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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 7:52:10 AM
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Prairiehiker
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quote:
PH - that's the verse I mentioned in the OP that we don't need to hear - because we all DO know it!
Ooops...sorry, I forgot about that.
Another verse that I've heard use by Chuck Swildoll and Charles Stanley about God providing a spouse for us is the verse in Matthew about not worrying because God knows our needs. But I think they were referring to our material needs...food, clothing, etc, and didn't mention a spouse.
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The heavens declare the glory of God;
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 8:51:32 AM
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iwillfearnoevil
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rgod
Biblically, I don't think that God has promised everyone a spouse. We see that clearly in the following verses:
Matthew 19:12, Jer 16:1-4, 1 Cor 7:7. And of course, the most obvious example is Jesus. Paul would be an example too if you hold to the view that he wasn't married (I don't think anything in the scriptures at least indicates that he was).
good scripture. and seeing Christians that desire a spouse remaining single their life confirms it. however i do believe that God can personally promise a spouse as you and others have posted. this promise resides outside of any Bible verse.
God outlines spiritual gifts:
1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit
(further explanation in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 and examples include God telling Ananias to pray for blinded Paul, Peter's animal cleaniliness vision instructing/permitting him to preach to Gentile, many OT examples
God's speaking should not be quenched:
1 Thess 5:19-20: Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.
but instead fanned into a flame:
2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
so if someone feels that God promised them individually a spouse, i don't question them but i don't see any blanket scripture guaranteeing a spouse, let alone a tomorrow, for everyone.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 1:43:31 PM
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John_O
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Long ago I wrote a thread about this topic. While there is a smattering of scripture throughout the discussion it is really more of a promise to me rather than a promise to all (Although I do see Genesis as a promise to all)
So, without further ado, for those who've not read it before:
How I know God will bring my new wife to me
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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 1:45:17 PM
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mutinywxgirl
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Thank you for finally joining in this thread, John!
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 2:40:30 PM
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John_O
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl
Thank you for finally joining in this thread, John!
I have this tendency to talk too much (Although I'm sure no one has ever noticed) so I try sometimes to let others talk first. I'm not very good at it yet but I'll get there 
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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 3:35:32 PM
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John_O
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quote:
ORIGINAL: iwillfearnoevil
quote:
ORIGINAL: John_O
I have this tendency to talk too much (Although I'm sure no one has ever noticed) so I try sometimes to let others talk first. I'm not very good at it yet but I'll get there
i didn't notice, all along i thought it was John_OO that always talked too much ;) ...
Yep that's the fellow after all!!
quote:
am i interpreting your post correctly to say that it is through scripture, your life experiences, and your feelings of peace from God that you believe you will remarry?
Yes you are correct.
quote:
myself, i don't know how to get past the scriptures about blessings and getting married when "a promise" doesn't come true for everyone unless one adds something from personal relationship with God.
I believe that for most of us our natural intended state is to be married. Through our own foolishness and sometimes through the acts of others we are denied that. Some however are designed to be single and that's good for them too.
_____________________________
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 3:41:02 PM
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iwillfearnoevil
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quote:
ORIGINAL: John_O
I believe that for most of us our natural intended state is to be married. Through our own foolishness and sometimes through the acts of others we are denied that. Some however are designed to be single and that's good for them too.
thanks for the followup, i had been meaning to ask a couple weeks ago when that thread was bumped up but got busy. makes sense to me, i really like how you worded the above paragraph.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 5:32:59 PM
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Prairiehiker
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The question is how authoritative are our own experiences, our feelings, intuitions, the little voices that we claim to hear as revelation from God?
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The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19: 1
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To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. King Solomon
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 7:57:36 PM
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shemaromans
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
The question is how authoritative are our own experiences, our feelings, intuitions, the little voices that we claim to hear as revelation from God?
My litmus test is the Bible. If what I think God wants me to know doesn't align with His word, then it's my own doing and not His. Not sure if that answers your question... :)
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 8:08:28 PM
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Grace-N-Mercy
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quote:
ORIGINAL: shemaromans
quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
The question is how authoritative are our own experiences, our feelings, intuitions, the little voices that we claim to hear as revelation from God?
My litmus test is the Bible. If what I think God wants me to know doesn't align with His word, then it's my own doing and not His. Not sure if that answers your question... :)
Great answer, and I'll add to that. We learn to discern the voice of God. I do not hear the "voice" of God every day, but it's usually at odd times. It's that voice alone that I trust. The only other thing I trust to be a "message from God" is when I hear a message several times in a row (usually three). Meaning, I might hear a sermon, a sunday school lesson or message from a trusted Christian friend, and then a devotional that say basically the same thing. Other feelings, intuitions, and so forth are ok, but I won't trust as from God.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 8:15:35 PM
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Prairiehiker
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quote:
ORIGINAL: shemaromans
quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
The question is how authoritative are our own experiences, our feelings, intuitions, the little voices that we claim to hear as revelation from God?
My litmus test is the Bible. If what I think God wants me to know doesn't align with His word, then it's my own doing and not His. Not sure if that answers your question... :)
YOu know that I agree with your wholeheartedly on this... however, we know that it's common for Christians to pluck out verses and interpret it to mean that it's God's promise, or guidance to them without considering the context of the verse and how the scripture meant to be used. Sorry, don't mean to be difficult, lol. You know, there's always some groups who believe in multiple marriages and have verses to back them up.
_____________________________
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19: 1
____________________________________
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. King Solomon
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 8:26:40 PM
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shemaromans
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
YOu know that I agree with your wholeheartedly on this... however, we know that it's common for Christians to pluck out verses and interpret it to mean that it's God's promise, or guidance to them without considering the context of the verse and how the scripture meant to be used. Sorry, don't mean to be difficult, lol. You know, there's always some groups who believe in multiple marriages and have verses to back them up.
And I agree with you! And that's one of the reasons that it's so important for me to read the Bible with proper hermeneutics and to not impose myself and my desires into the meaning.
I don't know if God's promised me a spouse or not. I'd like to think that I'll be married someday, but it isn't clear if I will or not. The promises that are clear to me are the promises that God's told me through His word, such as: He's going to finish the work that He started in me; He's taking me home someday.
_____________________________
"But as for me, it is good to be near God." Psalm 73:28
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/3/2008 10:51:21 PM
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John_O
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
The question is how authoritative are our own experiences, our feelings, intuitions, the little voices that we claim to hear as revelation from God?
That's the trick isn't it? Are we truly hearing from God or are we deluding ourselves. In my case (which is the only one I can address) and in this instance, I am hearing from God.
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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/4/2008 1:32:02 AM
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rgod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: John_O
quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
The question is how authoritative are our own experiences, our feelings, intuitions, the little voices that we claim to hear as revelation from God?
That's the trick isn't it? Are we truly hearing from God or are we deluding ourselves. In my case (which is the only one I can address) and in this instance, I am hearing from God.
While our experiences, feelings, and intuitions can sometimes provide some insight, nothing overrides the word of God, which is the ultimate authority. His word says that we know His voice and the voice of a stranger we will not follow. We learn to hear His voice clearly. Sometimes we make mistakes in this area - but as we step out, try, fall, try again - succeed, we learn. We know that we hear Him clearly when His voice is in alignment with the written revelation - the Bible.
Here is an example that just happened to me. One morning this week, I met woman who was distressed. Within a few minutes of meeting her, she shared a little bit with me (nothing deep) - I told her that I'd pray for her - then we parted ways. As soon as I started praying for this woman, I had an impression (heard the voice of God) telling me that I was to give her a specific gift on that day. I wasn't given specifics - I only had the name of the person who made the gift.
When I felt this impression, these are the thoughts that ran through my mind: "How am I going to get this to this woman - I don't know where she is. Is this you God or am I deluding myself? Can I afford this it might be expensive? This woman might think I'm nuts - I'm a stranger to her." But, I didn't want to miss God - it sounded so much like Him.
So, the next time I had a chance, I went to the store and asked if they had the item. Well - they did ... and it was the last one. So I asked them to hold it for me because I didn't have money on me right then. To be honest - I was a little worried about how much it would cost because I'm trying to be a better steward of my money. But I was going to just pay for it, because I felt like this was what the Lord wanted me to do. However, a little later in the day, before I even had a chance to get my wallet, a gentleman from the store saw me outside. He walked up to me and handed me a plastic bag. When I looked inside, it was the present that I wanted to give the woman! He had bought it for me to give it to me as a gift. So God made the provision of the gift and I didn't have to pay for it.
I thanked the man and praised God. So, the next problem was - where was the woman? I prayed and had a very strong impression that she was going to be sitting in a certain area at a certain time. But ... I tried to reason things out and went looking for her in some other logical places at a totally different time. Of course, since I didn't listen to the Lord, I wasted my time. So - at the time that the Lord told me, I went to the place where I felt she would be. She was sitting on a chair in the area. I waited for a few minutes so that I wouldn't draw attention to myself or to her (we were in a crowd of people), then went up to her and gave her the present.
She was shocked and thankful because she had been looking at that same gift in the store, but didn't have money to buy it. I had an impression also that I was supposed to give her a very simple message. I understood the message - but didn't understand why it was really that important - you know? But I knew I was supposed to tell her - nonetheless. The message seemed encouraging and was in line with the bible. When I gave her the message, she started to cry and praise God. Only God knows what that message and gift really meant to her. But I'm thankful that He let me be part of encouraging her. The Lord can use anyone in this way - it just takes us being willing to listen to the Lord and to step out. In fact, this is kind of what the "Experiencing God" bible study by Blackaby was all about a few years ago.
So why am I telling this story? To get back on topic, this is how I know that I've heard the voice of God. It is through trial and error - through experience. I see if it matches with the bible. In the example I gave, all of these things were meant to encourage this woman. The Word tells us to encourage one another. I am sometimes wrong - I am not perfect. But in the case of marriage, I've heard him on this subject time and time and time again. I know his voice, so I just "step out in faith" and do what I feel he wants me to do concerning this - whether it is do a specific bible study to help me with my body image - dress differently - make changes to the way I think about certain things - or something else. I hope that all of this made sense.
< Message edited by rgod -- 10/4/2008 11:27:27 AM >
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/4/2008 10:50:36 AM
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rgod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
I reread the whole entire passage, and it seems to speak about how we should act in the face of injustice and unrighteousness done agaist us. The psalmist spoke about how the evildoers seems to prosper, while the righteous seems to be suffer, but he assured that we should remain faithful and continue doing good, continue delighting in the Lord because the Lord will come through for his people. I guess it's a warning about being envious about the prosperity of the wicked, and the Psalmist is encouraging us to commit our way to the Lord despite the injustice done to us. The Lord will do justice in His time. I didn't read it as God will provide us with a BMW, or a perfect husband if we delight in him.
LOL. YOu can probably tell, proof texting is something I'm passionately against.
Hi Prairiehiker - thanks for the note on these verses. I'm always open to correction - so I'm going to go back and do some deeper study on this during the weekend. Thanks again for sharing this!
rgod
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/4/2008 11:17:50 AM
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Prairiehiker
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quote:
Hi Prairiehiker - thanks for the note on these verses. I'm always open to correction - so I'm going to go back and do some deeper study on this during the weekend. Thanks again for sharing this!
Oh, RGod, it wasn't meant for you. I just had to re-read the whole passage again. I, too, had been given that verse before whenever the topic of marriage arise and I cling to to it for comfort. But in my studies of how to use the bible, I learned never to read just one verse but rather read the whole passage if necessary to get the whole picture of what the passage is teaching. It helps to know the context (language, culture, audience, etc) to know what the author, and ultimately, what God is trying to say.
It could be that we can apply it to our search for a spouse. I mean, I have experience a bit of jealousy whenever I see people who should not be married, get married for the 4th time. I see people who have left their marriages, and ruined other marriages only to find a perfectly good partner in the end. I ask God how, and why does He allow them. Why is he so unfair to me, and so giving to them...letting them "prosper" meanwhile, I've been waiting and waiting. Maybe this passage applies to those situations. Maybe God is telling me to keep delighting myself in Him and stop looking at the other non deserving (in my opinion, lol...aren't you glad I'm not God, lol). I still haven't heard a promise of marriage from God, but it's a promise that as I delight myself in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart.
_____________________________
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19: 1
____________________________________
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. King Solomon
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/4/2008 11:47:49 AM
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John_O
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great post 43 rgod!
Let me clarify my own post a little bit and say that everything MUST line up with the word of God. If it doesn't, it's not from God. (In my case I believe it does.)
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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/4/2008 11:53:16 AM
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John_O
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker
I reread the whole entire passage, and it seems to speak about how we should act in the face of injustice and unrighteousness done agaist us. The psalmist spoke about how the evildoers seems to prosper, while the righteous seems to be suffer, but he assured that we should remain faithful and continue doing good, continue delighting in the Lord because the Lord will come through for his people. I guess it's a warning about being envious about the prosperity of the wicked, and the Psalmist is encouraging us to commit our way to the Lord despite the injustice done to us. The Lord will do justice in His time. I didn't read it as God will provide us with a BMW, or a perfect husband if we delight in him.
Finally getting a moment to come back to this. From my read of Psalm 37 I see no contradiction in interpreting verses 1-5 as they have been interpreted in this thread.
As we fear not, trust, delight, commit, God will align our desires with His (Give us the desires of our heart) and then bring it to pass. No one said that He'd give us a BMW (although He might for some). But since desiring a husband or wife is biblically consistent I see no reason why He wouldn't desire that for us. It's not good for man to be alone.
Yes Psalm 37 deals with more than just this, but this is included.
_____________________________
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/5/2008 12:30:16 AM
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rgod
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quote:
ORIGINAL: iwillfearnoevil
quote:
ORIGINAL: rgod
Biblically, I don't think that God has promised everyone a spouse. We see that clearly in the following verses:
Matthew 19:12, Jer 16:1-4, 1 Cor 7:7. And of course, the most obvious example is Jesus. Paul would be an example too if you hold to the view that he wasn't married (I don't think anything in the scriptures at least indicates that he was).
good scripture. and seeing Christians that desire a spouse remaining single their life confirms it. however i do believe that God can personally promise a spouse as you and others have posted. this promise resides outside of any Bible verse.
God outlines spiritual gifts:
1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit
(further explanation in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 and examples include God telling Ananias to pray for blinded Paul, Peter's animal cleaniliness vision instructing/permitting him to preach to Gentile, many OT examples
God's speaking should not be quenched:
1 Thess 5:19-20: Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.
but instead fanned into a flame:
2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
so if someone feels that God promised them individually a spouse, i don't question them but i don't see any blanket scripture guaranteeing a spouse, let alone a tomorrow, for everyone.
Nice! I love the scripture here IWFNE!
quote:
Let me clarify my own post a little bit and say that everything MUST line up with the word of God. If it doesn't, it's not from God. (In my case I believe it does.)
John_O - I agree!!!!
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RE: Has God REALLY promised for us a spouse? - 10/6/2008 1:35:00 PM
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joy2give2u
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quote:
So why am I telling this story? To get back on topic, this is how I know that I've heard the voice of God. It is through trial and error - through experience. I see if it matches with the bible Great post rgod.........thank you for sharing.
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Sheesh! So I'm a bit confused right now. It would be nice to see the big picture though, instead of the little glimpses that we get of it from time to time.
