Every Wed. we pray and fast for one another for resolution to marriages and our lives. Every Wed. we can check in and let everyone know we have prayed for the group. Prayer does mighty things and group prayer is even better.
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matt 18:20.
I think it will be great to see how God works in our lives and heals our marriages and us. If you want to pray with us I will be more than happy to add your name to the list below.
Prayer Warriors who are praying and being prayed for: {130 Prayer Warriors and counting}
cajunky . Ezra . Willgetthruthis . Godisincontrol . Natasha79 . JohnC . NMWBTWBD (Not My Will, But Thy Will Be Done . Wallace . relady .
steadfast and committed . morriggs .
lupolady . stillwaiting . Broken Hearted . PasDeDeux . hopeful_person . GinnyF . justpeachy . cry2much . SNL . LostAgain (Dave&April) . Dodger . gloriachu .
LoveNcare . JMF . WEN . NiteHawk . Absurd . LetSTry . AgainsttheWind . cemmerson . getting better . kellidiane . Terrified . BeeLee . idostylin . Resilient . thiscantbehappening . day by day . Jloves . broken x3 . Sue with Hope . sunrise1 . shepette . Malc . Faithfulwife . timbo-e . Angelia . FeelingAllAlone . broken_joe . dopey . awake . truly a friend . Is it to late . stilltryingtosaveit . landslide . GODBLESSU . vega . LoyalWarrior .
janna-m-r . ferbie . epiphOny . simmy .
cajeanie . d_rose . lost_lonely . briank4775 . mayflower . Caged_Bird . LunaDove . goldielocks109 . darwud . Mrs. Darwud . Zuzus Petals . adamv . Army Hubby . Gail (mojodiva) & Shane . bonnie five & H . TryingToKeepHope .
Hopeful98 . lghoping . SoTired (Mike & Trish) . evega . Douglas and Kirsi Nielson . Jessicafl27 . kimmy2 . auntielala . weezy8550 . miserynmissouri . STBXWife . sealfan . Jen Brown . SMIAJ . cinderella .
GreggC . trying_to_accept . solon . serenitydipity . ilia . lonejrock . anchorhugger . Prayer & Patience . Chikar . Alex6 . Hopeforamiracle . fishlady . rookie . Made A Mess of Things . *DeepSigh* . boden . new comittment . deeplyhurting . jeff15679 . Bob Castaldi . k57mo . skottyjay (Scott and Melody) . TROD (Tony and Julie) . thisso . ladysheep .
hurtmorethanheknows .
singleguy .
tryingTOsaveMYmarraige .
Keesley .
recovering_dad .
Terrianna .
javaContour .
BH .
Cheryls .
cherry log .
AD. .
Prayers Answered: Most current first.
Steadfastandcommitted (wife is back and we are planning to renew our wedding vows in our church) . tryingTOsaveMYmarraige (D is interested in the Christian music I am listening to and asks a lot about God) . hopeful_person (H seemed more willing to consider a reconciliation) . GreggC (wife's heart is softening a bit and son asking about things in the Bible and believes in it) . WGTT (WH coming home) . d_rose (got a ways to go but we are going there together.) . Faithfulwife (GOT A JOB, Found a house, D is final and got a puppy that “just LOVES me”) . tsc (marriage being restored) . janna-m-r (Husband came home and wants to try to restore marriage even though he is the BS) . Steadfastandcommitted (wife gave up other man) . Stillwaiting (Got to see her husband for 2 hours and his heart seems to have softened) . Stillwaiting (neice is o.k.) . cajunky (wife not engaged & did something with family, told me she loved me) . Free (Marriage Restoration begun ) . Againstthewind (Got job) . betrayed and desparate (sucessful cancer surgery) . WGTT (accepted into mentor program) . Movingonwithlife (Wife coming home) . cry2much(sucessful surgery) . Steadfastandcommitted (first string again) . Lupolady (air conditioner) .
What Does God Expect Of A Man? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">
Strength of Character What must a man do to develop bulging biceps and perfect pectorals? It takes a lot of exercise, to be sure, as well as the right kind of diet. As the saying goes, "No pain, no gain." Strength of character doesn't come automatically either. It is developed over time as a person exercises wisdom in following God's will. It comes as a man feeds on a steady diet of God's Word and follows His training program.
The apostle Paul used the analogy of athletics when he wrote to the believers in Corinth. He said, "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. . . . Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:25-27). And Paul told Timothy, "exercise yourself rather to godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7).
What is strength of character? We've already hinted that to some extent it can be equated with godliness or spiritual maturity. It is that--and much more. But first we need to define character. D. L. Moody said, "Character is what you are in the dark." That's true. Character is what you are really like, not the coverup that you allow others to see. Character is what guides your actions and produces the words you speak. Character is your unique identity, the sum total of your individual characteristics.
Character can be good or bad. Strength of character refers to strong, good character. A person strong in character is someone who stands for what is right, who has the "backbone" to express and live out his convictions. And those qualities are part of what God expects of a man.
So when we talk about "strength of character" as something that God expects of a man, we are talking about the qualities of godliness and spiritual maturity, a consistency of character that reflects a proper self-image, and a life that expresses the character qualities that God wants to develop in every man.
What produces strong character?
> Self-confidence--which comes from being at peace with God and knowing who we are in Christ (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 1,2).
> Consistency (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 3:16; Titus 2:12-14; James 2:14-26).
> Training (Phil. 2:12; 3:12-14; 1 Tim. 4:7).
> Right priorities (Mt. 6:33; 1 Sam. 13:13-14).
> Following the right example (1 Cor. 11:1; Heb. 12:1-3; 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:21).
> Obedience to God's commands (1 John 2:5).
> A steady diet of God's Word (1 Pet. 2:2).
> Relying on the strength of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 5:18; Phil. 4:13).
> Right choices--living out the Christian faith, doing what is right no matter what (James 2:14-26).
> Trusting and depending on God (Prov. 3:5,6).
> Learning from others (Eph. 4:7-16).
What are some strong character qualities? A concise list of qualities that are desirable in a man is found in 1 Timothy 3. Although the apostle Paul outlined these character qualities for the purpose of selecting those who were qualified to be church leaders, the characteristics describe what God is looking for in all men. As you read through the list, you will see that they describe character traits and not intellectual ability, education, seminary training, or pulpit expertise. All men should be striving toward these qualities.
Let's look briefly at the characteristics given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and apply them in a broader sense to all men.
1. Blameless. God expects men to be above reproach. This is an all-inclusive term that summarizes all the qualities described in 1 Timothy 3. It means that a man must have a pattern of life that is consistent with biblical standards.
2. Husband of one wife. A married man must be faithful to his wife. He keeps his marriage vows and does not toy with any type of sexual immorality. Literally "a one-woman man," this qualification has a broader possible meaning that a man is not to be a "womanizer" or a flirt. His heart is not to be afire with lust (Matt. 5:27,28).
3. Temperate. Gene Getz has stated that "a man who is temperate does not lose his physical, psychological, and spiritual orientation. He remains stable and steadfast, and his thinking is clear." Such a man is balanced in his living, not given to destructive extremes.
4. Soberminded. This term is closely related to the term temperate. It refers to the quality of being sensible in thinking and actions, exhibiting sound judgment.
5. Of good behavior. A man should be respectable and honorable in his actions.
6. Hospitable. The Greek term behind this word literally means "loving strangers." In a general sense, this term refers to friendliness and a willingness to help those in need.
7. Able to teach. This characteristic carries two possible meanings. It may mean that a man should have the ability to instruct others about the Christian faith. Or it could mean that a man is to be "teachable." If we combine these two elements, the term refers to an ability to teach others without arrogance.
8. Not given to wine. A man of God is not one who is controlled by alcohol (Eph. 5:18). In our day and age, this could be applied to illegal drugs as well. God does not want us to abuse our bodies or cloud our minds.
9. Not violent. The Greek word literally means "not a striker." Temper tantrums do not please God. This includes both violent actions and words.
10. Gentle. A God-honoring man, according to this term, would be gracious, kind, forbearing, and considerate of others.
11. Not quarrelsome. A man is not to be one who is always looking for an argument or stirring up trouble.
12. Not greedy for money nor covetous. Acquiring money and possessions should not be a priority. Jesus and Paul warned against a preoccupation with money (Matt. 6:19-21; 1 Tim. 6:10).
13. Rules his own house well. The man is the head of the home. He is responsible to see that his relationship with his wife and children is good. He is to be a good manager of home life.
14. Having his children under submission. A father is to be a respected leader at home, a man who does all that is in his power to train and discipline his children.
15. Not a novice. A new believer who becomes a leader before he is mature in his faith and practice runs a risk of falling into pride. This is a warning that a man is not to take on responsibilities that he is not mature enough to handle. Men must guard themselves against pride.
16. Good testimony among those outside. A man must develop a good reputation with non-Christians. He is to have a consistent faith that will be a strong witness to unbelievers.
How did Jesus show strength of character?
> He showed compassion (Mark 1:40-42).
> He dared to speak the truth about sin and hypocrisy (Matt. 23; John 8:31-59).
> He hated sin but showed love for hurting sinners (John 8:1-11).
> He took time to pray (Matt. 14:23; Mark 14:32-42; John 17).
> He refused to yield to temptation--drawing strength from the Word of God (Matt. 4).
> He spoke out for God's honor (Matt. 21:12,13).
> He followed through on His commitments (John 12:23-33).
> He humbly served others (Matt. 20:28; John 13:1-17; Phil. 2:1-11).
> He had His priorities straight (Matt. 5--7).
> He was forgiving (Matt. 18:21-35; Luke 23:34).
How did other men in the Bible display strength of character? Though no man can measure up to Christ's perfection, several men in Scripture do display the type of character traits that all men are to develop in their lives. Here are some examples.
Noah. He was like a beacon of light in the darkness. In a decadent culture, he stood out as a righteous man, willing to obey the Lord and build a ship for 120 years (Gen. 6; Heb. 11:7).
Abraham. Even though he had seniority, he kept the peace by graciously giving Lot first choice of grazing land (Gen. 13).
Joseph. He fled sexual temptation because of his reverence for God (Gen. 39). When he had opportunity for revenge against his brothers, he instead showed compassion, forgiveness, and love (Gen. 42--45).
Moses. He chose to obey the Lord rather than live a life focused on pleasure (Heb. 11:24,25).
David. Even though he was wrongfully accused and relentlessly pursued by Saul, David showed respect for King Saul (1 Sam. 24).
Daniel. As a young man in exile, he would not compromise his standards (Dan. 1:8) nor hide his faith (6:10-23).
Boaz. He protected Ruth's safety and honor, and he assumed responsibility for her (Ruth 2--4).
Stephen. Other believers recognized that he was a man "of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3,5).
Paul. He showed spiritual sensitivity to believers with weak consciences (1 Cor. 9:19-23), and he vigorously guarded his integrity (vv.24-27).
Barnabas. This faithful worker encouraged others (Acts 4:36; 11:23,24), and he took a risk by giving Mark a second chance (Acts 15:36-41).
Thinking It Over. Men, what are you doing to develop strength of character in your life? How do you measure up to the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7? What can you do today and in the coming days to be more like Christ?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Lord, may you show the men on this forum the qualities you want them to perfect. Give them the courage to make the changes needed in their life. Also, grant all of us gathered together, today, in Your Name to live by Your Laws and become the men and women You intend us to be. Shine You Love and Blessings upon our spouses to make decisions from their heart, and not the convenience lied to them by Satan (through their lawyers, friends, family, co-workers, therapists, and the “other person”). Bring those spouses who have yet to believe in You, closer to You.
We ask this of You, Our Father, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
TTSMM
P.S. Don’t worry Lady MBers, I have an article for all of you next week.
P.P.S. Look out for additional postings on a proposed "Monthly Restoration of Marriages Teleconference Call"