Monday's Marriage Moment -- How? I Don't Know.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
-Jeremiah 29:11


I know that God has given you great dreams. No doubt, He has made you great promises. Promises that your marriage will be dynamic. Promises that your finances will be stable and even flourish. Promises that your gifts will indeed make room for you. Yet, sometimes in the midst of those promises we have questions. Many of us wonder when. When will it come to pass? When will our time come? When will the hard stuff be over. Some of us wonder why. Why must we go through some things before we attain the promise? Why must we endure the hard stuff? I think I have asked all of those questions, but you know the one question that sometimes keeps me stuck: How? Not when...not why...but how? How God? How is what you promised going to come about from what I see? How am I going to get from where I am to what you showed me? How are things going to line up? How: in what manner and by what means? Have you ever wondered how things are going to happen? This is what God showed me this morning, though. When I get stuck on how things are going to happen I am not trusting Him. When I get stuck on how I am putting the weight of executing His plan on me instead of on Him. I am relying on my own strength instead of His. I think that I have to make something happen instead of allowing Him to make it happen through me. When I continue to try to figure out how I am trusting in my abilities instead of His, and it is obvious that my abilities pale in comparison. Here is the good news for you today: How is none of your concern! Did you get that? It is not for you to worry about. God will take care of the manner and means by which things happen for you. Your role is simply to trust and obey Him. So, I encourage you to embrace this phrase: I don't know. I know it's not comfortable to admit, but there is freedom in it if you will accept it. I don't know. I don't know how God is going to bring forth the ministry He has given me. I don't know how God is going to do the impossible in my life. I don't know how He is going to take my marriage to the next level. I don't know how He is going to cause my finances to flourish. I don't know how, but I know Him! I know that He is the answer. I know that His promises are yes and amen. I know that He has a good plan to prosper me. I know that He is not a liar. I know that He promises to perfect everything that concerns me. I know Him. Rest in that. You may not know how, but you know Him! He does not disappoint. He is faithful and consistent. Stop trying to figure out how and simply follow the next set of instructions He gives you. That's your part -- seek Him and obey what He tells you. As this year draws to a close, focus on knowing and loving Him. Trust Him to reveal His plans as you obey each step.

Monday's Marriage Moment -- Choose Now

Proverbs 6:4 (NLT)
Don't put it off; do it now! Don't rest until you do!

As the year draws to a close many are pondering 2017. Some have great expectations. Others are thinking of what they are going to accomplish next year that didn't quite happen in this. Many are considering what resolutions they will make. Often as Christians we act as if people shouldn't make resolutions. I have no problem with them. I just wonder why we only do it at the beginning of the year. Actually, I don't wonder. I totally understand. It's the same reason that I wait until Monday to change my eating habits. It's the reason that I wait until the summer to begin an exercise plan. Why do I wait? Why not decide right now to do something different, be different, or live differently? I wait because sometimes it seems easier to do it later. I wait because I have fed my flesh so long that it is hard to yield to the Spirit in some areas. I wait because sometimes acting on what I know is hard. There is a word for that -- procrastination. It means to delay, stall, or put off. This isn't waiting on the Lord. No, it's not doing what you know to do just because you don't want to. The problem with procrastination (and there are many) is that it renders you ineffective and motionless. You are stopped, stalled, and stagnant as you succumb to procrastination. The issue that needs to be addressed doesn't go away, and sometimes it becomes harder to do than it would have been. Procrastination is a strong enemy. But realize that it is just that -- an enemy. Therefore, it must be defeated. So, I am choosing now, with 19 more days in 2016 to overcome procrastination. I will not be enslaved to it or enticed by it. I will take the steps necessary to be effective in my marriage, ministry, and life. Maybe procrastination isn't your thing, but I still want you to choose now to do what God is telling you to do. The bible is full of promises on the importance of "now" and "today". Don't wait, dear friend. Act now. In the words of the author of Proverbs: Don't put it off; do it no! Don't rest until you do!

Monday's Marriage Moment -- Still Good!

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God[c] is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk 3: 17 - 19

One of my favorite songs currently is "Arise" by William Murphy. The song speaks of the goodness of the Lord in general, but one line in particular blesses me: You are good, so good, real good, still good". Look at the last two words again: STILL good. Do you know what still means in this context? It means "and yet; but yet; nevertheless; nonetheless;" and get this "even with everything considered". Even with everything considered God is good. Perhaps this has been a season of sunshine and lollipops for you, but there are a few of us that have had some clouds in the midst of sunshine and some broccoli thrown in with those lollipops. Can I remind those of you who have had some struggles and challenges that God is STILL good? Even when we consider everything: financial issues, job issues, marital issues, and so much more, God is still good. Maybe your spouse is not perfect right now, but God is still good. Maybe you are still trying to conquer some issues in your marriage, but God is still good. Maybe you are facing challenges at work, at school, and/or at home, but God is STILL good. Look at Habakkuk's situation. Things in his life that should have produced were barren. They were not working according to plan and purpose. He is describing a hard time. Yet, he purposed in his heart and even declared that regardless of the situation, EVEN WITH EVERYTHING CONSIDERED, he was going to rejoice in the Lord. I submit to you that we must do the same. This year has been challenging for me. There has been shift and transition all around. I have had months of struggle and many times I did not understand why I was going through. Yet, I can tell you that through it all God was STILL good. John and I are leaving this year much stronger in all areas than when we entered it because God is STILL good. I determined that my circumstances were not going to effect how I perceived God, but God was going to effect how I perceived my circumstances. I challenge you today, with only 26 days left in this year, to focus on God and His goodness. Call to mind all that He has been to you and all that He has done for you. Determine to set your thoughts above your reality. Declare that not only is your marriage good, but that your life is good! God's plan for you is good! Your finances are good! All of this is because He is good. No matter what, He is STILL good!