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.)
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 that God will prepare the way for all of those God wants to attend the conference.
