Day 17
Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.1 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NIV

Read here how  and why I started this series.

Used by permission from Revive Our Hearts

A man needs his wife’s prayers.

Day 6
Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil.

Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc.

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NIV)

^“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV)

Read here how  and why I started this series.

 Used by permission from Revive Our Hearts

Day 5
Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church.

Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc.

“Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?” Proverbs 20:6 (NIV)

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 (NIV)

Read here how  and why I started this series.

 Used by permission from Revive Our Hearts

Continuing with the series.

Have you ever thought if you are not praying for  your husband or prodigal, who is?  The most loving thing you can do for your husband is pray for him!

Day 2
Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)\

Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

“Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

Read here how  and why I started this series.

 
Used by permission from Revive Our Hearts

In reviewing the site  statistics of my blog,  I have noticed that one of the most common topics that is search for and read about is how to “Fireproof Your Marriage.”   There are thousands of couples who are living in a hurting or broken marriage.

You know from my other posts that I am faithful standing for the restoration of broken marriages, including my own.  I read and highly recommend the daily devotions from Rejoice Marriage Ministries for encouragement and Biblical study.

Since so many couples are being attacked by the enemy and are searching for some sort of support, I thought it would be good to post a prayer series for your husband titled “31 Days of Praying for your Husband.”    I found this series on Revive Our Hearts and will be posting it by permission over the next 31 days.

I pray you take action and begin or intensify your pray life for your husband.   (husbands, it is good to use this series to pray for your wife as well)

The enemy is out to seek, kill and destroy your husband, especially his character and his leadership in your relationship.  Trust God through prayer as you surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord’s wise, loving care each and every day.

^“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 6:16 (NIV)

Bless your husband by praying for him!

Day 1
Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines.

Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

“Above all else, guard your heart,  for it is the wellspring of life.”  Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

As I have mentioned in the past I subscribe to “Charlyne Cares” a daily devotional from Rejoice Marriage Ministries. Granted every day the devotionals provide inspiration, encouragement and support but every now and then there is a devotional that is so moving that it needs to be shared beyond the Charlyne Cares subscription base.

Today was one of those devotionals.  I would like to thank Charlyne Steinkamp for giving me the permission to reprint today’s devotional and encourage you to visit Rejoice Marriage Ministries. It is a site that is focused on marriage, the restoration of marriage and the healing of sick marriages. It is also a great place for encouragement and study for building a stronger relationship with Christ.

Life is tough we are surrounded  by mixed messages.  Surrounded  by people who say one thing, but their actions show what they really mean.   My prayer is that this article will encourage you to focus on what you say compared to what you do.   A couple of my favorite sayings are:

Character is who you are when no one is looking

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words by Charlyne Steinkamp

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with
actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong
to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our
hearts, and he knows everything.” I John 3:18-20

How many times have you heard the saying, “Actions speak louder
than words?” What does that mean to you today? You may have a
spouse who has been saying, “I love you” and suddenly they packed
their bags and filed for divorce. “Actions speak louder than
words.” May I use another example that you can also understand
very quickly. Your husband or wife may have been a professing
Christian, but now they have left, possibly filed for divorce and
there is another person involved. “Actions speak louder than
words.” How many people do you know personally, professionally
or politically that say one thing, but do another? “Actions
speak louder than words.”

As we start a new year, ask the Lord if you are putting into
practice what you have been learning as a Christian. Ask the
Lord (and yourself) if you are a Sunday Christian or a seven-day-
a-week Christian, striving to be more Christ-like each and every
day, which is the Lord’s desires for everyone. Does your daily
behavior demonstrate to others that you are a Christian? If not,
may you repent and start this new year with doing a personal
heart examination regarding if you are acting, speaking, living
and reacting as a Christian daily.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do
what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately
forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into
the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this,
not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be
blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25

Wow! Are you understanding these scriptures? May this new year,
you pray to the Lord that you will hunger and thirst for the Word
of God to come alive to you like never before. Never forget to
pray to become the husband or wife and father or mother that you
need to be, but always putting God first in your daily life.
Then the Lord will give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding
in everything you need to do. May this scripture below be your
heart’s desire:

“This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. You are my
portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. I have
sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according
to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my
steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey
your commands.” Psalm 119:56-60

We have heard of so many praise reports from many standers about
their husband or wife contacting them in many different ways.
God is moving, so you need to continue to pray for a spiritual
breakthrough for your beloved husband or wife or loved ones and
that they will come home in godly sorrow turning their heart to
repentance. A truth for both you and your beloved husband or
wife is this:

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are
corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both
their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know
God, but by their actions they deny him.” Titus 1:15-16a

As you read and study the Bible, are you taking the instructions,
the precepts and principles that the Lord is teaching you as you
diligently apply them to your own personal life by putting them
into practice? As you have your daily devotion time, may you ask
the Lord to help you practice what you read and what you speak.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by
his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from
wisdom.” James 3:13

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do
them.” John 13:17

May these scriptures encourage you to search your heart and be
certain that you do not simply read the Word, but put into action
what your Lord is teaching you daily. Be careful that you do not
become deceived. If you talk faith, you need to walk in faith.

“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my
words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a
house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on the rock.
When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not
shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my
words and does not put them into practice is like a man who
built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment
the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction
was complete.” Luke 6:47-49

Where are you today? Are you doubleminded? Are you saying one
thing to your spouse, family or friends and then saying something
else to the Lord daily? May you apply and put into practice and
demonstrate daily all that you really believe. May you ask the
Lord to give you boldness so that you can share about your Lord
Jesus Christ daily to others, but also about the importance of
marriage restoration. Never forget: “Action speaks louder than
words!”

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or
seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be
with you.” Philippians 4:9

Copyright © Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc., 2008, Pompano Beach, FL  Reprinted with permission.

Individual Character

It is really all we have in life that shows who we really are to others.

Dictionary.com defines character in part as: moral or ethical quality. Qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity, reputation.

What does it mean to be of good character? Have you really thought how others view you and your character? Have you thought about the true character of those around you?

I believe that true character is what you do, when no one is looking. If you stand and “preach” about how bad it is to steal, deceive, look at porn, cheat on a spouse, etc, but when you think no one is looking, you choose not to tell a sales clerk they gave you too much change, or you don’t tell your spouse you spending two hours after work each day with a person of the opposite sex, or you wait until the family goes to bed before you go to internet sites that you don’t want them to know you visit, that is when you are showing your true character. Maybe not to those who know you, but to yourself, and to God.

You see even when we think no one is looking, someone is always watching our actions. God is always hearing our thoughts and knows our intentions. Many times, those around you may know what you are doing as well, they may just be to shocked or afraid to let you know they know.

Are we perfect? No. None of us is perfect, we all have character flaws. But what separates an individual of true character from one who “pretends” to have true character is in our ability to admit our flaws and attempt to correct them. To acknowledge we are not perfect.

I once heard a statement, we are only as sick as our secrets. That is so very true. The more you try to “hide” who you really are, the sicker you will become. But when we acknowledge our character flaws openly is when we can begin to overcome them, to heal, to build character. To improve who we are as individuals. It is a never ending process, but one that is essential for inner peace and future success, personally and professionally.

I have known people who on the outside appeared to be an individuals of character. They would say all the right things. Inside, they had many secrets. Only those very close to them, and there were few as they did not let people get too close, saw issues with deception and secretive behavior. Through the years this caused them to have failed marriages, trouble with family members, and more. Their character effected all aspects of their lives and the bad character caught up with them in the end in one form or another.

I write about this today because I think there are many who hide behind an appearance of good character. In order for any of us to be successful personally, financially and professionally we must first focus on our own true personal character and relationship with Christ. Look deep inside of who you really. What your true focus is on, not just who you portray yourself to be.

Are you trustworthy, loyal, a committed spouse and/or friend? Do you have a relationship with God? Can you deep inside know you did not do or think about anything you would be ashamed of if you did it or thought it in front of God? Are you keeping secrets from your spouse or significant other? If you are you must know, deep down inside it is wrong. After all, if what you were doing was right, you wouldn’t be ashamed to admit it to those who love you, would you?

Even I work on building my character everyday, right now, I am listening to the audio book “Become a Better You” by Joel Osteen. I highly recommend it as a great starting place to improve who you are, regardless of where you are starting from.

Today, think about who you are. What is your true character? Who are you when no one is looking? Where can you improve your life, and how would that improve the life around you with your family, friends and career? You and only you make the choice of who you are, and what your character is. What will you choose?