Day 18 My Spiritual Leader, Part 2


Dag 18 My Spirituele Leier, Deel 2...

but first a Restored Marriage Testimony

maar eers ‘n Herstelde Huweliks Getuienis 

 She Was the One Who Left Him!!!

Sy was die Een Wat Hom Gelos Het!!!

A woman emailed wondering if we could help her. Things were totally different in her situation. She wrote,

‘n Vrou het ‘n epos gestuur en gewonder of ons haar kon help. Dinge was totaal anders in haar situasie. Sy het geskryf, 

“I am the one who left and was in adultery. Can you help me? I became involved with a man and was convinced that I should leave my husband for him. I have three children who God had called me to home school who are now in the public school. One day while driving (after I had filed for divorce to be with this other man) God just came all over me. Instantly, I knew what I was doing was wrong and I went to my husband to beg his forgiveness and ask him if I would come home. By this time, his heart had gotten hard and he would have no part of me returning home. I was dumbfounded as my husband of 10 years had ALWAYS loved me and stuck by me.

“Ek is die een wat geloop het en in owerspel betrokke was. Kan julle my help? Ek het betrokke geraak by ‘n man en was oortuig dat ek my man vir hom moet los. Ek het drie kinders wat God my geroep het om tuisskkool te gee en wie nou in ‘n publieke skool is. Een dag terwyl ek bestuur het (na ek ‘n skeisaak aanhanig gemaak het om saam hierdie ander man te wees) het God oor my gekom. Onmiddelik, het ek geweet dat wat ek besig was om te doen verkeerd was en ek het na my man toe gegaan om om vergifnis gevra en hom gevra of ek kon terugkom huistoe. Teen hierdie tyd, het sy hart verhard en hy wou geen deel daaraan hĂȘ dat ek kon huistoe kom nie. Ek was stomgeslaan omdat my man van 10 jaar ALTYD lief was vir my en deur dik en dun by my gestaan het.     

Even though I had filed for the divorce, I called my attorney and dropped the divorce. However, my husband was able to re-file and the divorce papers were still valid. The more I tried to reason with my husband about getting back together, the more he was set on continuing with the divorce. I wondered at times if there was any hope.”

Alhoewel ek ‘n skeisaak aanhanig gemaak het, het ek my prokureur geskakel en die egskeiding laat vaar. Nietemin, my man was in staat om te her-liaseer en die egskeidings papiere was nog steeds geldig. Hoe meer ek probeer het om met my man te redeneer om weer terug te kom bymekaar, hoe meer was hy gestel om voort te gaan met die egskeiding. Ek het ten tye gewonder of daar enige hoop was.”   

I wrote back to say, yes, there is hope and her husband is undoubtedly hurt and doesn’t trust her any more. “Reason” will never turn his heart or bring him into the revelation of forgiveness. And discussing things will drive him farther away because it is a spiritual battle, so if you fight in the flesh (by reasoning, begging and talking about it with anyone) you will lose.

Ek het terug geskryf, ja, daar is hoop en haar man is ongetwyfeld seergemaak en vertrou haar nie meer nie. “Rede” dit sal nooit sy hart omkeer nie en hom in die openbaring van vergiffenis bring nie. En om goed te bespreek sal hom verder wegdryf omdat dit ‘n spirituele stryd is, so as jy in die vlees veg (deur redenering, smeek en om daaroor te praat met enige iemand) sal jy verloor.  

"It will take the Lord turning him," I said, "exactly as He was faithful to turn your heart. It might take some time and a divorce might be necessary for the Lord to work and turn everything around, so don't try to stop it. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”—Philippians 1:6

“Dit sal die Here neem om hom om te keer, “ Ek het gesĂȘ, “presies soos wat Hy getrou was om jou hart om te keer. Dit mag tyd neem en ‘n egskeiding mag noodsaaklik wees vir die Here om te werk en alles om te keer, so moet nie probeer om dit te keer nie. “Ek is veral ook daarvan oortuig dat God, wat die goeie werk in julle begin het, dit end-uit sal voer en dit sal voleindig op die dag wanneer Jesus Christus kom”—Fillipense 1:6 

I also wrote: “The Lord will take this time to mold you and change you so that you will glow in the goodness and love of the Lord. It will certainly be painful at times. He totally and completely had to make me over first before He would bring my husband around let alone come back home. And to encourage you even more, there is a dear friend who lives here in Pensacola whose situation sounds almost exactly like yours. She was the one who was unfaithful. She wanted a divorce and then she was the one who had a revelation about her condition before the Lord. When she repented and came back to the Lord, her husband refused to accept her back.

Ek het ook geskryf: “Die Here sal die tyd neem om jou te vorm en verander sodat jy sal straal in die goedheid en liefde van die Here. Dit sal sekerlik met tye pynvol wees. Hy moes my totaal en heeltemal oordoen eerste voordat hy my man ombring om nie eens te praat van terug huistoe nie. En om jou selfs meer aan te moedig, daar is ‘n dierbare vriendin wat hier in Pensacola bly wie se situasie amper dieselfde as joune klink. Sy was die een wat ontrou was. Sy wou ‘n egskeiding hĂȘ en dan was sy die een wat die openbaring oor haar toestand voor die Here gekry het. Toe sy tot inkeer gekom het en teruggekom het na die Here toe, het haar man geweier om haar terug te aanvaar. 

"It took some time and many, many trials and tests, but I saw this woman become one of the most spiritually powerful women I have ever met. What we found in all of this, is that her situation was really no different than in mine. Both of us were unfaithful to our heavenly Husband! Our common bond continued when both our marriages were restored.

“Dit het tyd geneem en baie, baie beproewings en toetse, maar ek het gesien hoe hierdie vrou een van die mees spirituele kragtige vrouens word wat ek al ooit ontmoet het. Wat ons in dit dit alles gevind het was,  dat haar situasie regtig niks anders as myne was nie. Albei van ons was ontrou aan ons Hemelse Man! Ons algemene band het voort gegaan toe albei ons huwelike herstel is.

By helping my dear friend, the Lord showed me that no matter how a woman comes to our ministry, the Restoration Journey is the same. Most who come are like myself: their husbands have left and are in adultery. Many other women come when their husbands are abusive, drinking or into drugs. Surprisingly, at least one-fourth of all the women who come have been in adultery themselves. And also that 100% of us were adulteresses and unfaithful to our FIRST love—the Lord!!”

Deur my dierbare vriendin te help, het die Here my gewys dat dit nie saak maak hoe ‘n vrou na ons ministerie toe kom nie, die Herstel Reis is dieselfde. Meeste vrouens wat kom is soos ek: hulle mans het geloop en is by owerspel betrokke. Baie ander vrouens kom wanneer hulle mans onregmatend is, drink of by dwelms betrokke is. Verbasend, ten minste ‘n vierde van die vrouens wat kom was hulleself by owerspel betrokke. En ook dat 100% van ons egbreeksters was en ontrou aan ons EERSTE liefde  —die Here!!” 

That's when she wrote: “Do I cease ALL spiritual conversations and conversations about reconciliation and just let him see the work God is doing in my life? He told me that his pastor told him to go to counseling, but he refuses.”

Dit is toe dat sy geskryf het: “Moet ek ALLE spirituele gesprekke en gesprekke oor versoening ophou en hom net die werk laat sien wat God besig is om in my lewe te doen? Hy het vir my gesĂȘ dat sy pastoor vir hom gesĂȘ het om te gaan vir berading. Maar hy het geweier.” 

I wrote: “Don’t you make contact, but when he does (or you just make contact when exchanging children) make it short, and be sweet, joyful in the Lord (not necessarily in your situation). And most importantly, ask for the Lord’s love to fill you so that you can love your husband unconditionally, which means loving him if he doesn’t love you back or even if he rejects you. Now I am not saying to love him aggressively. Since you have been the one who was unfaithful to him, this is one way your situation is different than most. Just remain sweet and quiet. Make no contact nor any advances. By showing your chaste and respectful behavior, winning your husband without a word, will show him that you love and care about him. 

Ek het geskryf: Moet jy nie kontak maak nie, maar wanneer hy dit doen (of jy net kontak maak wanneer jy kinders uitruil) maak dit kort, en wees goedhartig, vreugdevol in die Here (nie noodsaaklik in jou situasie nie). En mees belangrik, vra vir die Here se liefde om jou te vul sodat jy jou man onvoorwaardelik lief kan hĂȘ, wat beteken om hom lief te hĂȘ al doen hy dit nie terug aan jou nie of al verwerp hy jou. Nou se ek nie jy moet agresief lief hĂȘ aangesien jy die een was wat ontrou was, dit is die een manier wat jou situasie anders as meeste is. Bly net goedhartig en stil. Maak geen kontak of nadering nie. Deur jou kuis en repekvolle gedrag te wys, en jou man sonder ‘n woord te wen sal wys dat jy hom liefhet en vir hom omgee.  

And be GLAD your husband is not interested in counseling!! It ALWAYS causes more problems and solves nothing because, once again, it is a spiritual battle so fighting this in the flesh will mean you lose the spiritual battle. Your consistent love (the love that’s found in 1 Corinthians 13), which is first patient, will win him since we have the promise that "love never fails." Love him enough to let go and then make the LORD your Husband!

En wees BLY jou man stel nie belang in berading nie!! Dit veroorsaak ALTYD meer probleme en los niks op nie omdat, weereens, dit is ‘n spirituele stryd so deur dit in die vlees te beveg sal beteken dat jy die spirituele stryd sal verloor. Jou aanhoudende liefde (die liefde wat in 1 KorintiĂ«rs 13 gevind word), wat eerstens geduldig is sal hom wen aangesien ons die belofte het dat “die liefde nooit vergaan 

nie.” Wees lief genoeg vir hom om te laat gaan en die HERE jou Man te maak!   

Then she asked, “My husband wants me to tell him EVERYTHING about my adultery. I don’t know how to handle this.” I wrote: “Giving ‘details’ about past affairs can be very damaging to your future. Your husband is falling into the same trap many of us have faced, desiring to ‘know’ everything. However, since he is asking, as a submissive wife you must respond. However, try to be discreet and only answer what he has asked; go no further in the circumstances or details. Use the time to ‘minimize’ the feelings you thought you had for the other men and ‘maximize’ your love for him even when you were unfaithful. Also, share how it was clearly deception that caused so much of your adultery. Share your need for his spiritual protection that you got out from under which put you in such a foolish and vulnerable spot. Don't blame him, but let him know how you are no longer going to pretend to be the spiritual authority you bragged about and you are pulling out of church. And reiterate your awakening to the need for his protection.”

Toe het sy gevra, “My man wil hĂȘ ek moet hom ALLES van my owerspel vertel. Ek weet nie hoe om dit te hanteer nie .”Ek het geskryf: “Deur “besonderhede” oor ons owerspel van die verlede te gee kan baie nadelend vir jou toekoms wees. Jou man is besig om dieselfde lokval wat baie van ons in die gesig gestaar het te val, deur te begeer om “alles” te weet. Nietemin, aangesien hy vra, as ‘n onderdanige vrou moet jy reageer. Nietemin, probeer om diskreet te wees en net te antwoord wat hy gevra het; moet nie verder in die omstandighede of besonderhede gaan nie. Gebruik die tyd om die gevoelens wat jy gedink het jy vir ander ander mans gehad het te minimaliseer en maksimeer jou liefde vir hom selfs toe jy ontrou was. Ook, deel hoe dit misleiding was wat meeste  van jou owerspel veroorsaak het. Deel jou nood vir sy spirituele beskerming wat jy uit van onder gekom het wat jou in so dwaasagtige en kwesbare posisie geplaas het. Moet hom nie blameer nie, maar laat hom weet dat jy nie meer gaan maak asof jy die spirituele autoriteit is waaroor jy die heel tyd gespog het nie en jy gaan die kerk los. En herhaal jou bewuswording vir die behoefte vir sy beskerming.”

Then she wrote: “Last night my husband came over at 9:00 p.m. and stayed until 3:00 a.m. Even though there were some ‘rough’ spots, I could tell there was a calm and a peace in his heart. The main thing he is working through right now is memories of my unfaithfulness to him. My ‘words’ do not mean much to him at this time, because he feels he cannot trust me. So I am trying to just SHOW him on a daily basis my commitment to him and the change God has brought into my life through my actions. It is so much better when I hold my tongue and just smile!”

Toe het sy geskryf: “Gisteraand het my man 9:00 n.m. omgekom en tot 3:00 v.m gebly. Selfs  al was daar ‘n paar ‘rowwe’ tye, kon ek agterkom daar was ‘n kalmte en vrede in sy hart. Die hoof ding is dat hy nou deur sy herinnering van my ontrouheid aan hom werk. My ‘woorde” beteken nie veel vir hom op die oomblik nie, omdat hy voel hy kan my nie vertrou nie. So ek probeer om hom op ‘n daaglikse basis my toewyding aan hom te WYS en die verandering wat God in my gebring het deur my aksies. Dit is soveel beter wanneer ek my mond stilhou en net glimlag!”

“Last night we also talked about me moving back into our home. I have been trying to be completely silent about this because I have noticed that ANY amount of eagerness means pressure, which causes him to go the other way.

“Gisteraand het ons ook gepraat oor my wat terugtrek in ons huis. Ek het probeer om heeltemal stil te wees hieroor omdat ek agter gekom het dat ENIGE gretigheid beteken druk wat veroorsaak dat hy die ander kant toe gaan.

Once before he made a comment about me moving back, but when my face lit up he quickly said, ‘But I am not sure that is what I want yet.’ I told him that I trusted him and whatever he thought was best. However, I confess that on the inside I am LONGING to be by his side every day again.”

Een keer vantevore het hy ‘n kommentaar gemaak oor my  wat terugtrek, maar toe my gesig te vinnig straal het hy vinnig gesĂȘ, ‘Maar ek is nie seker of dit is wat ek nou wil hĂȘ nie.’ Ek het vir hom gesĂȘ dat ek hom vertrou en watookal hy dink die beste is. Nietemin, het ek gebieg dat ek binne my BEGEER om weer elke dag aan sy sy te wees.” 

“The divorce date is tomorrow and my husband is adamant about my going!” She let go of her attorney and her husband had already agreed she could stay home, but the enemy was working hard—since he knew his time was short!!

“Die egskeidings datum is more en my man is vasberade dat ek gaan!” Sy het haar prokureur laat gaan en haar man het alreeds ingestem dat sy by die huis moet bly, maar die vyand werk hard—aangesien hy geweet het sy tyd was kort!!

The morning of the divorce her husband called and said “DON’T GO! Stay home!!” He called his attorney and put the divorce on “hold.” This was the beginning of even more testing but after two months of her husband WATCHING her from a distance, he decided to ask her to come home EASTER weekend. The divorce was once and for all dropped. New life had begun in their home.

Die oggend van die egskeiding het haar man geskakel en gesĂȘ “MOENIE GAAN NIE!! Bly by die huis!! Hy het sy prokureur geskakel en die egskeiding “uitgestel.” Dit was die begin van selfs meer toetse maar na twee maande waar haar man haar van ‘n distansie DOPGEHOU het, het hy besluit om haar te vra om die PAAS naweek huistoe te kom. Die egskeiding is eens en vir altyd laat vaar. Nuwe lewe het in hulle huis begin. 

Update: Together Julia and her husband minister to other couples and email me often for wisdom. They have been restored for several years now. Julia still does not attend church, her husband attends a church and is a deacon. Instead of her going, her husband comes home to share the sermon with her and discuss it with her throughout the week instead of watching television or sports! He has encouraged her to go with him, but she explained to him that what mattered most was hearing it from his mouth, not his pastor after she showed him a couple of verses she read and asked him the meaning about.

Byvoegsel: Saam het Julia en haar man aan ander paartjies geminister en epos my gereeld vir wysheid. Hulle is al vir baie jare herstel. Julia gaan nog steeds nie kerk toe nie, haar man woon kerk by en is ‘n diaken. In plaas daarvan dat sy gaan, kom haar man huistoe om die preek met haar te deel en dit deur die week met haar te bespreek in plaas daarvan om televisie of sports te kyk. Hy het haar aangemoedig om saam hom te gaan, maar sy het aan hom verduidelik dat wat die meeste saakmaak is dat sy dit uit sy mond hoor, nie sy pastoor nie nadat sy hom ‘n paar verse gewys het en hom die bedoeling daarvan gevra het. 

"If they [women] desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church"—1 Corinthians 14:35.

“As hulle iets te wete wil kom, moet hulle tuis hulle eie mans vra, want dit is lelik vir ‘n vrou om in die erediens te praat”—1 KorintiĂ«rs 14:35.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless"—Ephesians 5:25-27

“Mans, julle moet julle vrouens liefhĂȘ soos Christus die kerk liefgehad en sy lewe daarvoor afgelĂȘ het. Dit het Hy gedoen om die kerk aan God te wy, nadat Hy dit met water en die woord gereinig het, sodat Hy die kerk in volle heerlikheid by Hom kan neem, sonder vlek of rimpel of iets dergeliks heilig en onberispelik”—EfesiĂ«rs 5:25-27

As a result many of the wives remain home and these husbands formed a Wise Man group to study their roles and the Bibles more. Julia ministers to the wives in a Home Fellowship, the same Home Fellowship she started when her husband would not let her come home, which helped her find the fellowship with other women that she said was paramount to her restoration and becoming and remaining the LORD'S bride! 

As ‘n resultaat bly baie van die vrouens, by die huis en hierdie mans het ‘n Wyse Man groep gevorm om hulle rolle en die Bybels meer te bestudeer. Julie minister aan die vrouens in ‘n Tuis Kamerraadskap Groep wat sy begin het toe haar man nie wou hĂȘ sy moet huistoe kom nie wat gehelp het dat sy Kamerraadskap met ander vrouens vind wat sy gesĂȘ het van die uiterste belang vir haar herstel was en om die HERE se bruid te bly! 

~Julia in Wyoming, RESTORED

~Julia in Wyoming, HERSTEL

 Yesterday's and Today's lesson is your Spiritual Milestone. 

Gister en Vandag se les is jou Spirituele Mylpaal.

Did you stop your Restoration Journey to make a list of reasons NOT to let go?

Het jy jou Herstel Reis gekeer om ‘n lys redes te maak om NIE te laat gaan nie? 

Interestingly, this is the same place your husband or ex is doing, reasoning why he should let go of the OW and/or return home to you. So the next time you are frustrated, remember this hurdle you had trouble leaping over.

Interessant, dit is dieselfde plek wat jou man en jou eks besig is om te doen, redeneer hoekom hy die AV moet laat gaan en/of terugkom na jou toe. So die volgende keer wat jy gefrustreerd is, onthou die struikelblok wat jy moeite gehad het om te oorkom.

“But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves
not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22,25

“Julle moet doen wat die woord sĂȘ en dit nie net aanhoor nie, anders bedrieg julle julleself...en nie vergeet wat hy hoor nie, maar dit doen, hy sal gelukkig wees in wat hy doen.” Jakobus 1:22,25

My Spiritual Leader: Part 2

My Spirituele Leier: Deel 2

In the first lesson of "My .Spiritual Leader" we began learning what it takes to make room for a man to take his rightful place as leader.

In die eerste les van “My Spirituele Leier” het ons begin leer wat dit vat om plek te maak vir ‘n man om sy regmatige plek as leier te neem 

In this lesson we want to teach you:

In hierdie les wil ons jou leer om:

  • More about the significance of YOUR relationship with the Lord

  • Meer oor die beduidenis van JOU verhouding met die Here...
  • Help to prepare YOU for your husband's return

  • JOU help om voor te berei op jou man se terugkoms...
  • Fill in the span of time before your husband returns

  • Om die span tyd in te vul voor jou man terugkom...
  • And what we found out was even MORE important than when your husband becomes the spiritual leader.
  • En wat ons uitgevind het wat MEER belangrik is as as wanneer jou man die spirituele leier word.

To do this, let's begin with two powerful testimonies that show these principles in action. The first:

Om dit te doen, kom ons begin met twee kragtige getuienisse wat hierdie prinsiepe in aksie wys. Die eerste:

 A Head Covering or Spiritual Covering?

‘n Hoof bedeksel of ‘n Spirituele Bedeksel?

This first testimony is one I shared briefly in My Spiritual Leader Part 1.  Now I'd like you to read the rest of the story about the Mennonite woman who came to me after she had, herself, fallen into adultery. Please pay attention to what it took for this woman to not only get her marriage restored—but what led to her husband getting saved and becoming the spiritual leader of their home.

Die eerste getuienis is een wat ek kortliks in My Spirituele Leier Deel 1 gedeel het. Nou sal ek daarvan hou om die res van die storie te lees oor die Mennoniet vrou wat na my toe gekom het, nadat sy, haarself in owerspel betrokke geraak het. Neem asseblief aandag oor wat dit geneem het het vir haar om nie net haar huwelik herstel te kry nie—maar wat gelei het tot haar man wat gered word en die spirituele leier van haar huis word. 

I believe that once you realize the potential and power of this principle, you will be able to let go of hanging onto your church, and experience the freedom and power of living this truth in your own life!

Ek glo dat sodra jy die potensiaal en krag van hierdie prinsiep besef, jy in staat sal wees om van jou kerk te laat gaan, en die vryheid en krag van hierdie waarheid in jou eie lewe te ervaar!

This seriously is one of the most amazing restorations that happened early on in my ministry. This woman, as I said, was a Mennonite. When she walked in everyone noticed immediately that she was covered from head to toe in her modest, religious clothing. Her husband left her immediately after SHE confessed to committing adultery, which Erin explained was due to her not having her spiritual protection over her. For YEARS she attended church faithfully, bringing their children, while the husband, a non-believer, stayed home.

Hierdie is ernstig een van die mees ontsagwekkende stories wat vroeg in my bediening gebeur het. Hierdie vrou, soos ek gesĂȘ het, was ‘n Mennoniet. Toe sy ingestap het almal dadelik agter gekom dat sy van kop tot tone bedek was in haar beskeie, godsdienstige klere. Haar man het haar gelos onmiddelik na SY gebieg het oor haar owerspel wat sy gepleeg het, wat Erin verduidelik het dit was omdat sy nie haar spirituele beskerming oor haar gehad het nie. Vir JARE het sy kerk bygewoon, hulle kinders saamgebring, terwyl die man, ‘n nie-gelowige by die huis gebly het.

After this woman left her church after finding us (and me explaining she not only had to confess to her husband, but to her church, which led to them standing her in front of the congregation and asking her to leave), as I said she removed her religious clothing and her head covering. That's when her husband panicked and told her to put it back on and go back into the church. Not at all being disrespectful, that's when God gave her an opportunity to explain that HE was her covering, not the church. And very soon after their marriage was restored, due to being willing to confess her sin of adultery (which led to him leaving her and being kicked out of her church) her husband pulled into a church that he passed on his way to and from work because, he said, "It said ‘Bible’ in its name and I knew the Bible was a good thing."

Na die vrou die kerk verlaat het nadat sy ons gevind het  (en ek wat verduidelik dat sy nie net moes aan haar man bieg nie, maar ook aan haar kerk, wat gelei het tot haar wat voor die gemeente staan en hulle haar vra om die kerk te verlaat), soos ek gesĂȘ het sy het haar godsdienstige klere en haar hoof bedeksel verwyder. Dit is toe dat haar man paniekerig begin word het en gesĂȘ het sy moet dit weer aantrek en teruggaan kerk toe. Nie om disrespekvol te wees nie, dit was toe dat God haar die geleentheid gegee het om te verduidelik dat HY haar bedeksel was, en nie die kerk nie. En gou na haar huwelik herstel is, as gevolg van haar gewillendheid om haar sonde van owerspel te bieg (wat daartoe gelei het dat hy haar gelos het en sy by die kerk uitgeskop is) het haar man by ‘n kerk wat hy oppad na sy werk toe en terug gesien het gestop omdat, “Dit ‘Bybel’ gesĂȘ het in die naam en ek het geweet dat die Bybel ‘n goeie ding was.”  

Once again it was his pastor who encouraged him to come and bring his family to church on Sunday morning. It was her husband who brought his family to come sit in the front row (as a complete family, not with him at home) for the first time. It was all of this that led to her husband, and at the end his very first church service, getting SAVED! But it didn't stop there.

Weereens was dit sy pastoor wat hom aangemoedig het om Sondag kerk toe te kom en sy hele familie te bring. Dit was haar man wie sy familie gebring het om in die voorste ry te sit (as ‘n volledige familie, nie met hom by die huis nie) vir die eerste keer. Dit was dit alles wat gelei het tot haar man, wat aan die einde van sy heel eerste kerkdiens, GERED te word! Maar dit het nie daar geĂ«indig nie.

As I also said the next thing God did was to have this man's pastor tell him to join the men's bible study! This woman never needed to say anything (and knew better than to) try to teach her husband anything! Instead, God stepped in and took care of everything! Are you surprised? And then, only a few months later, this man came with his wife to THANK Erin for her help in restoring their marriage, so that she and he could share the truth that led to him getting saved and becoming a believer!

Soos ek ook gesĂȘ het die volgende ding wat God gedoen het was om die man se pastoor te kry om hom te vertel om die mans se bybel studie by te woon! Hierdie vrou het nie nodig gehad om enige iets te sĂȘ nie (en het beter geweet om nie) te probeer om haar man enige iets te leer nie! In plaas daarvan, het God ingegryp en vir alles gesorg! Is jy verras! En toe net ‘n paar maande later, het hierdie man saam met sy vrou gekom om Erin te BEDANK vir haar hulp in die herstel van hulle huwelik, sodat sy en hy die waarheid kon deel wat gelei het tot hy wat gered en ‘n gelowige word! 

Notice that when this woman made ROOM for her husband to become her spiritual leader and chose to no longer be under any other spiritual authority other than the Lord, just what happened. For years she was taught false doctrine that caused her to fall into adultery because she was not under what God said is her protection—her husband and the LORD only! Her church told her for years to keep going to church and this would cause her husband to begin coming to church, which never happened (and what rarely ever happens!).

Neem notisie dat toe hierdie vrou PLEK maak vir haar man om die spirituele leier te word en kies om nie meer langer onder enige ander spirituele autotiteit as die Here te wees nie, kyk wat het gebeur. Vir jare was sy vals dogma geleer wat veroorsaak het dat sy owerspel pleeg omdat sy nie onder was wat die Here sĂȘ is haar beskerming nie—net haar man en die  HERE! Haar kerk het vir jare gesĂȘ sy moet aanhou kerk toe gaan en dit sou veroorsaak dat haar man kerk toe gaan, wat nooit gebeur het nie (en wat skaars ooit gebeur!)

Notice, too, that she left room for her husband to begin seeking help from his pastor: HE found the church, HE brought his wife and family. HE was the one who began going to MEN'S Bible studies. AND finally his eternity was secure—which is the most important aspect as I am sure you would agree!!

Neem ook notisie, dat sy plek vir haar man gelos het om hulp van sy pastoor te begin soek: HY het die kerk gevind, HY het sy vrou en familie gebring. HY was die een wat begin gaan het na die MANS se Bybel studies. EN finaal was sy ewigheid verseker het—wat die mees belangrikste aspek was soos ek seker is jy sal saamstem! 

Testimony 2

Getuienis 2

His Bible

Sy Bybel

It was before I met my Mennonite friend when God asked me to live this same principle myself, which is why I am  so convicted of its truth. For me to help anyone I need to learn and then live it.

Dit was voor ek my Mennoniet vriendin ontmoet het toe God my gevra het om hierdie prinsiep myself te lewe, wat die rede is hoekom ek so oortuig is van die waarheid. Vir my om enige iemand te help om dit te leer en dan uit te lewe.  

Leaving room for my husband to become the spiritual leader of our family began (as I mentioned in the last lesson) when my husband was gone and God spoke to me about giving up going to church, leaving room for my husband to be my spiritual leader. God had spoken to me about my spiritual arrogance, which led me to hide my Bible, stop going to church, stop playing Christian music whenever my husband came by for a visit, and to begin to follow the principle I found in Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Om plek te los vir my man om die spirituele leier van ons familie te word (soos ek in die laaste les genoem het) toe my man weg was en God met my gepraat het oor my kerk bywoning op te gee, en plek vir my man te los om my spirituele leier te wees. God het met my gepraat oor my spirituele arrogansie, wat  gelei het tot my wat my Bybel wegsteek, op te hou om kerk toe te gaan, op te hou om Christelike musiek te speel wanneer my man kom besoek aflĂȘ het, en om die volgende prinsiep wat ek in Matteus 6:6 gevind het na te volg “ Nee, as jy bid, gaan na jou kamer toe, maak die deur toe en bid tot jou Vader wat jy nie kan sien nie. Jou Vader wat sien wat verborge is, sal jou beloon.” 

After a few months of making room for my husband to become the spiritual leader, my ePartner and I also discovered this verse in the Bible that said


Na ‘n paar maande van plek maak vir my man om die spirituele leier te word, het my eVenoot en ek ook hierdie vers in die Bybel ontdek wat sĂȘ...

“If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church”—1 Corinthians 14:35

“As hulle iets te wete wil kom, moet hulle tuis hulle eie mans vra, want dit is lelik vir ‘n vrou om in die erediens te praat”—1 KorintiĂ«rs 14:35

We believed this principle should be taken literally and to confirm this, we both waited for God to create an opportunity to ask our husbands at home something we really didn't know.

Ons het geglo hierdie prinsiep moet letterlik opgeneem word en om dit te bevestig het ons albei vir God gewag om ‘n geleentheid te skep om ons mans  by die huis iets te vra wat ons regtig nie geweet het nie.

By the time God provided the opportunity my ePartner and I had already come a long way in our Restoration Journey. We had both already stopped going to church and our relationships with our husbands had both finally come to be on friendly terms again, due to radically letting go. So much so that my husband had actually confronted me about "seeing someone else" because, he said, "I glowed." And due to radically letting go, he had already begun to pursue me again.

Teen die tyd wat God die geleentheid voorsien het het my eVenoot en ek al ‘n lang pad gekom in ons Herstel Reis. Ons het albei opgehou om kerk toe te gaan en ons verhouding met ons mans het albei finaal tot op vriendelike terme gekom, deur ons radikaal laat gaan het. Soveel so dat my man my eintlik konfronteer het oor “ek iemand anders sien” omdat, hy gesĂȘ het, “Ek het gestraal.” En deur radikaal te laat gaan het hy my weer agterna gesit.

By this time both my ePartner and I were able to keep letting go and focus on our relationships with the Lord. Since we had begun meeting together weekly, not to talk about our problems (because we believed that gave power to the negative things), but to pore over our Bibles looking for more truth to combat what we "saw" happening. And this caused everything to begin to move more quickly.

Teen hierdie tyd kon albei my eVenoot en ek in staat om voortdurend te laat gaan en op ons verhouding met die Here fokus. Vandat ons weekliks saam bymekaar gekom het, nie om oor ons probleme te praat nie (omdat ons geglo het dat dit krag vir negatiewe dinge gegee het), maar om oor ons Bybels uit te stort vir meer waarhede om te beveg wat ons “gesien” het was besig om te gebeur. En dit het veroorsaak dat alles baie vinniger beweeg. 

So as I said it was months before God created an opportunity to ask my husband a spiritual question. It happened when my husband came over for his weekly Saturday visit with the children. That week God had given me a question I honestly did not have an answer for. And since I didn't know the answer to it, and would have normally gone to my pastor to ask, I knew it was time to "ask my husband at home."

Soos ek gesĂȘ het dit was maande voor God ‘n geleentheid geskep het vir my om my man ‘n spirituele vraag te vra. Dit het gebeur toe my man oorkom vir sy weeklikse Saterdag besoek met die kinders. Daardie week het God my ‘n vraag gevra wat ek eerlik nie die antwoord voor gehad het nie, en sou normaalweg na my pastoor toe gaan om te vra, het ek geweet dit was tyd “om my man by die huis te vra.”

When I asked my husband the question, he replied by saying that I would know the answer more than he would—due to me being much more "religious" about reading my Bible! What came out of his mouth was rooted in the hurt from years of me being such a Pharisee. He went on to say that I was the one who went to church and I was the one who went to all the Bible studies. Thankfully I knew to simply keep quiet and not say anything to the contrary—but then it was like God turned a light on and he remembered that I no longer went to church! God finally rewarded my obedience!!

Toe ek my man die vraag gevra het, het hy geantwoord deur te sĂȘ dat ek die antwoord beter sal ken as hy—omdat ek baie meer godsdienstig is deur my Bybel te lees! Wat uit sy mond gekom het was van jare van my wat so ‘n FarisieĂ«r was. Hy het aangegaan om te sĂȘ dat ek die een was wat kerk toe gegaan het ek was die een wat na al die Bybel studies toe gegaan het. Dankbaar het ek geweet om eenvoudig stil te bly en niks teeensrydig te sĂȘ nie—maar toe was dit asof God ‘n lig aan geskakel het en hy onthou het dat ek nie meer kerk toe gaan nie! God het uiteindelik my gehoorsaamheid beloon!!

That's when I showed him why I was asking him, by showing him the above verse, saying again that I really didn’t know the answer. Immediately he asked me if I still had his Bible around (the one he left behind when he moved out and in with the other woman)—the one I prayed he would ask me for one day! That night he took his Bible back to his apartment and called me the next day to give me the answer!

Dit is toe wat ek hom gewys het hoekom ek hom vra, deur hom die bogenoemde vers te wys, en te sĂȘ dat ek regtig nie die antwoord geweet het nie. Onmiddelik het hy my gevra of ek nog steeds sy Bybel in die omtrek het (die een wat hy agter gelos het toe hy saam die ander vrou ingetrek het)—die een wat ek gebid het hy sou my een dag voor vra! Daardie aand het hy sy Bybel terug geneem na sy woonstel toe en het hy my die volgende dag geskakel om my die antwoord te gee!

*When reading these lessons be very careful about what principles you follow when. Since this is Restoration "Journey" you need to be careful about not getting ahead of God. For most of you, it's not yet time in your Restoration Journey to implement the principle of asking your husband anything, let alone something spiritual. Notice how many destinations and principles I had to apply that led up to this point in my journey?

*Wanneer julle die lesse baie versigtig lees oor watter prinsiepe om te volg en wanneer. Aangesien dit ‘n Herstel “Reis” is moet jy versigtig wees om nie God vooruit te gaan nie. Vir meeste van julle, is dit nog nie tyd in julle Herstel Reis om die prinsiep van jou man enige iets te vra te implementeer nie, nog minder iets spiritueel. Neem kennis van hoeveel bestemmings en prinsiepe ek moes aanwend wat aanleiding gegee het tot hierdie punt in my reis?  

Just remember there are many destinations along your journey that need be conquered in their proper order. You don't need to worry which one is next if you are simply following the Lord and are quick to obey each principle. If you do, with the right heart, then this opportunity will happen much sooner than you think.

Onthou daar is baie bestemmings langs jou reis wat oorwin moet word in die regte order. Jy hoef jou nie te bekommer oor wat volgende is as jy eenvoudig die Here volg en vinnig is om elke prinsiep te gehoorsaam nie. As jy dit doen, met die regte hart, dan sal hierdie geleentheid baie gouer as wat jy dink gebeur.

Though it was thrilling that my husband asked for his Bible back, and actually call me only a day later with the answer, I want you to understand that this miracle was bittersweet. Most miracles and/or breakthroughs usually are bittersweet. Do you remember why? Do you remember that the enemy's main objective is to steal, kill and destroy: like stealing your joy, killing your hope, and destroying your journey if he can?

Alhoewel dit opwindend was dat my man vir sy Bybel terug vra, en my eintlik net ‘n dag later skakel met die antwoord, wil ek  hĂȘ jy moet verstaan dat hierdie wonderwerk bittersoet was. Meeste wonderwerke en/of deurbrake is gewoonlik bittersoet. Kan jy onthou hoekom? Kan jy onthou dat die vyand se hoof objektief is om te steel, dood te maak en vernietig: soos om jou vreugde te steel, jou hoop dood te maak, en jou reis te vernietig as hy kan?

To steal my joy (what I realized immediately after he left that night) was that what I had been using to comfort and feed me was gone! I didn't have a Bible! I had been using my husband's Bible exclusively right after I got rid of my King James Version. No, it's not because KJV is not a good version, it is! I love the book of Psalms more in the KJV (and many other verses) more than any other version. But due to me flaunting my KJV Bible, and because my husband used the New American Standard (and I never followed his lead and asked or purchasing the same version for myself), I knew I needed to radically obey by giving my KJV Bible away to our soup kitchen. (During the time my children and I lived on food stamps, tithing with bulk food was how I began to learn and apply the principle of tithing. I had no income at all, but what I had, I tithed from, which was food. But that's another story that I will share more about in a later lesson).

Om my vreugde te steel (wat ek onmiddelik besef het nadat hy weg is daardie aand) was dat wat ek gebruik het om my te troos en voed weg was! Ek het nie ‘n Bybel gehad nie! Ek het my man se Bybel eksluksief gebruik nadat ek van my King James weergawe ontslae geraak het. Nee, dit is nie omdat die KJW nie ‘n goeie weergawe is nie, dit is! Ek hou meer van Psalms in die KJW (en baie ander verse) as enige ander weergawe. Maar as gevolg van die feit dat ek met my KJW Bybel gespog het, en omdat my man die Nuwe Amerikaanse Standaard Bybel gebruik het (en ek nooit sy leiding gevolg het en gevra het of dieselfde weergawe vir myself gekoop het nie), het ek geweet dat ek radikaal moes gehoorsaam deur my KJW weg te gee aan ons sop kombuis. (Gedurende daardie tyd het ek en my kinders op voedsel seĂ«ls gelewe, deur ‘n tiende met grootmaat kos te gee was hoe ek begin het om die prinsiep van tiendes te leer. Ek het glad geen inkomste gehad nie, maar wat ek gehad het het ek ‘n tiende van gegee, wat kos was. Maar dit is ‘n ander storie waaroor ek meer sal deel in ‘n latere les).    

But let me fast forward to an entire week without a Bible. Thank God I had written my survival verses on 3x5 index cards or I know I would have died! Yet, God didn't take long to bless me for my obedience. On the way back from delivering food to the soup kitchen, the Lord gave me a half a dozen Bibles in a variety of versions!! While downtown I stopped at a thrift store and there they were! I never would have thought to look there. 

Maar laat ek vinnig vorentoe beweeg na ‘n hele week sonder ‘n Bybel. Dank God ek het my oorlewings verse op 3x5 indeks kaarte geskryf of ek weet ek sou doodgegaan het! Tog, het God nie lank geneem om my te seĂ«n vir my gehoorsaamheid nie. Oppad terug van my aflewering na die sop kombuis, het die Here my ‘n half dosyn Bybels in ‘n verskiedenheid weergawes gegee!! Toe ek onder in die dorp was het ek by ‘n pandjies winkel gestop en hulle was daar! Ek sou nooit gedink het om daar te kyk nie.    

And I also found a Bible for my children (that they wore out several copies of) and what laid a solid foundation for them to build their lives on—The Picture Bible! Here is the link to purchase The Picture Bible.

Ek het ook ‘n Bybel vir my kinders (wat hulle baie afskrifte van gehad het en uitgeslyt het) gevind en wat ‘n soliede fondasie vir hulle gelĂȘ het om hulle lewens op te bou—The Picture Bible! Hier is ‘n skakel om die  The Picture Bible aan te koop.

If you have young children, I’d highly recommend getting this. It’s how all my children learned the bible better than I knew it. I only wish they’d been too young to read it themselves, so I would have read it to them. Instead, we went through more than a dozen of these over the years when the binding broke due to overuse!  CLICK ON to order The Picture Bible for young families and be sure to share the testimony with it.

As jy jong kinders het, sal ek dit hoogs aanbeveel om dit te kry. Dit is hoe al my kinders die bybel geleer het beter as wat ek dit geken het. Ek wens net hulle was te jonk om dit self te lees, sodat ek dit vir hulle kon lees. In plaas daarvan, het ons deur meer as ‘n dosyn van hulle oor die jare gegaan toe die binding breek as gevolg van oorgebruik! KLIK AAN om die The Picture Bible vir jong families te bestel en wees seker om jou getuienis mee te deel.

How I discovered this breakthrough book was when I was in a local bookstore with my children and they had a book with a warped cover that was discounted that the store owner pointed out. She said she’d gotten one and brought it home for her 12 year old boy. She said she would find him late for dinner and staying up past his bedtime due to him reading it! Then the fruits were discovered when he won a bible knowledge contest beating children much older. She was shocked and asked if he learned it in his Sunday School class and said, “No, it’s all from reading the Picture Bible you gave me.” Of course I bought it and found I had the same results with my sons. My daughters all love it too by the way.

Hoe ek hierdie deurbraak boek ontdek het was toe ek in ‘n plaaslike boekwinkel saam my kinders was en hulle het ‘n boek gehad met ‘n verwronge oortreksel wat afgemerk was wat die stoor eienaar uitgewys het. Sy het gesĂȘ sy het een gekry en dit huistoe geneem vir haar 12 jarige seun. Sy het gesĂȘ hy het laat gekom vir aandete en dat hy ook verby sy bedtyd opgebly het omdat hy besig was om dit te lees!  Toe was die vrugte ontdek toe hy ‘n bybel kennis kompetisie gewen het teen kinders wat baie ouer was as hy. Sy was so geskok en het gevra of hy dit in sy Sondag Skool klas geleer het en hy het gesĂȘ, “Nee, dit is van die Prentjie Bybel wat jy my gegee het.” Natuurlik het ek dit gekoop en gevind dat ek dieselfde resultate met my seuns gehad het. Per slot van sake my dogters is ook almal lief daarvoor. 

Again, never forget it's a "journey." Had I not given my Bible away, I would not have discovered all the many Bibles versions God gave to me as a recompense! Had I continued to go to church, continued all the other things I was doing, I would not have reached my destination as quickly, or maybe not at all.

Weer, moet nooit vergeet dit is ‘n “reis” nie. Het ek nie my Bybel weggegee nie, sou ek nie al die verskillende Bybel weergawes ontdek het wat God my gegee het as vergoeding nie! As ek voort gegaan het om kerk toe te gaan, aangehou het met al die ander dinge wat ek mee besig was, sou ek nie my bestemming so gou bereik het, of miskien glad nie. 

Had I continued going to church and Bible studies, had I not made my relationship with the Lord the most important goal, and reading my Bible a private and personal matter, my husband would no doubt have continued to feel unable to be my spiritual leader!

Het ek voort gegaan om kerk en Bybels studies toe te gaan, het ek nie my verhouding met die Here my belangrikste doel gemaak nie, en my Bybel as ‘n private en persoonlike saak hanteer nie, sou my man sonder twyfel voort gegaan het om te voel asof hy nie in staat is om my spirituele leier te wees nie!

Yet, as I said, it was bittersweet when the enemy again tried to steal my joy. He tried to convince me that I had made a huge mistake only a few days later!

Tog, soos ek gesĂȘ het, dit was bittersoet toe die vyand weer probeer het om my vreugde te steel. Hy het ‘n paar dae later probeer om my te oorreed dat ek ‘n groot fout begaan het!

 Would you believe that my husband came over the following Saturday to tell me all about how he was reading from his Bible to the OW!! Instead of him becoming my spiritual leader, he had become the other woman's spiritual leader!! But no matter what I heard, I made a decision to believe and trust the Lord and His faithfulness. I chose to believe that somehow and in some way this had to be a GOOD thing, and due to the magnitude of how devastating this was, it had to mean just as much good would come from it. And later I found out it did—it led to a turning point in our restoration!

Sal jy glo dat my man die volgende Saterdag oorgekom het om my alles te vertel oor hoe hy uit sy Bybel vir die AV lees!! In plaas daarvan dat hy my spirituele leier geword het, het hy die ander vrou se spirituele leier geword!! Maar dit maak nie saak wat ek gehoor het nie, ek het ‘n besluit gemaak om op die Here en Sy getrouheid te vertrou. Ek het verkies om te glo dat dit ‘n GOEIE ding was, en as gevolg van die omvang van hoe verpletterend dit was, moes dit beteken dat net soveel goed daaruit sou kom. Ek later het ek uitgevind dit het— dit het tot ‘n keerpunt in ons herstel gelei!   

My problem was getting past thinking about myself. As a Christian I had to focus on the spiritual state of the other woman. I also had to realized that my "feelings" were from the enemy, who once again, was trying to convince me I was a fool.

My probleem was om verby te kom om aan myself te dink. As ‘n Christen moes ek fokus op die spirituele status van die ander vrou. Ek moes ook besef dat my “gevoelens” van die vyand was, wie weer, probeer het om my te oorreed dat ek ‘n dwaas was. 

It was years later, long after my marriage was restored, when I found out just what happened, and what I didn't know—but had chosen to believe. First, that my husband had shared the gospel, about getting saved, with the other woman hoping to lead her to the Lord. Though she didn't accept Him then, my husband said that thankfully the seed had been planted.

Dit was jare later, lank na my huwelik herstel was, toe ek uitgevind het net wat gebeur het, en wat ek nie geweet het nie—maar ek verkies het om te glo. Eerstens, dat my man die evangelie gedeel het, oor om gered te word, met die ander vrou in die hoop om haar na die Here toe te lei. Alhoewel sy Hom nie toe aanvaar het nie, het my man gesĂȘ dat hy dankbaar was dat die saad geplant is.  

But that's not all, he said that due to him sharing the gospel and reading the Bible to her, along with first searching for my answer, it's what led him to begin reading his Bible again. Which, he said, God used to bring about enough conviction that led him to walk across the street one evening to pray outside a church. He didn't go in because, he said, he realized he was too "sinful" to enter a church (this from a man who didn't think he was doing anything wrong). And while sitting behind the church he said he began to beg God to help him out of his mess!

Maar dit is nie al nie, hy het gesĂȘ dat as gevolg daarvan dat hy die evangelie gedeel het en die Bybel vir haar gelees het, saam met eerste vir my antwoord soek, is wat hom gelei het om sy Bybel weer te begin lees. Wat, hy gesĂȘ het, God gebruik het om genoeg oordeel te bring wat hom gelei het om een aand oor die straat te loop om buite ‘n kerk te bid. Hy het nie ingegaan nie omdat, hy gesĂȘ het, hy besef het hy was te “sinvol” om ‘n kerk binne te gaan (dit van ‘n man wat nie gedink het hy doen enige iets verkeerd nie). En terwyl hy buite die kerk gesit het het hy God begin smeek om hom uit sy gemors te help!

Never underestimate the power of God's Word, His promises, or the POWER that is behind His truths! And remember, you will need to look at everything with eyes of faith, and not what you see, never wavering from what He calls you to do humbly.

Moet nooit die krag van God se Woord onderskat nie, Sy beloftes, of die KRAG wat agter Sy waarhede is nie! En onthou, jy sal na alles moet kyk met oë van geloof, en nie wat jy sien nie, nooit wyfelagtig van wat Hy jou roep om nederig te doen nie.

Testimony 3

Getuienis 3

World-Renowned Revival Only 2 Miles Away

WĂȘreld-Bekende Herlewing Net 3 Kilometer Weg

Years after my restoration, God saw fit to test me once again in regard to making room for my husband to become even more of a spiritual leader to our family. Due to being called to minister to women, I know God needed to test me to be completely sure I would faithfully share the truth with women—and to do it with the right compassion, as well as, conviction. God asked me to walk through a very difficult valley of decision that included losing my ministry for a time (that led to a greater ministry online not locally) and endure a horrendous amount of mocking and taunting by the very women whom I had been encouraging every week in our fellowship meetings (this too had it's purpose in helping you shake off cruel words so that when praise comes it doesn't bring about pride).

Jare na my herstel, het God dit goed gevind om my weer te toets aangaande om plek te maak vir my man om selfs meer van ‘n spirituele leier vir ons familie te word. Aangesien ek geroep is om aan vrouens te minister, het ek geweet God moet my toets om heeltemal seker te maak dat ek getrou die waarheid met vrouens sal deel—en om dit met die regte deernis, so wel as, oordeling te doen. God het my gevra om deur ‘n baie moeilike vallei van besluit te loop wat ingesluit het dat ek my ministerie vir ‘n tydperk verloor het (wat gelei het to ‘n groter aanlyn ministerie nie plaaslik nie) en ‘n verskriklike hoeveelheid gespottery en getergery deur dieselfde vrouens wie ek elke week aangemoedig het in ons gemeenskaps vergaderings (dit het ook sy doel gehad om jou te help om wrede woorde af te skud sodat wanneer lof kom dit nie hoogmoed bring nie). 

Soon after our restoration our family began attending the church where I had been leading the very first Restoration Fellowship on Monday evenings. I did not attend the church, but due to the pastor and what he taught, it is where my husband took us as a family. But only a year later our pastor left (due to health reasons) and was replaced by another pastor that preached about things that were contrary to marriage, divorce, and the right way to handle a husband in adultery. That's when my husband said he didn’t want us to attend there any more.

Spoedig na ons herstel het ons familie begin om kerk by te woon waar ek die heel eerste Herstel Gemeenskap Maandae aande gelei het. Ek het nie die kerk bygewoon nie, maar as gevolg van die pastoor en wat hy geleer het, is dit waar my man ons gevat het as ‘n familie. Maar net ‘n jaar later is ons pastoor weg (as gevolg van gesondheids redes) en was vervang met ‘n ander pastoor wat gepreek het oor dinge wat teenstrydig was met die huwelik, egskeiding, en die regte manier om ‘n man in owerspel te hanteer. Dit is toe wat my man gesĂȘ het hy wou nie gehad het ons moes meer bywoon nie.

For months we visited a new church just about every Sunday, but none, my husband said, were suitable. Yet only two miles from our home a world renown revival was going on—but my husband believed and said quite vocally—it was all hype; it was fake.

Vir maande het ons omtrent elke Sondag ‘n nuwe kerk besoek, maar geen, het my man gesĂȘ, was geskik nie. Tog net 3 kilometer van ons huis af was ‘n wĂȘreld-bekende herlewing besig om plaas te vind—maar my man het geglo en gesĂȘ dit was net alles net ‘n aansittery; dit was bog.

Rather than asking more than once, I knew that the only solution was to keep bringing my desires to the Lord. Speaking only to Him about wanting our family to go. And because it was only 2 short miles away (where over four million people traveled around the world to attend), very often I would drive by and see hundreds of people standing outside before dawn in order go to the evening revival meetings. I didn't ask anyone for prayer, because doing so would mean I would be sharing things that I knew I needed to keep to myself. 

Eerder as om meer as een keer te vra, het ek geweet die oplossing was om aan te hou om my  begeertes na die Here toe te neem. Deur net met Hom te praat oor my wil dat ons familie moes gaan. En omdat dit net 3 kort kilometers weg was (waar meer as vier miljoen mense om die wĂȘreld reis om by te woon), baie dikwels het ek verby gery en honderde mense voor daglig sien buite staan om in staat te wees om na die herlewing vergaderings te gaan. Ek het niemand gevra vir gebed nie, omdat deur dit te doen sou beteken dat ek dinge deel wat ek geweet het ek vir myself moes hou.  

A couple of times while I waited, my husband actually told me I could go (since he kept hearing friends talk about it), but I kindly said that since he was the spiritual leader I would rather NOT go (even though, inside, I was dying to go!!). Every time I would think of it, I would rush to my prayer closet and cry out to God to intervene (not out loud but in my heart)! Yet no matter how many times I asked God, months turned to years while the revival continued to make headlines around the world!

‘n Paar keer terwyl ek gewag het, het my man my eintlik gesĂȘ dat ek kon gaan (aangesien hy aangehou het om te hoor hoe vriende daaroor praat), maar ek het vriendelik gesĂȘ dat hy die spirituele leier was en ek sou eerder NIE gaan nie (selfs alhoewel, binne, het ek gevrek om te gaan!!). Elke keer wat ek daaroor gedink het, het ek na my gebeds hoekie toe gehardloop en na die Here toe uitgeroep om tussenbeide te tree (nie hardop nie maar in my hart)! Tog maak nie saak hoeveel keer ek God gevra het nie, maande het in jare verander terwyl die herlewing voortgegaan het om koplyne dwarsoor die wĂȘreld te maak! 

After two YEARS of my husband and our family not going to church, many women began leaving my ministry due to them judging me and my husband as "backslidden." They mocked me and made a point of letting me know how blessed they were at revival meetings they were attending whenever I ran into them around town. 

Na twee JARE van my man en ons familie wat nie kerk toe gaan nie, het baie vrouens my ministerie verlaat as gevolg van hulle wat my en my man begin oordeel het as “afvallig.” Hulle het my gespot en ‘n punt gemaak daarvan om my te laat weet hoe geseĂ«n hulle was by die herlewings vergaderings wat hulle bygewoon het wanneer ookal ek in hulle vas geloop het in die dorp.

Then one day it happened! My husband brought ME to the revival on our date night, and HE WAS the first one to run to the altar—giving his life to the Lord!!! The next day was Sunday and my husband brought our whole family (all seven children) to church. Four weeks later we officially became members of this fantastic church that we attended for the remaining years of the revival!! Though he always believed himself to be a Christian, the night he got baptized he said he had prayed the prayer twice but had no fruits and knew now he hadn't been saved. He also made a public apology to me for what he had done.

Toe een dag het dit gebeur! My man het vir MY na die herlewing op ons afspraak aand gebring, en HY WAS die eerste een om na die altaar toe te hardloop—en sy lewe vir die Here te gee!!! Die volgende dag was Sondag en my man het ons hele familie (al sewe kinders) kerk toe gebring. Vier weke later het ons offisieĂ«l lidmate van hierdie fantastiese kerk geword wat ons vir die oorblywende jare van die herlewing bygewoon het!! Alhoewel hy altyd geglo het dat hy ‘n Christen was, die aand wat hy gedoop was het hy gesĂȘ hy het die gebed twee keer gebid maar geen vrugte gedra nie en het nou geweet hy was nie gered nie. Hy het ‘n publieke verskoning aan my gemaak vir wat hy gedoen het. 

After we joined ALL of our children (that included 3 teen-aged sons) got extremely involved in our home church. My third son was seen on the 700 Club as the youngest deacon in the nation, and all three boys eventually joined the teen choir that had very few young men. During one song when the few young men began to sing, and sing with complete PASSION for the Lord, the entire church would always jump to their feet and begin to shout praise to God! The church literally shook because the people were so moved. And there, on the back row, were MY three oldest sons! God's way of letting me know that it was ALL worth it!

Nadat ons aangesluit het het AL ons kinders (dit sluit ons 3 tiener-seuns) hoogs betrokke by ons tuis kerk geword. My derde seun was op die 700Klub gesien as die jongste diaken in die nasie, en al drie seuns het uiteindelik by die tiener koor aangesluit wat baie min jong mans gehad het. Gedurende een liedjie toe die jong mans begin sing, en sing met algehele PASSIE vir die Here, het die hele kerk op hulle voete gespring en begin juig en God prys! Die kerk het letterlik geskud omdat die mense so ontroer was. En daar, in die agterste ry, was MY drie oudste seuns! God se manier om my te laat weet dat dit ALLES die moeite werd was! 

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth"—3 John 1:4.

“Niks verskaf my groter vreugde nie ass om te hoor dat my kinders in die waarheid lewe”—3 Johannes 1:4

And as we said in the last lesson, today each of my sons is known to be POWERFUL and COMMITTED believer, volunteering and working in their churches, and all three of my sons are the spiritual leader of their wives and families! This is not to brag, not at all, it's what GOD did not what I did! I am sharing this to show the awesomeness of GOD and HIS POWER, HIS faithfulness. And to prove that no matter what you're going through now, you are INVESTING in your future and your children's future by following these principles radically.

Soos ons in die laaste les gesĂȘ het, vandag is elke een van my seuns bekend om KRAGTIGE en gekommiteerde gelowiges te wees, vrywilligers en werk in hulle kerke, en al drie my seuns is die spirituele leiers van hulle vrouens en families! Dit is nie om te spog nie, glad nie, dit is wat God gedoen het nie wat ek gedoen het nie! Ek deel dit om die ontsagwekkendheid van GOD en SY KRAG te wys, SY betroubaarheid. En om te bewys dat maak nie saak waardeur jy nou gaan nie, jy BELÊ in jou toekoms en jou kinders se toekoms deur hierdie prinsiepe radikaal te volg.

In a day and age when so many children who have been brought up in the church turn their backs on God, and even stop believing there IS a God, what matters more than to see your children have a passion for God and the things of God?!? It takes just ONE person, YOU, doing what is right to turn your entire family to God. Religion and being "religious" won't do it, but instead, it will have the opposite effect—it will drive those you love away from God! Be willing to do the harder thing for the sake of everyone who matters to you! 

In vandag se dae wanneer soveel kinders wat in die kerk groot geword het hulle rug op God draai, en selfs ophou glo dat daar ‘n God IS, wat meer saak maak is om te sien hoe jou kinders ‘n passie vir God en die dinge van God het?!?! Dit neem net EEN persoon, JY, wat doen wat reg is om jou hele familie na God toe te keer. Geloof en om “gelowig” te wees sal dit nie doen nie, maar in plaas daarvan, sal dit die teenoorgestelde effek hĂȘ—dit sal die vir wie jy liefhet weg van God af draai! Wees gewillig om die moeiliker ding te doen vir die geval van almal wat vir jou saak maak!

By letting go of my church (more than once), God faithfully put into my sons (into all my children) a love and passion for Him. So many women simply accept that her children will walk away or never know the Lord due to their marriage and family crumbling. But why accept it as fate?

Deur my kerk te laat gaan (meer as een keer), het God getrou in my seuns (in al my kinders) ‘n liefde en passie vir Hom gegee. So baie vrouens aanvaar eenvoudig dat hulle kinders sal wegloop of nooit die Here ken as gevolg van hulle huwelike en familie wat ineen stort nie. Maar hoekom dit aanvaar as die noodlot?

Instead embrace the adversity, believe His truths, trust Him, and live the principles He gave us in order for us to succeed. Be vigilant to go against the norm (the wide road). If you do then someday you will see God instill in your children a fire that will never go out!

In plaas daarvan omhels die teenspoed, glo Sy waarhede, vertrou op Hom, en beleef die prinsiepe wat Hy ons gegee het om ons in staat te stel om ‘n sukses te hĂȘ. Wees waaksaam om teen die normale te gaan (die wye pad). As jy dit doen dan eendag sal jy sien hoe God ‘n vuur in jou kinders bybring wat nooit uit sal gaan nie! 

Testimony 4

Getuienis 4

The Truth About Church

Die Waarheid Oor Kerk

Today I knew I had to write to share with everyone that I grew up in a Christian family and went to church pretty much my whole life. I heard the message that was preached and I was not save until my son was two. He is now 20. So making children go to church will not get them saved. After I had children I was told by my family to bring my children to church and Sunday school and if I did not do so my sisters and mother and father (My EH was not and is still not a believer) would yell at me and tell me that I was not doing the right thing. 

Vandag het ek geweet dat ek moes skryf en met almal deel dat ek in ‘n Christelike huishouding groot gword het en omtrent my hele lewe kerk toe gegaan het. Ek het die boodskap gehoor wat gepreek was en ek was nie gered tot my seun twee jaar oud is nie. Hy is nou 20. So deur my kinders to maak kerk toe gaan sal hulle nie red nie. Nadat ek kinders gehad het het my familie vir my gesĂȘ om my kinders kerk toe en Sondag skool toe te bring en as ek dit nie doen nie sou my susters en moeder en vader (My AM was nie en is nou nog nie ‘n gelowige nie) op my skree en vir my sĂȘ dat ek nie die regte ding doen nie.

Meanwhile they were talking about everyone and how awful the people at church were.. Were.. 

Intussen het hulle van almal gepraat en hoe aaklig die mense by die kerk was..Was.. 

As my children grew older my family would make comments to them about how their father was not a good person because he was not a Christian and that he was going to hell. Against my EH wishes I continued to go to church to be with the people who were judging me and my children because we were not blessed to have a Christian husband/father. This was the beginning of the breakdown of my om marriage! I was not seeking God but instead I was listening to everyone else except the Lord. 

Soos wat my kinders ouer geword het het my familie kommentaar gelewer oor hoe hulle pa nie ‘n goeie persoon was nie omdat hy nie ‘n Christen was nie en dat hy hel toe sou gaan. Teen my AM se wense het ek voort gegaan om kerk toe te gaan om saam die mense te wees wat my en my kinders veroordeel het omdat ons nie geseĂ«n was om ‘n Christelike man/pa te hĂȘ nie. Dit was die begin van die verbrokkeling van my eie huwelik! Ek was nie besig om God na te streef nie maar was besig om vir almal behalwe die Here te luister.

My mother and father ended up getting a divorce because my father was unfaithful to my mother. In the end my father's new wife had a heart-attack and died, then he remarried my mother. At the end of my father's life he was a wonderful grandfather to my son and daughter and when my dad died he truly was a man of God and was sure to ask for forgiveness for being the father he was prior. 

My ma en pa het opgeĂ«indig om te skei omdat my pa ontrou aan my ma was. Op die ou einde is my pa se nuwe vrou dood aan ‘n hartaanval en het hy weer met my ma getrou. Aan die einde van my pa se lewe was hy ‘n wonderlike oupa vir my seun en dogter en toe my pa dood is was hy werklik ‘n man van God en was seker om om vergifnis te vra vir die pa wat hy vroeĂ«r was.

On the other side, it was my Christian, church-going mother who would tell me to go down to Florida and take my daughter so I would leave my husband. When my daughter was little and my EH would work late I would be home with my daughter my mom would be there telling me that my husband was not good enough for me and what was he “really” doing. My mom was planting seeds in my head that was not of God.

Aan die ander hand, was dit my Christelike, kerk-gaande ma wat my vertel het om af te gaan Florida toe en my dogter te vat sodat ek my man kon los. Toe my dogter klein was en my AM laat gewerk het en ek by die huis was met my dogter het my ma  my vertel dat my man nie goed genoeg vir my is nie en wat hy “regtig” besig was om te doen. My ma was besig om sade in my kop te plant wat nie van God af was nie. 

Well to make a long story short, today I went to see my mother (I rarely go to visit her because of how she is with me) but I have been asking God what I need to be doing about my mom because she is getting up in age and it says in the word to honor our parents and in the lesson I did the other day when Erin talks about how you need to submit to your EH when your are married but not to your parents, which I never did. I also remember her saying how one woman who was torn between submitting to her dad and EH and she listen to her dad and did not submit to her earthly husband and she is still not restored. So when I went to see my mom today and she was talking about church and things that I now know are not true it was amazing how God gave me the confidence to speak respectfully to her but to share the truth with her about what God says versus what people and the church says. Thank you Jesus for always being with me and having the confidence to be able to speak what You want me to speak and maybe not what they want to hear. God is so Good He went before me and allowed me to get this burden off of me and say things in a kind, gentle way that was well received.

Wel om ‘n lang storie kort te maak, vandag het ek my ma gaan besoek (ek gaan min soontoe oor hoe sy met my is) maar ek het God gevra wat ek nodig het om te doen oor my ma omdat sy besig was om oud te word en dit sĂȘ in die les om ons ouers te eer en in die les die ander dag praat dit oor hoe jy onderdanig moet wees aan jou AM wanneer jy getroud is en nie aan jou ouers nie, wat ek nooit gedoen het nie. Ek het ook onthou hoe sy gesĂȘ het dat een vrou was geskeur deur om onderdanig te wees aan haar pa en AM en dat sy vir haar pa geluister het en nie onderdanig was aan haar man nie en sy is nog steeds nie herstel nie. So toe ek my ma vandag gaan besoek het en sy besig was om oor die kerk te praat en dinge wat ek nou weet nie waar is nie was dit ongelooflik hoe God my die vertroue gegee het om die waarheid met haar te deel oor wat God sĂȘ teenoor wat die mense en die kerk sĂȘ. Dankie Jesus dat jy altyd daar saam my was en dat ek die vertroue gehad het om te sĂȘ wat U wil hĂȘ ek moet sĂȘ en miskien nie wat hulle wil hoor nie. God is so Goed Hy het voor my gegaan en my toegelaat om hierdie las van my af te kry en dinge op ‘n goedhartige, sagmoedige manier te sĂȘ wat goed ontvang was.

Could God be leading YOU out of the church?

Kan God Besig Wees Om JOU uit die kerk uit te lei?

 Whenever God calls a woman OUT of her church, she never reallyWANTS to leave. I didn't want to leave; I loved my church and my pastor and the fellowship and all the areas where I volunteered!!

Wanneer God ‘n vrou UIT haar kerk lei, WIL sy nooit regtig verlaat nie; Ek was lief vir my kerk en my pastoor en die gemeenskap en al die areas waar ek vrywilligheids werk gedoen het!!   

Most women leave a church because they are angry or hurt, which means she is doing it because of the flesh—God is not leading her out.

Meeste mense verlaat die kerk omdat hulle kwaad of seergemaak is, wat beteken sy doen dit in die vlees—God is nie besig om haar uit te lei nie.

When things feel good to the flesh, it is of the flesh. But the things that NEED the Holy Spirit and His strength to carry out—this is how you know things are of the Spirit. 

Wanneer dinge goed in die vlees voel, is dit uit die vlees. Maar die dinge wat die Heilige Gees NODIG het en Sy krag om dit uit te voer—dit is hoe jy weet dat dinge van die Gees is.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may NOT do the things that you please"— Galatians 5:16–17.

“Wat ek bedoel, is dĂ­t: Laat julle lewe steeds deur die Gees van God beheers word, dan sal julle nooit swig voor begeertes van julle sondige natuur nie. Wat ons sondige natuur begeer, is in stryd met wat die Gees wil, en wat die Gees wil, is in stryd met wat ons sondige natuur begeer. Hulle twee staan lynreg teenoor mekaar,  en daarom kan julle NIE doen wat julle graag wil nie” — GalasiĂ«rs 5:16-17. 

.,FLEE IMMORALITY 

.,MOET NIKS MET SEKSUELE LOSBANDIGHEID TE DOEN HÊ

Another reason God may be leading you out has to do with immorality!

Nog ‘n rede wat God jou uit lei het te doen met seksuele losbandigheid!

What do I mean?   

Wat bedoel jy?

Well, when we are in a church where we are being encouraged to do what we found out is wrong, then that's when it's time to SEEK GOD about fleeing.

Wel, wanneer ons in ‘n kerk is waar ons aangemoedig word wat ons uitgevind het verkeerd is, dan is dit die tyd wat ons GOD MOET NASTREEF oor om niks daarmee te doen hĂȘ nie.

Throughout the Bible God teaches us to STAND or remain steadfast except for one verse—

Dwarsdeur die Bybel leer God ons om te STAAN of om standvastig te bly behalwe vir een vers—

"Flee immorality"—1 Corinthians 6:18

“Vlug vir seksuele losbandigheid” 1 KorintiĂ«rs 6:18

Though we usually associate "immorality" with sexuality, the word actually defines being moral as "principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior."

Alhoewel ons gewoonlik “losbandigheid”met seksualiteit assosieer, beteken die woord eintlik om moreel te wees “prinsiepe aangaande die onderskeiding tussen reg en verkeerde of goeie en slegte gedrag.”   

We get emails and questionnaires every day where women tell us that their pastors encourage them to kick their husbands out of their home, join singles groups, that it's okay to remarry, to go to counseling rather than finding the truth in the Bible, and many other things that are simply NOT Biblical, but are immoral. This is a key reason to flee and begin building your personal relationship with the Lord—and then to know the Bible well. Because to remain where you are could be very dangerous to you and your family spiritually.

Ons kry eposse en vraestelle elke dag waar vrouens vir ons vertel dat hulle pastore hulle aanmoedig om hulle mans uit hulle huise te kry, by enkel groepe aan te sluit, en dat dit reg is om weer te trou, om na berading toe te gaan as eerder om die waarheid in die Bybel te vind, en baie ander dinge wat eenvoudig NIE Biblies is nie, maar immoreel. Dit is ‘n sleutel rede om niks daarmee te doen te hĂȘ nie en te begin bou op jou persoonlike verhouding met die Here—en dan om die Bybel goed te ken. Omdat om te bly waar jy is kan baie gevaarlik wees vir jou en jou familie spiritueel.    

How Could Attending a Church,

Hoe Kan dit Om Kerk By Te Woon,

Right Now,

Nou Onmiddelik,

Without Your Husband

Sonder Jou Man

be Spiritually Dangerous?!?

Spiritueel Gevaarlik Wees?!?

One of the most powerful or destructive principles in the Word of God concerns being submissive to authority. All authority. Once women read our books and finally learn about being submissive to their own husbands, most women are more than willing to begin being submissive to their husbands.

Een van die mees kragtige of verwoestende prinsiepe in die Woord van God gaan oor om onderdanig aan autoriteit te wees. Alle autoriteit. Sodra vrouens ons boeke lees en finaal leer oor hoe om onderdanig te wees aan hulle eie mans, is meeste vrouens meer as gewillig om te begin om meer onderdanig aan hulle mans te wees.

However, it's not just our husbands we are to be submissive to. God says we must be humble and obedient to ALL authority.

Alhoewel, dit is nie net ons mans aan wie ons onderdanig moet wees nie. God sĂȘ dat ons nederig en gehoorsaam aan ALLE autoriteit moet wees.

"Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."—Romans 13:2

“Wie hom teen gesag verset, kom dus in opstand teen die ordening van God; en wie in opstand kom, sal sy verdiende straf kry.”—Romeine 13:2

You do not want to oppose God by resisting authority—especially not the spiritual authority of your church. 

Jy wil nie God teenstaan deur gesag teen te staan nie—spesiaal nie die spirituele gesag van jou kerk nie.

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account"—Hebrews 13:17

“Julle voorgangers hou wag oor julle lewe en moet aan God rekenskap gee”—HebreĂ«rs 13:17

Here’s the truth: If you remain in a church that does NOT promote MARRIAGE RESTORATION from the pulpit, teaching the truth clearly and often. But instead encourages other things that are not Biblical, then it puts you in a place of rebellion if you do not do what they teach, preach or encourage. And rebellion only increases the destruction you are already experiencing, if you do NOT obey what your church teaches.

Hier is die waarheid: As jy in ‘n kerk bly wat NIE HUWELIK HERSTEL uit die preekstoel bevorder nie, die waarheid duidelik en gereeld te leer. Maar in plaas daarvan moedig dit ander dinge aan wat nie Biblies is nie, dan plaas jou dit op ‘n plek van rebellie as jy nie doen wat hulle leer, preek of aanmoedig nie. En rebellie vermeerder net die verwoesting wat jy alreeds aanvaar, as jy NIE gehoorsaam wat jou kerk leer nie.

"For rebellion is as the sin of divination [witchcraft], and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you . . ." 1 Samuel 15:23

“Weerspannigheid is net so erg as die sonde van waarsĂȘery; eiesinnigheid net so erg soos die bedrog van afgodery. Omdat jy die woord van die Here verwerp het, het Hy jou as koning verwerp...” 1 Sameul 15:23

Therefore, if you are in a church and are taught or encouraged to go to counseling, which almost always is founded on psychology, and you don't obey, you're in rebellion.

Daarom, as jy in ‘n kerk is en geleer word en aangemoedig word om vir berading te gaan, wat amper altyd gegrond is in sielkunde; en jy gehoorsaam nie, is jy in rebellie.

And how can we trust a pastor or church when they encourage us to go to counseling since it is founded on another religion?

En hoe kan ons op ‘n pastoor of ‘n kerk vertrou wanneer hulle ons aanmoedig om te gaan vir berading aangesien dit op ‘n ander geloof gegrond is?

How could the church not encourage us to go to the Mighty Counselor rather than one that is training in psychology?

Hoe kan die kerk ons nie aanmoedig om na die Almagtige Raadgewer eerder as die een wat se opleiding in sielkunde is. 

[Later on in this lesson you will learn how psychology was actually designed to destroy Christianity.]

[Later aan in hierdie les sal jy leer hoe sielkunde eintlik ontwerp is om Christenheid te vernietig.]

If the church won't encourage us to go to Him, who will?

As die kerk ons nie aanmoedig om na Hom toe te gaan nie, wie sal?

If your church tells you that it is okay to divorce and maybe even that it's okay to remarry, and you do NOT obey your spiritual authority, then you are in rebellion.

As jou kerk vir jou sĂȘ dat dit reg is om te skei of dat dit reg is om weer te trou, en jy NIE jou spirituele gesag gehoorsaam nie, dan is jy in rebellie.

Some women wrongly believe that they simply can choose not to obey—just keep doing what they believe God is telling them to do without saying anything to anyone. But that's what got you in to trouble in your marriage, right?

Sommige vrouens glo verkeerdelik dat hulle eenvoudig kan verkies om nie te gehoorsaam nie—en net aanhou te doen wat hulle glo God hulle vertel sonder om ‘n woord vir enige iemand te sĂȘ. Maar dit is wat jou in die moeilikheid in jou huwelik gekry het, reg? 

Some women believe they should explain or argue their beliefs with their pastor or counselor they were asked to see, which is when it then turns from rebellion to insubordination (read 1 Samuel 15:23 again above). And then this puts them in another dangerous position spiritually— falling into idolatry (believing you are above your pastor and his authority).

Sommige vrouens glo dat hulle hulle geloof met hulle pastore of berader wat hulle gevra is om te sien verduidelik of stry, wat is wanneer dit dan omkeer van rebellie na weerspannigheid (lees 1 Samuel 15:23 weer bo). En dit plaas hulle in ‘n ander gevaarlike posisie spiritueel—val in idolatrie (deur te glo dat jy bokant jou pastoor en sy autoriteit is).

What Can I Do?

Wat Kan Ek Doen?

The remedy to this scenario is to simply make an EXODUS out of the church, thus creating a void that your husband will soon be called to fill. This is what I did, what the Mennonite woman did, and countless others women who were willing to do what was right. I have seen over the years of helping to restore marriages that many say they are willing to do what it takes, but only when it's something they like doing or are comfortable doing. When it's difficult then they simply choose to opt out of a principle—a principle that is ultimately and often the deciding factor for restoration. That's when women write after YEARS of "believing" for restoration and ask us why they were not restored.

Die geneesmiddel vir hierdie scenario is om eenvoudig  ‘n EKSODUS uit die kerk te maak, wat dus ‘n leemte sal skep wat jou man binnekort geroep sal wees om te vul. Dit is wat ek gedoen het, wat die Mennoniet vrou gedoen het, en ontelbare ander vrouens wat gewillig was om te doen wat reg is. Ek het oor die jare wat ek vrouens gehelp het om hulle huwelike te herstel gehoor dat baie sĂȘ hulle is gewillig om te doen wat dit vat, maar dit is net wanneer dit iets is waarvan hulle hou om te doen of gemaklik voel om te doen. Wanneer dit moeilik is dan verkies hulle eenvoudig om uit ‘n prinsiep tee opteer—’n prinsiep wat uitermatig en dikwels die beslissende faktor vir herstel is. Dit is wanneer vrouens skryf na JARE van “glo” vir herstel en vra hoekom hulle nie herstel is nie.

Though this is a very scary step, trust me when I say that once you are no longer going to church anymore, you will find you spend far MORE time with the Lord, and will develop a close, intimate relationship with Him, which is what you and everyone needs!

Alhoewel dit ‘n skrikkerige stap is, vertrou my wanneer ek sĂȘ dat sodra jy nie meer kerk toe gaan nie, jy sal vind dat jy baie MEER tyd met die Here spandeer, en ‘n diep, intieme verhouding met hom sal ontwikkel, wat is wat jy en almal nodig het! 

The results are always totally AMAZING!

Die resultate is altyd heeltemal VERSTOMMEND!

By spending time with the Lord you will find you’ve acquired a "gentle and quiet" spirit that God says is PRECIOUS in His sight—and as we have experienced first hand—is also a magnet to wayward husbands! Yet as we have also said, once you've come to this place of glowing, it's the Lord whom you will want!

Deur tyd met die Here te spandeer sal jy vind dat jy ‘n “stil en sagmoedige” gees ontwikkel het wat GOD sĂȘ is KOSBAAR in Sy sig—en soos wat ons eerstehands beleef het—is ook ‘n magneet vir eiesinnige mans! Tog soos wat ons ook gesĂȘ het, sodra jy op die plek kom waar jy straal, is dit die Here wie jy sal wil hĂȘ!

"But let it be the HIDDEN person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God"— 1 Peter 3:4

“Nee, julle skoonheid moet diù van die INNERLIKE mens wees: blywende beskeidenheid en kalmte van gees” — 1 Petrus 3:4

One of the first things exiting the “church” CURES is judging our husbands and judging all those people we look at now so distastefully and arrogantly! Once we are close to the Lord, we begin to see things and see people as HE sees them.

Een van die eerste opgewonde dinge wat gebeur wanneer jy uit die “kerk” gaan is dat dit genees om ons mans te oordeel en om al die mense te oordeel na wie ons nou so onsmaaklik en arrogant kyk! Sodra ons na aan die Here is, begin ons dinge en mense te sien soos HY hulle sien.  

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him”—John 3:17

“God het nie sy Seun na die wĂȘreld toe gestuur om die wĂȘreld te veroordeel nie, maar sodat die wĂȘreld deur Hom gered kan word”—Johannes 3:17

 What about Fellowship?

 Wat van Fellowship?

Most pastors agree that we ARE the church, but are then quick to mention this verse once they hear about that you are not in a formal "church" setting "
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near”’—Hebrews 10:25

Meeste pastore stem saam dat ons die kerk IS, maar is gou om hierdie vers te noem sodra hulle hoor dat jy nie in ‘n formele “kerk” setting” is nie...ons moenie van die samekomste van die gemeente af wegbly soos party se gewoonte is nie, maar mekaar eerder aanmoedig om daarheen te gaan, en dit des ter meer namate julle die oordeelsdag sien nader kom”—HebreĂ«rs 10:25 

We AGREE!!! Fellowship IS Important!

Ons STEM SAAM!!! Fellowship IS Belangrik! 

Yet "fellowship" does NOT have to be done IN a church. As a matter of fact, the first church met in homes, and so does the largest church in the world today! The first house church is recorded in Acts 1:13, where the disciples of Jesus met together in the "Upper Room" of a house. And for the first three centuries of the church Christians typically met in homes, until AD 232.

Tog “fellowship” hoef NIE in ‘n kerk gedoen te word nie. Per slot van sake, die eerste kerk het in huise ontmoet, en so ook die grootste kerk in die wĂȘreld vandag!  Die eerste huis is opgeneem in Handelinge 1:13, waar die dissipels van Jesus saam ontmoet het in die “Bovertrek” van ‘n huis. En vir die eerste drie eeue van die kerk het Christene tipies in huise ontmoet, tot AD 232.

The Bible and history confirm that rather than a church building, the "church" is US, not a building, where the Lord should resided in. When the early church met together, it was in order to build up one another, not to mimic the temple, since we are the temple.

Die Bybel en geskiedenis bevestig dat eerder as ‘n kerk gebou, die “kerk” is ONS, nie ‘n gebou nie, waar die Here moet in bly. Toe die vroeĂ« kerk saam ontmoet het, was dit in orde om mekaar op te bou, nie om die tempel na te boots nie, aangesien ons die tempel is.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"—1 Corinthians 6:19

“Of besef julle nie dat julle liggaam ‘n tempel van die Heilige Gees is nie? Julle het die Heilige Gees, wat in julle woon, van God ontvang, en julle behoort nie aan julleself nie” —1 KorintiĂ«rs 6:19

Another interesting fact is that throughout the New Testament Paul makes it a point to speak of the "church" as meeting in houses:

Nog ‘n interessante feit is dat reg deur die Nuwe Testament maak Paul ‘n punt daarvan m te praat van die “kerk” as vergadering in huise:  

"Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house"—1 Corinthians 16:19

“Die gemeentes van die provinsie AsiĂ« stuur vir julle groete. Van Akwila en Priscilla en ook van die gemeente wat gereeld in hulle huis bymekaarkom” —1 KorintiĂ«rs 16:19 

"...also greet the church that is in their house" —Romans 16:5

“...Groete ook aan die gemeente wat gereeld in hulle huis bymekaarkom” —Romeine 16:5

"Greet the brethren who are in... the church that is in her house"—Colossians 4:15

“Dra my groete oor aa die gelowiges in die gemeente wat gereeld in haar huis bymekaarkom” —Kolossense 4:15

"Greeting Philemon...and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house"—Philemon 1:2

“Aan Filemon...en aan ons suster Affia en aan Argippus, ons medestryder, en aan die gemeente wat gereeld in jou huis bymekaarkom” —Filemon 1:2

"I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house" —Acts 20:20

“Julle weet dat ek niks teruggehou het wat vir julle voordelig kon wees nie, toe ek by julle in die openbaar gepreek en julle in julle huise onderrig het” —Handelinge 20:20

But Does this Work Today?

Maar Werk dit Vandag?

As I said, the largest church today is in Madras, India, and due to the laws in Madras—95% of the “church” meet in homes!

Soos wat ek ekgesĂȘ het, die grootste kerk vandag is in Madras, India, en as gevolg van die wette in Madras—ontmoet 95% van die “kerk” in huise!

And interestingly, they do NOT conduct a “church-like” service as some “home churches” do here in the U.S. They are encouraged, instead, to grow in their intimacy with the Lord at home, and to privately study their ONE page of the Bible that they read over and over again! Why? Because there are so many new believers, that they have only ONE Bible per home church! So when they come together they exchange pages they have not had and memorized! Isn't that amazing?!?

En interessant, hulle bestuur nie ‘n “kerklike” diens soos sommige “tuis kerke” hier in die V.S.A doen nie. Hulle word, in plaas daarvan aangemoedig, om in hulle intimiteit met die Here by die huis te groei, en om privaat hulle EEN bladsy van die Bybel te studeer wat hulle oor en oor lees! Hoekom? Omdat daar so baie nuwe gelowiges is, het hulle net EEN Bybel per huis kerk! So wanneer hulle saamkom, verruil hulle papiere wat hulle nog nie gememoriseer het nie! Is dit nie verstommend nie?!?!

When they meet together to “fellowship" (which is usually not on Sundays), due to their deep intimacy with the Lord, He comes up in every single conversation as an object of PRAISE. Their "fellowship" is centered on praise for what God has done for them that week! They also do not sing normal church hymns since this would draw attention and would endanger those attending.

Wanneer hulle saam ontmoet om te “fellowship” (wat gewoonlik nie op Sondae is nie), as gevolg van hulle diep intimiteit met die Here, kom Hy op in elke gesprek as ‘n onderwerp van LOFPRYSING. Hulle "fellowship” is gesenter op lofprysing vir wat God vir hulle daardie week gedoen het! Hulle sing ook nie normale kerk gesange nie aangesien dit aandag sal trek en die wat bywoon in gevaar stel.

And because they do not “appear” like a church gathering, they are able to invite so many more people who would never go to a "church" because they are predominately a Hindu nation. Therefore if people invited them to a "church" their invitation would be rejected. And an invitation from a "believer" would also make it dangerous for their group and their family to continue meeting.

En omdat dit nie “voorkom” soos ‘n kerk vergadering nie, is hulle in staat om baie meer mense te nooi  wat nooit na ‘n “kerk” toe sal gaan nie omdat hulle hoofsaaklik ‘n Hindu nasie is. Daarom as mense hulle na ‘n “kerk”   toe nooi sal hulle uitnodiging verwerp word. En ‘n uitnodiging van ‘n “gelowige” sal dit ook gevaarlik maak vir hulle groep en familie om voort te gaan om te ontmoet. 

The other amazing thing is, even though this is a Hindu nation and it is dangerous to be associated with any Christian, each and every year every one of their home fellowships DOUBLES in size! They are encouraged to divide and conquer another home where they meet on another day of the week! Is it any wonder WHY this church is the largest in the world?!?

Die ander wonderlike ding is, alhoewel dit ‘n Hindu nasie is en dit gevaarlik is om geassosieer te wees met enige Christen, ieder en elke jaar VERDUBBEL elke een van hulle tuis fellowships in grootte! Hulle word aangemoedig om ‘n ander huis te verdeel en oorwin waar hulle op ‘n ander dag van die week ontmoet! Is dit enige wonder HOEKOM dit die grootste kerk in die wĂȘreld is?!?   

This is the way the early church grew so quickly. Due to persecution, they were forced underground. The symbol of the fish was used to alert Christians that they too were believers.

Dit is die manier wat die vroeë kerk so gou gegroei het. As gevolg van agtervolging, hulle was forseer om ondergronds te gaan. Die simbool van die vis was gebruik om Christene te waarsku dat hulle ook gelowiges was.

In a very small way, those of US who believe in marriage restoration (rather than filing for divorce, divorce recovery, and doing every other "normal" thing, like moving on and finding someone new), are also a group that would do well to mimic this same method of home fellowships in our own communities.

Op ‘n baie klein manier, die van ONS wat glo in huwelik herstel (eerder as om ‘n skeisaak aanhanig te maak, egskeiding herstel, en om elke ander “normale” ding te doen, soos om aan te beweeg en iemand nuut te vind), is ook ‘n groep wat goed sal doen om hierdie metode van tuis fellowship in ons eie gemeenskappe na te boots.  

Where Can YOU Find Fellowship?

Waar Kan JY Fellowship Vind?

  • If you have been praying for your husband to become your spiritual leader

  • As jy vir jou man gebid het om jou spirituele leier te word...
  • If you are ready to press into the Lord to find greater and deeper intimacy with the Lord, then

  • As jy gereed is om nader aan die Here te kom om ‘n groter en dieper intimiteit met die Here te vind, dan... 

It's almost time in your Restoration Journey to be given an ePartner and also to discover an Encouraging Women Restoration Fellowship to attend.

Dit is amper tyd in jou Herstel Reis om ‘n eVenoot te kry en ook om ‘n Aanmoedigers Vrouens Herstel Fellowship by te woon.

Where can you find one?

Waar kan jy een vind?

CLICK HERE  

KLIK HIER

If one is not currently in your area, then we are confident that the Lord is calling YOU to begin one—easily and discreetly!

As daar nie een huidiglik in jou area is nie, dan is ons vol vertroue dat die Here JOU roep om een te begin—maklik en diskreet!

STEP 1 is to Simply let God know that YOU are available, and believe that He will help find just ONE other woman.

STAP 1 is om eenvoudig vir God te laat weet dat JY beskikbaar is, en glo dat Hy jou sal help om net EEN ander vrou te vind.

STEP 2 SOWING HOPE by visiting CHURCHES in your Community with at least ONE other woman—preferably TWO.

STAP 2 SAAI HOOP deur KERKE in jou gemeenskap te besoek met ten minste EEN ander vrou—verkieslik TWEE.

Mark 6:7(CEV) “Then he called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two...”

Markus 6:7”Jesus het die twaalf nader geroep en hulle twee-twee begin uitstuur
” 

Like you most of us have gone to our pastor asking for help with our marriage that was in crisis. Yet our  church didn't offer us hope, but instead offered us counseling, singles groups, support groups or many other methods that simply don't work—and worse—further destroyed our marriages!

Soos jy het meeste van ons na ons pastoor toe gegaan met ons huwelik wat in krisis was. Tog het ons kerk ons nie veel hoop geoffer nie, maar instede berading, enkel groepe, ondersteunings groepe of baie ander metodes wat eenvoudig nie werk nie—en erger—verder ons huwelike vernietig het!

It's not that the churches are out to destroy marriages—it's simply that most churches have NO IDEA what to offer women (or men) facing a marriage crisis, so without that knowledge men and women are sent to the singles groups or Divorce Recovery!

Dit is nie dat kerke uit is om huwelike te vernietig nie—dit is eenvoudig dat meeste kerke het GEEN IDEE wat om aan vrouens te offer nie (of mans) wat ‘n huweliks krisis in die gesig staar, so sonder daardie kennis word mans en vrouens na enkel groepe of Egskeiding Herstel groepe toe gestuur!

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children"—Hosea 4:6. This is why there is an epidemic of marriages destroyed within the church—even more than non-Christian marriages! Shocking!!!

“My volk gaan onder omdat hulle nie aan My toegewy is nie. Omdat jy jou taak om hulle aan My toe te wy, verwerp het, verwerp Ek jou as my priester. Omdat jy die wil van jou God verontagsaam het, verontagsaam Ek die priesters wat onder jou dien”—Hosea 4:6. Dit is hoekom daar ‘n epidemie is van huwelike wat in die kerk vernietig is—selfs meer as nie-Christelike huwelike! Skokkend!!!

However if churches and pastors had another "option" MANY churches (not all) would be excited to offer it to the women (and men) who call or ask to speak to their pastor (or church office) for help.

Nietemin as kerke en pastore ‘n ander “opsie” gehad het sou BAIE kerke (nie almal) opgewonde wees om dit aan die vrouens (en mans) te offer wat skakel of met hulle pastoor praat (of kerk kantoor) om hulp.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation"— 2 Corinthians 5:17-19   

“ Iemand wat aan Christus behoort, is ‘n nuwe mens. Die oue is verby, die nuwe het gekom. Dit alles is die werk van God. Hy het ons deur Christus met Homself versoen en aan ons die bediening van die versoening toevertrou. Die boodskap van versoening bestaan daarin dat God deur Christus die wĂȘreld met Homself versoen het en die mense hulle oortredinge nie toereken nie. Die boodskap van versoening het Hy aan ons toevertrou” — 2 KorintiĂ«rs 5:17-19

Here is a personal message from Erin:

Hier is ‘n persoonlike boodskap van Erin af:

Hello fellow Ministers of Reconciliation!!

Hello mede Ministers van Versoening!!

I can't begin to express how excited I am to share the vision the Lord has given me—a vision that will help each of you FIND an Encouraging Women Restoration Fellowship in your own community—through YOU sowing Hope!

Ek kan nie begin om uit te druk hoe opgewonde ek is om die visie wat die Here vir my gegee het om met julle te deel—’n visie wat elke een van julle sal help om ‘n Aanmoedigers Vrouens Herstel Fellowship in jou eie gemeenskap te vind—deur JOU wat Hoop saai!   

His plan is so easy and so discreet that it had to come from HIM.

Sy plan is so maklik en diskreet dat dit van HOM af moes kom.

Matthew 11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matteus 11:30 “My juk is sag en my las is lig.”

Once you are willing to let go of your church, you can begin to realize just how brilliant His plan is that I want to share with you.

Sodra jy gewillig is om jou kerk te laat gaan, kan jy begin besef net hoe briljant Sy plan is wat ek met jou wil deel.

"For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him" —Isaiah 64:4

“Van ouds af het niemand so iets gehoor nie, het niemand so iets verneem nie, het geen oog ‘n god gesien wat vir diù wat op hom vertrou, doen wat U doen nie” —Jesaja 64:4

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’”—Isaiah 55:8-9

“My gedagtes is nie julle gedagtes nie, en julle optrede nie soos Myne nie, sĂȘ die Here; soos die hemel hoĂ«r is as die aarde, so is my optrede verhewe bo julle optrede en my gedagtes bo julle gedagtes” —Jesaja 55:8-9

His Plan for bringing Hope to your Community is based on this verse that you've already read once above. Read it with me again:

Sy plan om Hoop in die Gemeenskap te bring is gebaseer op hierdie verse wat julle alreeds een keer hier bo gelees het. Lees dit weer saam my:

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave US the Ministry of Reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation"—2 Corinthians 5:17-19

“ Iemand wat aan Christus behoort, is ‘n nuwe mens. Die oue is verby, die nuwe het gekom. Dit alles is die werk van God. Hy het ons deur Christus met Homself versoen en aan ONS die bediening van die versoening toevertrou. Die boodskap van versoening bestaan daarin dat God deur Christus die wĂȘreld met Homself versoen het en die mense hulle oortredinge nie toereken nie. Die boodskap van versoening het Hy aan ons toevertrou” — 2 KorintiĂ«rs 5:17-19

Beginning today I want you to encourage you to simply ask Him what churches (in your area) that you are supposed to visit ONCE He pairs you with at least ONE other like-minded woman.

Begin vandag ek wil jou aanmoedig om Hom eenvoudig te vra watter kerke (in jou area) wat jy veronderstel is om te besoek SODRA Hy jou paar met ten minste EEN ander eensgesinde vrou.

Don't venture out now, simply take time to write down the names of the churches, and then put the list in your Bible—while He begins to prepare you for your first church to visit.

Moet nie nou uitvaar nie, neem eenvoudig tyd om die name van kerke neer te skryf, en plaas dan die lys in jou Bybel—terwyl Hy begin om jou voor te berei vir jou eerste kerk besoek.

Honestly I am still Having Trouble Letting Go of My Church

Eerlik Ek het Nog Steeds Moeite Om My Kerk Te Laat Gaan 

No matter what God is asking you to let go of—it's difficult—but oh so freeing once you obey. And once you obey, the "understanding" will follow. All of us  want to understand BEFORE we obey, but that is NOT faith. Faith is moving without seeing, even seeing the reason before we take that step of faith.

Maak nie saak wat God van jou vra om te laat gaan nie—dit is moeilik— maar O so vryend sodra jy gehoorsaam. En sodra jy gehoorsaam, sal die “begrip” volg. Almal van ons wil verstaan VOOR ons gehoorsaam, maar dit is NIE geloof nie. Geloof is om te beweeg sonder om te sien, selfs die rede te sien voor ons daardie tree van geloof neem. 

It really comes down to this: you need to do this not just for you and your marriage restoration, but because Jesus taught us that thinking of and helping others is what has the POWER you need to see your Restoration completed.

Dit kom regtig op dit neer: jy moet dit nie doen net vir jou en jou huweliks herstel nie, maar omdat Jesus ons geleer het dat deur om aan ander te dink en te help is wat die KRAG het wat jy nodig het om jou Herstel voltooi te sien. 

When the time is right, you need to reach out to women who are still in your church (and surrounding churches) who, like you, were not fed on the truths about marriage and dealing properly with a crisis and who are now perishing for a lack of knowledge. Remember, this is what led to your marriage to collapse and all the other failed marriages in your church—to the point of it being an epidemic. Someone has to leave the comforts of her church to go find the truth, learn the truth, live the truth, then go back and help save others whose marriages are perishing. Are you willing to answer His call???

Wanneer die tyd reg is, moet jy uitreik na vrouens wat nog steeds in jou kerk is (en omliggende kerke) wie, soos jy, nie die waarheid gevoer is oor die huwelik en om behoorlik met ‘n krisis af te handel en wie nou onder gaan as gevolg van ‘n gebrek aan kennis. Onthou, dit is wat gelei het tot die verbrokkeling van jou huwelik en al die ander mislukte huwelike in jou kerk—tot die punt van om ‘n epidemie te wees. Iemand moet die geriewe van hulle kerke los om die waarheid te gaan vind, die waarheid te leer, die waarheid te lewe, dan terug te gaan en help om ander te help wie se huwelike besig was om tot niet te gaan. Is jy gewillig om Sy roep te antwoord???

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!'"—Isaiah 6:8

“Toe het ek die Here hoor vra: “Wie kan Ek stuur? Wie sal ons boodskapper wees?” Ek het geantwoord: “Hier is ek! Stuur my!” —Jesaja 6:8  

Will you go?

Sal jy gaan?

Ministers in Training Courses

Ministers in Opleiding Kursusse

 Honestly, Are these Principles in this Lesson Really Valid?

Eerlik, Is Hierdie Beginsels in die Les Regtg Geldig?

"Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors"— Psalm 119:24

“U verordeninge is my vreugde, hulle is my raadgewers”—Psalm 119:24

 ~ Bianca T in Salvador, Brazil I was raised in the Baptist church, but I only was able to really know the Lord in an intimate way when this journey began. I was in church, I played the piano, and I thought I knew and had enough of "God" in my life, but I didn't. The Lord in so much more than only 1 or 2 days of meetings in the church. Only when we can let go of attending church, and choose to be alone with Him, will we be able to feel what is the real power of the Holy Spirit and to learn the principles and to apply them in our life, even if we listen to those principles in our church for so many years, only when you give all your life to the Lord, and allow Him to make you knew, only then you will truly know Him in a different and wonderful level. RMI is my church, this is where I learn more about fellowship and where I can see the Lord doing miracles in other woman's lives and where I grow. Here is where I am spiritually fed and am encouraged every day. Here is where I can learn to help other women too.

~Bianca T in Salvador, BrasiliĂ« ek het in die Baptiste kerk groot geword, maar ek was net in staat om regtig die Here op ‘n intieme manier te leer ken toe hierdie reis begin het. Ek was in die kerk, ek het die klavier gespeel, ek het gedink ek het genoeg van “God” in my lewe gehad, maar ek het nie. Die Here in so meer as net 1 of 2 dae van vergaderings in die kerk. Net wanneer ons kan laat gaan van kerk bywoning, en kies om alleen saam Hom te wees, sal ons in staat wees om te voel wat die ware krag van die  Heilige Gees is en om die beginsels te leer en hulle in jou lewe toe te pas, selfs as ons luister na daardie beginsels in ons kerk vir so baie jare, net wanneer jy jou hele lewe aan die Here gee, en Hom toe laat om jou nuut te maak, net dan sal jy hom werklik ken op ‘n verskillende en wonderlike vlak. HMI is my kerk, dit is waar ek meer fellowship leer het en waar ek kan sien dat die Here wonderwerke in ander vrouens se lewens doen en waar ek groei. Hier is waar ek spiritueel gevoed en aangemoedig word elke dag. Hier is waar ek kan leer om ander vrouens ook te help.  

~Connie in Canada, one of our Minister in Training Candidates, had her own struggles that she shared candidly in an Encourager!

~Connie in Kanada, een van ons Ministers in Opleiding Kandidate, het haar eie worstelinge gehad wat sy openlik in ‘n Aanmoediger gedeel het!

Good Morning Dear Friends! Please rejoice with me—a burden that has been weighing me down has been lifted! After months of struggling with being obedient to a principle in the Renew and Rebuild Lessons in the Wise Woman Course, I have made the decision to follow His plan in my Restoration Journey and finally let go of my church. Letting go, so that I might be in obedience to my new Husband, allowing Him to be my Spiritual Leader and allowing Him to work in my (earthy) husband’s life, by removing myself from the role that was intended for him as our family's spiritual leader.

Goeie More Liewe Vriende! Verbly asseblief met my—’n las wat my onder gekry het is gelig! Na maande van sukkel om gehoorsaam te wees aan ‘n beginsel in die Hernu en Herbou Lesse in die Wyse Vrou Kursus, het  ek die besluit geneem om Sy plan te volg in my Herstel Reis en finaal my kerk te laat gaan. Laat gaan, sodat ek gehoorsaam kan wees aan my nuwe Man, hom toe te laat om my Spirituele Leier te wees en Hom toe te laat om in my (aardse) man se lewe te werk, deur myself van daardie rol te verwyder wat bedoel was vir hom as ons familie se spirituele leier.

In the lesson it read, “Therefore, by putting yourself under the spiritual authority of a pastor (most of whom are men) or any other person (man or woman), it's another way we are not being obedient or being submissive to Him as our Husband.”

In die lesse het dit gelees, “Daarom, deur jouself onder die spirituele gesag van ‘n pastoor (meeste van hulle wat mans is) of enige ander persoon (man of vrou), dit is ‘n ander manier wat ons nie gehoorsaam of onderdanig aan Hom is as ons Man.”  

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love"—Revelation 2:4

“Maar Ek het dít teen julle: julle het My nie meer so lief soos in die begin nie”—Die Openbaring 2:4

This time, after 5 long months of struggling with this, I was finally ready to obey
God helped me to understand that sometimes we need to obey His Word even when we don’t understand the ‘why’ behind it.

Hierdie keer, na 5 lang maande van sukkel met dit, was ek finaal gereed om te gehoorsaam...God het my gehelp om te verstaan dat somtyds moet ons Sy Woord gehoorsaam self wanneer ons nie die  “hoekom” verstaan nie.

This Bible verse is meaningful to me because it says, that if I obey His Voice, He will be my God and I will be His ‘people.’ It goes on to say that I will walk in all the ways He commands me and ‘it will be well with me.’

Die Bybel vers is so betekenisvol vir my omdat dit sĂȘ, dat as ek Sy Stem gehoorsaam, Hy my God sal wees en ek sal Sy ‘nageslag’ wees. Dit gaan aan om te sĂȘ dat ek in al sy wee sal loop wat Hy my beveel en ‘dit sal goed gaan met my.’

In the RYM and WW books, it says that the number one reason things don’t go well with us, is because we don’t tithe. I have been tithing and yet, financially and otherwise, “things aren’t well.” I could only conclude that there was still disobedience in my heart, like the rest of the verse states, “Yet (she) did not obey or incline (her) ear, but walked in (her) own counsels and in the stubbornness of (her) evil heart, and went backward and not forward.”

In die HJM en WV boeke, sĂȘ dit dat die nommer een rede wat dinge nie goed gaan met ons nie, is omdat ons nie ons tiende gee nie. Ek gee my tiende en tog, finansieel en andersins, “gaan dit nie goed nie.” Ek kan net tot die slotsom kom dat daar nog steeds ongehoorsaamheid in my hart was, soos die res van die vers sĂȘ,  “Maar hulle het nie geluister nie en hulle aan My gesteur nie. Hulle was hardkoppig en moedswillig, hulle het hulle eie kop gevolg, sodat hulle versleg het in plaas van te verbeter.”  

The one area that I have had the most struggle with was ‘leaving my church.’ I have not wanted to leave my church, because I didn’t feel "called" to leave it. I avoided making this decision as well, because I worried about my teenage children becoming confused. They recently became confirmed, (accepting the Faith and confirming Christ as their Lord and Saviour) and are now members of the church. I wondered how my decision to leave our church would affect them and their walks with Christ.

Die een area waarmee ek die meeste gesukkel het was om ‘my kerk te los.’ Ek wou nie my kerk los nie, omdat ek nie “geroep” gevoel het om dit te los nie. Ek het ook vermy om die besluit te maak, omdat ek bekommerd was dat my tiener kinders verwar sou word. Hulle was onlangs aangeneem, (om die Geloof te aanvaar en om Christus te bevestig as hulle Here en Redder) en is nou lidmate van die kerk. Ek het gewonder hoe my besluit om die kerk te los hulle wee met Christus sou affekteer.  

Then, after months of prayer and searching for God’s guidance in this area, I decided to ‘let go’ and trust God for both my and my teenagers' spiritual teaching.

Toe, na maande van gebed en God se leiding soek in hierdie area, het ek besluit om te ‘laat gaan’ en op God te vertrou vir beide my en my tieners se spirituele opleiding. 

“. . . you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed” —Romans 6:17

“...van harte gehoorsaam geword het aan die leer soos julle dit deur die oorlewering ontvang het” —Romeine 6:17

I learned that I truly didn’t know what Faith was, until I was asked to do something that I didn’t understand, but did it anyway, out of obedience to our Lord. And though I delayed my obedience, which was disobedience, Jesus is with me and led to even greater changes in me and my children that I will be sharing in another praise report.

Ek het geleer dat ek regtig nie geweet het wat Geloof is nie, totdat ek gevra was om iets te doen wat ek nie verstaan het nie, maar het dit in elk geval gedoen, uit gehoorsaamheid aan ons Here. En alhoewel ek my gehoorsaamheid vertraag het, wat ongehoorsaamheid was, Jesus is met my en het tot selfs groter veranderinge in my en my kinders gelei wat ek in ‘n ander lof verslag sal deel.  

This is from: Diedra, who is currently Divorced in Ohio

Dit is van: Diedra, wie huidiglik Geskei is in Ohio 

"Here's why this lesson hit me so hard (right between the eyes!):

“Hier is hoekom hierdie les my so hard geslaan het (reg tussen die oĂ«!): 

I was convinced to proceed with my divorce from a Christian counselor AT my church. Yes, I had doubts last summer if I was doing the right thing that my pastor advised me to do, divorce my husband, so I asked to speak to someone at my church. This man told me I was perfectly justified (after hearing our story) to proceed to divorce my husband.

Ek was deur ‘n Christelike berader BY my kerk oorreed om voort te gaan met my egskeiding. Ja, ek het verlede somer getwyfel of ek die regte ding doen wat my pastoor my adviseer het om te doen, my man skei, so toe vra ek om met iemand by my kerk te praat. Hierdie man het vir my gesĂȘ dit is regverdig (nadat hy ons storie gehoor het) om voort te gaan om van my man te skei.  

Now here's the kicker - I found out just last week that, at the time I had my counseling appointment, this man had just left his own wife and filed for divorce. Knowing "now" so many things I didn't know then, I'm appalled and upset, but no longer surprised that this man would encourage me to divorce my husband!

Nou hier is die grap - ek het net verlede week uitgevind dat, dieselfde tyd wat ek my beradings afspraak gehad het, het die man sy eie vrou gelos en ‘n egskeiding aanhanig gemaak. Noudat ek ‘nou” so baie dinge weet wat ek nie toe geweet het nie, is ek ontset en ontstel, maar nie meer verbaas dat hierdie man my sou aanmoedig om van my man te skei nie!

More importantly, I'm ashamed beyond measure that I allowed his "counsel" from people in my church to convince me of something I should have been crying out to God for HIS opinion! Especially given the fact that God was clearly trying to get me to change my mind at the time before it was too late.

Meer belangrik, ek is beskaamd bowemate dat ek sy “berading” van mense in my kerk toegelaat het om my te oorreed van iets wat ek by God moes uitgeroep het vir SY opinie! Spesifiek die gegewe feit dat God duidelik ten tye probeer het om my te kry om van plan te verander voor dit te laat was. 

If you are still struggling with letting go of your church and did not read this yesterday CLICK HERE to read more testimonies.

As jy nog steeds sukkel om van jou kerk te laat gaan en dit nie gister gelees het nie KLIK HIER om meer getuienisse te lees.   

“...en julle sal die waarheid ken, en die waarheid sal julle vry maak.” —Joh 8:32 

Nou is dit tyd om HIER TE KLIK en jou hart aan die Here uit te stort en te joernaal “Wat ek Geleer Het.”  

 

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