Do Not Pretend Your Marriage is OK
When it is not?
No time for self-pity ... cry,
please cry
but cry out to Jesus.
Hold on a minute ... slow down, throw away any self destructive thoughts,
Jesus died for your marriage,
the least you can do is separate yourselves to pay close attention to His desire for you.
What Separate?
Your marriage can be better ... stronger and more fulfilling...
but it will only happen with periodic spiritual detox.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Out with the lies.
Out with the trash.
On with LIFE in HIM.
Buckle your seat belt and hang on:
First, read the passage below in its entirety... I Corinthians 7:5,6
Second, break out the elements or attributes.
Third, find out what words mean so you don't misconstrue things.
Fourth, plan to "come together again".
This separation is devotional.
It is planned and limited in duration.
It is NOT to figure out how to live without each other,
It's a retreat to ache for each other while strengthening your relationship with Jesus.
It s mutually agreed upon and purposeful.
This can be a morning, an evening, a day, a weekend, a week BUT it's duration is based on the severity of the situation
and the limitations of the union.
1 Corinthians 7:5,6
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This is God's Plan, when the marriage is pretending to stay together while threatening to tear apart ...
SEPARATE FOR AN AGREED TIME TO FAST AND PRAY AND THEN COME TOGETHER AGAIN -
This is a pause (not an end or a planning time to end) to retreat to the presence of God, to get right, to get real,
to allow God to rekindle love from Him, for Him and for our spouse.
Notice the word INCONTINENCY at the end of verse 5-- this word means: lack of moral self-control, or inability to respond appropriately/Godly.
Satan's plan for marriage (which is to be a snap shot of the bond that God has with His people) is to separate the union by entering temptation into any area of our lives that are out of God's control. Satan will feed the area of our life that is curious about filth. Satan will counsel the area of our life where there is rebellious discontentment. Satan will roar fear into any area of our life where there is confusion instead of trust and love. By the way, the greatest proponent of divorce is Satan, who knows confusion is the best weapon against unity.
Here are the simple guidelines of this retreat ... "Give your selves to Him".
(The guidelines below are a mixture of suggested wise disciplines not all are scriptural mandates)
FASTING -- removing anything or influence that feeds your flesh, fleshy thoughts and lustful desires.
1. Read no other book than His Word ... suggestion if you don't know where to turn ... Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels (the heart of God, the Mind of God, the Face of God).
2. Stay away from negative media ....music and literature that is spiritually dark and sexually questionable.
3. Eat Good Healthful food. (no junk food)
4. Drink water and other healthful drinks (no pop or booze)
5. Exercise properly.
6. Get rest.
PRAYING - without ceasing, talk to Him when you are not talking to people, and don't talk to people about things you haven't talked to him about.
1. Pray like you've never prayed before ...
2. Meditate - think ab out what you have read but be still and listen to His Word as you pray.
3. Submit - ask Him to give you strength to do what He desires.
COME TOGETHER AGAIN - the purpose is to get back together with more to offer the union because of your time with God.
You both need each other, whether you realize it or not, what ever the motives were in the beginning matters not ...past is past.
BUT remember your first love,
remember your first commitment to each other,
remember the events that bring a smile that brings a tear,
appreciate each other
miss each other
Plan the stronger "ONE FLESH" to go forward.
Ask God for a clearer, cleaner love for each other ... Agape Love ... is not self serving but it is yourself serving the other.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. ( please, I beg you to do this ... try, I'm not ordering you to do this).
Please take advantage of this Retreat if needed.
Hold this if you have friends OR loved ones who don't know what to do about a marriage that is falling apart.
Pray for the Blush again,
Sincerely,
HLFA,
Jeff
