Call To Ministry

[chevyontheriver]

I have NO doubts about my calling and the mission he's placed me on.

If your wife has doubts about your calling, then you should wonder if you really are called. Besides, your first calling is to your family.

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

Edited. Deleted.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The title sums it up. The Lord has placed a strong (and VERY obvious) calling on my life to enter ministry. He has given me dreams, open visions, prophetic word from other brothers and sisters, and spoken to me directly (inwardly during prayer).

I have NO doubts about my calling and the mission he's placed me on.

However, my wife is not a strong Christian. She was raised Catholic, and they weren't even very involved in that. The Lord has built my faith over the last 5 years or so through his prophetic words coming true over and over again. The Lord took me from the road I was on in grand supernatural fashion, and placed me on the right path toward his ministry. (I was in a Christian cult and didn't know it, I was deceived). She has zero faith. And on top of that, she fakes faith, going along when I receive a word, vision, or dream and pretending she's totally down with it...until it comes time to actually "step out" in that faith, doing our part until it's time for God to do his. Then the world's gonna fall apart, in her eyes, when I start taking those first steps out on the water toward Jesus.

The Lord showed me in a dream about four years ago, that I would come to a time when it would look like I was going to lose my family, but in the end we would be stronger than ever. My wife (although she doesn't know it yet) is called to be at my side as I go down this road. She's called to ministry too, just doesn't realize it, and refuses to see it. I can't force anything, I have to leave this in the Lord's hands. My wife doesn't trust my judgement at all. And partially, rightly so. (I had an affair several years ago, I was addicted to painkillers that the VA threw at me like candy, and I got wrapped up in the Hebrew Roots cult). I totally understand that she has fear.

BUT...that doesn't change what the Lord has told me and shown me. He also told me that I was trying to dive deep, and there would be alot of people like "water wings" trying to hold me back. She resists any effort to attend any church full time. It's always a struggle. Has been for 17 years. Things are coming to a head because I'm involved in a charismatic church (which is where the Lord told me I need to plant my butt right now) and the power of the Holy Spirit scares her. She thinks it's another cult. Nevermind that I've been associated with them for 5 years now. But NOW that I'm starting to take my call seriously and taking small steps to implement as the Lord leads, the things attached to her are crying out. She went running back to our old church (that she hated and did everything she could to disrupt attendance there) crying that I'm crazy and "addicted to God." Unfortunately what I'm seeing from everyone around me is the unBiblical position that "family comes first." Before serving Jesus? The state of the church today saddens me.

I know my family is important. I love them dearly. I DO NOT want to lose them. But I also absolutely refuse to let God's call pass me by. I'm prepared for the worst if it's necessary. Unfortunately my wife's trying to bring it.

What say you guys? I could use some input. Please, if your answer is "you can't minister if your home's not in order"...save it. I know that. This is part of that process. The Lord is shaking my home and putting it in right alignment. I have faith that ultimately, I will minister in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

I just don't know if my wife will be along for the ride. Some things I have strong faith with, but I'm still human and struggle with others. Thank you.

You may disagree strongly, but I don't believe people need go to Bible school so as to become a minister just so as to have a church building or organization (See this thread here). God's Word is not in the wisdom of men but it is taught by the Holy Ghost (1 John 2:27). I also agree with another poster here about some of things that the Charismatic movement does. So I would take your dreams with a grain of salt. Base your decision only on the Word of God and not some dream. Ask God that you want only confirmation within His Word. If you are confronted with a spirit that is communicating to you, do a test to make sure it is a spirit from God. Get that spirit to admit that Jesus Christ is come into the flesh (1 John 4:3). For I would be immediately suspicious of any spirit or dream trying to communicate something new for my life. Confirmation of His Word (or that He is with you) is one thing. But a spirit trying to influence something new for you outside of God's Word is another matter. We should always check everything with the Word like a good Berean (Acts of the Apostles 17:11).

God calls us to a life of preaching the gospel, feeding the sheep (believers), helping the poor, and living righteously, etc. I believe there are different ways to preach the gospel, feed the sheep, that does not involve just going to a church building and being ordained by men. We can give out tracts, speak to others about Jesus when we go the store or gas station or hair dresser. We can help the poor when we drive by and see them (if you live such area where you see them). You can donate to Compassion International. You can minister and do great things for God by YouTube or by writing books and other such things. You can love your enemies. I say right now that your wife is like an enemy to you. I say, "Love her with everything you got and expect nothing in return." For Jesus says we are to love our enemies and pray and do good unto them (See Matthew 5:44). Be a witness for Christ to her. Suffer as Christ suffered. Love her (even when you don't feel like it). Take her out on a dancing date. Take her out to dinner. Take walks in the park. Romance her. In any event, I will be praying for your situation. I believe you can serve Jesus greatly (when she is not aware and yet you can love her and be a testimony for Christ within your marriage).

I know you have a hard road ahead of you.
But love her. Love God first and foremost (of course). Put God first in your life. But I believe you can do that where you do not need to announce to her that you are going to do. Just serve the Lord wherever you can with what you have. No big church is needed. No ordination of men is needed. Serve the living GOD. You can do this in secret and or when she is sleeping or when she is doing something else or you can do it on your computer or when you are out at the store. Pray for her more and fast. For I will be praying for your wife. But just love her. God's two greatest commands is to love God and to love your neighbor (i.e. all people) (Mark 12:30-31).

 

[ToBeLoved]

Thank you for giving solid advice. The urgency comes from her immediate attempts to keep me from attending church. Also, throwing huge fits and temper tantrums that are disrupting my school work. There won't be school much longer if she doesn't chill out. I already had to drop one class, and I'm getting an "F" in another. I'm now only focused on three other classes, and I'm behind in one of those.

Last semester I took five classes and made Deans' List.

Why can't you go to the library or Starbucks and study?

Doesn't seem very logical that you are now blaming your wife and your putting up with fits that distract you as to why you are failing your classes. Take responsibility for the things that you have decided to do and figure out how to make it work.

Seems like you let her control you and the outcomes of what you do or try to do. So of course, if she doesn't want you in ministry she may try to sabotage that, but you seem to be letting her do it, so own that.

 

[Swan7]

I have to say, this has been an awesome read! I love seeing the Lord work in people's lives that seem disorderly in the beginning. Look at Job! God set his heart right back where it should have been. I see this with your wife, if she is true to the Lord. She may have much fear of the Lord in her, but you know better than I. I'm just telling you what I see from this post.

Jesus did the same thing when He was born into the world and set things to right. Shook everything the Pharisees thought they understood and set them (some, at least) straight!

Keep your relationship with God strong, keep inclining your ear to Him and communing with Him.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Thank you for not summarily poo-pooing what I've seen and heard right out the gate. I'm much more likely to listen to your advice.

I understand that they can come from both sides. I'm aware. But this has been confirmed over and over and over...multiple dreams and visions spanning several years now.

Let me be abundantly clear...I'm scared as heck and the last thing I want to do is get on stage in front of a church assembly. I'm not super excited about aspects of this either. I'm not in a rush to run into ministry.

I AM in a rush to just attend the church of my choosing regularly. That's the big problem right now. The Lord told me specifically that that's where he wanted me planted. It's where I grow. Right now it's just school and growth. It's important where you're planted.

My wife has resisted every church we've gone to over the years. It doesn't matter which church it is, she will soon decide it's horrible and that all the people are messed up. Been through this so many times. If I take her with me to ANY church, she complains the entire time, and tells me how screwed up everyone is all the way home. If I go without her, she punishes me when I get home. In one way or another.

Now, I'm done giving ground. She wants me to quit going to this church, and it will only be a matter of weeks and we'll stop going to the one she just ran back to also. She has no outside interest in church, except in cases like now, where she can go "tattle" on me and try to convince everyone that I'm a nut-job. (Which isn't really working this time btw, the former pastors know me well and are raising eyebrows at her). At some point I have to make a stand for myself and the Lord, and say "that's enough!"

I'm sick of it. Her and her family have mocked me for wanting to follow God since I met her, 17 years ago. Her parents giggle and call me a "little Bible-humper" and think it's funny. She giggles right along with them. How am I supposed to raise my kids up right when we're surrounded by that attitude? Openly hostile to God. I admit, I should have thought harder about this back then, but I wasn't aware of the calling on my life then, and I wasn't walking closely with the Lord like I should have been. It's a different story now.

I have a responsibility to my children as well. I have to raise them up right in the Lord. What do I do with that?

All I'm trying to do is attend school and church. That's it. There's nothing extra at the moment.

I agree that this is a great test for you and your faith in Christ. I think that Christ has to come first before any church. Remember also that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. You have a prayer challenge - to pray for your wife and not give up no matter how long it takes. I have prayed for my wife every day for the last 26 years that the penny will drop and she will have a fresh revelation of Christ in her life. My challenge is always to present the best example of a Christian believer in front of her, not only spiritually, but in all the different activities of life both at home, work, and church. When we moved from Dunedin NZ (where my wife grew up) to a city where she had never been to, I did not go to church for the six years we were there because I was not prepared to go swanning off to church meetings leaving her alone at home, especially in the evenings. It was only when we got to Auckland and the church was 5 minutes walk from home that I decided to go back to church.

My wife is not theological, so my flights of fancy in theology does not impress her much, nor my Pentecostal beliefs. We went to a local AOG where our 16 year old daughter was attending at the time, for her baptism and everyone in the service was speaking in tongues. My wife had eyes like saucers and asked me, "Are those people speaking in tongues?" I said, "Yep." She said, "It's not my cup of tea!" And that was it. It was funny really, because when I went to give an Abrahamic blessing on my daughter as she came out of the waters, it came out as a tongues message, and my wife had never heard me speak in tongues before! I then gave the interpretation. When we got home, she never said a word about it. I think that she just accepts me as I am with all my strange bits (as she sees them). But what has kept us together for so many years is our mutual respect for each other and the willingness to allow each other to have our own space.

But she will correct me when I do something that is "not Christian". I was rude to a salesperson once, and she told me off to a treat! I had to go and apologise to the salesperson afterward. If she uses unsavioury words at a villain in a soap opera she is watching, I will say, "St Pius won't like that!" She then asks, "Are you making fun of my religion?" I say, "Yep." And then we have a laugh about it.

Yet for all that, she shows an interest in what goes on at church, she counts many as her friends as well as mine, and she reads the church bulletin when I prepared it, also when I come home from a Managers or Elders meeting she asks me how the meeting went.

What I think would help is that you not require your wife to attend the worship services if she doesn't want to. But include her in the social side. But with that, don't allow anyone to button hole her and lecture her about what she should be doing in the church. You may have to be assertive in your defence of your wife. She will appreciate that, even if she doesn't say anything. If people won't stop when you tell them to, then complain in writing to the pastor, and if he doesn't do anything, write to the General Superintendent (if your church has one). You need to show your wife that you will be fiercely loyal and protective of her no matter what. If you have ever watch the Hanna Barbera cartoon about Yakki the Duck, the fox and the bulldog, you will know what I mean. Your wife is Yakki and you are the bulldog, while others who button hole your wife are the fox. You can then say to your wife, "You'd better close your itty bitty little eyes because you shouldn't oughta watch this!" And then you can be the fierce bulldog to the insensitive, religious person who is trying to pounce on your wife.

Even though I might question some of the prophetic stuff, I am not denying it because that is something personal between you and God. But with every promise there is the condition. It may very well be that if you are totally supportive of your wife where she is at, and defensive of her in front of all others, then that may be God's condition for you to be promoted to greater ministry for Him. There is a sequence: The Promise, then the Problems, then the Provision. I think you have the promise, but now are working through the Problems stage. This may take years. I completed my MDiv at the age of 68 after a wonderful three year journey, with the full support of my wife. I am now learning NT Greek. She doesn't understand why I want to do that at my age, but I told her that I am doing it to keep my brain alive. She ended up giving me that old fashioned look!

If you are able to let your wife be her own person, even though that doesn't involve church, and seek to support her particular gifts and the things she loves to do, even though that might be a sacrifice for you, your marriage will take on a new dimension of happiness and fulfillment. The Scripture says "in honour preferring one another". That means that I might have to give up things that are meaningful for me, to allow my wife to do the things that are meaningful to her. Something to think about.

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

Edited. Deleted.

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

I have to say, this has been an awesome read! I love seeing the Lord work in people's lives that seem disorderly in the beginning. Look at Job! God set his heart right back where it should have been. I see this with your wife, if she is true to the Lord. She may have much fear of the Lord in her, but you know better than I. I'm just telling you what I see from this post.

Jesus did the same thing when He was born into the world and set things to right. Shook everything the Pharisees thought they understood and set them (some, at least) straight!

Keep your relationship with God strong, keep inclining your ear to Him and communing with Him.

Thank God!! Finally. ONE person that says to stand firm on God's promises to me. There is nothing unBiblical about what's he's shown me. I'm dealing with a wife that I let manipulate and control me forever, and now the Lord is shaking it up and putting the home in right alignment. Because I have a job to do for him. I'm just trying to stand strong while he's in the storm all around me.

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

Edited. Deleted.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Thank God!! Finally. ONE person that says to stand firm on God's promises to me. There is nothing unBiblical about what's he's shown me. I'm dealing with a wife that I let manipulate and control me forever, and now the Lord is shaking it up and putting the home in right alignment. Because I have a job to do for him. I'm just trying to stand strong while he's in the storm all around me.

You can serve the Lord first and with everything you got, but you do not have to throw away your marriage to do it. You can serve God first and love Him first. But it doesn't have to be a certain mold or model as you say or what your vision says. God would want you to serve Him first, but He would not want you to stop loving and reaching your wife. Jesus says we are to pray for our enemies. I believe your wife is like an enemy right now and you need to love her as a part of your ministry. Yes. Do not neglect and in serving Him first. But there are many other ways we can serve God and preach the gospel and help the poor and feed the sheep without leaving our own home for good. Unless your wife is stopping you from going to the store, and going to a coffee shop, or that you cannot have your own time at all, I would say that is another matter. Just do what you need to do for God first but do not neglect to love your wife and give time for her, too.

Pray to God to reveal what He wants through His Word and not some vision.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Exactly. I've let her be the dominant one and control me for years. I finally found my nuts. I'm not having it anymore. Yes, she causes quite the disruption. Starbucks ain't gonna solve it.

When I was a victim advisor with my local district court, I used to say to domestic violence victims who had controlling husbands. "I am the head of my house; whatever my wife says shall be done!" I also say that when I come into conflict with my wife, I say, "Yes dear." I always get a laugh from them. They say that no one has ever said anything like that to them. I tell that it has taken me 26 years to have my training completed, but it is so beneficial because I get everything I need and live a meaningful life.

It takes a lot of sacrifice to see yourself as a servant, but that is the Lord's way. He gave up His divinity and everything He was in heaven, and came to earth as a total servant with no reputation. If our Master has done that, then the servants can do no better. It is a good attitude to have toward your wife. It may mean a big change in your attitude, but on a foundation of prayer and servanthood in order to win your wife over to Christ will cause you to be more blessed of God than you ever imagined you could be. I know that your church may teach that a husband is the head of the home and has authority over his wife, but that will not work in your home as it is. Leadership is not always authoritarian. You can still be a true leader to a dominant wife. Instead of resisting her, cease the resistance and let her have her way. This is not weakness, but meekness which is strength under control.

When I was a teacher, I used to come home still in the teaching mode, and my wife would say, "Don't treat me like one of your students!" That was her way of telling me not to give her orders and instructions in the same way I did with my students at school.

It seems that your wife wants to have control, and without it she may feel very insecure. A controlling person is usually a very insecure person and need to have control of her environment otherwise she could to into an emotional flat spin end up clinically depressed. If you see it from that point of view, then you can allow her to continue to be controlling because you are doing it for her well-being, and you, through the help of the Holy Spirit and prayer, can have the strength to do it. It takes a lot of discipline and strength to be a servant to a dominant wife, to not react in frustration and anger, and keep your voice normal and soft. Your meek and humble attitude will do more to win your wife over to Christ than any lectures or spiritual encouragement you can give her.

 

[Hearingheart]

I agree that this is a great test for you and your faith in Christ. I think that Christ has to come first before any church. Remember also that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. You have a prayer challenge - to pray for your wife and not give up no matter how long it takes. I have prayed for my wife every day for the last 26 years that the penny will drop and she will have a fresh revelation of Christ in her life. My challenge is always to present the best example of a Christian believer in front of her, not only spiritually, but in all the different activities of life both at home, work, and church. When we moved from Dunedin NZ (where my wife grew up) to a city where she had never been to, I did not go to church for the six years we were there because I was not prepared to go swanning off to church meetings leaving her alone at home, especially in the evenings. It was only when we got to Auckland and the church was 5 minutes walk from home that I decided to go back to church.

My wife is not theological, so my flights of fancy in theology does not impress her much, nor my Pentecostal beliefs. We went to a local AOG where our 16 year old daughter was attending at the time, for her baptism and everyone in the service was speaking in tongues. My wife had eyes like saucers and asked me, "Are those people speaking in tongues?" I said, "Yep." She said, "It's not my cup of tea!" And that was it. It was funny really, because when I went to give an Abrahamic blessing on my daughter as she came out of the waters, it came out as a tongues message, and my wife had never heard me speak in tongues before! I then gave the interpretation. When we got home, she never said a word about it. I think that she just accepts me as I am with all my strange bits (as she sees them). But what has kept us together for so many years is our mutual respect for each other and the willingness to allow each other to have our own space.

But she will correct me when I do something that is "not Christian". I was rude to a salesperson once, and she told me off to a treat! I had to go and apologise to the salesperson afterward. If she uses unsavioury words at a villain in a soap opera she is watching, I will say, "St Pius won't like that!" She then asks, "Are you making fun of my religion?" I say, "Yep." And then we have a laugh about it.

Yet for all that, she shows an interest in what goes on at church, she counts many as her friends as well as mine, and she reads the church bulletin when I prepared it, also when I come home from a Managers or Elders meeting she asks me how the meeting went.

What I think would help is that you not require your wife to attend the worship services if she doesn't want to. But include her in the social side. But with that, don't allow anyone to button hole her and lecture her about what she should be doing in the church. You may have to be assertive in your defence of your wife. She will appreciate that, even if she doesn't say anything. If people won't stop when you tell them to, then complain in writing to the pastor, and if he doesn't do anything, write to the General Superintendent (if your church has one). You need to show your wife that you will be fiercely loyal and protective of her no matter what. If you have ever watch the Hanna Barbera cartoon about Yakki the Duck, the fox and the bulldog, you will know what I mean. Your wife is Yakki and you are the bulldog, while others who button hole your wife are the fox. You can then say to your wife, "You'd better close your itty bitty little eyes because you shouldn't oughta watch this!" And then you can be the fierce bulldog to the insensitive, religious person who is trying to pounce on your wife.

Even though I might question some of the prophetic stuff, I am not denying it because that is something personal between you and God. But with every promise there is the condition. It may very well be that if you are totally supportive of your wife where she is at, and defensive of her in front of all others, then that may be God's condition for you to be promoted to greater ministry for Him. There is a sequence: The Promise, then the Problems, then the Provision. I think you have the promise, but now are working through the Problems stage. This may take years. I completed my MDiv at the age of 68 after a wonderful three year journey, with the full support of my wife. I am now learning NT Greek. She doesn't understand why I want to do that at my age, but I told her that I am doing it to keep my brain alive. She ended up giving me that old fashioned look!

If you are able to let your wife be her own person, even though that doesn't involve church, and seek to support her particular gifts and the things she loves to do, even though that might be a sacrifice for you, your marriage will take on a new dimension of happiness and fulfillment. The Scripture says "in honour preferring one another". That means that I might have to give up things that are meaningful for me, to allow my wife to do the things that are meaningful to her. Something to think about.

WOW.....just WOW! What a witness, Oscarr. Very wise counsel.

 

[mukk_in]

The title sums it up. The Lord has placed a strong (and VERY obvious) calling on my life to enter ministry. He has given me dreams, open visions, prophetic word from other brothers and sisters, and spoken to me directly (inwardly during prayer).

I have NO doubts about my calling and the mission he's placed me on.

However, my wife is not a strong Christian. She was raised Catholic, and they weren't even very involved in that. The Lord has built my faith over the last 5 years or so through his prophetic words coming true over and over again. The Lord took me from the road I was on in grand supernatural fashion, and placed me on the right path toward his ministry. (I was in a Christian cult and didn't know it, I was deceived). She has zero faith. And on top of that, she fakes faith, going along when I receive a word, vision, or dream and pretending she's totally down with it...until it comes time to actually "step out" in that faith, doing our part until it's time for God to do his. Then the world's gonna fall apart, in her eyes, when I start taking those first steps out on the water toward Jesus.

The Lord showed me in a dream about four years ago, that I would come to a time when it would look like I was going to lose my family, but in the end we would be stronger than ever. My wife (although she doesn't know it yet) is called to be at my side as I go down this road. She's called to ministry too, just doesn't realize it, and refuses to see it. I can't force anything, I have to leave this in the Lord's hands. My wife doesn't trust my judgement at all. And partially, rightly so. (I had an affair several years ago, I was addicted to painkillers that the VA threw at me like candy, and I got wrapped up in the Hebrew Roots cult). I totally understand that she has fear.

BUT...that doesn't change what the Lord has told me and shown me. He also told me that I was trying to dive deep, and there would be alot of people like "water wings" trying to hold me back. She resists any effort to attend any church full time. It's always a struggle. Has been for 17 years. Things are coming to a head because I'm involved in a charismatic church (which is where the Lord told me I need to plant my butt right now) and the power of the Holy Spirit scares her. She thinks it's another cult. Nevermind that I've been associated with them for 5 years now. But NOW that I'm starting to take my call seriously and taking small steps to implement as the Lord leads, the things attached to her are crying out. She went running back to our old church (that she hated and did everything she could to disrupt attendance there) crying that I'm crazy and "addicted to God." Unfortunately what I'm seeing from everyone around me is the unBiblical position that "family comes first." Before serving Jesus? The state of the church today saddens me.

I know my family is important. I love them dearly. I DO NOT want to lose them. But I also absolutely refuse to let God's call pass me by. I'm prepared for the worst if it's necessary. Unfortunately my wife's trying to bring it.

What say you guys? I could use some input. Please, if your answer is "you can't minister if your home's not in order"...save it. I know that. This is part of that process. The Lord is shaking my home and putting it in right alignment. I have faith that ultimately, I will minister in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

I just don't know if my wife will be along for the ride. Some things I have strong faith with, but I'm still human and struggle with others. Thank you.

Follow the "Call" my friend. The Lord said that He came to pit family members against each other and not to bring peace (Matthew 10:34-36). This is particularly true in cases such as yours. Sometimes we have to abandon all (like the disciples) to be abandoned to God. Then, He'll give you back all that you abandoned for Him (Matthew 19:29).

The title sums it up. The Lord has placed a strong (and VERY obvious) calling on my life to enter ministry. He has given me dreams, open visions, prophetic word from other brothers and sisters, and spoken to me directly (inwardly during prayer).

I have NO doubts about my calling and the mission he's placed me on.

However, my wife is not a strong Christian. She was raised Catholic, and they weren't even very involved in that. The Lord has built my faith over the last 5 years or so through his prophetic words coming true over and over again. The Lord took me from the road I was on in grand supernatural fashion, and placed me on the right path toward his ministry. (I was in a Christian cult and didn't know it, I was deceived). She has zero faith. And on top of that, she fakes faith, going along when I receive a word, vision, or dream and pretending she's totally down with it...until it comes time to actually "step out" in that faith, doing our part until it's time for God to do his. Then the world's gonna fall apart, in her eyes, when I start taking those first steps out on the water toward Jesus.

The Lord showed me in a dream about four years ago, that I would come to a time when it would look like I was going to lose my family, but in the end we would be stronger than ever. My wife (although she doesn't know it yet) is called to be at my side as I go down this road. She's called to ministry too, just doesn't realize it, and refuses to see it. I can't force anything, I have to leave this in the Lord's hands. My wife doesn't trust my judgement at all. And partially, rightly so. (I had an affair several years ago, I was addicted to painkillers that the VA threw at me like candy, and I got wrapped up in the Hebrew Roots cult). I totally understand that she has fear.

BUT...that doesn't change what the Lord has told me and shown me. He also told me that I was trying to dive deep, and there would be alot of people like "water wings" trying to hold me back. She resists any effort to attend any church full time. It's always a struggle. Has been for 17 years. Things are coming to a head because I'm involved in a charismatic church (which is where the Lord told me I need to plant my butt right now) and the power of the Holy Spirit scares her. She thinks it's another cult. Nevermind that I've been associated with them for 5 years now. But NOW that I'm starting to take my call seriously and taking small steps to implement as the Lord leads, the things attached to her are crying out. She went running back to our old church (that she hated and did everything she could to disrupt attendance there) crying that I'm crazy and "addicted to God." Unfortunately what I'm seeing from everyone around me is the unBiblical position that "family comes first." Before serving Jesus? The state of the church today saddens me.

I know my family is important. I love them dearly. I DO NOT want to lose them. But I also absolutely refuse to let God's call pass me by. I'm prepared for the worst if it's necessary. Unfortunately my wife's trying to bring it.

What say you guys? I could use some input. Please, if your answer is "you can't minister if your home's not in order"...save it. I know that. This is part of that process. The Lord is shaking my home and putting it in right alignment. I have faith that ultimately, I will minister in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

I just don't know if my wife will be along for the ride. Some things I have strong faith with, but I'm still human and struggle with others. Thank you.

 

[Kukus]

Thank you for not summarily poo-pooing what I've seen and heard right out the gate. I'm much more likely to listen to your advice.

I understand that they can come from both sides. I'm aware. But this has been confirmed over and over and over...multiple dreams and visions spanning several years now.

Let me be abundantly clear...I'm scared as heck and the last thing I want to do is get on stage in front of a church assembly. I'm not super excited about aspects of this either. I'm not in a rush to run into ministry.

I AM in a rush to just attend the church of my choosing regularly. That's the big problem right now. The Lord told me specifically that that's where he wanted me planted. It's where I grow. Right now it's just school and growth. It's important where you're planted.

My wife has resisted every church we've gone to over the years. It doesn't matter which church it is, she will soon decide it's horrible and that all the people are messed up. Been through this so many times. If I take her with me to ANY church, she complains the entire time, and tells me how screwed up everyone is all the way home. If I go without her, she punishes me when I get home. In one way or another.

Now, I'm done giving ground. She wants me to quit going to this church, and it will only be a matter of weeks and we'll stop going to the one she just ran back to also. She has no outside interest in church, except in cases like now, where she can go "tattle" on me and try to convince everyone that I'm a nut-job. (Which isn't really working this time btw, the former pastors know me well and are raising eyebrows at her). At some point I have to make a stand for myself and the Lord, and say "that's enough!"

I'm sick of it. Her and her family have mocked me for wanting to follow God since I met her, 17 years ago. Her parents giggle and call me a "little Bible-humper" and think it's funny. She giggles right along with them. How am I supposed to raise my kids up right when we're surrounded by that attitude? Openly hostile to God. I admit, I should have thought harder about this back then, but I wasn't aware of the calling on my life then, and I wasn't walking closely with the Lord like I should have been. It's a different story now.

I have a responsibility to my children as well. I have to raise them up right in the Lord. What do I do with tha

All I'm trying to do is attend school and church. That's it. There's nothing extra at the moment.

I have read the replies to your questions and I'm quite amazed by the answers. People are replying as if obedience to wife is more important than obedience to God.

Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus didn't leave the wife out of the people who must come second to Him. The OP is not saying he wants to leave his wife; it is the wife that wants to leave him. We shouldn't twist this into "Some charismatic people have left their wives so the OP could be heading in that direction."

Paul in instructing about families, clearly understood that an unbelieving spouse can leave.

1st Cor 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

Although the OP hasn't said that the wife is an unbeliever, i'd be very troubled if my wife were to be unhappy because I am "too addicted to God." I wouldn't be shocked if a few years from now, Christians will be witnessing to non-believers but urging them not to become a Christian if it will wreck their families because God hates divorce and He recognizes the institution of marriage regardless of one's faith

If you are 100% convinced that this is the will of God for your life, then go ahead and do what God commands you to do. Don't wait until you get all the answers. There is an old teaching by Andrew Wommack on this and i'd urge you to read the article and listen to the teaching. How to find God's will

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

Edited. Deleted.

 

[Swan7]

Out of respect, I will delete the quoted post in my reply.

Edit: Done.

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

Edited. Deleted.

 

[letmeseeyourphone]

Follow the "Call" my friend. The Lord said that He came to pit family members against each other and not to bring peace (Matthew 10:34-36). This is particularly true in cases such as yours. Sometimes we have to abandon all (like the disciples) to be abandoned to God. Then, He'll give you back all that you abandoned for Him (Matthew 19:29).

Thank you for being supportive. I'm still in prayer about this.

 

[truefiction1]

Thank you for not summarily poo-pooing what I've seen and heard right out the gate. I'm much more likely to listen to your advice.

I understand that they can come from both sides. I'm aware. But this has been confirmed over and over and over...multiple dreams and visions spanning several years now.

Let me be abundantly clear...I'm scared as heck and the last thing I want to do is get on stage in front of a church assembly. I'm not super excited about aspects of this either. I'm not in a rush to run into ministry.

I AM in a rush to just attend the church of my choosing regularly. That's the big problem right now. The Lord told me specifically that that's where he wanted me planted. It's where I grow. Right now it's just school and growth. It's important where you're planted.

My wife has resisted every church we've gone to over the years. It doesn't matter which church it is, she will soon decide it's horrible and that all the people are messed up. Been through this so many times. If I take her with me to ANY church, she complains the entire time, and tells me how screwed up everyone is all the way home. If I go without her, she punishes me when I get home. In one way or another.

Now, I'm done giving ground. She wants me to quit going to this church, and it will only be a matter of weeks and we'll stop going to the one she just ran back to also. She has no outside interest in church, except in cases like now, where she can go "tattle" on me and try to convince everyone that I'm a nut-job. (Which isn't really working this time btw, the former pastors know me well and are raising eyebrows at her). At some point I have to make a stand for myself and the Lord, and say "that's enough!"

I'm sick of it. Her and her family have mocked me for wanting to follow God since I met her, 17 years ago. Her parents giggle and call me a "little Bible-humper" and think it's funny. She giggles right along with them. How am I supposed to raise my kids up right when we're surrounded by that attitude? Openly hostile to God. I admit, I should have thought harder about this back then, but I wasn't aware of the calling on my life then, and I wasn't walking closely with the Lord like I should have been. It's a different story now.

I have a responsibility to my children as well. I have to raise them up right in the Lord. What do I do with that?

All I'm trying to do is attend school and church. That's it. There's nothing extra at the moment.

Prior to doing anything major, don't you think you should at least take just a little bit of time to acquaint yourself with the teachings of the spiritual elders of the Orthodox Church on "prelest". Your wife's unbelief and cynicism aside, it's simply far to easy and likely for any of us to be led astray without the strongest form of guidance in spiritual warfare.

I mean, you've dragged your wife to several different churches... have you ever once dragged yourself into the Church Which traces Her roots back to the Church born at Pentecost, and is steeped in an ancient spiritual Tradition doing battle with the many evil, deceiving spirits for over 20 centuries?

You speak of "dreams and visions". Certainly, you are aware that such things are almost always from the deceiving spirits, and are to be ignored so that we don't fall into greater and greater delusion in regards our own righteousness and self-worth. There are dreams and visions that are from God, but they are far more rare than those from the enemies of our salvation.

I seems to me that you are moving in a good direction -- towards serving God. It seems you are set to patiently pursue a calling. This is good, because once we choose to try to become ministers of the Gospel, Life takes time to break our spirits so that they can become "poor" (humble). Without this lack of belief in ourselves, and complete trust in God alone, we won't do anything good even if we want to.

By the way, you're not alone in your situation. A lot of us guys feel called to greater service when we get on in age and become more aware of "that most important thing" (our spiritual lives). When we start making changes, our wives can get anxious. It's understandable. It doesn't mean their irredeemably evil or anything. In fact, they may very well be even more likely to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than ourselves. They just aren't quite there yet. I've been frustrated just like you are over the same thoughts and feelings, so I'm not going to criticize you in what you're going through. It's not easy. I hope all things work out for you.

 

[Kukus]

THANK YOU! Finally. Someone who read my post AND their Bible. I'm to be obedient to God. He's the one with the plan. Not her. His plan includes her. I know this. He told me there would be a shaking of my home while he put everything in it's proper place. It's happening now. I'm just trying to make it through it.

If it was up to her, church would never be a part of our lives.

I just see this as a scare tactic from the enemy, because he desperately does not want me to fulfill my mission. It doesn't mean I'm unloving or that I don't care for her. I do. ALOT. Otherwise I wouldn't be conflicted here. But I know I must follow God, because without him, I WILL lose everything.

If I don't follow... if I just give up and give in... I will lose faith completely. Because that would mean God didn't mean what he showed me. And then doubt will enter and who's to say it was real anyway? I will give up on faith, go home, and never open a Bible or step foot in a church again. I just can't do that. It's not in me.

Everything will work out in the end. But please read that article and if you find it worth it, listen to the teaching. It helped me a lot