TODAY'S FOOD FOR THE SOUL Psalm 80:4-20 TODAY'S RHEMA Psalm 80:7 Restore us, God Almighty make your face shine on us, that we may be saved
Lina is a mother of three. Every day, she has to work hard to support the family income by selling snacks in front of her house. However, her husband's slothfulness and habitual procrastination often annoyed her so much. A day almost never passed without arguments and quarrels. For more than five years, Lina prayed asking God to restore her husband. Until one day, in her payer, she strongly sensed the Holy Spirit say, "You must first be changed in order for your husband to be changed". Down in her heart, she protested, but she reflected on what she sensed. Only then she realized her mistake- she was too demanding and engaged in much self-pity. From that moment on, she began to learn forgiveness, accept her husband's imperfections and to surrender both her husband and herself totally into the hands of God. Lina chose to give thanks and trust in God's promises. Now, she is peaceful and joyful as the fruit of her obedience. Her husband began to change. From day to day, harmony and love began to bloom again.
At times, we don't see answers to our prayers not because God does not hear them. But, just as we can't untie the bonds of others before our bonds are loosened, God wants us to see ourselves as people in dire need of His grace and help first. That way we cry out in the sincerity of heart. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "Wash first inside the cup, and the outside will also be clean" (Matthew 23:26).
Therefore, come to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will help us untie our bonds, and heal every wound in our hearts. With a renewed heart, we can accept the outpouring of His new wine. So new wine, a new life in marriage will not only be enjoyed by our spouse or family but also everyone who around us. True, only when we have been restored, can we be used by God to restore our spouse, even other couples. REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, A RESTORED LIFE is the key to a RESTORED MARRIAGE APPLICATIONS 1. What kind of personality is likely to be used by God as an instrument to transform others? 2. Why does God first need to restore you before He works on restoring your marriage? 3. Has your marriage been restored? If not, what can you do to have a restored marriage? TODAY'S PRAYER "My loving Father in heaven You are the restorer and healer of every wounded heart. I humbly come before you, please restore my wounded heart that I may be whole. Change my heart to be a better me according to your will. Use me as part of your instrument in restoring the heart of my spouse and other couples that many marriages may be restored. Thank you, Father, for your wonderful love that works in my life. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen."
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