I started doing the devotional that goes along with this book by Joyce Meyer. As part of giving back to the community that has helped me in my own struggles (and will continue to do so I hope) I feel led to share some verses that will inspire a BS in carrying on, because there will be a battle going on in your head day after day and you need victory over that battle as you move forward with your plans in your situation.

I'll try to update this daily as I read through the book.


Isaiah 30:18 (The Message)
But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (The Message)
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

Read the Bible, pray to God, give him praise. These are our weapons. These are the things that get me through these terrible days.

Eph525,

This is a great reminder. I needed this today, (and everyday! )

I also love your line about the storms...that is a battle of the mind I daily face as well. MY GOD IS A BIG GOD!

God Bless you!

IHC

absolutely 100% true!
i have fought my battles with god's army and god's tools and have won every one of them so far in this mess.
you must fight with heavenly influence, not worldly influence.

i got battlefield of the mind for kids for my daughter for xmas.

great books.
mlhb

I don't read the Bible regularly but have been getting in touch more and more with spirituality, and ways of worship. I like the synchronicity of seeing a verse and the message it holds at that moment. So, I took out my Bible and without an effort opened it (first try) to your verse, Isaiah 30:18. I don't even consciously know how far back Isaiah is in the Bible. Had to triple check I was really on the right page!

So hard to know, is waiting for God- waiting for my formerly wayward long time (12 yr) live in boyfriend to remember what he lost with me? And being patient for him to see if he is capable of remembering and changing?

Or is waiting for God, trusting that my path is to leave and start over (age of 38) and knowing that God still has the perfect plan in store for me in another place, with another person?

So, I read on...to verses 20 and 21.
"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

My teachers- this website, Dr. Harley's books- I called his radio show and he sent me three. My counselor. This whole unfathomable experience of being lied to and betrayed. My friends who point out that wayward seems unwilling to try to work things out (aside from joint counselling), who say maybe I need to cut my losses. So, many 'voices' and so hard to hear the Truth.

blind_hope

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

We need to think about what we spend our time thinking about. Negative thoughts fuel negative emotions. We need to think on things that are clean, pure and uplifting. Believe you will be successful and you will.

"As you wander on through life, brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole."

InHisCare, mlhb, and blind_hope

Thanks for your comments and I am glad you received inspiration. There has never been a time in my life where God's word was more true to me than it is right now. The Bible is truly the LIVING word of God.

Eph, thanks for the words of encouragement.

I have never been someone for church every sunday. but have always believed in the higher power. always believed that "things happen for a reason" As hard as this is I still firmly believe that this did happen for a reason, now I just need to find out what it is. my faith has kept me going. instead of a focus of "why me??" and "I can't do this" I tell myself to "find the meaning" and ask myself "what am I supposed to be learnig from this??"

I know God is on my side and He is all knowing all powerful. I am going to do my part and believe what I tell my kids all the time "If you don't get what you want, it is only because God has something far better in store for you" I can't wait to see what that might be.

you words are powerful and give strength, thank you

There is an awesome book called the Dreamgiver. It is a parable-like story in the beginning- a quick read. Then, the second half relates the struggles in the story to people in the Bible. Highly recommend it. It gave me so much to think about- all prior to the affair, etc. Someone lent it to me as if he was sent into my life to tap me on the shoulder and say- what are you doing with your life.

It is about believing in a life-purpose. That each one us has a dream in our heart, but not everyone embraces it. That we are "Nobodies born to be Somebodies and achieve Great Things". That to achieve the Dream you were meant to achieve, you go through various struggles (some where you see God readily and others where you feel abandoned- all with cute proper names in the book).

It says "Every challenge God gives us is an opportunity for us to learn a skill or a character trait that will help us achieve our Dream." I memorized that before the affair issue and I repeat it now often.

I stand and stare out the window and say- God- what are you trying to teach me? But, the hard part is we won't know until we learn it. I ask, Are you teaching me love (and how to give without receiving), patience, forgiveness, letting go? Are you teaching me to take a risk and leave and trust that it all works out- something I am not good at-for fear of making a mistake?

I have figured out that so far I have learned how to be a better communicator and how impt. that is for a relationship. I see the mistakes we made in our relationship that created this environment and I've made some changes. Just need to figure out if I get to apply the learnings to my former wayward or to someone else, and if he is going to make adjustments.

I do struggle sometimes thinking if "Love does not end." Corinthians. Then, does God ever really want us to walk away- isn't love supposed to win?

blind_hope

Wow, I love this. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Two good ones today.

Zechariah 4:6B (NIV)
Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.

James 4:2 (NIV)
You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

God wants us to ask for His help, and he promises that help through the power of the Holy Spirit. Too often we think we can do this on our own. Willpower alone won't help you overcome the negative thoughts.

Use the weapon of prayer, tell God you cannot do it alone, ask for His help, and you will get it. God wants to be your hero so much more than you want to be a hero for your WS.

This one is relevant for a WS as well

2 Corinthians 2:11(NIV)
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Our mind is Satan's battlefield and he is relentless and persistent in his attacks. Even though God has already won the war, every new day brings a new battle in our mind.

For the WS:
As Joyce Meyer says, "The temptation is not to do evil or to cause harm or to bring injustice. The lure is that we will gain something." Yep, selfishness at it's core.

For the BS:
God will give you victory over the wrong thinking that can and will fill your mind. That wrong thinking might be that you cannot deal with this, that you cannot go on, that God does not care about you, that your WS, or M, or family is not worth fighting for. If that were true, then no one would be here at MB with a success story, no one would be here helping you, offering advice, tips, whatever. But as you well know, some HAVE made it and will tell you there M is better than ever. It can happen - believe it!

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39)

This one got me through a lot of down times.

Amen, believer. Ultimately, it's all about God's love for us and his expression on that love through Jesus.

If only we could love like that.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (The Message)
God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

This one is pretty self explanatory and goes along with 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 above. As a BS, we are in the midst of not only the battle in our own mind but also the battle going on in the mind of the WS - a two pronged attack the can leave a BS feeling overwhelmed, defeated, scared, fearful, and full of doubt. Oh God, there are untold numbers of marriages that never have a chance to try to recover for these very reasons. Thank you for the MB principles and everyone here that gives us something to hold on to and gives us a fighting chance.

John 8:44 (NIV)
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

News flash - Satan lies.

We as Christians know this, yet time and time again we listen to the lies put into our head. We need to do like Jesus did when he was tempted in the desert - quote the word of God. In order to do that, you have to read it, study it, and memorize it. God's word is one of our weapons - use it and it's truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Sorry for missign a few days. I have been fighting my own battles in my mind.


John 8:31b-32 (NIV)
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

God's word is truth and it is powerful. We need to read it, meditate on it, and pray about it. As we apply it to our lives we will see the power and we will be set free from Satan's lies and the strongholds in our mind will be tron down.

Luke 4:18-19(NIV)
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

As a BS, I can identify with feeling like a prisoner, feeling blind and feeling oppressed. The good news is that Jesus came to give us freedom from all of this. I am not a prisoner - I have been set free. I am not blind - I have been given sight. I am not oppressed - I have victory. God desires for us all to be free in this way.

Eph525 - Why are we here?

What is our purpose in life?

What does it mean to "become more Christ-like?"

Why would anyone "choose Christ?

Can anyone choose Christ without God first choosing them?

Is "Free Will" an excuse for selfishness or a gift of love intended to used in love?

What does Satan have to say about our "Free Will" and the choices it puts in front of us to......"choose ye this day...."

What does a "surrendered life" mean to a born again believer?

What does it mean to "rest in the Lord?"

Just a few things to think about as you are "in the middle of the storm."


God bless.

Eph525 - I get daily inspirational messages in my email.

Here are a few from Dr. Charles Stanley that I thought you might find thoughtful and helpful.



January 28, 2007
A Life-Changing Prayer
Colossians 1:9-14

The most powerful act anyone can perform is to pray for someone. Of course, the power is not in the praying, but in the release God gives in His perfect answer to our prayers. Paul provides an example of one of the most effective prayers we could utter. He prays that the Colossian church:

• May be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. What a wonderful gesture to ask God to make clear for family members or friends the precise, exact decisions He wishes them to make in every circumstance.

• May walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This means asking that someone’s life will have weight–will count eternally and not temporally.

• May bear fruit in every good work. We should pray for loved ones to remain so Christ-centered that He through them determines their conversation, conduct, and character.

• May increase in the knowledge of God. Can there be a more precious request than that of wanting someone to grow ever closer to our heavenly Father?

• May be strengthened and sustained with the power of God. Within an evil world system, we need the supernatural power of God to help us bear up under the strain.

• May give thanks that we already have qualified as saints of God. There is nothing for which we should be more appreciative.




January 30, 2007
Keeping Your Eye on the Road
Psalm 25:15

Have you ever tried to make a perfectly straight line of footprints in the snow? It’s not as easy as you might think. Faced with the challenge, most people may tread slow and steady, heads down, focusing intensely at their feet. When someone attempts this task with their eyes cast downward, you can be sure they’ll fail. The footprints will be crooked.

When you walk with your eyes on your feet, you have no idea where you’re going. The experience is entirely self-centered. There’s no perspective because you cannot see how you fit into the larger landscape. There’s no genuine focus, since every step treads over the last step’s focal point. You haven’t imagined yourself as part of a bigger picture. So for all intents and purposes, you simply plod through the snow aimlessly.

The only way to make a straight line of footprints is to forget about your feet. The key is to look straight ahead and find a fence post, street sign, or tree off in the distance. Then, with your eyes fixed on that target, just start walking. If you’ve locked your focus on something outside of yourself, your path will be straight every time.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. If we walk through life concentrating inwardly, we’ll fail to see the bigger picture and veer off course. But when we focus beyond ourselves and fix our thoughts and spiritual eyes on Jesus, we can trust that our paths will be straight and trustworthy every step of the way (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).



January 31, 2007
God’s Pathway to Success
Joshua 1:7

Too often, Christians shy away from the whole idea of success. Some are just grateful for whatever the Lord gives them. These misguided believers have confused success with greed and discontent! This happens because of our overwhelming obsession with the world’s definition of success.

For most people, success is equivalent to wealth and power. If you asked the average person on the street whether he’s successful, there’s a good chance he would talk about his career or investments. He may even make a passing reference to his “15 minutes of fame.” Many people simply cannot view success outside of these terms.

Yet the heavenly Father calls His children to live triumphantly. If the pursuit of success were sinful, how could God have made the promise of Joshua 1:7? Was He promising money? No. Was He promising fame? No. The Lord was promising success.

For Joshua, success was defined as military victory, steadfast faith, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Moses. Joshua wasn’t concerned with money or fame; rather, he was intensely focused on fulfilling God’s plan for him. Armed with the power of the Word, Joshua boldly marched ahead and received the Lord’s blessings. And for that, God called him a “success.”

Do not be confused. The world’s trappings have nothing to do with spiritual success. Your family, relationships, integrity, faithfulness . . . these are the things that matter in life. When you place your emphasis on these things, you’ll discover the godly way to measure success.


God bless.