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August 2, 2011

Praise him?

If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river...
Isaiah 48:18
A precious friend, newly married, called me last night needing prayer for her and her husband.  They'd had a fight, one of several in recent days, it turns out.  Through tears, she spilled out a few pertinent details.   I, too, with memories of being a new bride, teared up and immediately, knowing there was no thing I could do to make things better, began praying aloud with her.  By God's good grace, we were "hoping patiently for what [she] does not yet have [Romans 8:25], " a peaceful marriage.

The Lord pressed their needs on my heart several times last night and early this morning.  So I lifted them and their marriage up to Him hopefully.  
"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."  [Romans 5:5]

Later, as I ate my cereal and fresh blueberries, I opened the Day 12 email from Revive Our Hearts:  30 Days of Encouraging Your Husband.  [Click on the link to sign up for the challenge.]

Again, the Lord reminded me of  my friend and her husband.  I began composing an email to forward to her today's challenge about a wife's own heart attitude as she struggles to find something praiseworthy in her husband.  Because I know she and I aren't the only wives who are challenged in these areas, I decided to share my thoughts with you, too.

Hi, ***

As I was lifting you in prayer this morning, Colossians 3:23,24 came to mind:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
People who marry, marry sinners.  Because of sin, Jesus chose to be sacrificed for His Bride, the Church.  In so doing, we have the gracious privilege of having intimacy with the Maker, Savior, and Comforter of the human race!  
So, marriage means sacrifice.  Moment by moment, dying to self.  Begin the discipline of habitually praising Jesus by praising, esteeming your husband.  Such praise begins in a heart that is repentant and submitted to Jesus first. That kind of praise will rise to heaven as a fragrant offering on the altar of your marriage.  Such an aroma is pleasing to our Heavenly Father, our husbands, and to everyone around us.   

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."  2 Corinthians 2:15 
I promise you that you will be rewarded by God for your efforts.
And peace like a river will flow into your hurting heart.
Love, Karen 
Linking up with
Free Pretty Things for You for Whatever You Want Wednesday
 
Katie Lloyd Photography for Scripture & Snapshot

13 comments:

Brenda said...

Thank you for your post! Great verse and great words!

Anonymous said...

Your post reminds me to bless and pray for my husband instead of judging him when i see something that I don't like we just married for more than 2 years and i guess we too are still in the adjusting period.

Thank you for sharing.

Beth in NC said...

God bless your friend. I would hate to relive those learning years of truly becoming one. I'm about to hit year 22 and I still have lessons to learn.

You gave her great advice. I wish I could give her a hug.

Bless you on this WFW.
Beth

http://mydestinysharinghope.com/

Monica said...

I love to encourage my husband! Thank you for the 30 Day link! I have signed up! I am joining you from WFW!

lori said...

What a blessing she has in you...a Titus 2 woman to share the journey! This was a beautiful post you've shared and perfect wisdom (from Him) that you shared with her...
SO glad you joined us at ICDevos today!

Anonymous said...

That first realization that married life is not what you thought is SO hard. There is so much learning and growing. I'll be praying for your friend too.

Discovery School at First Baptist Heath said...

you have no idea hwo much i needed reminding of this. Thank you. I also have to remember that my husband married a sinner as well.

Alida Sharp said...

Great post!

joy & blessings to you,
Alida

Theresa Miller said...

Great thoughts! I just love what you have to say here about marriage. Thank you!

Charlotte said...

You gave your friend wonderful advice. She is blessed to have you to call because you point her to the Lord...that is godly counsel.

Thank you for sharing your words with us also, it's a good reminder to all wives:)

I hope you received my email regarding the Teddy Bear Tea. It sounds wonderful!

Blessings,
Charlotte

Carmella said...

What an amazing message to share! I am so blessed to be married to a wonderful and very encouraging man. I too often think that he has to know the way I feel about him even if I don't say the words out loud...now I am reminded that we all need to be up-lifted and appreciated everyday, not just on the "good" days. Even when we struggle, I am still so proud and blessed to be his wife...I think I'll go right now and tell him that :)
Thanks so much for sharing and I signed up for the 30 day challenge as well...can't wait to see what God will be doing in our lives!

Nancy said...

It's so nice to meet you.....Your blog is a blessing. I am your newest member...

Your friend is blessed to have you and your nuggets of truth from the Word.....All of us who are married, should your words to heart.....

Hugs and blessings

Carmella said...

Yay! Google has finally let me follow :) I look forward to keeping in touch! I hope you have a great day Karen!

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