Remembering is spoken of often in the Bible. Many memorials were built throughout the Old Testament.
Jacob
In Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob set a pillar and anointed it with oil to remember the vision the Lord gave him. In this dream God promised to prosper Jacob, to bless him and his future generations. Jacob wanted to never forget this and marked the spot where he was given this promise.
Joshua
In Gilgal, God allows His people to cross the Jordan river on dry ground. God instructs Joshua to take 12 stones from the riverbed and stack them as a memorial, for them and future generations to remember the God of miracles! Joshua 4:20
Samuel
Samuel erected a memorial to remember that God is our victory. Reminding the Israelites of their victory over the Philistines. Giving glory to God, where it belonged. I Samuel 7:12
Moses
Moses built an altar on the mount after he wrote out the 12 commandments. Exodus 24:4.
Christians
As Christians, we participate in communion, to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To set our minds on all that Christ endured and suffered for our sakes. We celebrate Easter and Christmas to help us remember Christ’s resurrection and birth.
In remembering, our minds shift and sit on something new. There is purpose in remembering. Many times in counseling, we ask a couple to remember what originally attracted them to each other. This is shifting their minds off the negative and remembering the positive. This aligns with Gods word when He tells us to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8.
One of the reasons I am so passionate about marriages is because of what God has done in my own marriage. Thinking of where we have come from and all that God has done in and through us, I am blown away.
The first several years, we did not practice “remembering” in our marriage. During year 7, I attended a Bible study, where we read through the book “The Power of a Praying Wife” by Storie O’Martin. At the end of this study, we wrote out prayers for our husbands using God’s word. This prayer was based on what I desired to see in my husband. I prayed that he would hunger and thirst for God’s word. Asking God to make him a man after his own heart. Petitioning that he would walk in humility and compassion towards others. I even prayed that he would not provoke his children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). He loved to tease however, at times he did not know when to stop.
Consistently praying this over and over again allowed me to memorize much of what I was praying. I was “remembering” what I had been praying for. This caused my faith to increase and my frustrations to decrease. When something happened that caused me to be upset with my husband, especially in the specific areas I was praying for, the words (God’s words) came to mind and I was better able to put my trust in Him(God). It is difficult to be angry at someone you are consistently praying for. It is also easier to trust God in your marriage when you are intentionally praying for your spouse.
Today if you knew my husband very well, you would read this prayer letter and you would know it was describing my guy! Praise be to God!
In her book “Get Out Of Your Head”, Jennie Allen asks the question; “When is the last time you thought about what you think about?” We all have many thoughts swimming in our heads over several topics. Scripture is very clear about the importance of our minds. To set our minds on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6)! An even better promise is that He keeps us in perfect peace if we set our minds on Him (Isaiah 26:3)!
Francis Frangipane writes a book titled “The Three Battlegrounds”. He states there are three places that warfare takes place for the Christian: 1. The mind, 2. The church, and 3. Heavenly places. Joyce Meyers wrote a book entitled “Battlefield of the Mind”. Both of these authors emphasize that our battles start in our mind. This is why it is important to be mindful of what you are allowing your mind to meditate on.
It is also why we should be aware of what we are listening to. If you allow something to be consistently spoken over you, you will eventually come to believe it. Then you will begin to behave from that belief. This is why we must draw captive thoughts that do not align themselves with God’s truth. We must identify them as lies and begin to remind ourselves of what is true, through speaking His word out loud over ourselves, by praying, and by worshipping through song.
The scripture is clear, we have the power of life and death in our tongues (Proverbs 18:21, Deuteronomy 30:19). Understanding the power we have in what we say will change the way we talk and the words that leave our mouth. Yours utterances can come to manifestation. This is a scary thought, while also empowering at the same time. Knowing this, the question is, what are you speaking over your marriage? Do your words bring life or death to your relationship? Don’t let the enemy lure you into declaring dead words into your home! How many of us have said, ‘My spouse will never change’. ‘This marriage just won’t work’. ‘I wish I never married you’. If this is what you are investing into your marriage, you are killing it one word at a time.
It’s time to start making a positive investment into your home. Think of 5 beautiful things about your spouse, and 5 things you want to take place in you, your spouse and your relationship. Don’t worry if they seem far fetched. Speak as if they are, prophetically, bringing life and joy into your home.
I have been praying about something for years now. Recently my friend and I were hanging out and she asked me about the situation and how it was going. I already had the words in my head to reply that everything was the same. Nothing has really changed. Before the words formed in my mouth, the Holy Spirit gently rebuked me. I could see him in my mind shaking his finger at me (in a gentle parenting way) saying “Don’t say that! It’s not the truth! Things are not the same, I am working! You might not be able to see it, but things are not the same. I will always work on your behalf.”
Then last weekend I attended a women’s conference and found a shirt that says “In the waiting, God is still working”. For me, it was a gentle reminder of what the Holy Spirit had spoken to me. I purchased it and plan on wearing it out. What this physical object does is that it prompts me to remember. Remember what the Holy Spirit has spoken to me and hold on to that promise.
I would like to challenge you to find a prompt to help you remember. Place an object in a location you walk by often that causes you to remember.
Write out a prayer for your spouse and read it/pray it out loud. This way you see it and hear it!
Think about what you think! Use the power as a child of God to speak life into your marriage and home.
These disciplines will prompt a change in the way you think, which in turn will impact the way you behave. These will ripple into a direct impact on your marriage, your family and your community.
Christian Family Life is a marriage discipleship ministry. We are here to offer resources and support no matter what condition your marriage is in. Our passion is to Build, Enrich, and Reconcile Marriages.
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