K4D Rising #4

[K4D]

From Rejoice Ministries, I found this to be very good.

* Your Prodigal Could Use Your Prayers -

The prayers of a faithful, standing spouse are the best gifts that you can give to a wayward spouse. Don’t be like the standers who write us, telling how they pray "all day, every day" for their mate. Charlyne could not have done that, for she had to work and care for a home and three children by herself. But I was confident that after the day had ended and my wife was alone, that her promises to pray for me were being fulfilled, regardless of how exhausted she might be. Jesus taught us to pray, so may you make time to pray for your spouse.

* Your Prodigal Could Use Your Patience -

"Was Charlyne always patient when you were divorced?" No, she was not, but once she had heard from God regarding the future of our marriage, that all changed. Much like you, your spouse is living in a turbulent, confused state right now. You showing your spouse patience would be a welcomed gift by them.

* Your Prodigal Could Use Your Permission -

I have shared previously about the day that Charlyne told me, "I read something that may help you." The words she then shared about living with one foot in each of two worlds were timely in my decision to come home. She was saying, "I understand . . ." and not, "I demand . . ."

* Your Prodigal Could Use Your Perseverance -

From the first time I heard my wife utter the word "standing" about 24 years ago, right up until today, I have known one thing; my wife was not about to give up on what God had promised for her marriage. Along the way, I heard that she would still be waiting in her rocking chair when she was 80, and that I might miss the best part of our marriage, but she was not giving up on me because God was not giving up on me, even when I was living in sin. What an amazing demonstration of love, for me to know that I had an "ex" who was not about to walk away because of circumstances.
If you want a super gift to give to your prodigal, determine today that you will never, never, never give up on the one you love. If you give up and stop praying, who will be there to pray for their protection and for them to come to Christ?
I am grieved of good people whom God has called to stand, giving up because a friend told them to find someone else, or who say they will stand only until the non-covenant marriage is legalized, or until there is a child born into the other relationship. They may be standing today, and give up tomorrow, but standing again by the end of the week. If you want a great gift for your prodigal, lock down in your heart and mind, once and for all, that you are standing until God does what He has promised you He will do, regardless of what happens tomorrow.

* The Prodigal You Love Has No Need For Your Threats -

Statements sounding like, "If you don’t have that check here on time, I’m going to . . ." or "I will tell my attorney to . . ." should never originate with a serious stander. Another great gift for your prodigal is to get the term, "I understand" back into your vocabulary.

* The Prodigal You Love Has No Need For Your Tongue -

Believe me, your prodigal spouse knows everything they are doing wrong, without your telling them. Each time you remind them, you are stacking more chips on the "Reasons I can’t go home" side of the table. The battle for your family will be won with your knees, in prayer and not with a sharp tongue slicing and dicing your mate.

* The Prodigal You Love Has No Need For Your Temper -

"Did Charlyne have a temper when you were divorced?" In the beginning, she had such a temper that I was afraid of what she might do. Temper is another area where God touched my wife, after she became serious about standing for our marriage and she has not been the same since.

* The Prodigal You Love Has No Need For Your Taunts -

Yes, you may win the battle if you disrupt their plans, but in the end, if you don’t correct your ways, you will lose the war for your home. That other person is not your enemy, so even if you manage to manipulate until they are out of the picture, satan will send someone else along.

* The Prodigal You Love Has No Need For Your Trespasses -

No matter how many times my wife teaches about not spying on a wayward spouse, people who call themselves standers continue to do so, often at the expense of their marriage. For the sake of your family, please stay out of your prodigal mate’s personal property and activities.
I do not recall ever mentioning this before, but there were times during our divorce that I baited Charlyne to see if she would snoop. I remember one weekend leaving a note from the other woman inside our son’s suitcase. I had folded the note in a particular way so that I could tell if it had been opened and read. The note was returned to me without having been opened. Charlyne passed every sordid test I sent her way, to the glory of God.

* The Prodigal You Love Has No Need For Your Tough Love -

How many times you and I have blown it in our Christian walk, yet each time our Heavenly Father forgives us and allows us to start over again. Jesus demonstrates unconditional love, not tough love, to His children. When standing for marriage restoration, we have an opportunity to be like Jesus by showing unconditional love to a spouse who has wronged us. Tough love is saying to a spouse, "If you don’t do right, I will do wrong." That does not sound like words from Jesus.

Kevin