Tag Archives: strength

Archive April: Praying For Your Future Husband

Posted on April 6, 2013 by | 1 Comment

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Originally Posted on: April 16, 2012

Proverbs 31:12  states that a wife of noble character is to bring her husband “good not harm all the days of her life.” This verse does not only apply to women who have already met their spouses, but to single women as well. We should be living our life in a way that ultimately glorifies the Lord, and also in a way that would be faithful to a future husband. One way to live this out is by praying for your future husband even before you meet him.

Several years ago I was reminded of the power of prayer in this area after hearing a friend’s testimony.  She shared that one night she woke up at 3am and felt the Lord telling her to pray for her future husband. She spent the remainder of the night in prayer because she knew he was in trouble.  She continued to pray for him daily after that.  A year later, when she was getting to know the man who now is her husband, he told her that he was involved in a car accident that almost took his life.  As he told her the details of how it happened, it was exactly the date and time that the Lord woke her up to pray.  When I heard this story I was reminded that God values and honors our prayers for a husband even when we cannot see what He is doing.

Recently, I read a book  titled “Praying For Your Future Husband,” by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer.  In this, the authors share Biblical encouragement and wisdom on how to pray for your husband and prepare your heart for his.  It also gives ways to pray for your sisters in Christ. I would like to share some of these, and I encourage you to spend some time this week in prayer for your future husband as well as your fellow sisters as we are trying to be the women God has called us to be.

  • Pray for his Heart - Pray that your future husband will give his heart to Jesus Christ. Pray that he will trust the Lord each day to get him through whatever life may bring, and for his thoughts and actions to reflect the love of Christ.   Pray these things also for yourself and your friends.
  • Pray for Strength - Pray that your future husband will have inner-spiritual strength and that the Lord will give him strength to fight temptations and difficulties.  Pray that the Lord will mold him into the leader he needs to be. Also, pray the same things for yourself and your friends. Pray that God will give you strength in areas where you are weakest and allow His strength to make you strong.
  • Pray for Loyalty and Faithfulness - Pray that your future husband will be faithful to the Lord in every area of his life.  Pray also that he is loyal to the friendships that God has already given him, and pray that he is already faithful to you.  Pray these things for yourself and your friends.
  • Pray for Protection - Pray that your future husband will be protected from the evil one.  Pray that he puts on the armor of God each day and for the Lord to help him fight not only the outward sources that try to bring him down but also the sin nature inside.  Also, pray the same protection each day for yourself and your friends.
  •  Pray for Contentment - Pray that your future husband will be content, and have patience as he waits for God to lead him to you.  Pray that his heart will not be hardened during this time, but instead that he grow closer in his relationship with Christ. Pray that he spends his time focusing on serving Christ and others, and not dwelling on being single.  Pray that Christ alone will always be enough.  Pray for the same contentment for yourself and your friends.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Amelia McNeilly

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Side-Tracked in Sanctification

Posted on February 18, 2013 by | Leave a comment

by Stacy Rist; Guest Writer

Have you ever gotten lost driving? I know I do…easily. Those that know me can attest to the fact that I’m directionally challenged! Several years ago as I was working at a church in Tennessee, one of my duties was to make hospital visits. I think I got lost nearly every time I visited a hospital that first year. I would call the church receptionist for directions, as I didn’t have a GPS, but thank goodness I had a cell phone! Eventually I figured it out by writing myself very specific driving directions that I kept in the car. Otherwise I’d quickly be on my way in the wrong direction.  

Just as we may make a wrong turn driving, we may make choices that negatively redirect our spiritual route.  Getting side-tracked in sanctification happens more than we would care to admit. But it happens and it happens to each of us. Thankfully, there is GRACE for the side-tracked, even the off-tracked, children of God. He never gives up on us and we shouldn’t give up on ourselves.

When we accept Jesus Christ (the Son) as our personal Lord and Savior, we become justified before a holy, almighty God (the Father) in that instant. Sanctification is the process of continual spiritual growth, fostered by God, through the Holy Spirit. [It's so amazing how the three persons of the God-Head (i.e. The Trinity) are evident in this!] One of our associate pastors defines sanctification as “becoming in practice what God has declared in truth.” In other words, it is the spiritual journey we continue on in our lives post-salvation.

Sometimes we may feel so side-tracked we’re not sure where God’s path is any more. The easiest remedy to find God’s path is to find God. It really IS simple, but we tend to make it more complicated. Fortunately, He’s not hard to find. So where is God found?

First, God is found in the Bible…His Word. Have you gotten out of the habit of reading the Bible? Get back in it. Pick up your Bible and read it. Daily. Diligently.  It doesn’t have to be extensive but it does need to be purposeful. For example, start with the book of John, read a chapter each day, or even a paragraph of verses. Another option is to read a chapter of Proverbs a day.  As Proverbs has 31 chapters, reading a chapter a day easily corresponds to each day of the month.

Second, God is found in the midst of His believers. If you’ve gotten away from the regular attendance and fellowship of a Bible-believing (and preaching!) church, find one in your area and start back. Take a friend or neighbor so you’ll have a buddy. Do not forsake the fellowship of the body of Christ and its impact on our sanctification. The beautiful thing about God’s grace is that no matter how little or far we may be side-tracked, we can always get back ON track.

Finally, God is found 24/7 by prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. He is never too busy to listen and He earnestly desires to hear from us. More than that, He desires to speak to us through His Word, His church and through the Holy Spirit that resides in every born-again believer.

You now have a “road map”, if you will, to direct your path of personal sanctification. Do not be discouraged when you get side-tracked again…we all will. Our journey is rarely easy. Many obstacles will be set up to prevent our progress by the enemy. Remember, Christ has triumphed!

Dear Jesus, please give us the strength to walk in a manner worthy of Your calling.

Here’s to JOY in your journey, my friends!

Stacy Rist

Stacy RistStacy Rist loves serving within her local church. She is passionate about teaching God’s Word and discipling women to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  A native of Virginia, she decided to make North Carolina her home after graduating from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003 with her M.Div. in Christian Education. Stacy also enjoys experimenting with recipes and sharing her love of cooking with friends as often as possible. She loves hosting Saturday brunches, reading, water aerobics, journaling, laughing with friends, and spending time with her 15 yr old golden retriever, Maddie.

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Praying For Your Future Husband

Posted on April 16, 2012 by | 12 Comments

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Proverbs 31:12  states that a wife of noble character is to bring her husband “good not harm all the days of her life.” This verse does not only apply to women who have already met their spouses, but to single women as well. We should be living our life in a way that ultimately glorifies the Lord, and also in a way that would be faithful to a future husband. One way to live this out is by praying for your future husband even before you meet him.

Several years ago I was reminded of the power of prayer in this area after hearing a friend’s testimony.  She shared that one night she woke up at 3am and felt the Lord telling her to pray for her future husband. She spent the remainder of the night in prayer because she knew he was in trouble.  She continued to pray for him daily after that.  A year later, when she was getting to know the man who now is her husband, he told her that he was involved in a car accident that almost took his life.  As he told her the details of how it happened, it was exactly the date and time that the Lord woke her up to pray.  When I heard this story I was reminded that God values and honors our prayers for a husband even when we cannot see what He is doing.

Recently, I read a book  titled “Praying For Your Future Husband,” by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer.  In this, the authors share Biblical encouragement and wisdom on how to pray for your husband and prepare your heart for his.  It also gives ways to pray for your sisters in Christ. I would like to share some of these, and I encourage you to spend some time this week in prayer for your future husband as well as your fellow sisters as we are trying to be the women God has called us to be.

  • Pray for his Heart - Pray that your future husband will give his heart to Jesus Christ. Pray that he will trust the Lord each day to get him through whatever life may bring, and for his thoughts and actions to reflect the love of Christ.   Pray these things also for yourself and your friends.
  • Pray for Strength - Pray that your future husband will have inner-spiritual strength and that the Lord will give him strength to fight temptations and difficulties.  Pray that the Lord will mold him into the leader he needs to be. Also, pray the same things for yourself and your friends. Pray that God will give you strength in areas where you are weakest and allow His strength to make you strong.
  • Pray for Loyalty and Faithfulness - Pray that your future husband will be faithful to the Lord in every area of his life.  Pray also that he is loyal to the friendships that God has already given him, and pray that he is already faithful to you.  Pray these things for yourself and your friends.
  • Pray for Protection - Pray that your future husband will be protected from the evil one.  Pray that he puts on the armor of God each day and for the Lord to help him fight not only the outward sources that try to bring him down but also the sin nature inside.  Also, pray the same protection each day for yourself and your friends.
  •  Pray for Contentment - Pray that your future husband will be content, and have patience as he waits for God to lead him to you.  Pray that his heart will not be hardened during this time, but instead that he grow closer in his relationship with Christ. Pray that he spends his time focusing on serving Christ and others, and not dwelling on being single.  Pray that Christ alone will always be enough.  Pray for the same contentment for yourself and your friends.

Amelia McNeilly

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Posted in Book Reviews, Purpose

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