“He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.”
—Psalm 23: 2-3
In our last Living Lesson, if you remember, the Lord spoke to me about changing things up quite a bit. Rather than having to rewrite or modify the original living lesson that I wrote for women, you will read it so you’re able to live with your wife in an understanding way—your bride!
“You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
As her spiritual leader you will be able to encourage her by knowing the word and using it to cleanse her and receive an endless supply of patience and encouragement from you!
In the women’s “A Joyful Heart” it begins with this foundational principle:
“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed . . . He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:1-4. Wow, if there was ever a solid verse to stand on during these unstable times in late 2021.
Last week I shared my contentment with never going out, choosing instead to remain home and this has been a Godsend when everyone was so unprepared for lockdown. Truthfully, I hardly noticed since I work from home, have been ordering my groceries for years and go out so rarely that only then did I remember what the outside world was facing.
Back when I first wrote the lesson, having written the weekly message a few weeks ahead, so that when I reread it before posting it, I had to laugh again because at that time I’d been going out almost every day. And when I realized that I was laughing, I remembered this opening verse above “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” I hadn’t remembered all of the promise, only “He who sits in the heavens laughs.”
Isn’t it nice to know that when we’re laughing, He’s right there laughing with us? And it is vain to think that whoever is attempting things, GOD is in control. If you have trouble believing this it’s because you’re not reading through your Bible.
If you’re serious about restoration and your wife healing from all she’s gone through before and during the time she’s been gone, then now is the time to incorporate "Reading through the Bible" into your life.
Listen to Erin ☊ share how the Lord led her to use this method of listening and while reading along, then later how her husband Dan used it to Spiritually lead his family every morning and evening.
On their farm, that you read about in Macy's Barn Cat and Horses Hoped For, their entire family of 9 would gather to listen and follow along in their Bibles as Alexander Scourby "Read through the Bible" sowing a love for His Word into the hearts of their 7 children. Even though we do not offer the Telegram group to men, begin to gather friends together and encourage each other. When your wife returns, then you can continue the tradition and then, maybe she will be interested in joining the women’s group.
Hopefully, seeing what you have open to you to focus on along with how God is in control (to the point He laughs) that it makes your heart light and at times— makes you feel like your heart could just burst—it’s so full of joy!
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:2).
After I contemplated this truth, I read how the promise began (the portion I didn't highlight).
“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed”
I've meditated on the first portion a lot recently because knowing He’s laughing gives me comfort and it's probably another reason my Heavenly Husband had me go find it for this weekly message because He’s just so sweet that way to make sure there's the truth that I can carry with me. Rather than a Heavenly Brother, women need a Heavenly Husband—this is the Man your wife will need to get to know once she returns.
Even though I wasn’t feeling my “best” every day, nevertheless, my HH orchestrated outings, many of which included my grandsons, since (at the time) we all lived in one big house together.
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9– 10).
"And finally He said to me, 'My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness.' So ask me about my thorn, inquire about my weaknesses, and I will gladly go on and on—I would rather stake my claim in these and have the power of the Anointed One at home within me. I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong."
Whether I am going out or staying in—by having Him I am able to share my utter contentment with my thorn or weakness. One thing is sure—He won’t fail to keep His promises. So today, take comfort in this truth dear bride.
What about you? What is your wife, your children, family, friends and coworkers witnessing by looking at you and how you are handling all that’s being thrown at us? If it’s not the epistle, not the story you want anyone to read “You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men.” 2 Corinthians 3:2 Then today it can all change. Today begin "Reading through the Bible" and watch your life change and you prosper in all you do!!