Today’s Devotional – May 18th (Dealing With An Unbelieving Spouse)
By admin On January 18th, 2021.
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Today’s Devotional – May 18th
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Dealing With An Unbelieving Spouse
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“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;
that, if any obey not the word,
they also may without the word be won
by the conversation of the wives…
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge,
giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel,
and as being heirs together of the grace of life;
that your prayers be not hindered.”
1st Peter 3:1, 7
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One of the greatest problems that a Believer must face, is that of trying to maintain peace and harmony in the home.
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And for those who live with an unbelieving spouse, this can be quite difficult at times!
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Nevertheless, this little devotional cannot tackle all the various problems.
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But there are just several general principles, which must be discussed.
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Rings Anillos – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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THE ROARING LION
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First, if the Christian is among the “True Worshippers of God”, then he or she must be aware that Satan is our adversary…
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…and in his hatred, Satan will try his best to make life as discouraging as he can for that household.
(See John 4:23 for “true worshippers” reference)
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Listen…“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1st Peter 5:8
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Most Christians understand this truth: that Satan is an unseen, yet vigilant foe.
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“LEAN NOT UPON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING”
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“Neither as being lords over God’s heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock.”
1st Peter 5:2-4
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This above verse by Peter lays down a principle, which the Christian should always keep in mind: to lead gently in the home, not attempting to force others into submission!
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But probably where most of us have gone wrong, is when we try to make things happen.
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This can be the source of many, or perhaps most of our troubles in the divided home.
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Rings Anillos – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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“YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!”
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Oh yes, as we watch them, we will be crying silently for God’s mercy and blessings for them!
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And we will be clinging to God’s precious promises, as we allow them such worldly freedoms.
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In a very real sense, we will be like the father of the Prodigal son, as we long for their return to the Lord. (see Luke 15:11-24)
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The problem is, we can’t force others into Heaven!
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A person must be “born again”, in order to understand and appreciate true Salvation.
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And without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Believer just cannot expect his or her family to enjoy making spiritual sacrifices.
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Rings Anillos – Wikipedia – Public Domain
Family Prayer Before Meal – Wikimedia – US-Govt. – Public-Domain
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So, what should the Believer do, to bring along the rest of the family?
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Well, this brings us to the second principle.
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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License
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“But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none…”
1st Corinthians 7:29
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Now just because a Christian should be gentle with his little flock, he or she must be steadfast and uncompromising in his own personal ‘walk even as He (Jesus) walked’. 1st John 2:6
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In other words, the Christian will be occasionally tempted to violate his conscience as a means of maintaining supposed “peace and harmony”.
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But such compromises will only result in future troubles.
Family Portrait – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License
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“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1
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Yes, to live with an unsaved spouse and even with unsaved children requires much prayer for Bible wisdom…
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…wisdom to know how to handle everyday problems and situations in the home.
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But one thing is for sure! Jesus was gentle, even as a gentle shepherd with His lambs.
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Jesus did not force others to do His every bidding.
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Jesus was like a gentle breeze, not a gale-force wind!
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Jesus did not engage in shouting matches.
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Even with the proud and defiant Pharisees, Jesus did not need to shout.
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Jesus lived by faith, knowing that God was in full control.
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He was not a manipulator in the least bit!
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He was a servant of servants.
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He exercised great patience and forbearance. He held his peace, and His words were few.
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He didn’t demand fair and equal treatment. Rather He patiently endured all unfair treatment.
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He looked at all such trials as opportunities to witness for Heaven, by allowing His Father in Heaven to bring solutions to problems!
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Brooklyn Museum – What Our Lord Saw from the Cross – James Tissot
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PRECIOUS PROMISES!
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Now, if a Believer can grow more and more like Jesus, these same wonderful attributes will begin to be witnessed by the various members of the household.
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And with such a blessed environment, the Lord can begin to move ever-so-gently in the hearts and lives of the unbelieving members of the household.
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And even though the Believer may have to wait long and patiently for his or her family to finally follow Jesus…
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…we have many promises in the Bible such as this to cling to…
…”Blessed is every one
that feareth the LORD;
that walketh in His ways.
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be,
and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine
by the sides of thine house:
thy children like olive plants
round about thy table.”
Psalm 128:1-3
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Rings Anillos – Wikipedia – Public Domain
Flower of Heaven Constellation w/leaves in the west
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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…
October 19 (Dealing With An Unbelieving Spouse, Part 2: “Can I Save My Spouse?”)
Man Husband & Married Wife on swing – Fraternal love (Prehispanic sculpture from 250–900 A.D., of Huastec origin) – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Give me wisdom to know how to lead my family like a gentle shepherd. Give me great knowledge of Thy Word. Give me great patience. Give me great faith. Mold me and make me into Thy likeness…
Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read…
“May 27th (Through Jesus’ Eyes!)”
…or you can also read…
“May 16th (Lead On Softly!)” …
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN
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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS
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5 CONSTELLATIONS PLUS THE STAR, ARCTURUS…
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The Summer Constellations tell the story of Jesus as He calls His Disciples to “Come and follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
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These heavenly symbols also present the principles of God’s Salvation plan.
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The Summer Constellations are made of five different constellations plus the star known as Arcturus .
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This big, bright, and beautiful star, Arcturus (representing Jesus) goes in front of these five constellations, as though He is leading His Disciples, just as He did back in Israel, 2,000 years ago.
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From left to right…
1. the first constellation is the Ark of the Covenant Constellation (AKA Sagittarius).
2. The second is the Cross/Scepter Constellation (not previously recognized)
3. Under the Cross/Scepter is the Flower of the Field Constellation (AKA Scorpio).
4. The fourth is the Glorious Crown Constellation (AKA Corona Borealis).
5. The fifth is the 7 Stars Constellation (AKA the Big Dipper).
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These are the basic five constellations that make this Summer Constellation phenomenon.
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DOUBLE-ENTENDRES
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But if this is not already complicated enough, there are even more complicated aspects to this.
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In this sketch, if you look on the far left, you will notice that the Ark of the Covenant Constellation now appears as Two Turtle-doves.
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And at the top right, you will notice that the 7 Stars Constellation now appears as the Revelation 12 Woman With Child (Actually, this Woman is made of the Big Dipper, plus the addition of more fainter stars, which together comprise what is commonly known as Ursa Major).
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So, these two constellations are each double-entendres.
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And with the addition of these two extra constellations (the Turtle-doves, and the Woman), we now have 7 Summer Constellations, plus the star, Arcturus guiding them.
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So maybe the best way to tell this story is to take each constellation individually…
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Site Overview”…
…or you can also read… “Arcturus (the star that wise-men follow!)”
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TOMORROW:
”May 19th (Pilgrim’s Allegories)”
Man with world behind his back – public domain
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