About Discouragement

The Oxford dictionary defines discouragement as “A loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness.” I could not agree more. For the believer, it’s that feeling when everything feels grey and dull. God feels far away. Satan bombards our minds with thoughts such as – you are doing badly with your walk with God. You have hidden sin. God is mad at you. Why bother to pray, read your Bible or go to church- it makes no difference. God will not help you. This is your fault. Satan’s arrows at first may be subtle, but if we pay attention, the voices get louder and more condemning, drowning the voice of the God who loves us.

One of the biggest lies that needs to be exposed about discouragement is that IT IS NOT FROM GOD. The Lord already says in the Bible that He is for us (Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.) The Bible also says that Satan is the accuser of the brethren who accuses us night and day before God (Revelations 12:10).

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God’s Pattern for Marriage

Interesting sermon by Derek Prince sharing on how God brings people together…

• God has an original pattern established at creation
• It was God’s decision not Adam’s that Adam should marry
• God formed Eve for Adam – God accepts that responsibility
• God brought Eve to Adam – God orchestrates how people will meet. Adam did not have to wander around seeking His mate
• God’s purpose is that they would be completely one
• Don’t settle for less than God’s best design
• Abandon yourself completely to God’s will
• Most people are called to marry – if you are called to be single He will give you the grace

Idolatry of Marriage

Idolatry Definitions

• Blind and excessive devotion to something/someone
• Anything or anyone that comes between you and God
• When anything becomes ultimate, it is an idol

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It was never my intent to worship another god except Jehovah. By the time I found myself in full blown idolatry, I did not even know it was idolatry. I just knew I was miserable and tired and disconnected from the Lord. At first I accepted it as a normal phase of the Christian walk (boredom and disconnection from God) and simply tried to go through the motions –  quiet time, go to church, read my bible, worship blah blah blah. But then our relationship with the Lord was never meant to be blah blah blah. It is not normal. The blah we feel is an indication that something is wrong. Instead of accepting it, it is time to go to the Lord in honesty and pray: Search me O God and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). God is faithful to answer that prayer.

Background…

When I finished college over 10 years ago, I was not even thinking about marriage. I knew it is something that happens automatically. Get a job, work hard, get promoted, get a nice place, marry a Christian man (and a handsome one as well :-)) and start a family. That, to me, was the normal life. That is what I saw happen to my older friends and my first born sibling. It never crossed my mind that perhaps, just perhaps, God might have a different and unique path for me.