I am trying to stay in Plan A as hard as I can and sometimes I just need a little inspiration. Could some knowledgeable MB'ers post some inspirational verses for me. I have read Hosea and would recommend that book for my contribution.

Searching for Truth.

C.

<small>[ October 18, 2004, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: shmaley ]</small>

Ok Shmaley,

I have one which I was going to start a thread on but my Bible is at home and I am not. Will look it up and post it ...... tomorrow?!?!? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

It's a good, from the mouth of a WS no less. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> I mean Xws. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

L.

You might read through Romans, particularly chapter 8 and the first five verses of chapter 5. Always helps me.

Schmaley,

I am glad Shattered came on here with some bible advice.

I have been thinking of your question for awhile tonight, and was reading now before bed "The Sacred Romance, Drawing Closer to rhe Heart of God" by Brent Curtis & John Eldredge, a book I really like and thought to suggest that to you.

I have never done Bible study and don't know the verses, but in my darkest times, when I run out of things to say to God, and when I am feeling despair, I usually open the bible just any where it falls open and start reading.

To me even though I don't know much about scripture, God is my father and He is always with me. I talk to him all the time and feel Him with me always. I would have to say that from the time I almost killed myself at 27 until now, my best times in life were when I held God close in my heart and remembered that he is my Father and loves me.

The times when I was at my lowest since my breakdown at 27, were the times that I forgot that He was with me.

I'm glad you are seeking God, Schmaley (see I remembered your name). He will bring you great peace. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Shmaley -

The love story of Hosea is one of my favorites. It is a story of the broken hearted, and redemption.

I especially like the part where he says "Do you not see how beautiful she is? I have loved her always, even in the depth of her waywardness, because my God loved her".

Here' a daily email that I get from Rejoice Ministries.... Looks like it's right on target today!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> - - - - -
The Steinkamps have written 18 books. Most of these are available
only in the Rejoice Marriage Ministries Bookstore, as are over 100
Bible teaching tapes on marriage restoration - http://stopdivorce.org
- - - - -

IS YOUR SPOUSE YOUR ENEMY? -

Who is your enemy? Your spouse? Many would say, "Yes, because they
did_______, and they ________ and they still_______ against me." I
thought the same way many years ago. I could not believe that my
husband would be unfaithful. I could not believe that my husband who
loved our children would risk giving up everything for his own selfish
desires. During my own spiritual journey I found out who the enemy
really is to each of our families.

"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 6:1

I want you to become knowledgeable about the real enemy. It is the
Devil, or Satan.

"My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6

We need to beware of the Enemy, as his purpose is to destroy all of
us. We need to be on guard and alert against the enemy attacks.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come
that they may have life, and have to the full." John 10:10

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him,
standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers
throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
I Peter 5:8-9

Learn to pray and fight the enemy who is coming against your marriage.
As a Christian, and as one praying for God's restoration of their
marriage, you have an arsenal of weapons available to you. God has
given us the weapons; we only need to learn how to use each one:

* Word Of God - Read Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17

* Armor of God - Read Ephesians 6:10-17.

* The Name of Jesus - Read Matthew 28:18-20

* Praise - Read Psalm 8:1-2

* Hedge of Thornbushes - Read Hosea 2:5-7

* The Blood of the Lamb - Read Revelation 12:10-12

* Fasting - Read: Isaiah 58:6

"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 powers 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." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

As you continue your spiritual journey, I challenge you to start
reading different books about spiritual warfare. Do not be afraid
or fearful. God is on the throne. Walk in victory. Know who you
are in Christ! There is victory for your prodigal and loved ones!
Jesus Christ defeated the enemy, Satan, on the cross.

"You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because
the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
I John 4:4

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and
to overcome all the powers of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Luke 10:19

Remember, your spouse is not your enemy. The enemy is Satan. We have
the authority through Jesus Christ to win the war for our family. I
pray that you might be encouraged as you come to understand that your
spouse is not your enemy, and that this is a winnable war, through
the power and blood of Jesus Christ.

God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries
Post Office Box 10548
Pompano Beach, Florida 33061
http://rejoiceministries.org
http://stopdivorce.org

- - - - -
Visit the Rejoice Restoration Bookstore - http://stopdivorce.org
- - - - -
Are you being strengthened and encouraged by "Charlyne Cares"? Join
us in proclaiming, "God Heals Hurting Marriages" by becoming a partner
with us in Rejoice Marriage Ministries. Sow seed in fertile soil and
be blessed by your Lord - http://rejoiceministries.org/ucanhelp.html
- - - - -
Listen to Rejoice Marriage Ministries three radio programs to help
keep you standing strong - http://rejoiceministries.org/radio.html
- - - - -
The best news - http://rejoiceministries.org/salvation.html
Court? - http://stopdivorce.org/index.php?viewItem=00216&viewCat=2
Add our link to your page- http://rejoiceministries.org/link2us.html
Share a praise report- http://rejoiceministries.org/testimony.html
- - - - -
Scripture quoted by permission and are from the Holy Bible; New
International Version® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International
Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All
rights reserved.
- - - - -
Manage your Charlyne Cares subscription - http://charlynecares.net .
Copyright© 2004 Rejoice Ministries Inc. All rights reserved. Reprint
information available from http://rejoiceministries.org/reprint.html
To contact us visit - http://www.rejoiceministries.org/contacts.html
If your devotionals stop - http://rejoiceministries.org/nocc.html
- - - - -


</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Blessings,

D.

"You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.


"You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

(Matt6)

Herein is love, not that we loved God , but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
(1John4)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea , I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
(Isaiah41)


My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

(Isaiah 46)

For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us,leaving us an example, that you should follow in his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;

Who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously;

(1Peter 2)

Also:

Matthew 18v21, 22
Matthew 6v14, 15
Colossians 3:13

*Isaiah 54
Isaiah 55
Psalm 37
Ephesians 4:31


1John 2v5,6

Here is one a friend gave me....it was tucked into some flowers. The flowers have died, but the scripture remains with me still....

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

K

I am not really too versed in biblical passages, but I do know that my mother always ends her prays "thy will be done". She said she's been praying for me, and also praying for my WS. I have asked the lord every night to soften my husbands heart to me and his family, and let him know that we are who he should be with. I can't help but think of part of my marriage vows "What God has joined together let no man put asunder"

I was horribly depressed at the beginning of all this, but suddenly have found peace.....I attribute that to God hearing my prayers. I asked him to take this burden from me, because it was truly too much for me to bear, and I've somehow turned a corner....I don't feel so defeated. I want my husband back, and will continue to work towards that goal, but the sense of abandonment has left me, and the urgency to fix things immediately has left me.

At one point I even made a lame attempt at suicide (I was never serious...it was more a ploy to get my husband's attention). But my pain was so great that I felt death would be better than living with the stone I carried on my chest everyday. The stone has been lifted, God has made my burden lighter, and I am able to see that all of the things that are happening to me must be for a reason.

Give your pain to God.

-Caren

Wow, looks like I've got some reading to do now. I read Romans 5:1-5 last night. I really liked it. Thought about it all night while I was dealing with WW at a concert.

Tribulations--Patience--Experience--Hope

I like that. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

C.

I talked to a very spiritual man at work today. Although I was raised in the church, I learned very little. I remember few of the lessons taught to me. When I became an adult, I decided to stop going to church, and have never made my children go to church. I wonder now if all that is happening isn't some kind of wake up call. I told this man at work of my problems, I had been wanting to talk to him for a long time, as I've seen him pray with patients, and he has great conviction and takes joy in helping others spiritually. This man works in the transport department, and has been in trouble more than once for praying with these people, even though the people themselves have not complained....staff members who have witnessed it have made complaints to his manager. I pulled him aside yesterday and said "George, I've been wanting to talk to you, I need you to pray for me...for my marriage" He came back to my floor on his break and had written down some bible verses he wanted me to read, and he prayed with me. It was very moving, although I feared again, that he might get into trouble. Here are the words he gave me.

Psalms 35:1-28

A Psalm of David. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, "I am your deliverance!" Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and confounded who devise evil against me! Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them on! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them! For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. Let ruin come upon them unawares! And let the net which they hid ensnare them; let them fall therein to ruin! Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his deliverance. All my bones shall say, "O LORD, who is like thee, thou who deliverest the weak from him who is too strong for him, the weak and needy from him who despoils him?" Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not. They requite me evil for good; my soul is forlorn. But I, when they were sick--I wore sackcloth, I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my bosom, as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; I went about as one who laments his mother, bowed down and in mourning. But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; cripples who I knew not slandered me without ceasing; they impiously mocked more and more, gnashing at me with their teeth. How long, O LORD, wilt thou look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my life from the lions! Then I will thank thee in great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise thee. Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause. For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they conceive words of deceit. They open wide their mouths against me; they say, "Aha, Aha! our eyes have seen it!" Thou hast seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! Bestir theyself, and awake for my right, for my cause, my God and my Lord! Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, according to they righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me! Let them not say to themselves "aha, we have our heart's desire!" Let them not say "We have swallowed him up." Let them be put to shame and confusion altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me! Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad, and say evermore, "Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!" Then my tongue shall tell of they righteousness and of they praise all the day long.

-Caren

Bump^

"Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again I say, REJOICE." --Phil. 4:4

NOTE: it does not say that you have an exception to "not rejoice" if your spouse is having an affair, if your OP is a sneaky snake, if your family is destroyed, if your heart is laid to waste or if your children are a mess due to an affair--it says "ALWAYS".

"In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you." -I Thess. 5:18

NOTE: it does not say, "give thanks with the good stuff, but whine and beg for something else if it gets hard or hurts"...it says we are to give thanks in EVERY POSSIBLE SITUATION. Yes, you will choke on your own vomit when you sincerely thank God for the OP, but you will be obeying God's will. So give thanks in EVERYTHING.

"Guard your heart for it is a wellspring of life!" --Prov. 4:23

NOTE: God does not tell us "allow you spouse to run roughshod all over your heart because it's not all that valuable"--God COMMANDS us to keep our heart safe from harm, because He uses your heart to provide life-giving refreshment and wather to others!!! Your heart is too precious and too valuable to not protect it. Keep your heart safe, because from your heart bubbles up the life-giving water that nourishes so many!!


CJ

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians (4:16-18