting your local cemetery and suddenly you discover the grave you're approaching is not only unearthed – but the coffin is wide open and empty! What would you think? I suppose the first thing you'd do would be to call security – and start a search for the missing body!

Something strange and wonderful happened outside of Jerusalem at a small burial site in the Judean countryside over 2000 years ago. A tomb which was sealed the previous night was now wide open – with no one taking credit for the monumental task. Let me explain…

By definition, a grave is a place for the interment of the dead; a tomb, a sepulcher. In Jesus' day, it was often merely a natural cave or grotto, or an artificial tomb hewn out of rock. Many times graves were flagged with flat stones as markers to warn passers-by that they should not come in contact with the dead, thereby defiling themselves ceremonially, even if it was unwittingly done. Once the body was laid inside, the tomb was sealed with a large stone – most likely weighing hundreds of pounds, and taking at least two strong men to place it at the mouth of the cave. This was done to prevent animals from desecrating the body or thieves from removing sacred items. Unsealing the tomb without being noticed would be difficult at best. One person alone could not move the stone without help from some other source.

Resurrection morning occurred on the first day of the week and Luke 24:1-12 tells us it was "very early". The women who had been with Joseph, a council member who had secretly become a disciple of Jesus, entered the tomb with the prepared spices for the body of Jesus. They discovered that the Lord's body was not there – and as they stood perplexed – two men in shining garments appeared before them. The women, fearful and bowing down in reverence were told, "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" Verse 8 says, "And they remembered His words."

These women had witnessed Jesus' body being placed inside the grave by Joseph and Nicodemus, who also came with the burial preparations, including a large amount of myrrh, aloes, spices and linen to wrap and prepare the Lord's body, as was the custom of the Jews (John 19:38-42). We know that when Joseph of Arimathea offered to lay the body of Jesus in his own tomb carved out of the rocky hillside, he most likely considered that he would need another tomb for his own interment. Little did he know that he would again be using that very tomb for himself! Jesus would merely be borrowing the sepulcher for three days – never again to be laid to rest, but to arise victorious and defeat death once and for all. What was so special about this grave?

When the women approached the tomb, they had but one concern: how would they roll away the large stone that blocked the entrance into the cave? But as they looked up – the stone had already been moved, and upon entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side. And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him."

There was no need for the stone – Christ simply stepped into heaven and left earth's grip…


Charles Wesley penned this stirring hymn which is sung in many churches on Easter morning:

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!Where, O death is now thy sting? Alleluia!Once He died, our souls to save, Alleluia!Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!Fought the fight, the battle won. Alleluia!Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!








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  




Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection

In the hymn "Christ Arose", Robert Lowry expresses the hope conveyed during this Easter season in the rousing chorus as it explodes with joy:
Up from the grave He arose,With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;He arose a Victor from the dark domain,  And He lives forever with His saints to reign,  He arose!  He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Our Lord Jesus left the confines of this earth and stepped into the heavenly realm on Resurrection Sunday, three days after dying on a wooden cross for humanity's sins on Mount Calvary.  This is precisely why Christians celebrate the Easter Season. 
We know from Scripture that Jesus made several appearances after His resurrection, but what significance does this event hold for you and me today? 
John Chapter 20 records Jesus' resurrection on the first day of the week, that being Sunday.Mary Magdalene had come to the tomb early, while it was still cloaked in darkness.  She saw that the stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away.  Upon hearing her report, Peter and John ran to the tomb and discovered "the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself" (vs. 7).  After they departed, Mary stood outside weeping, peering inside the tomb.  She conversed with two angels and explained that someone had taken away the body [of her Lord] and turning, she saw a man she perceived to be the gardener.  Jesus lovingly and compassionately spoke to her, "Mary!"  He assured her that He was; "ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." 

In Luke 24:13-32, we have the account of Christ appearing on the road to Emmaus.  Two followers of Jesus were traveling and conversing about all of the events of the past few days concerning Jesus of Nazareth.  Unbeknown to them, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  They told Him all of the hopes and dreams of many in Jerusalem who thought the prophet would accomplish in order to redeem their beloved Israel.  They even mentioned it had been three days since it happened, and that certain women had discovered His tomb empty.  Then in verses 25-26 Jesus said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
Later, in Luke 24:33-48, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples as they gathered in Jerusalem to pray saying, "Peace to you."  He showed them that He is flesh, not spirit, and proceeded to instruct them about His fulfilling what was written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Himself.  Even those who doubted His appearing finally proclaimed who He was.  Thomas said, "My Lord and my God!"   
In John chapter 21 Jesus appears to seven of the disciples after a long night of fishing.  They caught nothing.  But in the morning, Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?"  After an answer of "No", He then said, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some."   The disciples dragged the net, full of large fish to the shore, and after eating breakfast they knew it was Him, though they were afraid to question Him.  Then in chapter 21:15-23 we witness the personal conversation between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus is tenderly restoring Peter to Himself by asking Peter three times if he loved Him.  Jesus tells him, "Feed My lambs", "Tend My sheep", and "Feed My sheep".   Jesus is preparing Peter for the work ahead as leader of the church after He has departed.   Then He tells Peter to set his sight on Him and "Follow Me."  Peter asks about the other disciple, and Jesus tells him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me." 
So what do we glean from the Lord's visitations to His followers after He was raised?  How do we apply those same lessons and revelations to our lives?  We discover that we experience the very same things as did the earliest disciples.   Jesus is still:
   
Giving a gentle touch and reassurance, as He did with Mary at the tomb;Expounding truth and wisdom to us, like He did on the road to Emmaus 
Stilling fear and uneasiness, as He did for the disciples in the upper room;Blessing and bestowing a commission to us, as He did for his followers;Providing for and encouraging His children, as He did for His disciples; 
Restoring and leading you and me, as He did for one of His dearest disciples.

Jesus' death, burial and resurrection gives us reason for celebration as we rejoice in the Lamb's blood, marvel at the Father's acceptance, and glory in our eternal salvation secured by Heaven's cherished and earth's gift from above…







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/

You can visit Faithful Bloggers at  http://faithfulbloggers.com/

And the WINNER is...

First, I want to thank everyone who took the time and effort to answer my "special question" to be entered in the Birthday Bash Giveaway! 


I enjoyed reading all of the thoughtful answers.  There were some great points to ponder and godly advice to follow.  Thank you for your responses!

However, it is always difficult to choose just ONE winner - but I was led to choose  ADRIANA  as the winner of the gift package.


Adriana - please email me at  debitsdeb@bellsouth.net  to claim your giveaway package.



I hope you will come back and visit this Blog often -
                 You are precious in the sight of GOD...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Me!

Help me celebrate my birthday and you could win my Birthday Bash giveaway!    I am delighted to put together and give away this exciting Birthday Gift Collection in honor of my birthday!   I will be choosing one name from among those who respond to the "special discussion question" , and announce the winner on March 31st at 12:00 noon (EST).                This giveaway package includes:             A  $20 gift card from  Family Christian Bookstores          Essentials for Life for Women Growth Book - by Marcia Ford          A hard-cover Christian Journal for your personal writing          An inspirational Scripture magnet          A  "Bouquet of Blessings" devotional booklet w/ pen           A  signed copy of my book  "Mission Possible"           A  "Nature's Moment" wall plaque              Here is the "special discussion question" -
When you are in an unequally-yoked marriage, how do you (as a couple) keep your hearts encouraged, being "knit together" in love?   What do you do to foster a deeper love when you don't share the intimate things of God?  (Colossians 2:2)
Please leave me your answer in the "COMMENTS" section on this Blog for a chance to win this great giveaway!  
I look forward to reading your answers!  God bless...









 
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 for an unequally-yoked spouse: Jesus is Calling… Part 2 – Heed the Call

This is a continuation from my previous post - Jesus is Calling... Part 1 - Hear the Call.  This week I focus on what to do once you've heard the call.
God has a plan for each of us. There are as many different types of callings as there are people, but two things are common: God's timing and God's choosing. If your spouse is unsaved, you can begin praying now for them to have ears to heed the call.

Romans 11:29 says this: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Once you hear the call and heed the call – it cannot be taken away from you. So be it!

There are many examples in Scripture of those who heeded the call of God on their lives:

Go to Judges 6 and take a look at a young man named Gideon.  The Lord Himself, (the Angel of the Lord) sat down under a tree and appeared to Gideon saying, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Gideon was a little indignant when he said that many bad things had happened to Israel, and no one saw miracles take place like they did back in the good old days. But now they were impoverished because of the Midianites. The Lord said to Gideon, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" After a little bit of tug-o-war and skepticism, Gideon finally surrendered to his call.

In Acts, Paul (or Saul as he was known) encountered Jesus in a far different manner. One could say he was "knocked off his high horse" for Jesus, literally! Saul was blinded and given a hard question to ponder: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" After the Lord told him Who He was, he fell down trembling and asked Him what he should do. The Lord gave him specific instructions, and later told Ananias (of Saul), "…for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings… For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." Now that was a call that he wouldn't soon forget!

Jesus Himself calls out to us many times and in many ways. A vivid picture of this is in the book of Revelation, when in Chapter 3 Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." This call is personal and private. You must answer the door in order to see Him face to face.

In Matthew 20:16 Jesus is teaching on the parable of the laborers. He said, "Many are called, but few chosen." The whole of the matter is this: Will you heed the call of Jesus? Don't expect it to come in a certain manner, but always be ready to answer. Your calling might be the very thing that brings someone else into the eternal family of God.

Finally, Peter tells us to be sure of our calling: "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble."



"There comes the call of God in our lives also. The call of God can never be stated explicitly; it is implicit. The call of God is like the call of the sea, no one hears it but the one who has the nature of the sea in him…God is working out His purposes." (Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest)







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 for an unequally-yoked spouse: Jesus is Calling… Part 1 – Hear the Call

What exactly is a call?   You might have a phone call, or a call to dinner, or how about a bad call during a ball game? Then there's a call to action. Here we're talking about a call that requires obedience. You might say "it's a calling". If your spouse is unsaved, you can begin praying now for them to have ears to hear the call.

In Matthew Chapter 11 Jesus is teaching the multitudes concerning John the Baptist. He states in verse 15, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Within the message to the church at Pergamos in the book of Revelation, verse 17 says, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." The Holy Spirit speaks to those whose ears are attentive!


God has a plan for each of us. There are as many different types of callings as there are people, but two things are common: God's timing and God's choosing.

Here are some examples of the characteristics that identify one's calling :

Take Abraham, for instance. He was instructed by God to take a giant leap of faith – one that included a perpetual blessing. God told him to, "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1) That's pretty vague in nature, but adventurous, nonetheless. Abram, (renamed Abraham by God later on) heeded the call that God placed on his life. You can rightly say it was "his destiny" in the LORD.

Now jump ahead to I Samuel 3 and we'll look at another call from God. Samuel was an answer to prayer, and a gift of faith by his mother. A few years after his birth, she dedicated him to God and left him with Eli the priest in Shiloh. One evening the LORD Himself called Samuel's name. Little Samuel answered, "Here I am!" After running to Eli each of (3) times, and being told to go back to bed, Eli finally perceived that God was indeed calling Samuel to service for the Lord. The famous line, "Speak, for Your servant hears." was the young boy's eager response. His call was a tender Word spoken by God.

One of my favorite examples is Jonah. God didn't mince words with him. Chapter 1 of Jonah states, "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." It doesn't sound much like an invitation, but rather an assignment. That call to Jonah was God specific and God direct. After spending (3) nights in a hotel room full of seaweed and whale juices, he followed God's directive. Jonah complied with God's call , but only after much complaining. God then used a plant, a worm, and the wind to teach him a lesson in compassion. His calling became his worst nightmare until he surrendered completely. Nonetheless, it was a call to serve.

Now, fast-forward to Matthew 4. After John the Baptist had been put in prison, Jesus left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum, near the sea in Galilee. As He was walking, He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, who were fishermen. Chapter 1 of John tells us that Andrew, after hearing Jesus speak, began following Him. Jesus said to him (and the others) "What do you seek?", and later, "Come and see." Andrew immediately found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah." Jesus simply asked Andrew a question, and then bid him to "come". That was his call .


"There comes the call of God in our lives also. The call of God can never be stated explicitly; it is implicit. The call of God is like the call of the sea, no one hears it but the one who has the nature of the sea in him…God is working out His purposes."  (Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest)






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