One of the questions most often asked when men and women standing for marriage restoration first come to the realization that the Bible instructs us to let our spouses go when they want to leave is just how to DO that. And despite having a basic understanding of what it means, it hasn’t always been one of the easiest things to explain. But when I read Lorraine Ezell’s Coffee Break devotional yesterday morning, the Lord showed me just how simple the answer to that question really is! So for anyone still struggling to let your spouse go, just put God first. It really is that easy and that simple. And to the extent we are able to do that, we will succeed in letting our spouses go and release the divine supernatural power of God to work on our behalf for the restoration of our marriages.

However, one of the most difficult aspects of letting our spouses go when they want to depart is understanding how that makes sense, much less works, when we’re supposed to be standing for the restoration of our marriages; because there naturally appear to be competing and conflicting objectives in attempting to do that. But we find a perfect illustration of that in the story of Abraham putting Isaac on the alter and raising his own hand to kill him even though God had promised to establish His covenant with him through Isaac, as we see in Genesis 1819, which says Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And then Genesis 21:12 even says But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. So just imagine the conflict that was going on in Abrahams heart, mind and spirit when God instructed him to literally kill the very son He had promised and very specifically told him through whom his descendents would be reckoned. In the exact same way, God instructs us to let our spouses go (being willing to sacrifice them), even though that seems totally contrary to our marriages being restored as His Word promises. Yet when we realize that God asked Abraham to put Isaac on the alter as a test, it’s easier to understand the kingdom principle of letting our spouses leave in order to move the hand of God to bring them back. And when we read Genesis 22:1-18, it’s clear that when it came right down to it, no matter the cost and no matter how difficult and painful, Abraham chose to put God first. He chose to put His faith and confidence in the power and promise of God’s Word above his limited ability to understand exactly what God had instructed him to do; much less why. He chose being obedient to God over the concerns he must have had about what others thought of what he was doing, particularly his beloved son! In the end, Abraham knew that being disobedient to God just wasn’t an option, so He put his love, faith, confidence and being obedient to God above EVERYTHING else—HE PUT GOD FIRST! And that’s exactly what God wants us to do now! As with Abraham, letting our spouses go and living in peace when they want to leave, as we stand on the authority of God’s Word for the full and complete restoration of our marriages, and families is a test. And the way we choose to respond to the test will not only affect us, but just as with Abraham and Isaac, it will have a very significant impact on the lives of many generations to come. So let’s focus on putting God first and pass the faith test!

And another important message we learn as we read Genesis 22:7-8 about Abraham being obedient and following through with God’s instructions to sacrifice his son, is that Abraham was sure that God would provide an alternative; yet he was prepared to do as God had instructed even if He didn’t. But Abraham fully EXPECTED God to make provision and fulfill His promise, which is confirmed by the word of his testimony in Genesis 22:5. And Abraham gave voice to that expectation and he did not give voice to fear or any doubt he might have had. And in the same way, God wants us to EXPECT Him to hear and answer our prayers and that He will ALWAYS do WHATEVER it takes to insure that His Word NEVER returns void; that it ALWAYS accomplishes that for which He sent it (Isaiah 46:10-11 and Isaiah 55:10-11)!

And since none of us really have a clue what God will do later today, much less tomorrow or at any time in the future, we have to keep our focus on today and what God is calling us to do right here and right now. And He ALWAYS has something He wants us to do for HIS kingdom, for His purpose and for His glory. And one of the things God wants us to do in this time of testing is to learn how to be the wives and husbands He created and always intended us to be and to be prepared when our spouses return. And the sooner we concentrate a whole lot more on finding out what God wants us to do and how we can DO it, the sooner we are likely to see things change in terms of the restoration of our marriages and families. But we can’t try to put God in a box and get all caught up in when or how, because then our focus is again shifted back to ourselves, our spouses and the restoration of our marriages and we are not putting God and His purpose for our lives first. So instead of worrying about how to let our spouses go, we should just concentrate on HOW to put God FIRST in our lives, and then everything else will fall into place just as it should. Remember, Jesus told us to love God with ALL of our hearts, ALL of our minds, ALL of our souls, and ALL of our strength, and said that’s the greatest commandment of all ( Mark 12:29-31). Well, that sure sounds like putting God first and it sure doesn’t leave any room for ANYTHING else! All is ALL, and anything we do less than that is unacceptable to God. And we can not love God without obeying Him, as revealed in these verses). And as difficult as it may be to understand and DO, God tells us that when an unbelieving spouse leaves, we are to let them go and live in peace; for how do we know we won’t save them ( 1 Corinthians 7:15-16). And there’s NO way we’ll ever be able to do that without being totally rooted and grounded in our walk and relationship with the Lord and His Word. He is the vine and we are the branches and apart from Him we can do NOTHING, but when we are in right relationship with Jesus, we can and will bear much fruit (John 15:5)! And there’s no greater way to be blessed and encouraged than putting God first! So here’s Lorraine’s great devotional from yesterday.

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Tomorrow by Lorraine Ezell

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34

Don’t misinterpret this verse and think that we are not suppose to think about tomorrow at all. We are told to occupy until He comes–raise our families, do our work, live life. If I am planning on taking a trip tomorrow, I have to “think” about the trip ahead of time and make sure that I have my clothes washed and ironed and packed for the trip. If a student has a test tomorrow, they have to make sure they have studied and are prepared to pass the test. If a business man has a presentation to make next week, he needs to be working today to make sure he is ready to present it when the time comes.

The word “thought” means- anxious, worry, fretful. We are told not to “worry” about tomorrow. Don’t be fretful, or fearful, don’t worry when there is no food in the
cabinets today about what you are going to eat tomorrow. Don’t be anxious about what may come your way tomorrow because of where you are today.

Sandwiched between verse 31-”Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”–and verse 34 is the key to not being worried or anxious–”(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

When you are tempted to be anxious about tomorrow, remember that you have a heavenly Father who is watching over you. Remember that He loves you and will take care of you. Remember that He already sees tomorrow and makes provision for it. Also, don’t seek after your needs– seek Him. Make seeking Him your priority. Put Him first-first in your time, in your work, in your home, in your thoughts, in your heart, in all you do.

There is something you have to do about tomorrow: don’t worry or be anxious, remember that God sees tomorrow, just keep your heart set on seeking Him, and give Him first place in your life.

Have a great day. Don’t worry about tomorrow- remember God and seek Him above everything else.

Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell and it’s sent by email free of charge for the asking from About the Master’s Business Ministry, Inc.

So please feel free to call Lorraine at (601) 833-5278 or E-mail her at mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
And you can visit her on the web at MastersBusiness.org.

WOW! What an awesome Small Straws message from Marsha Burns today! And it’s certainly no surprise or coincidence that it’s PERFECTLY timed to confirm many recent conversations with FAM members; it’s got to be a huge blessing to them just to know that God is so intimately involved in their lives that He confirmed this message at a time when they really needed to be reminded!

As I read Marsha’s message this morning, I was really struck by it’s timing and how simple and powerful it is; especially for everyone standing for marriage restoration, because it encompasses so many of the verses revealing some of the most important biblical principles of faith and marriage restoration! The following are just a few of the passages of scripture that flooded my mind as I read this wonderful message—and they’re all passages we refer to all the time:

Matthew 6:32-34 - For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - 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.

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.

John 15:5 (NKJV) - “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 8:31-32 (NKJV) - Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

1. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) - You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 Peter 5:6-8 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 10:10 (NKJV) - The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

James 4:7 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 22:36-38 - “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

Ephesians 6:12-18 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

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

Romans 8:28-33 - 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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

And I’m sure there are many more passages of scripture summed up in today’s Small Straws message, so read it and be blessed and encouraged as you give everything to the Lord and put all of your hope, trust and confidence in Him! He will never leave you or forsake you (just check out these passages)!

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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns — March 5, 2008: Beloved, refuse to allow your thoughts to stray from the place of abiding in Me — pure and undefiled by worry. This abiding only comes when you seek Me first. I know all that you need, and I will indeed provide if you will keep your priorities straight both inwardly and outwardly. Know that the enemy of your soul will do all he can to get you to obsess about your circumstances and the problems that you face; his aim is to cause you to lean on the arm of flesh instead of trusting Me to bring you through by the power of My strong, right hand, says the Lord. Resist temptation!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
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You can read the Small Straws messages online and sign up to receive them by email on the Spirit of Prophecy website, which I highly recommend.

The following message was posted on the ladies’ private site on the same day as the message shared from the men’s site in yesterday’s Seeds Of Faith post. And it’s interesting to note that even though neither member knew what the other had written, they were writing messages that perfectly coincided with each other. Since this praise report truly expresses what it means to let go and how God then begins to work supernaturally in our hearts, lives and marriages, I requested permission to share it here as well. And if there’s anyone reading this awesome testimony who has not yet reached the point of surrendering EVERYTHING to God, I hope this member’s experience will encourage you to do so, because you will then truly be blessed and encouraged; you will have peace that passes all understanding and you will release the supernatural power of God to work on your behalf and to change your heart!

*****
Welcome to all the new ladies. I pray for your encouragement in the Lord and for the peace that passes all understanding to be with you while we go through the restoration process. I tried not to be long winded but just wanted to share how far I have come since coming to this ministry.

I have learned that healing and learning truly begins when we let go of our spouses. Believe me, this was very hard for me to do, let alone understand. For months and months, I just could not get it. I would always try to understand the what, why and how of all the things that my husband did or said. It would send me on a roller coaster ride and my mind would be spinning around in circles. I had no peace at all. I was placing my husband first and foremost in everything. I had been placing my husband before God for a long time, and I was consumed with my husband and restoration. I also became a master spy. But all that did was hurt me even more.

I had made a lot of mistakes during our marriage and God was showing me the areas where I needed to work on - every area. (LOL!) But I had a hard time forgiving myself, even though God had forgiven me and was feeling a lot of guilt. I was a mess!!

Well, the last straw came during Christmas season. I found out that my husband and the NCP went to his hometown for the holidays. I found that out by prying…spying - there I go again. That hurt me deeply. And I could not go on like that any longer. My kids were at my mom’s and I was home alone. I had to let go and give the whole marriage circumstance to God. I fell on my face before the Lord and cried out to Him. For three days I cried out and prayed to the Lord. Well I tell you, God healed my heart. The ache I had in my belly all the time; waking up, going to sleep, off and on all day was finally gone. I started to feel peace and joy in my soul that was put there by the Lord. I began to read the Word with more understanding and the words of the bible touched me and enlighten me and I knew it was healing to my soul and marrow to my bones. I started attending church and my praise and worship was taken to a higher level. The Word entered my heart! The peace that passes all understanding was falling over me. How sweet Jesus is! How awesome our God is! I have learned to Trust in the Lord with all my heart and NOT lean to my own understanding. It took a long time for this to happen, and there are still times when I have to take my thoughts captive, but I can do this now; I know that I know that the Lord is there for us always! When I am weak, the Lord strength is able to make me strong. I know that Jesus is the center of my joy and I can rest in Him and He will give me peace.

Since my healing, my new awakening in the Lord, my interactions with my spouse have increased - usually initiated by him. Lots of events have occurred, but the interaction between us has been improving. I also see how God has my husband’s heart in His hand, because sometimes my husband says one thing, but the next minute he does another. I use to try and figure it out, but I know the Lord has it in His mighty, awesome hands. I am trusting and believing in the promises of God.

I pray that everyone here will become closer to God and receive his amazing peace, joy and love. Release your spouse to God and watch God take control and WOW!! Amen!!!

(This was shared on the private website by one of the FAM Fellowship members Friday, and since it is an important message for all of us as we stand for the restoration of our marriages, I want to share it here as well. So be blessed and encouraged, and remember that Jesus told us that if we love Him, we will obey Him…SO TRUST AND OBEY!)

The following devotion from Glen Jackson today really touched me and made me think. As I continue to walk in obedience to His Word, my faith just keeps getting stronger and stronger. My prayer for all of you is that you will saturate yourselves in the Word; gaining knowledge and understanding that leads to wisdom, as you pray, trust and believe in Him for the restoration of your marriage. God is so faithful and good to meet us where we are and take us to where He wants us to be. He is there for you every step of the way and nothing you are going through is a surprise to Him. He has it all covered! Blessings. (I did add some emphasis at times!)

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THE LIFE OF FAITH AND THE GLORIOUS CHURCH - FEBRUARY 29th

“I AM WRITING THESE THINGS TO YOU, THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN”

….”My little children, I am writing these things to you, that you may not sin”….

1 John 2:1a NASB

In the above portion of scripture the apostle John is writing to the Church, and he is nearing the end of his ministry. He has had many great years of service to the Lord and to the Church and he is reflecting on some things, and as he reflects on these things we begin to see the importance of, and gain a deeper revelation of, the things that are so important to the Father’s heart. Right from the start we must realize that God’s Word and the Holy Spirit are there to lead us into ALL truth, and guide us on the straight and narrow path of His perfect will for our lives - in order that we might not remain under the power of sin and, thus, live lives that are pleasing to Him.

….”and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”….

1 John 2:1b NASB

Here we are put in remembrance of the precious Blood of Jesus for the remission of our sins. In the previous chapter the apostle John talks of how that Blood “cleanses us from all sin” and how as we “confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.

“IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS”

….”And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked”….
1 John 2:2-6 NASB

There are some important principles in this passage which we must look at.

Jesus said:

….”If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”,

and again

….”He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me, and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love Him, and will disclose Myself to him.” …”If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make our abode with him”….

John 14:15, 21, 23 NASB

From this portion of God’s Word we can see clearly that we must take our obedience to the Father and His Word as the only measuring stick of our love towards Him. The degree that we obey God is the degree that we love Him, and to the degree that we love God and have His love shed abroad in our hearts, it is to that degree we are able to “truly” love others with His love. These are very basic truths, but it is so important for every one of us to have these things revealed to our heart to a continually greater degree by the Holy Spirit - in order that we are not deceived by the lies of the Evil One. As we draw near to the Word of God and obey His commandments, we will have the assurance that our “motives” are pure and that our heart is clean before the Father at ALL times - thus allowing us to be pure vessels of His love and truth to all who cross our path.

ABSOLUTE SURRENDER

The Word of God states in verse 5 that:

….”whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected”….

We need to have a deep revelation of the love of the Father, for it is in truly knowing Him - and having His love shed abroad in our heart - that causes (empowers) us to walk in obedience, and most importantly, to have a constant desire to do “only” His will for our lives. That, of course, is the measure of the “absolute surrender” to which we are called: the laying down of our own lives (the self-life) in order to do all to the greatest glory of God. This is precisely why the apostle John writes in verse 6:

….”The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked”….

As who walked? As Jesus walked in the earth!

Jesus said:

….”I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear I judge; and My judgement is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me”….

John 5:30 NASB

Everything Jesus did while He was in the earth He did in obedience to the Father’s Word - through the power of the Holy Spirit. And so we too, if we desire to live the true Christian life and operate in the fullness of what God has provided for us, must walk in the same manner in which Jesus walked, that is, to live the life of the “Cross” - being obedient to every command of the Father at ALL times.

In verse 7 the apostle John is refreshing the memories of those in the Church as he writes:

….”Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining”….
1 John 2:7-8 NASB

As we continue on into the deeper things of the Kingdom, and our minds are constantly being renewed by the Word of God [through the power of the Holy Spirit] the darkness [or veil] that was there before no longer remains, and we begin to be “enabled” to see ALL things through the eyes of God, and come to the place of truly understanding the deepest thoughts and purposes of the tender, loving heart of the Father. This glorious knowledge of His holy character is the catalyst to abiding in a pure and ever-increasing love - both towards God and towards all those who cross our path.

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 1:9; Romans 12:1-2;

Glenn H. Jackson
P.O. Box 1032
Kremmling, CO 80459

You can read Glenn’s messages online or sign up to receive them by email at www.jtlmin.com.
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