Focus On Ministry! 
July 2001

Tampa Bay Standers

What are Tampa Bay Standers? 

"Tampa Bay Standers  are here to encourage you in your stand for your marriage.
You are not alone. There are others here in a similar situation as you.
If you are looking for fellowship and encouragement, then this is the place for you.
If you have been divorced, we are not here to judge or condemn you,
but to help encourage you in your relationship with God.
If you would like information on how to have a relationship with God,
please send us an email at tampabaystanders@yahoo.com"

"...at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'
and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother
and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?
So they are no longer two, but one.
Therefore what God has joined together,
let man not separate."
Matthew 19:3-6

Do we realize God is not surprised by what is going on in our lives. He knows about the trials & tribulations we face in day to day life.  

He's not surprised that some of our spouses have left us, divorced us & or living with another person.  

He is saddened by what He sees in our lives (when we sin or are being hurt by another sinning) but it does not surprise Him. -

It's like - in the Garden of Eden...and He asked Adam & Eve "where are you?" - Well, God being omnipresent & all-knowing - He's not stupid & having to ask them because He doesn't know where they're at....He's asking them for their sake...Just like when a parent who knows plain well that their child just ate the last cookie out of the jar, but asks Johnny if he ate it (& he's the only child, & the father is at work...)...it sends a message. However, in the midst of this all-knowing God - He knows we're going to sin before we do - He knew our spouse was going to walk out the door before we had a clue....He even knew that the court would allow the divorce to go thru. BUT GOD...but God is a merciful God - & sometimes He surprises US by how He does things. There is a reason for everything....Yes, divorce is a sin...however, it's not the unpardonable sin...and a divorce can be changed...there is always room for reconcilliation & remarriage.

There are so many times when I have to remind myself that for as much as I'd like to change the current circumstances of my life - I know that God is working it all out in HIS WAY & HIS TIME & it is ALL good! And in the mean time of Him working it out...He's not only working in my spouse, but most importantly (no matter how badly we think our spouse is messed up)...He's working in MY life...changing me into the person He wants & needs me to be (esp. for when my spouse returns home!!!).

And speaking of that time when our spouses will finally return home...it WILL happen! God is faithful in all He does. Don't give up on God...He is the "Miracle Worker!"

Just keep remembering Jeremiah 29:11.....He has plans not to harm us - but plans with a hope & a future and for prosperity (not just financial!!!).

If you live in the Tampa Bay area, we are currently having Rejoice Bible Study on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm.
We are meeting meeting at Christian City Church Tampa, 9201 Lazy Lane (just south of the Busch Blvd. overpass at Dale Mabry - look for the "Carrollwood Used Furniture"