Click on the World to go to our International page!

August, 2002

   Upcoming Meetings

Bible Reading Plan 

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS
BY MARILYN CONRAD

Rejection from our mates and others can hurt us deeply. The words they speak and actions they take often cause us to enter into unforgiveness toward them.

Unforgiveness produces bitterness, and bitterness produces pain and hardness of heart. Our spirits and emotions have been hurt and we need healing!

Filtered Through Hurt

From the time we enter into unforgiveness until we recognize what is happening, our lives are affected by the pain. Everything we hear is filtered through our hurt and becomes twisted, causing incorrect perceptions.

Many times we think God has shown us decisions to make or directions to take, when in reality our actions are wrong because they are filtered through our unforgiveness and bitterness. We may base our decisions on scripture; however, even the Word of God can be filtered through our hurt and be perceived incorrectly.

A New Filter

When we truly forgive our mates and those who hurt us, we can walk in the God kind of love that Jesus made possible. Then what we hear is filtered through love, not hurt.

Unforgiveness opens the door to bitterness, resentment, guilt, lingering hurt, anger and continued rejection. However, God has equipped us to forgive and to be free. Forgiveness is from your heart or spirit and, as a child of God, you have the ability to forgive, even when you don't feel like it. Remember, forgiveness is an act of obedience, not necessarily a feeling.

Forgiveness is giving up our right to hurt and it is not optional. We are commanded by God to forgive if we expect Him to forgive us.

Keys To Forgiveness

• Everyone needs to be forgiven. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8

• God will forgive. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

• There is a condition for God's forgiveness. "For if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15

• We are commanded to forgive. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

When we forgive we not only free ourselves, we free the other person to hear from God. If we do not forgive others their sins against us, our unforgiveness binds the sin to them. "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." John 20:23 NKJV

"THE WORD FOR TODAY"
CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHEN HOVELL, NEW ZEALAND COVENANT KEEPER

I was spending some time with the Lord on Saturday morning. We have this little book of readings in New Zealand called “The Word for Today.” Saturday’s reading was brilliant. It talked about the walls of bitterness, fear and distrust in marriage, and how it was time to put these things behind you and move on in your marriage to what God has for you both. Give it to the Lord.

Immediately, the thought came to me, “Aah! My wife needs to see this. This is what she needs to do!” She too, gets this little book, but I was thinking maybe she wouldn’t read it that day. Now, I am better off asking the Lord about things like this, so I prayed before I had my Bible reading: “Father, should I pass this reading on to my wife? I won’t do it unless you give me a specific word.”

My reading was from John 2, about the wedding feast at Cana. I was reading from the Amplified Bible. Jesus’ mother, Mary, came to him and told him they had run out of wine. Verse 4 is the one, though.

John 2:4 says, “Jesus said to her, ‘Dear woman, what is that to you and me?’”.[What do we have in common? Leave it to Me.] It jumped out and hit me straight away. The Lord was saying to me, “Stephen, what has this got to do with you? It is not your job to send it to your wife. That is my job. Whether I choose to send it to your wife or not has nothing whatsoever to do with you.”

I could almost hear Him chuckling; I certainly was. “Yes, my Father, I know you are Lord. I know you are sorting out my marriage. Thank You for reminding me yet again.”

And then something most wonderful—He gave me a bonus. Look at verse 10: “But you have kept the best wine till last!” He is talking about our marriages. I know He was talking to me. The best wine is coming. The greatest joy is still to come. Thank You, Father.

NEW PRODUCTS

GO TO PRODUCTS FOR PRICING AND ORDERING

LETTERS TO JESUS
Lou shares letters she wrote to Jesus when her husband was a prodigal. Tom's comments show what he experienced while Lou was praying and standing for their marriage. Learn the story of one couple's separation, divorce, and ultimate reconciliation. This book records Lou's progress from a relatively new covenant keeper to a mature stander absolutely convinced that God is faithful to His promises. Tom & Lou say, "There are so many standers that might be helped by knowing that their journey, with all they feel and experience, follows a path traveled by others before them and that their feelings of anger and bitterness, often towards God, are part of the healing process that they must go through."

MINI-BOOKS
Some of Marilyn's best teachings are now available in these eight mini-books. Recently revised, they have a new cover design. Titles include How to Replace a Heart of Stone, Deception, Is God Working?, Should I Use Tough Love With My Mate?, Holding Up God's Standard for Marriage, Let Go!, and The Road Home: A Parable of a Stander (by Canadian National Director Gerry Hiebert). Offered for the first time is Frequently Asked Questions.

2002 CONFERENCE TAPE SET
Included are 12 audio tapes of all the conference sessions (you also can order single tapes). Hear all the encouraging and inspiring messages shared by the speakers. Mike and Marilyn Phillipps (founders of Marriage Ministries International and University of the Family) spoke to leadership, to couples about getting a vision for their marriages and on the topic of divorce and remarriage. Leo and Molly Godzich (from Phoenix First Assembly and founders of NAME - National Association of Marriage Enhancement) spoke at the opening session and did workshops to men (gentle warriors) and women (depression). Craig and Chris Turner, a Covenant Keepers' group advisor couple spoke about how being an advisor couple has impacted their lives. Louis & Carol Gordon (founders of Heart Menders) shared their testimony. Craig Hill (founder of Family Foundations International) spoke about why we should pray. Pastors Ken & Lauren Savage spoke about characteristics of a good covenant keeping soldier. Marilyn Conrad (founder of Covenant Keepers) shared a testimony of provision during standing.

BEEN THERE... DONE THAT #2
Be blessed and encouraged as you hear how God worked in the lives of 7 more couples to restore their marriages.

God Will Make A Way For You In 2002!