Daily Devotional for Saturday September 12, 2009

God's Plan for Marriage and the Family

(Galatians 6:9; Mark 9:23)

I have to admit, the ministry team and I need a bit of a break today from the intense battles we have been fighting these past weeks as we have been focused on marriage and the issues that arise between a husband and wife when one turns from the Lord. The topic of the Daily Devotional drives well over 50% of the 40,000+ emails for prayer we receive on a given day. Dealing with issues like men leaving their wives, how to build a spiritual foundation to your relationship prior to getting married, and wives leaving their husbands, you can only imagine that the warfare has been intense as we have been praying for and standing in the gap for tens of thousands of marriages. So today I wanted to share with you some encouragement in the midst of the battles we are fighting and you may be fighting.

We are currently in an all-out war regarding marriage and God's plan for the family. Over the past 40 years, our culture has turned marriage into little more than a legal date, tried to redefine what marriage is, and openly mocks God's Holy Institution on television and in the movies. Satan has done his best to destroy marriage and thus destroy God's plan for the family. The type of Devotionals I have done in the past have touched major nerves in those homes and marriages that are in trouble, and we are praying for God to bring healing and restoration to each one we have heard from.

I AM NOT GOING TO SIT BACK AND WATCH SATAN TRY TO DESTROY GOD'S HOLY INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE OR HIS PLAN FOR THE FAMILY. THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CULTURE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND AND FIGHT AS WE BOLDLY PROCLAIM TO THIS LOST AND CONFUSED WORLD THAT GOD'S WAY IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WORKS!

Now let me share some words of encouragement with you. In these past, I have also heard from thousands of men and women who have followed God's plan for marriage and the family and are living testimonies of His grace. Marriages that have lasted 20, 30, 40, 50, even 60 years! Homes where the children were raised in the admonition of the Lord and are living their lives for Christ. Does this mean these are perfect marriages or perfect homes? Of course not! There is no such thing. However, the commitment of the husband and wife to Christ and to each other allowed them to weather the storms of life, the problems every marriage and home encounters through the years, and withstand all of the attacks of satan and remain standing as a trophy of God's grace and mercy.

One reoccurring theme throughout the Devotionals I write each day is that our way doesn't work, God's way does. I get 40,000 examples of that every day in the emails we receive here at Liveprayer. Those who have humbled themselves and are doing their best to follow the Lord and His plan find that peace, that joy, that abundance in life despite the trials and tribulations we all face during our journey. Those who have chosen to live in rebellion to God and His Word find nothing but pain, heartache, problems, and live their lives in constant turmoil as they not only face the trials and tribulations of life, but the consequences of their rebellion. Life can be as difficult or as enjoyable as we want it to be. Our decision to follow God and His Word or live in rebellion to God and His Word determines that.

Those people I hear from with these great testimonies about their marriage and family are no different than anyone else except for one thing, they chose to trust the Lord and follow His plan. My word for you today is that it is never too late to make that decision to follow Christ. He is there with arms outstretched, simply waiting for you. Every day I get praise reports from men and women whose marriages were all but destroyed, some were within minutes of the divorce papers being finalized. They testified that as they and their spouse humbled themselves before God, He brought healing and restoration to their marriage. Every day I get praise reports from mothers and fathers whose children had been living their lives in rebellion to God. They testified how their children had turned their hearts back to the Lord.

MY FRIEND, GOD IS A GOD OF HEALING AND RESTORATION! HE IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS, WHAT HE DID FOR SOMEONE ELSE, HE WILL DO FOR YOU!!!

I love you and care about you so much. I know today many of you are weary from fighting for your marriage, for your family. Hear this precious promise from God's Word especially for you. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - (Galatians 6:9 NIV) Don't give up on your marriage. Don't give up on your children. Keep fighting. Our God is a God of victory and He will give you the strength to persevere to see that victory. These battles are not fought with physical weapons but with spiritual weapons. Your number one weapon is prayer. The battle for your marriage, for your children is fought and won on your knees!

Know that I am standing with you in prayer and believing God today for your marriage to be restored, for your children to come back to the Lord. Be encouraged that God will sustain you through these difficult days. He will give you His strength and His peace. He is still on the throne and is still God. Jesus said, "Everything is possible for him who believes." Let the Lord refresh you today with His hope and encouragement. Never forget, God will have the last word. I am praying for you!

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller