SUBMITTING TO GOD / SUBMITTING TO EACH OTHER

Hello Everyone!

I woke up this morning full of the Lord as I relived a Bible study class I taught last night.

I pray that everyone reading this post has a wonderful day and that you aim to ABIDE IN HIM as HE ABIDES IN YOU (John 15:1-8). In abiding, I have all confidence that you will bear much good fruit as you grow to become all that He has called you to be. The Lord has a special purpose and plan for each of us, but we must diligently seek Him in order to follow His perfect path for our lives. His Word (the Bible) is a book of secrets that He has hidden from the world. These hidden truths are revealed to us who are in Christ. We must search for them as if we are searching for a buried treasure.

The following points are from last night's study...

1) You were created by God for a very specific and unique purpose. Are you seeking to know what it is?

2) In order to follow God, we must learn to embrace seasons of change. God wants to do something "new" in us and through us as we allow Him to mold us and shape us into who He created us to be. Are you stuck in status quo or are you willing to free fall in your faith in order to walk on the water with the Lord?

3) God's blessings will overflow when we are "submissive" to His plans. Are you submissive to God's Word? Are you submissive to your spouse? Wives submit to your husband's lead. Husband's submit to your wife's need.

4) God's will is for us to be in covenant with Him. He says that He will provide for us, protect us, guide us, deliver us, prosper us, etc.... "if" we will obey His commands (or stay in relationship with Him). He wants to be intimate with each of us. He is always speaking. Can you hear Him?

5) Satan is seeking whom he may devour. Our godly heritage can only be obtained through warfare. The Lord has already given us the victory, but we must fight the good fight of faith in order to claim it. In marriage, you never give up. Remember: The battle is NOT between you and your spouse. The battle is between you and the devil (principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and rulers of the darkness - Ephesians 6:10-18). Keep things in perspective. God is "for" your marriage! ... AND - The Lord will GROW YOU UP and do a work in your life as you STAND in faith during difficult times. Remember: It's not always only about the other person.

6) We should prayerfully put the armour of God on everyday. Think about the meaning of that.

7) Get your home in order and keep it that way... GOD - JESUS - MAN - WOMAN - (THE CHILDREN COME UNDER THE MAN & WIFE WORKING TOGETHER). Women should never put their children above their husband. Women should never go against their husband in front of the children. Husbands should love their wives in such as way that the wife is kept without spot, blemish or wrinkle. Her countenance will always be beautiful because her husband has given her the security and love that she needs to keep from becoming bitter, angry, depressed, sarcastic, or resentful. The wife should also REVERENCE her husband. (Reverence: Notice him; regard him; honors him; prefers him; esteems him; praises him; loves and admires him exceedingly; puts him first under her relationship with the Lord). - See: 1 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 5:21-33

8) Pointing fingers doesn't solve anything. We must do our part (what God has told us to do) and then trust Him for the results. Getting your house in order may take some time, so be patient as you obey the Lord - precept upon precept. And remember... SOMEONE MUST GO FIRST! Which one of you will be the first to "do" the right thing (the thing God has told you to do) in your marriage?

9) 1 Peter 3:1-14 (Subjection: under the power of; owing allegiance to another; not independent; liable) - Wives be in subjection to your OWN husbands. Not because they deserve it. Not because they have got it all together. Do it because that is what the Lord has commanded you to do. God will work out all of the details. Just do your part. Wives should be more concerned about their inward beauty than their outward beauty. Husbands need to honor their wife as the weaker vessel. Men, when you do this, God will give you grace to cover your mistakes and ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS. Both wife and husband should seek peace in their home because God rewards the peacemakers. But, and when, you suffer in your marriage for a season due to your mates sin(s), know that the Lord will reward you in His time.

10) Getting to the root of something can be painful but it is the only way to bring healing. The TRUTH gets to the root. People are complex creatures. We lie to ourselves and create excuses (strongholds) that hinder us from growing in Christ. If we want to receive the fullness of God's blessings AND if we want to be an effective witness for His Kingdom, we must be willing to lay down our agenda's, our traditions, our preconceived ideas, etc. to embrace God's "standard". We will talk more about this next week as we discuss BREAKING GENERATIONAL CURSES AND PULLING DOWN STRONG HOLDS. Don't miss it!

Below is the scripture reference outline for this study...

Jeremiah 33:3

John 15:1-8
Isaiah 54 - The Heritage of the Lord for Christians & Christian Families

Spiritual Warfare / Armor of God / Praying Effectively

1 Peter 5:8-9
John 10:10
Ephesians 6:11-18
2 Corinthians 10:3-6

James 4:1-8

JAMES 1:6-8

Get Your Family in Order / Get Your Life in Order
1 CORINTHIANS 11:3
FAMILY ORDER… GOD, JESUS, MAN, WOMAN
Children come under it all. Never put your children before your mate.
(ORDER OF LIFE – God, Family, Business or Ministry)

Ephesians 5:21-33

Godly Relationships in Marriage

1 Peter 3
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My prayer is that you will have an encounter with the Lord this week that brings a deeper understanding to the things we've discussed in our studies, so far.

In Christ,
Deborah Ross
http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

Some of my blog posts below you may be interested in reading...
http://deborahrossministries.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-be-forgiven-born-again-john-33.html
http://deborahrossministries.blogspot.com/2009/04/dont-overlook-meaning-of-salvation.html
http://deborahrossministries.blogspot.com/2009/05/forgiving-ourselves-from-sins-of-past-1.html