Buy Looking Back 25 Years
Charlyne Cares is a daily reminder that God cares and that we care about your marriage. Each morning Charlyne sends a devotional and Bob does a Prodigal Perspective on Tuesdays. These come from someone who has experienced the tragedy of divorce and the triumph of a family restored by God speaking to Charlyne's heart not to give up on their marriage after she divorced Bob.
Do you know and understand that you are in a spiritual war? Has your beloved spouse become a slave to sin? Is your Lord asking you to join His army forever? You may have many different assignments throughout your life with the Lord as your Commander, but will you join His fight again the evil one?
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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." Ephesians 6:10-12
Today, realize that you need to join God's army and fight the enemy every day of your life, regardless of the circumstances that are happening in your marriage today. We are in a war, a spiritual war more intense than the wars and terrorist attacks that are going on around the world.
The war started in Genesis, Chapter 3, where Eve was deceived by the serpent-the enemy-the devil. There has been a spiritual war going on since that time for the souls of men, women and children. The war is warring in your household for the minds and the souls of your family. The enemy is Satan.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
We receive prayer requests from couples who are married and hanging on by a thread due to circumstances such as alcohol, abuse, drugs, adultery, or pornography. We have standers who have had their beloved spouse leave home to find their happiness with someone else. We have couples who have reconciled, but the prodigal spouse has not yet received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Whatever your situation is now, you must still fight the enemy in the prayer closet daily. The enemy is out to destroy every marriage regardless of what season you are in your life. You need to know who the enemy is and that you are in a spiritual battle.
It does not matter whether your spouse is at home, you are separated or divorced or your spouse is in a non-covenant marriage. The enemy does not want you to serve Jesus Christ. He wants to destroy every one of His children. You may understand this better, as possibly the enemy may now be attacking your children or other loved ones in different ways. You must learn how to fight the enemy. You must know who you are in Christ! Is your spouse is a slave to sin? Are they blinded and deceived?
"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word." John 8:34-37
Satan is using the same tricks and schemes that he did in Genesis by lying, seducing and deceiving people from the truth. Satan lies and deceives people each day and they fall into his trap of temptation and then sin. Your spouse then is a slave to sin, but praise God, your Lord Jesus Christ cam to set the captives free! When you read the Gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) you will read that one of Jesus' purposes in coming to earth was to bind Satan and to set free those who Satan has enslaved.
"They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!' 'Be quiet!' said Jesus sternly. 'Come out of him!' The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.' The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, 'What is this? A new teaching–and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.'" Mark 1:21-27
You and I need to know how and what to do to fight the enemy. We need to remember that our Lord Jesus Christ said that He came to this earth for us to have life and abundantly. What should you do?
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:22-26
This scripture teaches us a lot of truths and strong principles how to live and walk in unconditional love with a loved one who is acting unlovable most of the time. May you and I strive to flee from the evil desires of the flesh, but pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. The Lord knows the enemy tries to cause strife and conflicts for us to act and react in our carnal flesh. You and I have to crucify our sinful nature regardless of what your spouse or children are doing to provoke you.
Put on the Armor of God daily on you, your spouse and children. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Stand firm in your faith. Put on the Hedge of Protection around each of your family members with the wall of fire. ( 2 Kings 6:8-23, Hosea 2:6-7) Ask the Holy Spirit to send warrior angels to protect you from the evil one every day. You are not in a conflict against flesh and blood (your spouse), but against spiritual forces and powers of evil. So get up every morning and get dressed for battle! The Lord can touch and change your spouse's heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life and every step throughout each day. A soldier of Jesus Christ must be dressed and ready for battle!
"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." Ephesians 6:13
May you never forget who you are in Christ. Remember, who your Commander-in-Chief is, Jesus Christ.
"....If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
May you pray every day that your Lord God will deliver you, your spouse and your children from spiritual blindness. Ask the Lord that the eyes of your loved ones hearts will be opened to see the Truth.
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19
Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the Cross. The price has been paid. Yes, you and I will be in spiritual battles until we go home to be with our Heavenly Father, but remember that there is power in Blood of our Lord Jesus, there is power in the Name of Jesus, and we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. May you and I pray specifically that all prodigals or backslidden Christians will repent, turning away from the sins of their sinful lifestyle and come back to their Lord and to their families quickly!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Post Office Box 10548
Pompano Beach, FL 33061 USA
http://rejoiceministries.org (Ministry web site)
http://rejoiceministries.org/r.php?num=tizwl (Bookstore)
http://rejoiceministries.org/r.php?num=1qrwh (24/7 Radio)
http://rejoiceministries.org/r.php?num=z8hij (Support)
Thank you for visiting Rejoice Marriage Ministries. We offer two subscription options for receiving the full devotional in your email Inbox: the original daily devotional that you will receive in your Inbox seven days a week, and the new "Weekly Edition" that puts one of the daily editions from the previous week in your Inbox every Friday. If you prefer to read the devotional on our web site and just want to be notified when a new one is available, see our notification subscription options. Please enter your email address to subscribe or unsubscribe to Charlyne Cares or Charlyne Cares Weekly Edition (be sure to select which one you are subscribing to or unsubscribing from). Both come directly to your email box for free. Come back and visit us again soon!
NOTE: If you have stopped receiving "Charlyne Cares," please click here for possible reasons.
Do you prefer to read Charlyne Cares on our web site, but want to be notified when it is made available? Or, does your email provider frequently block Charlyne Cares messages from being delivered to your Inbox? We now offer two ways to be notified of each new Charlyne Cares devotional (along with a link to read it) without receiving the complete message by email:
PLEASE NOTE: If you have stopped receiving Charlyne Cares, click here for possible reasons.
|
Google© Website Translator
|
|
•
French • German • Italian • Portuguese • Spanish |
"My husband has been home for almost two months. I thank God for the work he has done in me. My husband says that I have changed. He treats me with love. I have been reading the book 'Standing After The Prodigal Returns' and it has been a great support. I know that God, not my actions, restored our marriage. I know that He wants my husband saved. I have learned that God is not far away from me, but very close each and every moment of my day." (Arizona)
“God does heal hurting marriages. My husband and I were separated for three months. He filed for divorce after abandoning me and my child. I have been praying and praying for God to step into his life so my husband can realize his mistakes. We were to go to court in January. My prodigal called me after Christmas to say he was filing a dismissal. The Lord does answer prayers. My husband has now repented and he wants a closer relationship with God. He has asked for my forgiveness. Hallelujah, he came home on New Year's Eve.” (Georgia)
Subscribe in a reader