(1 John 2:10 NASB)
There is divine protection for you when you walk in love with others. To walk in love is to walk in the light. When you get nasty and ugly with people, the light goes out.
Years ago, a couple started coming to our church. The wife was going after God wholeheartedly. She was seeking Him, and believing and confessing God’s Word. Her husband, on the other hand, was dragging his feet. He was a businessman. He read his Bible, prayed, and came to church when he could. But he was not on the same spiritual level as his wife. Since he worked late on Saturday nights, many times he would sleep in on Sunday mornings and miss the 11:00 service, which his wife and children attended.
One Saturday, the wife told her husband she would save him a seat at the 11:00 service, then they would go out to eat afterwards. He didn’t show up for the 11:00 service, and the wife became angry on the inside. She was upset and in strife with him. After the service, she saw her husband in the parking lot, smiling, happy, and ready to go to lunch. She responded with anger towards him. As she was driving to the restaurant, she was involved in a car accident.
She later prayed, “Lord, I do not understand. I’m tithing, and You said You would rebuke the devourer for my sake. I am praising You, and You said You would stop the enemy if I praised You. I am confessing the Word….”
The Lord interrupted her and said, “Your strife opened the door to the enemy.” (James 3:14-16.)
Faith works by love; and when you get out of love, your faith ceases to work.
This woman asked God, “What do I do?”
He said, “Love your husband, pray for him, minister to him, and bless him.”
She followed the Lord’s instruction; and today, Janet and Bill Lay pastor Cornerstone Church in Grove, Oklahoma. Bill answered the call to ministry because his wife loved him into the place where God had destined him to be.
Love is the best way. It will work for you in any situation.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Billy Joe Daugherty was founder and pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was also the founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute and Victory World Missions Training Center. Five hundred twenty-three Victory Bible Institutes have been started in eighty-five countries around the world. He inspired individuals and ministries with his life, love and influence for more than 30 years.