wives

7 ways to pray for husband & kids

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

God recently drew my attention to 6 key verses in the book of Philippians and 1 in Ephesians. They are verses He highlighted as especially powerful and transformational, and I sensed Him urging me to pray these verses on behalf of my husband, children and grandchildren. If I were to summarize, praying these 7 verses will cause your loved ones to understand the depth of God’s love for them, live a fulfilling, effective and productive life for His kingdom, and be filled with peace and gratitude. Awesome! Here are the 7 verses to pray, and you can basically insert your loved one’s name in each verse:

Ephesians 1:4-5 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Philippians 1:9-11 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 2:3-4 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

“Submission” in marriage

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

I don’t claim to be the authority on the Bible’s instruction for wives to submit to their husbands, but after spending considerable time studying God’s Word, here’s what I have come to believe on this controversial subject. God definitely plans for all of us to live under authority. I would imagine He knows this prevents chaos from breaking loose! So, in a family unit, God has placed the man as the authority, and the wife and children are under his authority. If we used a business analogy, it’s rather like your husband is the general manager who must make the major decisions on the policy and ground rules for how the business will operate.

So what does this look like for a wife? This means choosing to treat your husband respectfully and allowing your husband to lead you and your family. Instead of you jumping into to take over leadership, and instead of you deciding how everything should go, you allow your husband to lead. However, just as in a business, a wise husband will value the input and sage counsel of the wife who is usually more intimately involved with handling family matters each day.

Now, where “submitting” to your husband can go haywire is when the husband veers off course morally or Biblically. When the husband starts leading the family (or requesting the family) to engage or support wrong behavior, then the wife need not submit to such decisions. Her first allegiance is to God and His commands. God is the ultimate authority. I believe that is why the Bible includes a “qualifier” in one of the instructions for the wife to submit to her husband. It is found in Colossians 3:18, which says “the wife must submit to her husband, as is fitting in the Lord”. If your husband is asking you to do something that is not “fitting in the Lord”, I don’t believe you must submit to such leadership. I believe a wife can respectfully draw the line. In addition, it’s my belief, from studying all of God’s Word, that “submission” does not mean the wife must be a doormat who tolerates disrespectful or even abusive behavior by her husband. Such behavior by the husband is not “fitting in the Lord” either. Submission is not being a doormat.

How porn destroys marriages

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

Pornography is ruining marriages all across America, even thousands of Christian marriages. I keep on discovering more and more marriages that are slowly being destroyed due to pornography. The stories women tell me often reveal very similar downward spirals. Their husband’s use of porn has evolved into online sex chat rooms, actual encounters with other women, or even sex crimes. Then there’s a whole other group of women who feel unloved because their husbands rarely, if ever, want to make love to them anymore. The reason? Their husbands are busy satisfying their sexual needs with pornography and masturbation.

I say ENOUGH! It’s time that women everywhere step up with courage and dignity and declare war on pornography! Ephesians 5, verse 3 says “among you there must not even be hint of sexual immorality” and in verse 11, God instructs us “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” It’s time that all women adopt a zero tolerance standard for pornography use by their men (and themselves as well). I’m NOT saying to declare war on your husband. He is not the enemy. However, we can no longer wring our hands in defeat and stand by helplessly as our marriages and families crumble.

What should you do if your husband is viewing pornography? Respectfully, lovingly, but firmly, tell him you will not tolerate that anymore. Ask him if he’s willing to do whatever it takes to stop. If he says yes, then work with him to find help. There are some great programs out there. For instance, in the Bellingham, WA area, men are being helped at Band of Brothers For Christ and another group called Prodigals. If your husband refuses to sincerely seek help or continues looking at porn, then you may have to establish a firm boundary in the relationship. You may even have to separate for a time. Take a stand, ladies! If you don’t, you and your marriage will likely end up being destroyed.

**or view this topic as a 2 minute VIDEO BELOW

Easy way to keep hubby attracted

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

Won’t your husband be surprised when you….flirt with him?! It will be a pleasant surprise, I’m sure! C’mon ladies. Why do we greet our children, our dog, our cat, or our gerbil with more excitement than we greet our husband? Why are we more concerned with getting our girlfriends to really like us than our own husbands? Did we even notice the slow and subtle decline of affection and flirtation in our marriage?

Let’s start revving up the romance and excitement of our marriages once again. Maybe we should take a clue from the bride in the Bible’s Song of Songs. For instance, in chapter 7, she flirts with her man and tells him what she has planned for him sexually! “Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside, let us spend the night in the villages. Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded….there will I give you my love.”

Start flirting with your husband, and do it at least once every day. It could be a pinch on his tush, or a playful lifting of your shoulder, or a sassy smile that says I’m looking forward to being intimate with you later, or even a wink at him across the lobby at church. The simple act of flirting with your husband on a regular basis will help to rekindle romance, excitement, and his interest in you! What do you have to lose?

Learn how to sparkle as a wife!

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) 1 Comment

Proverbs 12:4 says “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.” Hmmm. Which kind of wife are you? Which kind of wife have I been?

A crown sparkles and reflects light in a beautiful way. Are you a lovely reflection for your husband in all you say and do? Think about it. The way you pray for your husband, the way you encourage him and help him, the way you take care of his home, the way you conduct yourself in public, even the way you respectfully confront any wrong behavior…all these things become like a crown to him. A crown is seen by others and causes others to treat that person with respect, honor, and admiration.

In contrast, a wife who demeans her husband, complains about her husband, doesn’t take care of herself or her home, enables sinful behavior by refusing to confront, and withholds physical affection….she becomes like rot in his bones. A person with rotten bones becomes stooped over and can’t carry his load anymore. He is crippled.

Let’s be the kind of wives who don’t cripple our men, but who so esteem them and help them that they become even mightier men of God. Then we will indeed become beautiful crowns! 🙂

Catch this vision for wives!

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

God has given me a vision for Christian wives. I see him raising up an army of strong but gentle wives who do specific things in such a focused and powerful way that their husbands are propelled to become mighty men of God! Don’t we all want that?!
The qualities of these strong Christian wives are all Biblical, and if we press into them, I’m confident we will have a tremendous, positive impact on our men! As we encourage and pray for our men, our men will be much more likely to step up and become mighty men of God. Hallelujah!
The most important thing we can do is to respect, honor and love the Lord. But beyond that, catch this vision of the wife He is calling you to become. He is calling wives to be…
• encouraging (1 Thessalonians 5:11…encourage one another and build each other up)
• respectful (Ephesians 5:33….the wife must respect her husband)
• gentle (1 Peter 3:4 …the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight )
• compassionate (Colossians 3:12 …clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience)
• courageous (Joshua 1:9… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.)
• loving but firm confronters of sin (Luke 17:3 If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him)
• prayer warriors (Colossians 4:2… Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful)

Are you disappearing in the marriage?

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

I often talk and write about how wives were created to be their husband’s helper, and while that’s true, I feel it’s necessary to make a clarification. Yes, a wife should help her husband by showing him respect, allowing him to lead the family, and assisting him as he seeks to follow God’s promptings in his life. However, that doesn’t mean a wife should give up her own individual identity in the process.

Submitting to your husband’s leadership does not mean that you become a doormat which has no value. Helping your husband does not mean you sacrifice doing the things that bring you great joy. Respecting your husband doesn’t mean he’s always right and you’re always wrong. If you go too far in that direction, you will become an empty shell. It’s as if your heart doesn’t matter. God doesn’t intend that for you. In fact, He says in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.”

Spend some time in prayer with God and ask Him to reveal if there are any areas of your life where you have lost your true identity. Have you stopped doing some things that bring you fully alive? Is it time to sit down with your husband and talk about how you can both live in a way that brings joy and fulfillment? Don’t allow yourself to disappear in the relationship.

Priorities for the Christian woman

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

Lots of Christian women wonder what their priorities should be. Should husband come before kids? Should financial security come before family time? Should house-keeping come before leisure time? Well, I’m not going to answer those specific questions because I’ve learned they are the wrong questions! When it comes to priorities, God is urging all of us to put his kingdom purposes and plans above ALL else! Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
It’s such a simple and concise instruction from the Lord, but make no mistake, it’s hard to carry out! Our fleshly desires cry out for us to focus on personal happiness, and financial security, and “success” for our children, and luxurious vacations, and a new wardrobe. Our culture, through both advertisements and social media, constantly reminds us that we should have it all. We deserve it all.
However, God is calling us to place Him above everything and everyone else. He is desperate for people who are desperate for Him. He’s calling us to repentance. He’s calling us to pray continually. He’s calling us to loosen our grip on our money and possessions and to give to the poor. He’s calling us to honor and obey Him as our first priority. We say we want revival, but are we earnestly seeking the Lord above all else? We get some great clues about what leads to revival when we look at what the early followers of Jesus did immediately after he ascended to heaven following his resurrection. Read Acts 2:38-47 to get inspired!
By the way, you’ll likely find that as you seek the Lord above all else, you will become a more peaceful wife and mom!

The mature view of marriage

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

Have you noticed that our culture is self-absorbed? We are receiving constant messages through advertising, social media, TV shows, and movies that life is all about pursuing personal happiness. When we follow that secular line of thinking, then we naturally assume our marriage is designed to make us happy. The minute our spouse wounds us or behaves below our expectations, we toss aside the marriage and try to find another man who will be the source of our happiness.
First of all, that is an unending quest because you will never find a perfect husband! But more importantly, this is not the purpose of a Biblical marriage.
As I study the Bible, I sensed the Holy Spirit revealing 5 purposes for marriage, although there are probably even more. As you read the purposes outlined below, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to press into those purposes in your own marriage.
1) Marriage is designed for a husband and wife to have rich companionship as well as to provide help for each other as they navigate the challenges of life and seek to serve God together. Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
2) Marriage is the primary place for you to learn how to carry out God’s major command to love your neighbor since the “neighbor” who is closest to you is your spouse! Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
3) Marriage is designed to be a binding union and devoted partnership between a man and a woman. Genesis 2:23-25 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
4) Marriage is designed to produce children and build a family. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number.”
5) Ultimately, marriage, as well as everything we do and every relationship we have, is supposed to bring glory to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” The question is this. Does your marriage glorify God? Is the way you conduct yourself as a spouse a great reflection of Christ? A mature view of a Christian marriage entails realizing it’s not all about YOU! It’s about glorifying God in everything you do, including reflecting the character of Christ in your marriage.

** or view this topic as a 3 minute VIDEO BELOW

Give your husband space

Squadron of Sisters (Debbie Chavez) Leave a comment

I know you’re wondering what I mean when I recommend “giving your husband space”. So, let me complete the sentence. Give your husband space….to talk!
If you’re like most women, you tend to verbalize your thoughts and ideas very quickly. You probably expect your husband to do the same. However, most men are not wired like that. When asked a question about their idea or thought on a subject, most men take a bit to respond. Here is the problem. Women ask their husband for their input or thoughts on a subject, but then we generally only pause for about 2 seconds before jumping right back in to give our thoughts instead of waiting for our husbands to form and verbalize their response! I know I battle this tendency! I know women who even talk FOR their husband when other people ask HIM a question. Good grief. I wonder if our failure to pause and give room for our men to answer causes our husbands to shut down their hearts to us.
James 1:19 is a good reminder for us all. “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” And here is another guiding verse for all wives. Proverbs 18:13 “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
So, the next time you ask your husband for his input or his thoughts on something, be patient and WAIT for his reply. You might find that he actually enjoys talking with you when two people get to be involved in the conversation instead of just one!

** or view this topic as a 2 minute VIDEO BELOW