What a week! Perhaps my week has been tough because of the decision to deny my flesh? Hmmm…well, that could have something to do with it! Anytime we pursue chasing after Christ, denying our flesh and becoming more like Him, we are going to face adversity. When we become more and more like Christ is when we are a threat to the kingdom of darkness. All the sudden those menacing creatures of the dark world stand up and take notice. I can just hear them now!
“Uh oh…a threat is on the horizon! We have a code red at the Shortridge household. The daughter of God residing in that household realized God really meant what He said in 1 Samuel 15:22 “…to obey is better than sacrifice… We must diffuse the situation at once before we have a true emergency!”
Thus, my week of battling not only my own flesh, but also an enemy who does not want me productive and advancing the Kingdom of Heaven, has been crazy! I have been fighting emotions, discouragement, a touch of situational depression, and an overwhelming urge to hang it all up. My life line this week has been Matthew 19:26: …with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Thankfully, He has been my strength this week. I have had wonderful times of refreshing and strengthening in the Word. Also, I have been blessed with excellent reading material. I have been receiving an e-newsletter from Eternal Encouragement Magazine, formerly Teach Magazine, called “Encouraging Moments.”
Upon reading the articles, I find additional ways to become more like Christ. Ideas like praying for my husband daily. Not only am I encouraged to pray for him, but a “Praying for Our Husbands: 31 Day Plan” is included. Wow! I pray for my husband, but this helps me pray specifically. For instance, Day 2’s prayer concentration is “That he might grow in all eleven descriptions of a man who will not be shaken” as listed in Psalm 15. And Day 25’s prayer concentration is “that he might grow in humility and in being a shepherd” from 1 Peter 5:2-6. Imagine the fruit of such prayers prayed on behalf of our husbands and what our marriages might be like because of them!
Also included in the newsletter is Chick Flicks, which are short video feeds of entertaining, inspiring words for us as homemakers, wives, friends and mothers. I especially liked the video on communication! I think I could use an all day seminar on this topic alone.
I am thankful for God’s gift of women sharing with other women. My dependency upon my sisters in Christ has deepened, as I have grown stronger in Christ. The answers that I search for and the wisdom I need are often just a phone call, magazine page, or a cup of coffee with a dear friend, away. In the heart and mind of those I call friend. To subscribe to Eternal Encouragement Magazine click here www.HomemakingWithTEACH.com.
I received this product for honest review from TEACH Magazine as part of the Gabby Mom’s blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I'm glad that God has been working with you on the Code Red situation. God is so faithful when we come to Him!
ReplyDeleteJulieanne (fellow Gabby Mom)
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com
I too love the husband prayers PDF! What a cool way to put my desire to pray for him better into action!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are able to be completely strengthened by Him and overcome the dark enemy we face this week!
MacKenzie
Head Mama
Satan always knows when we're growing closer to Christ. He hates it, and he lets us know it. Ugh! May God bless you with the strength that you need to honor and glorify Him.
ReplyDeleteDarlene, loved the little blurb about the code red at your house because of your realizations. I imagine it must be something like that when we try to stand up and follow God even further.
ReplyDeleteYou have good humor.