At The Appointed Time
by Marilyn Conrad

Most miracles don't really happen suddenly, as we sometimes think they do. They are a result of intercession and warfare that may have gone on for months and even years by faithful loved ones and intercessors.

God's promise to us in Habakkuk 2:3 says, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

The Appointed Time

Many times things happen in the natural that correspond with what God is doing in the spiritual realm. An example is the opening of the Berlin wall. The wall seemed to come down suddenly… overnight! But did it really? Forty years of prayer had gone forth on behalf of the German people… "but at the appointed time" the wall came down.

Perhaps you have been praying and believing God for the healing of your marriage, salvation of loved ones, finances, health or desires of your heart that you have never told anyone about.

Arm Of The Flesh

Most of us have tried in our own strength to cause things to happen. Abraham and Sarah are an example of what happens when we try to force God's promises prematurely. Abraham produced a son through Hagar, Sarah's maid. However, Ishmael was not the covenant heir that God had promised. Eventually, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away. Although they did not have covenant rights, God took care of them and provided for their needs.

We try to hurry and get things done. We manipulate. We give time limits and ultimatums… to others and to God! We use the arm of the flesh and then can't understand why God doesn't move on our behalf. However, God will cut the time short and do it the right way, but not through the arm of the flesh.

Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." Symptoms of a sick heart are discouragement, depression, a sense of futility, giving in to weariness, and of course, these can lead to fainting. God says, "You shall reap if you faint not." Galatians 6:9

Yes, at the appointed time our vision shall come to pass. However, we must not think that we do not play a part in the fulfillment of this vision. We cannot be haphazard about prayer and the way we live our lives. We must develop disciplined prayer and Bible study habits. We must get into the rhythm of giving our time, talents and money as taught in the Bible. We must not walk in judgment of our mates or others.

As we become doers of the Word and not hearers only, we can expect God to move on our behalf, just as He did for Joseph. Pharaoh suddenly placed Joseph second in command over all the land of Egypt after he had been in prison for two years!

Yes, we shall experience breakthroughs in our situations, just as David did in 1 Chronicles 4:10-11. "And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters." Baal-perazim means the Lord of the breakthrough!

So don't despair! Don't give up! Suddenly, our breakthroughs will come!

Covenant Keepers^® Curriculum

The foundational principles contained in Covenant Keepers curriculum are taught in Covenant Keepers prayer groups around the world. Taken from God's Word, each lesson applies spiritual truths to marriage situations and issues. Our prayer is that the lessons contained in the three curriculum series will be helpful to you as you stand for the healing of your marriage and  bring you hope, encouragement and faith.

Series One is available now for $16.25 postpaid. Series Two and Series Three will be compiled next year. All curriculum materials are developed and written by Covenant Keepers, Inc.^® and are copyrighted.

SERIES ONE – Foundations -- $16.25

PRINCIPLES FOR MARRIAGE HEALING: A Biblical Approach to Restoration

1.      How to Pilot Your Marriage Through a Storm

2.      How to Have Faith to Heal Your Marriage

3.      How to Put on the Armor

4.      Freewill and Your Marriage

5.      How to Use Binding and Loosing

6.      Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Covenant

SERIES TWO -- Intermediate

1.      Overview of a Stander

2.      Knowing God's Voice

3.      Covenant (How To Know God's Will On My Marriage)

4.      How to Deal With Deception

5.      How to Have Victory in Your Finances

6.      Will I Stop Hurting?

SERIES THREE -- Advanced

1.      How Long Will It Take?

2.      What to Do When Your Mate is in Adultery

3.      How to Have a Consistent Stand

4.      How to Have Joy

5.      How to Handle Disputes

6.      How to Replace a Heart of Stone

 Each series of six lessons is bound together in one soft-cover book.

The following excerpt is from Series One, Lesson Three.

HOW TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

Introduction

All of us understand the need for safety and protection in the physical areas of our lives. Many employers provide special safety training. A major function of laws and of government is to provide for the safety and protection of our society.

In order to function in the protection that society has provided, we must comply with the rules. For example, when we are on the job or driving the freeway, our safety depends on whether we follow the principles that are provided for our protection.

Eyeguards and earplugs do not protect factory workers if they are not used. A seatbelt provides no protection unless it is buckled.

While the civil authorities in our lives are concerned about safety, our Heavenly Father is far more concerned for us. He has provided a means of protecting us. However, just as we must follow traffic rules to drive the freeway safely, we must follow God's rules to implement the protection He has provided.

Physical protection should not be taken lightly, but God's protection extends past the physical into areas that are even more important.

In the lesson we will examine the "Armor of God Protection" that our heavenly Father has provided for our benefit. We will not only learn what it is, but also how to wear it.

Who Is Our Real Enemy?

This time of keeping your marriage covenant during a separation or divorce process is probably the hardest time of your life. This is a time when confusion and strife are very prevalent. Anxiety and worry seem to "come with the territory." Jesus tell us not to worry about the situations we are facing but instead to cast all our anxieties on Him.

While it is God who works the reconciliation, the spiritual dynamic He uses is our faith.

The true enemy we face wants us to be in fear because faith cannot coexist with fear. It is through faith in Jesus and His Word that we are overcomers.

It is hard to defeat a foe that you don't recognize. We need to know who our true enemy is and how to withstand our real opponent and not waste time and effort fighting those who are not the enemy. Our mates or any person they might be involved with are not our enemies.

This lesson also provides practical teaching about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith,  the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, and praying in the spirit. The lesson shows how each component of the armor functions to provide strength and protection to the believer. A sample prayer shows how to put on the armor.