Aletha's Journal

Perk Up Your Marriage

2012-02-13T12:16:17Z

Karen O'Conner and her husband realized they were missing something important by not starting their day praying together. They decided to get up an hour earlier than usual and get out of the house where there would be no distractions. They began taking morning walks and then stopping at a park bench and praying. This practice invigorated their relationship immediately!

Their prayer walks led to a more intimate understanding of one another. Her husband, for example, had fears she had not known. And she felt the freedom in prayer to reveal some of her frailties. It was freeing to be completely real with God and with each other.

Their commitment to the Lord and to each other helps them keep going even when they're feeling sleepy or stressful. They now pray no matter what.

Over time, the fruit of their prayer walks was evident to their family and friends, as well. Other people commented when they came into their home that they could feel the love. Even people who didn't know them well were quick to say that they seemed to be made for each other. What a change from just a few years ago when they pressed their point of view and defended their territory.

As Karen looks back over the years since they started their "prayer walks," she says, "I'm amazed at the transformation that has occurred in my husband, in me, in our life together, and in our relationship with God."

She adds, "All these treasures can be yours too. If you want to experience more vitality, more authenticity, and more intimacy in your marriage, perk it up with a prayer walk."
Dear Jesus, please give more couples Your plan for their prayer lives together.

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20).

Memory Verse for February "I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure" (Psalm 16:8-9).

Prayer Request
Please pray for those who are preparing new discipleship materials to be presented at the conference.

He Heard God

2012-02-10T14:33:22Z

One Sunday evening after preaching twice and feeling very tired, Rev. Richard Wurmbrand felt a strong impulse to go to the pub that was just opposite their home. When he told his wife about it, she objected vigorously.

"You spoke twice today against drinking, and now all the neighbors will see you going to have a drink. You can't do such a thing. You'll be slandered."

"Come with me," he replied, "so they will slander us both."

When they entered the pub, he understood why he was there. In the midst stood a Russian captain with his finger on the trigger of a revolver, threatening to shoot everybody. He was drunk and had asked for more liquor. It had been refused him, and now he was terribly angry. People had hidden behind the bar under tables. They could not talk with him, not knowing Russian. Rev. Wurmbrand could speak the language.

When he asked him what was happening, the man quieted down a little and explained his demand. Rev. Wurmbrand assured him that he would take care of it if only he would keep quiet. He went to the pub owner and promised him he would sit with the captain so there would be no further trouble.

The pub owner was so happy, he exclaimed, "Pastor, you have saved my life! I will always remain grateful. Henceforth in my bar you can drink as much as you like free of charge."

He and his wife did not drink. While the Russian captain drank, Rev. Wurmbrand told him the story about the Son of God who came down from heaven, was born of a virgin in a stable, taught love, and in the end was crucified for our sins, was raised from the dead, ascended to heaven, and is preparing an eternal abode in Heaven for every repentant sinner who puts his confidence in Him. The man listened attentively.

Thank You, Lord, for Your precise guidance for those who fear You.

"Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. The LORD confides in those who fear him" (Psalm 25:12, 14).
*Adapted from Alone With God. Rev. Wurmbrand is founder of The Voice of the Martyrs.

Prayer Request
Please pray for those who are preparing new discipleship materials to be presented at the conference.

How Ann Gained Daily Victory

2012-02-09T17:00:08Z

by Aletha Hinthorn
During Ann's first seven years of married life, three little ones appeared and she had six surgeries. One of her babies had colic every night for a year. To top it off, Ann was a perfectionist.

Surely the Lord would help her maintain victory in the midst of the storms. She would pray and then think that surely all would be transformed. Baby John would be healed of his colic and God would take away her hyper-nature and her perfectionism. She was telling God how it was going to be. But it didn't work that way. Her problems did not go away.

One day she just decided, "I'm not going to be defeated again. I don't care what it takes, I'm going to be victorious." She meant it.

One day soon after that declaration her three kids came charging into the kitchen feeling mischievous and ready to do something she didn't like. She was at the end of her rope. She felt something snap.

Ann said, "I just raised my hands and said, 'Get thee behind me, Satan, I refuse to be defeated!"

Her children looked at her and said, "Mommy, are you all right?"

She replied, "Yes, I am very normal. And from now on this is the way it's going to be." And from that time on, she just verbally defeated the enemy until she was able to retrain her habits and her responses and claim the victory in the middle of her circumstances. God began to give her the rational thinking she needed. She didn't have to fight with carnal weapons, but she learned to depend upon His power. She had to say, "Lord, I prayed for a family. You gave me these children. Now You are going to equip me day by day."

Thank You, Lord, that we're given a never-ending supply of Your grace that enables us to live pleasing to You.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

Bev LaHaye's Discovery

2012-02-08T15:56:20Z

"Thirteen years ago I discovered what was really missing in my life," shared Beverly LaHaye in The Spirit-Controlled Woman. Before that time she had been a fearful, introverted person with a poor self-image. It was difficult for her to entertain because she was fearful of not living up to the expectations of friends. She refused most invitations to speak to women's groups because she felt inadequate and wondered if she really had anything to say.

"After all, who wants to hear what a young woman has to say whose only accomplishment in life has been giving birth to four children?" she wondered. One well-meaning lady had come to her in the early days of their ministry and said, "Our last pastor's wife was an author; what do you do?" That was a heavy question for a fearful 27-year-old woman.

She began to wonder, "What do I do?" Oh yes, she was a good mother to her four children, her husband adored her, she kept house reasonably well, but what could she do that would be eternally effective in the lives of other women? Her answer seemed to be, "Very little." There was something missing in her life.

While attending a conference, she heard for the first time about the filling of the Holy Spirit and the effect it could have on her future. She recognized that this was the missing dimension in her life.

"I simply asked God to fill me with the Holy Spirit and to do the impossible thing through me by this new power within. There was no outward sign or expression except for a beautiful quiet peace that settled in my heart and the new confidence that God was going to do something far better with my life than I had been able to do.

Thank You, Father, that being filled with Your Spirit empowers us to live in freedom.

"Receive the Holy Spirit"(John 20:22).

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" Acts 1:8.

Prayer Request
Please pray for those who are preparing new discipleship materials to be presented at the conference.

When It Seemed God Did Not Care

2012-02-07T19:34:49Z

A group of guerrilla soldiers during the civil war of the sixties in the ex-Belgian Congo, kicked and beat Helen Roseveare. She felt terribly alone. Couldn't God have stepped in and protected her? Didn't He care? She was almost sick with fear.

Suddenly she knew that God was speaking to her, and in a strangely wonderful way a great peace took possession of her tortured mind. She became conscious of this simple question, "Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?"

He did not ask her to thank Him for the savage cruelty, but for showing His trust in her. It was an amazing thought. She knew that she trusted Him, but it was a new thought that He wanted to be able to trust her.

"Yes," He seemed to say, "of course I could have prevented this happening. I could have taken you out of this situation. But it would help Me, in My bigger plan for others, if you could go through this with Me, without accusing Me of deserting you, or even asking Me for a detailed explanation."

It was humbling to Dr. Roseveare to think that God had been willing to trust her with some part of the fulfilling of His plan. Could she thank Him? Yes, by His grace she could and as she did, peace flowed into her.

This did not lessen the pain, but suddenly, it made everything different. She was now suffering with Christ, in Christ, for Christ. The whole experience became a privilege.

Dear Lord, help us to be willing to take a sip of the cup that You drank for us.

"He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them" (Matthew 26:27). "Can you drink the cup I drink?" (Mark 10:38).

Prayer Request
Please pray for those who are preparing new discipleship materials to be presented at the conference.

Irene's New Priorities

2012-02-06T12:57:50Z

Irene was in great demand as a Bible teacher. Her husband Mike went to church but took no part in church activities. Irene's priority list was God, teaching Bible studies, and then family. One day the Lord spoke to her through Ephesians 5:22 (Amp.). "Wives, be subject-be submissive and adapt yourselves-to your own husband as [a service] to the Lord."
She heard God saying, "I want you to be Mike's wife."

What did God mean? Then she considered, "Did she really love Mike? Did she honestly revere him? Did she adapt herself to him?"

Irene dropped her outside activities and began to spend most of her time in her home. She declined when asked to teach or lead a home Bible study and stayed home with Mike doing what he chose to do.

During the next two years, she missed teaching, but she was determined to be nothing more than a wife to Mike as God had said.

In the middle of the third year of her commitment to her husband, something stirred in Mike. He began to hear God calling him, and he answered that call.

Slowly Irene realized that if she had remained the spiritual authority, Mike would have been too threatened by her success to venture out. Today at Mike's insistence, they together teach a class for couples. Their new priorities are God, each other, and then others.

Thank you, Lord, that doing Your will does not mean meeting every request that others suggest.

"A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure" Proverbs 16:3 Amp.)

Prayer Request
Please pray that God will prepare the way for all of those God wants to attend the conference.

Gwen's Verse That Rescued Her

2012-02-03T15:22:12Z

It was an anxious time for Gwen. She had just learned that her twins had epilepsy. She knew that God was in control, but worry and fear crept into her life. Eventually she found it difficult to function as a mother.

Gwen was greatly convicted, for she knew that if she were truly trusting God, she should not worry. After trying unsuccessfully for some time to overcome her fears, she told her Heavenly Father she needed His help. Gwen resolved not to leave her room until she heard from Him. She prayed that He would bring to her mind the Scripture He knew she needed. She was sure the verse He would give would exactly meet her need.

He answered her simple prayer. This verse came to her mind: "Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). She was filled with peace and joy. This verse covered all her needs.

As she meditated on this verse God revealed many things to her. Because He told her to take the shield, she understood her problems were not going to go away. A shield is to be carried during conflict. Secondly, a shield is meant to be turned in any direction as needed for protection. By this, she knew fear could spring from any direction at any time.

Finally, God told her plainly that it was Satan who was sending all those fiery darts to plague her. She rested assured that God would always take care of both of her twins. After all He loved them even more than she did.

Many times through the years Gwen thanked her Heavenly Father for the way He not only met her needs, but for the way He provided for each of the twins! They both live very normal lives, and each of them has wonderfully happy spirits.

Thank You, Father, for knowing the exact words that heal our spirits.

"The Lord is good to those who put their hope in His unfailing love" (Psalm 147:11).

Prayer Request
Please pray that God will prepare the way for all of those God wants to attend the conference.

How Nellie Overcame Her Addiction

2012-02-02T22:12:11Z

How Nellie Overcame Her Addiction
by Aletha Hinthorn
Nellie was well into her forties when she started to drink. It was a difficult time for her. She had family problems, worked at a demanding job, and had constant back pain.
She had gone to church all of her life and considered herself a solid Christian although she seldom read her Bible or prayed. She started searching for ways to fill the ever-expanding, black hole in her life. Drinking seemed to offer a respite.

For years she could take it or leave it. But eventually she began drinking heavily and resorted to "closet drinking." She blamed everyone but herself for what was happening to her. She convinced herself that drinking was no different from taking sedatives or other medication. "I don't really have a problem," she reasoned. "I can quit anytime I choose. Besides, I'm not hurting anyone."

But as her drinking increased, God began to convict her. The guilt was so oppressive that she constantly felt like a miserable failure. She began to tearfully beg Him to help her overcome her desire to drink. "It's not enough for you to just want to stop," He seemed to gently whisper. "You must get rid of the alcohol. Pour it all out!"

Nellie fought this conviction for weeks. Then one day images began to float through her mind of being estranged from her family because of her addition. At last she admitted that she was becoming an alcoholic and was filled with alarm.

Weeping, she hurried to the cupboard, and before she could change her mind, grabbed the bottle and poured the amber poison down the drain.

Nellie says, "What a difference has been made in my life! I feel better spiritually, mentally, and physically. I found that I get through the day quite well without fortifying myself with alcohol. It's been two years since I've touched any. I'm sometimes tempted to buy a bottle, but I think, No, I won't let myself fall into that trap again."

Dear Lord, help us to remember that only You can fill the emptiness in our lives.

"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).

Turn Worry Into Praise

2012-02-01T16:19:36Z

"Oh, Lord, why won't you make my husband give Mark the attention he needs?" Kathy was continually frustrated by her husband's inability to reach out to the heart of their ten-year-old son. What kind of man would Mark grow up to be without his father's interest, she wondered. And could she overcome the wedge this whole thing brought to their marriage? "Oh, God," she cried out again, "why don't you do something?"

Tears blurred her eyes as she drove. Then within her heart she heard God's soft whisper, "Praise Me!"

Praise Him? That was the last thing she wanted to do, yet God said it again. She hesitated. "Lord, I'm too worried to do that."

From years of experience, she knew it was ridiculous to fight Him, so she said out loud, "Okay, God, I praise You." Then she tried to say it with more conviction. She forced herself to sing a praise song and by the time she had sung it three times, her heart began to focus again on who God is and that he really could be trusted with the relationship between her husband and son. By the time she reached home, she had released the whole situation and was willing to believe God would do whatever was best, even if it was nothing.

After getting ready for bed, she slipped under the covers beside her husband. He murmured, "I'm glad you're home, honey. I want to ask you something. I was thinking about how I could reach Mark and wondered if I should ask him if he wants to learn to play golf? Then we could play together. What do you think?"

Kathy could barely speak as she answered, "I think that's a great idea." Tears of gratitude rolled down her cheeks.

Thank You, Lord, that we can always praise You knowing that You desire only our good.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:11).

Prayer Request
Please pray that God will prepare the way for all of those God wants to attend the conference.

God's Best Gift for You

2012-01-31T13:16:48Z

Oswald Chambers, author of the Christian classic My Utmost for His Highest, knew he was born again but longed to be filled with the Spirit. He prayed for the cleansing fullness of the Spirit. Then the Spirit used circumstances to show him how sinful his own heart was. He continued to preach, people were saved and blessed, but in his own soul, there was darkness and misery.

During a series of meetings on the deeper life, God spoke to his heart through Luke 11:13, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

One night Chambers rose to his feet and said, "Either Christianity is a downright fraud, or I have not got hold of the right end of the stick." Right there, he claimed the gift of the Holy Spirit, trusting the promise of Luke 11:13. He had no special emotional blessing, but knew he had taken God at His Word.

A few days later Chambers spoke at a meeting and forty people came forward to seek salvation. When he asked the principal of the Bible college why there was this response, the principal said, "Don't you remember you asked God to give you the gift of His Spirit, and you claimed it by faith? Didn't Jesus say, 'Ye shall receive power?' This is God's power from on high."

Chambers said of his experience, "Glory be to God, the last aching abyss of the human heart is filled to overflowing with the love of God....After He comes in, all you see is 'Jesus only.'"

Thank You, Jesus, that You provide not only forgiveness of sins but also You equip us with power to work for You.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Memory Verse for January "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).