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You and your husband have a great future. It may take some time stabilizing your walk to come out but you will come out of this if you don't give up. I will give you some Bible based answers that will help you bring your husband out of all of this and God will strengthen you also. We all make wrong choices especially during duress. Duress is a form of oppression from Satan that your husband should not have yielded to from the beginning. Knowing the following scriptures and possessing them by faith would have saved him from Satan's attack. They are our covenant promise when we believe God and follow His leadership. During an attack of Satan is no time to walk by feelings, duress, sadness, hurt or oppression of any kind. Now he must start immediately believing that these scriptures are his and will continue to be more and more each day.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Your husband made a wrong choice when he didn't fight for his rights with the power of the Lord, by prayer and using the scriptures. What ever the relationship was he didn't handle it according to the Word, either from a lack of God's knowledge or the wisdom of how to use what he did know. His choice has allowed the attack that Satan started in those situations of his past to come into a fullness; which is overwhelming enough to pull him-self out of God's hands. However, there is great hope for him. God loves him and His will is for your husband's deliverance!
You say that within four months of the marriage it began to fall a part. The business is starting to decrease and he suffers emotionally. You say his relationship with God is almost shipwrecked and there's a hardness of heart. Of Course, he has allowed Satan to take charge in his mind. If a person allows any subject of satanic oppression to develop in their mind, then Satan rules that mind in that area, which can lead to other areas in their life. Thoughts in a human mind is how Satan rules. He isn't able to act out anything himself because he doesn't have an earthly body. So he uses people. He starts in the mind with just a thought, fear is just one of the hooks he uses most. Fear is the opposite of God's truth and power, it can be a major take-over from the start or creep in slowly. Examine the expressions of fear you think or even speak during a 48 hour period. Satan will attack the mind of a person hundreds of times as day and make them believe it was their own thought.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
God's love grows in our hearts through the knowledge of His Word. If that growth is not pursued on a daily basis by reading or hearing the Word of God, when Satan attacks how can we be ready? It was Satan's plan to destroy your husband and everyone around him. You are the strong one now so take charge. You have the power to push this oppression out of your lives. Start by never pitying your husband or yourself, it doesn't accomplish anything, it will weaken you and slow down your victory. So will allowing thoughts of hurt, condemnation, fear, worry etc. These are all tools of Satan to enforce his evil work, filling a person's mind with lies that contradict God's promises. They will distract you from using God's truth to defeat him. Keep your focus on what God says and how much He loves you. We are to continually think upon the good things of God and what He has done before and is going to do in the future according to his promises. Preparing our minds and hearts to be submissive to the Holy Spirit creates maximum speed for our breakthroughs that are needed for victory. If we don't control our own minds Satan will pour his curse through our thoughts and defeat us in our walk with the Lord. So both of you begin to think and talk only of these kinds of things:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.
Satan attacks everyone especially Christians, especially when they're helping others to know God better. That's why we must grow strong in knowing what's in God's Word and how to use it. You can't fight spiritual battles with earthly knowledge or human strength. It takes God's knowledge backed up by His great power to defeat Satan in our lives. Jesus gave us the authority to use everything He used when he was here on earth, words, faith and power.
John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Since your husband is weak at this time you must provide good things for him to think about. Things that reflect the scriptures above, Bible stories from the scriptures or good stories from either one of your pasts. What ever you talk about must be uplifting. It's God's way and will cause you to do the greater things Jesus said you would do.
Prepare Yourself By Receiving The Power Of The Holy Spirit
You need power! If you haven't received the fullness of the Holy Spirit then do so. It's vital when you're in battle with satanic influences.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Jesus said that when he would take His place on the throne beside God, the Father would then send the Holy Spirit and power for the church to use in service for God.
Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
This power was first given to born again Christians who were in the Upper Room. Then it was received, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, to others throughout the early church. It was poured out on the latter church in the same way throughout the 1900s to thousands of Christians. God has not changed. Power for service in God's family, to carry out heavenly orders here on earth, is the manifestation we receive, but the initial heavenly language inspired by the Holy Spirit is our confirmation that we have truly been baptized in the Spirit. In order for God to use us to the extent that He desires we must have his Holy Spirit inside us operating in His fullness.
John 14:23-27 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. "All this I have spoken while still with you. (Remember Jesus is addressing born again men who have been water baptized.) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Christians, who have not yet gone on to seek the Holy Spirit, do have a limited amount of power, but never to the fullness that God intended for his church to have for complete victorious living. Those who obey the command to receive the Holy Spirit have more of God's strength for his service which gives us strength and wisdom for living our own lives. When using the words that God wrote down for us in the Bible, we are using His power to control Satan. We need all the spiritual power that's available to us. Then the Holy Spirit will work for us in putting him under our feet and we receive total victory.
Romans 16:19-20 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
When we keep Jesus as Lord over our lives daily, confessing (speaking aloud) the scriptures of who Jesus is and who we are in him, we give God the authority to accomplish in our lives His perfect will. It's a process that keeps Satan and all his demons under our feet, allowing God's strength to flow through us to do his work. How can we accomplish what God wants us to do when Satan is always robbing us with thoughts and problems that control so much of each day? You are in a hard place now, in battle with Satan for the soul of your husband, so put on battle gear. The Armor of God
If your husband has received the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the past then he should ask God for the gift to be renewed. If he hasn't then assure him that God has this wonderful gift for him that will change his life and give him power. Begin to help your husband by getting more of the word into him as often as possible. Let him know how much God loves him and is going to help him with every need, spiritual, physical and financial. Never talk doubt or trouble. Tell him often about all the good things God plans for the two of you, lift him up.
Music will not build his faith it only softens his heart. It's the word of God that builds faith and produces strength and power. So step up your spiritual walk by playing Bible CDs and good preaching as much as you can. If you don't have the Bible on CD you can get them by clicking on the link on our site. Everyone needs tools to help them grow. You will receive faith and godly wisdom by meditating on the knowledge that you have received from God's Word. Then you will have faith to carry the two of you to the end of this trial.
You made this statement, "I am told by him that I'm a gem and a very good woman and wife, and that I have so much faith and energy; that I'm very generous always helping others and that my love for him is remarkable."
This is the best thing in the world because he will listen to you and begin to follow your lead and advise on how to over come this situation. Everything you see in your husband, that needs a change for better, pray for God's wisdom to help him. God can see into his heart and give you the exact words as well as actions that will bind what Satan is doing and bring him total deliverance.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
This is how to check the answers that you feel you are receiving from God.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
1 John 4:1-2 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
If you want to be sure you are hearing from God, simply ask: "Do you believe Jesus Christ has come in the flesh?" Direct the question to the one who is giving you the thought of what to do. Satan is required to answer a Christian's confrontation when it comes from the scriptures. You have the authority of Christ in your voice; and He defeated Satan completely over 2000 years ago. Even in a weakened condition a born again Christian has great authority over Satan because it's easy to win over someone who has already been defeated. If we all used God's method more often we wouldn't make so many mistakes. It takes lots of practice to use all the good things that God has given us to live free from satanic influences. Now, since Satan is already under your feet, dig your heels into him with commands that he has to follow, use the Word on him and get him out of your lives.
You said that your husband can see that he's not leading his family. Let him know this is OK at this time and that God will strengthen him and soon he will lead his family as God intends. Don't pressure him to do things let God lead him.
You mentioned that his heart is hardened toward God. Reassure him that God did not cause any of these problems, Satan did just as he did in the Book of Job. Satan has tried your husband and he simply couldn't stand under all the pressure. We all go through times like these because we still live in earthly flesh and our earthly nature is weak. Read about Peter when he denied Christ three times and Paul's account of dealing with his flesh. Struggling With Sin
If he's lacking faith then look for places where his faith is working and encourage him. Get him excited over "what God is going to do for him and through him in the future". God is not going to let one of his workers go so easily.
At the end of answering your questions I will link you to my article What Is Faith, it's full of information. It's extremely important for you to learn how to receive the kind of faith that gets you what you need for a full and prosperous life.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him (God) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to "his power" that is at work "within us".
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need (knowledge, wisdom, finances etc.), you will abound in every good work.
Your husband will get that power from the Word and the in-filling of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of God lives inside a person, either through salvation or in the greater way of the Baptism of the Spirit, God is living in our body and we should never let Satan contaminate us, mind, soul or body, when we have such power available to us. We must resist and refuse anything he pushes at us even if it's just a headache.
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own
Make sure that Jesus is the head of your ministry, then you and your husband stand on this scripture promise against any lack in any area that you need improved. Satan can't hold you back.
Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself (Jesus) suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
If your husband can see the things you mentioned, lacking in faith, a hardened heart and lack of leadership, then he's surly ready to take gentle, God given advise from you. With your patience, compassion and understanding he will learn how to pull himself up to receive deliverance and go on to living a victorious life in Christ. You are his greatest hope at this time so stand strong.
As A Christian You Have Power To Live Free From Satan's Influence
You write that he has symptoms like depression but refuses to get a medical checkup, he looks terrible and you feel like his nurse. If this is all true then it's your time to shine as a disciple of Christ with the same kind of love that God gave Jesus for the sick and demon possessed. Your husband is suffering from a spiritual battle that produces fatigue, confusion, hopelessness, worry and many other symptoms including depression. I've been there and recognize his symptoms. But, praise God there is a way out. Consider yourself as a spiritual nurse, leader, counselor, and any other type of helper your husband needs to overcome this attack. Help him first by:
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
You have the God given right to cast demons out of your house, your husband, your child, your dog or cat if necessary and keep them out. They belong to you. You've got to learn your rights as a Christian and not just use them but enforce them. You are God's vessel, part of the body of Christ here on earth to do God's work, which is controlling Satan and stopping his "take-over". So take control! Let Satan know that you have authority over him and he's under your feet. Speak in a way that you enforce the scriptures on him. If you don't know much scripture then use what you do know as you learn more. You belong to God and are never to allow any of the curse to affect you.
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
Choosing to use the Word of God against the evil works of Satan is choosing life. If we don't choose life Satan will take over, there is no neutral space. Either we grow in God and use His artillery or be run over. If an unarmed thief came into your house and wanted to look for something to steal would you let him? Of course not. Satan is a thief and is stealing your husband and your peace. He is also a liar, so fight back. Satan is continually filling your husband's mind with lies of defeat which are even effecting you. Don't let him continue.
John 10:10 The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 8:44...He (Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
You said that your husband won't go to a doctor. Doctors fight with scientific knowledge. It works well for some people but your husband has a spiritual battle and drugs never gets rid of demons, they just calm or subside their influence by chemical changes in the brain. There are mental institutions who have many patients that have been on drugs for years. There have been miraculous reports of people being delivered by God and soon after they were released, declared normal.
I would like to see you give God the opportunity to deliver your husband first before taking him to a doctor, then He will get the glory. Let Satan know, verbally, that he is not going to run things anymore in your house, he is not going to put thoughts in your husband's head because he belongs to you. Remember, God put him under your feet, so let him know that you are enforcing his place of existence because Jesus gave you authority over him. Use the imagination that God gave you for doing good and put your foot over Satan's mouth and keep it shut. Jesus did not allow the demons to speak and we can keep them from speaking also, in our minds as well as any other way.
Luke 4:41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he (Jesus) rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.
God will bring you and your husband out of this situation if you will stand on His truth, which Satan fears. As you stand strong your husband will follow, be patient with him. So many people don't know how to separate a person, that they know or love, from the demons that oppress or even possess them. Watch your husband closely and separate the two of them. Get angry at the demons and treat them as Jesus did, casting them out and resisting them when they try to come back. Teach your husband to do this also. Always show great love and compassion to the person you are dealing with, remembering that what they are experiencing is an evil influence, which they don't know how to deal with. God will help you lead your husband out of this situation. It may not happen over night but stick with it and praise God for each step of deliverance.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation (this includes trials) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
You stated that the only energy he has is when he is in God's presence, or ministering to others. This is normal, he's under the anointing of the Lord. When the anointing lifts he is running on his own strength and can even become more exhausted because of the stress placed on his body while under the anointing. Demonic influence is what causes that stress.
How To Effectively Handle Our Trials
We all must endure trials, it's what we do with them during, as well as, after they are over, that counts. God wants us to "overcome ". So do we give up, give in, compromise, fight with human strength or use God's power? Some people give up and loose the battle, which stunts their growth in the Lord.
Some people don't learn from their experience and repeat the same problems over and over. I've seen people overcome wrong doing, live in victory, only to return to their old ways years later. (Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.) Christians, as well as sinners, sometimes do foolish things; but God shows us the magnitude of His loving grace when we have a humble heart and turn to Him.
1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Then there are God's mighty warriors. They choose to fight using God's way of thinking and doing by finding scriptures that give them strength in their position in the family of God, along with the promises that pertain to their situation. They pray for wisdom and examine the problem from the root to full bloom, gaining understanding as the problem withers away under the mighty power of God's anointing. Those are God's children who come out victorious, ready to do battle with Satan on a different subject or level of life, knowing that by using God's Word, the Lord will stand behind them to win again.
Although our trials are never comfortable, they will teach us to live in faith God's way and grow in the Fruit of the Spirit. We can take pleasure in trials, knowing we are standing strong, when we keep our eyes and thoughts on Jesus, while filling our hearts and mouth with his word. It's easy to defeat someone who has already been defeated, especially when God has set forth a plan for us to use. Satan was stripped of the power and authority, which he stole from Adam, when Jesus gave his life for our sins over 2000 years ago. God's powerful resurrection of His son gives us new life through Him. It was that very day that Satan lost the power over every person who takes Jesus as their lord and continues to do what's right. He was defeated not only in holding us in a sinful way of life, but from all sickness, poverty, any type of lack physically, mentally, socially, as well as spiritually. There isn't any bondage Satan can control a born again Christian with according to God's Word. He can only rule over us to the extent we allow him into our mind and believe his lies. He attacks in places were we are ignorant, rebellious, weakened from being tired, sick injured etc. One of the most common way we let him in is when we get angry or have a wrong attitude toward someone or something. He knows our weakest areas and plots traps for us. However, through knowing what's in the Word we have the power to laugh in the face of Satan when he brings trials to hinder us because "Jesus is our savior from everything evil". I look at is as a vaccination when Satan throws something at us; when we handle it God's way, what Satan used to destroy us turns in to knowledge, wisdom and strength to defeat him again for ourselves and for others.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
These are good faith scriptures to speak when going through trials. They will make us strong and remind us that the trial will soon be over.
Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
2 Peter 1:5-9 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
You made the comment that your husband can help others but yet can't function other than work, witnessing and listening to Christian music. This isn't unusual for someone who has gone through such a trial. Let's learn from Peter. When he was tried and denied Jesus three times, he was distraught.
Mark 14: 71-72 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Now look at the power and might that Peter had as he gave a speech to the people after receiving the Holy Spirit fullness in the upper room.
Acts 2: 36-37 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Your husband can be restored, stronger than before, just as Peter was. However he's not going about it the right way to fully overcome. Although music is great and uplifting it will not deliver anyone from bondage, neither will prayer alone, tears, self-pitty, begging God or questions like, Why me? Just spending time in the presence of the Lord is very nice and refreshing, but Jesus told us to "fight the good fight of faith" and these activities aren't based on faith strong enough to fight Satan.
It's going to take working faith from the Word of God along with spoken confessions, coupled with actions that reflect faith, all working together in accordance with the leadership of the Holy Spirit to reveal the manifestations of truth for our situations and total deliverance. It may sound complicated and it's not easy to get them all working together smoothly, especially in a weakened condition, but it is possible! I've done it.
Your husband is seeking relief and is turning to God the only way that I believe he knows how. It will never deliver him. It's going to take the Word and a mature non-defeated attitude. Attitude is very important. Satan is not allowed to rule over a Christian's attitude under any condition unless they let him. You are seeing the small amount of comfort through the music, but it will never destroy the root of the problem. The root of the problem is lack of faith in who he in God's family. In his condition he may think God doesn't love him or want him. That is a lie from Satan. God is Love! He can't help but love everyone. He even loves sinners, He's just not in covenant with them. Your husband chose God and that was a binding contract. God expects him to change his attitude and remember the grace he has showed him over the years. Your husband will have to stand up and begin to fight with whatever faith he still has in order to turn Satan around and make him flee. Be strong, give him all the help and encouragement he needs to keep his attitude right. Coach him in the right faith scriptures to make him strong.
Fight A Good Fight With Godly Faith And Win Every Time
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold (to gain possession by force) of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Fighting evil is not passive but very much active. Fighting is to be used only against Satan and his works, not against people. Being biblically aggressive, rebuking, resisting and taking control of Satan and everything he pushes on us is the only way to win over him. Christians are supposed to be sweet, nice, merciful, gracious etc., absolutely! But not when it comes to the works of Satan. We are to fiercely oppose everything he stands for and overtake him, binding all of his works. Many Christians never learn how to do battle and therefore, never have the victory that God intends for His children to have.
Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Our sword is the scriptures. There are scriptures for every subject known to man. We just have to find them and use them. Did you notice earlier when you read about the Armor of God that there was no armor designed for our back-side. We are not to run from Satan but stand firm against him.
Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
This is not a passive scripture either, but an aggressive, fighting one. We are to be bold, offensive and go after Satan with all our strength in the power of the Lord. If we keep Satan continually on the defensive because of our confessions of strength with the scriptures then he doesn't have time to affect us. There is nothing more embarrassing to him than to shoot a dart at us that bounces off, because of the spiritual barrier God has surrounded us with when we use his armor daily.
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
God's armor gives us the ability to win great spiritual battles yet enjoy and promote God's love, joy and peace.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Gaining God's knowledge and wisdom along with allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, in when and where to use it, makes us effective against Satan's attacks.
You state that your husband has energy when helping others. It's easy when he is in that role because he isn't dealing with his own life. Helping others is a trained process that your husband has evidently learned well. Many times when a person is having difficulties in their own life, if they aren't living in sin, God still wants to use them. Their words can still flow under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which can be received into the heart of another person and grow. Be thankful God is able to use him in this area.
Isaiah 55:9-11 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Speaking the things of God to others is comfortable for your husband. He has faith in his position of helping others. It's a good place for you to encourage him while looking for other areas of his faith so you can use them to bring him out of his own difficulties. He may have scriptural faith in his heart for his deliverance but don't know how to get it to work. Many preachers and teachers have a hard time, using in their own lives, the knowledge they have learned and even teach to others. Many time it's because they only have partial faith for those scriptures to work for themselves. For example, there are pastors who pray for the sick but experience illness in their own bodies. Most of the time they simply haven't taken the time or made the effort to drop the Word into their soul completely. They have mixed it with doubt or fear. They are using lessons that I call "Do as I say, not as I do". I believe we all do this at times, especially when we find ourselves learning something new while teaching it. God is our strength, but he expects us to explore these subjects until our faith is firmly established, working for ourselves as well as for others. He gives us supernatural insight so we can pass it on but if we can't use it in our own life the we have a poor witness for what we are teaching. None of us are perfect in every way, just forgiven when we miss God's leadership. When your husband helps others listen carefully to what he says. You may find places where you have more faith. You will increase his faith if he will let you teach him. Be sensitive to his attitude, I have seen married couples in competition with each other about who knows the most. If you have experienced this repent and never let this happen between you. God puts couples together so each person can share what He has given them, they are to become a team that God can really use.
When we drop the things of God deep enough into our soul that they come out working in perfection, as Jesus did here on earth, then they are the purest form of God's faith that people can use. Speaking that kind of faith will work in perfection for ourselves as well as for others. Faith has the ability to grow. As we read and meditate on God's Word we develop stronger faith in every area of our lives until it works in perfection according to the Word. Did you ever notice how some preachers seem to have an ability to work in an area with more success than someone else. They have simply put faith in that area deeper into their heart and soul than the other person. Let your husband know that we all go through these trying times when we struggle with our own disappointments, but help is as close as picking up a Bible and beginning to read. This scripture, which compares me to the suffering that Jesus endured for my sins, gives me strength to fight satanic attacks. It gives me cause to stand strong in the presence of my Lord, ready to endure all that I'm going through until I'm totally victorious. It removes all the self-pity, oppression and defeat that Satan intended to destroy me with. I hope that it will do the same for you and your husband.
Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin> (this includes trials), you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
In your husband's case, it could be that he has been in leadership so long that it seems impossible to deal with the circumstances that seem so overwhelming. It's embarrassing not to have answers for our own life when we have them for others. People never have all the answers; we are to get them from God daily. He has all the answers for everyone and everything and is eager to share them with us. Many times in helping others we say or do something that we really don't know much about. It's important that we recognize those times, ask God about them and research those areas. The Holy Spirit will then teach us. During those times people have a tendency to look at us and believe we know everything. They forget that we are learning new things just like they are. If we aren't careful and keep our humility before God, as well as in the presence of others, their attitude of a inflated expectation and even appreciation toward us can be damaging, especially to one who is in a place of authority and trying to meet the expectations of others in order to help people.
Humility is the most important asset a Christian can produce. It comes from the attitude in one's own heart. There is directs correlation between humility and the amount of victorious living we experience, mainly because one of Satan's greatest tools to destroy people is human pride. Humility toward others keeps us in good standing with God and increases the flow of miracle power into our lives.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
You can't be humble before God is you are unable to be humble before all people. Humility takes practice because it goes against the sinful nature we were all born with. Many pastor's and teachers have fallen because pride took them over when others praised them so highly. A wise person will recognize their limited knowledge, in the light of God's vast knowledge, and pray for the Holy Spirit to give them understanding and depth on any subject that should cross their path. Then always remember who you were before GOD grace gave you that knowledge.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
When we miss the leadership of our Lord either because of ignorance or disobedience we must pick ourselves up, ask for forgiveness and seek God's truth about our situation, even if it hurts. Our greatest comfort is in knowing God is still working on us as individuals. All we have to do is stand firm in the faith we already have, while believing He will teach us more as we press in close to Him. Then we will have the answers we need for our lives. No one, not even the greatest preachers or teachers, is exempt from living by faith in their own personal life. We all must examine our lives in the light of the scriptures and continually make adjustments that please God.
A person can preach or teach about God's great faith without using it for him or herself. If a person doesn't use it then God is not responsible for applying the promises in their life to that area. He is responsible to the hearer of His word, if they choose to believe. He is not responsible to the speaker of his Word when they don't apply faith concerning those words to their life.
Faith in the word of God gets you the things you don't yet have, things that are covenant promises. Faith (believing what the Word says and acting upon it) also allows the Fruit of the Spirit to increase. It's hard sometimes to make corrections in our own lives. Even the great giants of the gospel are always learning and changing to please God; that's how they became great giants.
Spend time helping your husband, especially with the scriptures that reveal who he is in Christ, seek God with him.
If he criticizes you, recognize it is Satan trying to hold on to him. The man you see and knew before the torment took him over still loves you, so be loving and explain you have such a desire to ease his pain and are searching for new places to help. Assure him that it is for both of you because you are one in the Lord. Ask his forgiveness if you hurt his feelings and keep on trying! Never give up!
You ask, "Why is my husband like this if he has been with the Lord all of these years?" The fact that a person has been with the Lord a long time or short doesn't effect the severity of an attack that Satan uses to destroy a person's life. He studies us continually. Satan knows just where to attack and how hard to hit in order to cause the most damage. If we let him get his foot in the door, so to speak, we have to work harder to get him out. We need to learn to stop him immediately the same way Jesus did when He fasted 40 days and nights, with the Word. Jesus didn't let Satan talk or persuade him like Eve did in the garden. Even in His weakened condition from fasting he used the Word with authority and Satan had to bow. When we are in a weakened condition of any type, stress, not enough sleep, hungry, someone else causing trouble etc., even on a daily basis like after working long hours and we're just tired, Satan moves in to take advantage. He might hit us with something small like symptoms of a cold or he could be planning something really big. It's so much easier to stop him at the beginning than wait till he takes over. After all who wants a cold for 10 days when we can stop it in a few hours. Satan is the king of bullies, he has no authority over one of God's children if we don't allow it. My favorite phrase to use when he attacks is, "I don't have to have this, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." It works even when asleep if he attacks with a bad dream or muscle spasm etc. It's amazing to me that we can use God's power even in our sleep.
1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We all have struggled with our security in the Lord at times. Your husband has simply forgotten how great God is and how much He loves him. His problem has to do more with the parable of the farmer sowing seeds than anything else because it deals with the choices he has made and is still making. As he reads this parable remind him he has the right to choose soil he is going to be. As we confess our choice we stretch our roots deeper into the good soil of God's purpose for our lives.
Mark 4:2-8 Parable of the "Ground for Sowing of Seed "
He (Jesus) taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."
Mark 4:14-20 Meaning to the Parable of the "Ground for Sowing Seed"
The farmer sows the word.
Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop, thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
Now is the time for making a verbal confession of which type of ground for God's seed you are going to be. I like to make confessions as I listen to the Word on CDs daily. Being in agreement with what God says gives me so much strength.
These scriptures about the different types of soil are not just for sinners or young Christians, as many believe, but throughout our Christian walk we are always receiving seeds from God through his word and from the leadership of the Holy Spirit, as well as from others in the body of Christ. Because God has given each person "freedom of choice" we must make a conscious decision to accept those seeds, nurture them, and receive them into our heart confessing them as ours. As those seeds grow, we become rooted and grounded in the perfect will of God for our life and those tiny seeds will eventually produce a crop in accordance with God's miraculous increase. The Bible is full of seeds for every area of our lives, social, physical, mental, financial, material etc. God has a plan of victory in his Word for every area. They start with a seed or truth, such as in our finances, we are told to tithe 10% of our income. Some people stumble of whether it should be net or gross. Ask yourself a simple question, which amount do you want His blessing for tithing to be based on. Since God is richer than anyone can imagine and he has promised me certain blessings if I tithe, then I want it on the gross so my return will be bigger. When your return is miraculous the bigger is better.
You can help your husband but if he doesn't want to take an active role in his deliverance, you alone will alone, will have a heavy burden and his deliverance will be very slow. For immediate relief to get started your husband should humble himself before God and repent of his wrong thinking, lack of trust in God's ability to deliver him in the beginning of all this, anger, wrong words and any other thing that may be between him and his Lord. If you have had wrong thinking, words, feelings or lack in any area concerning this problem repent with him. It'll be a new beginning for both of you together in the Lord. It's a great feeling to wipe the slate clean with the Lord after we experience trouble.
Then your husband should immediately get out his concordance and research all the scriptures that re-affirms just who he is in the body of Christ and the total prosperity that the position gives. Next he should find all the financial scriptures that deal with tithing and seed offerings and begin to make adjustments that will change his financial situation. Then he needs to read some of the healing scriptures where Jesus healed "Them All" because The Lord is the same today as he was then. If he still is lacking in faith the Bible gives us the option of imitating those who have faith until our faith grows strong.
Hebrews 13:7- 8 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. (Start with Paul's writings, his trials and victories.) Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
If a person has enough strength to imitate faith then they have enough faith that will bloom into something God will respond to. Help your husband do this because he may not have enough strength or clarity of mind to help himself at this time. Use the strength of God to sustain you through this time so you don't wear yourself out. Here's how:
Philippians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Your husband has received and sown too many great spiritual seeds over his 30 years, as God's precious child, to throw them all away because someone took advantage of him. Faith that moves mountains doesn't have to be huge. It can be very small but it has to be firmly established in our heart. So help him to rise up and walk in the footsteps of Jesus again.
Here are some things that build my faith when in battle against Satan's trials. I hope they help you in the same way.
I think about all of us children God has around the world and how much He is doing for them, yet he has time to notice me. He really does love each person who belongs to Him through his Son. He designs blessings for each one that fit their own individual personalities. He listens to ever prayer, sees every need, and watches their faith grow with great expectation of delivering all that He has promised.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
God is very much aware of the problems that you and your husband are facing and they are very small in the His eyes. Begin to look at them the way God see them. Trust him and watch the mountain that Satan has built around you disappear. First take control over any and all fear. Fear is Satan's biggest tool. Even just a little bit will contaminate your faith. He continually tries to use it on everyone. Jesus will be with you all the way and help you so talk to Him about each step to get wisdom. Learn as you go so you will be strong to help others. Look at your next few months as an opportunity for a really good faith project, which you already know will be victorious, as you experience the hand of God working for you. Although there will be tough times God will see you through.
We must believe what the Word says in spite of what our earthly senses tell us. We can never let our focus be on our problems, but keep it centered on what God says we can have through faith. Sometimes I like to establish where my problem started so I don't make the same mistake twice, but it's not always necessary. Keep your focus on what God will do for you and on His Word. Our circumstances are from the lies and destruction caused by Satan. If we stay focused on them it keeps us in his grasp.
You wrote, "If he doesn't get his relationship and faith with God in better condition then we can't expect anything, because of where he is at." I tend to believe he doesn't know how to get his faith relationship better with God because he has never been attack with this severity before. Maybe he has never had anyone teach him to use the scriptures or maybe his faith just needs a boost. It doesn't really matter he will regain all that he lost, just like Job did, if he wants to. Your job is to protect you husband at all costs during this time so some inconsiderate person doesn't deepen his situation. Sometimes friends and even other church members will see a person who is under attack and assume they have failed somewhere. Don't let anyone talk to him that way, remember how Job's friends spoke wrongly to Job and got into trouble with God. Lift your husband up at all times and let him know that he is not a failure. Never say anything to anyone or to him that is negative about his situation. God has no failures, he has children that are growing and need help. Your husband is like so many others, a victim of satanic oppression because Satan used another person to rob him. That person needs prayer as well as your husband. You say, "we can't expect anything because of where he's at." I disagree, you can expect every good thing that God has created for mankind, spiritually as well as physically and materially. You are Christ's disciple and you can carry the load for your husband at this time bringing him back into good standing with God. Then the two of you will go on to receive all the great things that the Lord has in store for you.
Don't allow him or yourself to say any negative confessions, they are a form of giving up and that's just what Satan wants. Never let these thoughts cross your minds again. They will take you deeper down a path of despair. Instead start confessing what you want, anything that will better your situation, as long as it's holy and acceptable to God. Think, act and speak strong! Let the strength of God carry you. Use God's faith as He does; calling things as God sees them, not as earthly fact that Satan has made.
Romans 4:16-17 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring, not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. (Which is any gentile who believes in Jesus) He is the father of us all. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
If we are to use God's faith, then by calling things as the Bible says it should be is the kind of faith that God honors. Hold God to His covenant promises as you speak and act in confidence through obedience to everything written in the Bible. He wants us to take our covenant authority as serious business. After all our covenant with God is written in the Blood of his Son. Speaking the His Word is the key to having great faith, the kind that moves mountains and accomplishes God's perfect will in our lives.
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
You will get what you say, good or bad. Words are seeds and produce a harvest. If we talk defeat, death, sickness, old age, pain, poverty etc., we give Satan power through our own mouth to perform what we say. Then much of what he does to us is our own fault.
Start using confessions for the results that God's Word says you can have, such as a good marriage, a full life, abundant living (spiritually, physically and financially) speak about you business prospering again, that it is strong because God is looking after it and sending people to and will never fail. Now put a scripture to what you speak:
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Next set goals for the near future expanding them later as you see the move of the Lord. If your goal is slower than expected don't fear God is moving. God listens to everything we say, but our rewards are based the good desires that come from faith in his promises.
Psalms 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalms 21:1-2 O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Confessing what God says is something that doesn't come easy because we've been taught to speak what we feel; so practice daily and repent if you say a negative. This really works and is the quickest way to come out of trouble.
Read how Solomon pleased God and received great blessings. In fact a whole kingdom was built and all who lived there were blessed because Solomon had a good desire in his heart.
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."
You and your husband have already accepted God's mission, to help others. So he will bless you the same as he did Solomon if you will only believe. You will come out of all this, miraculously in time. Stand strong in the testing of your faith. Talk about the knowledge you are gaining from the Word, the revelation and wisdom you're receiving, God is listening and will increase what you say.
The way I measure myself is by the Fruit of the Spirit. Because they are supernatural fruit they increase as our obedience and faith increases, they give us a gage to check the areas that we need to improve. When we received salvation the Fruit of the Spirit was established in our heart as seeds.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The Fruit in a person's heart grows more rapidly after receiving the fullness or baptism of the Holy Spirit because He teaches us how they are to be used in different situations. Love, the first fruit is the first to grow because of God's love that we experience through salvation. We must nurture it carefully! Without love toward all people the other Fruits will not have a foundation strong enough to support them in hard times. They will be unstable and not flow continuously in all situations. Joy and peace are the Fruit that grows for our own pleasure. They grow in direct correlation to the other Fruit concerning how we treat others. Using each fruit when opportunity arises will nurture them into their fullness. As we train ourselves to use these Fruits daily it pleases God and brings extra blessings into or lives. Much of our protection, from Satan's torment, trials and temptations come from producing an abundance of Fruit. We are told to:
2 Corinthians 13: 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves...
God sees a married couple as one united spirit, able to accomplish together more than what each person can do alone. The two of you are one in spirit just as each person is one in spirit with Jesus, once they are born again. You just have a weak half at this time, not much different from how God views our weaknesses as the church. We are to help one-another. God sent the Holy Spirit to be our strength to bring us up to his standards for producing his heavenly plan here on earth.
Ephesians 2:4-10 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ...For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God has brought you and your husband into a heavenly realm, in helping others. There are special blessing for that position. Satan, however want to make you fall from that position. Neither of you should let him interfere anymore. This is a time to pour the love of God on your husband, show him understanding, kindness and to do your best to encourage him to rise up and walk for the glory of God. I know he's willing in his heart and is trying or he wouldn't be involved in helping others. You have a great opportunity to do God's work right there in your own home.
You wrote that you think he's really angry with the Lord and doesn't believe the Word. I'm not so sure angry is the right word, as much as, disappointed or hurt because God didn't intervene to keep him out of this mess. This is not uncommon among Christians who go through overwhelming trials. An angry person doesn't spend time with the one they are angry with; you wrote that he does spend time with God and listens to music along with witnessing. I believe he is very injured by his past relationship and expected more help but didn't know how to receive it. Many pastors and teachers don't equip their people with the word to handle these types of severe challenges. Also Satan has probably poured guilt on him for this whole situation, when he's the guilty one from the start with his destructive ways. A person can only do what they know to do and I believe your husband didn't have the spiritual stamina or he would be in this condition now. Just because a person knows a lot about a certain area of God's work doesn't mean they know about everything. I've seen preachers who had great ministries in certain areas; God used them to help thousands of people and in turn people assumed the preacher knew about everything. In reality they knew very little about other areas that were just as important, such as raising children, training a congregation to become mature in the Lord and even basic leadership on how to worship. People in all walks of life come up lacking in different areas, no single person can do everything, that's why God distributed the gifts to different people,(1 Corinthians 12) so He would have experts in different fields. God is a God of mercy. He understands our weakness and failures and is so willing to help us when we humbly turn to Him and as forgiveness. If your husband is angry with God I'm sure you can persuade him that God loves him and his only hope is to run into the arms of Jesus and let Him comfort him. He's already putting forth an effort through listening to music. Help him to saturate his mind with the word; it's what will the quickest to bring him out.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Share this time with him in reading or listening to the Word on CDs, your presence and support will cause him to have a faster breakthrough. This is the scripture that drives me deeper into god's word daily, it's the key to the deep things of God.
3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all, even as your soul is getting along well.
Good health and all things going well in your life is the promise and feeding your soul the things of God is how you get those promises. I decided I wanted good health. I want things to go well in my life and with my family. So I refused to come up lacking in any area of life, therefore, I study the Word and continually listen to CDs and mp-3 of good teaching that is full of scripture so I can check it out. Then I am prepared for whatever comes my way and can help others too. I find that the things of God are so much better than the things of the world. I know that if I continue to fill my soul with God's goodness each day then God will bring me into his shelter, the secret hiding place of continual blessing.
Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 91 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Read all of the 91st Psalm and receive what God has promised you.)
Prospering in one's soul, is the key to living well. The more of God's Word a person takes into their mind, allowing it drop into their soul through belief, confessing it to be their own value system for living, the better their life becomes. As we stand strong in obedience, automatic blessings pour out on us. Begin today to make a steady walk together in your studies of the Bible and never give up. Also spend time together worshiping over your tithes and seed offerings, according to the scriptures, as a cheerful giver and watch God move.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Here's the promise for not being anxious and giving thanks.) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Consistency, in thinking and speaking God's promises, is the major key to receiving the fullness of what God has promised.
You ask, "Why is he so consumed by the cares of this world and weighed down by all the worry, doubt and unbelief?" It's simple, your husband has forgotten his place in Christ, how much God loves him and the power of almighty God to deliver him in his time of need. If God can deliver him from sin don't you think it's an easy thing for Him to deliver him from this situation, finances and all?
You wonder, "Why can't he just believe and have faith and live a joyful life regardless of what happens?" At this time he doesn't really believe God will bring him out of all this or he would be shouting for joy. Maybe he hasn't been in a place to see much of how miraculous the hand of God is. His circumstances are unique, seek the Lord on just how to approach all of this. It's hard sometimes for people to rebuild their faith, especially when they are so severely attacked by Satan but you have the strength to lift him up so let your joy shine and he will soon follow.
You ask, "Why is the money and debt have him so down that he can't function." It could be because your husband is used to being the provider or not carrying too much debt, only he knows. Whatever it is it felt comfortable because he earned enough to meet the needs and now he has to give away some of what he earns to a cause that seems unfair to him. A lot of people look at only what they earn and are devastated when they feel they'll have to suffer financially. Even though they pay tithes and give in special offerings they don't know how God's financial system works. They deposit but aren't used to withdrawing from God's miraculous bank account, which holds so much more than their earthly bank account ever could. You will want to go to the link on finances at the bottom of this page.
You ask, "If this keeps up you wonder what will happen to your marriage?" I have given you some instructions to follow, now continually stand on the truth of God's Word and you will have a wonderful marriage. This short period of time is like a day in the time of eternity. Don't let it control your time her on earth or your eternal future. God wants your husband whole and strong again.
You wrote, "I do not want to live like this anymore, being separated from the Father in Heaven was not our agreement when he took the vows." You must have never read the scripture concerning how strong of a hold God has on you. You're the only one who can separate yourself from the Father. Nothing else can.
Romans 8:28-39 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (fitting into His plan) For those God fore-knew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself) those he justified, he also glorified. (raising them to a heavenly dignity)
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You say that your husband is very well known you don't know what to do. Do we call Benny Hinn or someone to help him? You can seek the help of others, corporate prayer works, and it could boost his faith. It's up to him because he has to want deliverance. God delivers but we have to humble ourselves and want what He offers. There are people who go to someone for prayer but won't make the effort to change the way they think or act, then when they don't receive from God it actually hurts what faith they had. I would do all I could to raise his faith before going. A lot of times, especially for mature Christians, they need to prepare. Younger inexperienced Christians seem to receive easier. God expects more from us.
James 5:13-16 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Be strong for your husband and believe God for every detail of what you need. God loves you and will answer your prayers.
Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
You will want to take the time to read:
What Is Faith?
How To Keep Your Bank Account Full And Overflowing
2 Timothy 2: 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
For extra strength in learning how to handle your situation listen to healing, faith, and financial teaching on KCM's website. Gloria and Kenneth Copeland have so much for you to listen to that will strengthen your husband and encourage you. They have many other preachers and teacher that can help you also. You and your husband can learn together how to receive from God to bring the $100,000 debt to $0. There are so many scriptures that declare God's supply for our needs and even our desires. $100,000 isn't much in the eyes of God and when we line up with his word and His way of thinking money just seems to be there when we need it. Fear is your worst enemy, faith will get miracle power working for you. God has no intention for his children to ever be in bondage to this kind of debt. Learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit leadership concerning this debt and watch the miraculous hand of God supply your need. Start with Tools for Financial Success Then look for other material for growth on KCM Home Page under Media BVOV Webcasts.
Entire Letter
Greetings, my husband is a very gifted man, and has been a believer for over 30 yrs. We recently got married and his past was devastating to him, plus he is in debt now close to $100,000 because of this woman, and will owe her for the rest of his life. It seems to be the case, that it's his fault for allowing this, he did not fight it because he was under duress at the time.
When we got married he was ready and through the fruits of his relationship with the Lord, it seemed great. It seems that within four months of the marriage we began to fall a part, remember the debt only grew bigger, the business is starting to decrease. He has been suffering emotionally. His relationship with God is becoming almost shipwrecked, there is a hardness of heart, our marriage is not doing very well etc. I am told by him that I'm a gem and a very good woman and wife, and that I have so much faith and energy, and that I'm very generous always helping others. That my love for him is remarkable and he can see that he is not leading this family at all and his heart is hardened toward God. He is lacking faith, he has symptoms like depression even though I do not believe that is what it is, and he refuses to get a medical checkup. He looks terrible, and I feel like his nurse, he reminds me of a 90 yr. old man in a nursing home. The only energy he has is when he is in God's presence, or ministering to others because we have a ministry, he can help others but yet can't function other than work, witnessing and spending time musically with the Lord, or in His presence.
Our love relationship is depleted and there is very little feeling I receive from him. We have a home group right now and the person that is leading is extremely knowledgeable with the Word, he knows many people famous and not famous in the Lord. My question is why is my husband like this if he has been with the Lord all of these years? If he doesn't get his relationship and faith with God better, I can say then we can't expect anything because of where he is at. I tend to think that he is really angry with the Lord and he does not believe the Word. How can this be? Why is he so consumed by the cares of this world and weighed down by all the worry, doubt and unbelief? Why cant he just believe, have faith and live a joyful life regardless of what happens? Why is the money and debt have him so down that he can't function; yet he can minister to others? If this keeps up I'm wondering what will happen to the marriage, please help? I do not want to live like this anymore. Being separated from the Father in Heaven was not our agreement when he took the vows. My husband is also very well known and I do not know what to do. Do we call Benny Hinn or someone to help him? Please is there an answer? Thank you so much and God Bless you always. Jesus is the only truth in my life, Amen.