So many times I’ve had individuals tell me that they’d decided they might as well get a divorce because their spouse was not a Christian.
“My mate is an unbeliever, living in deep sin. He is never going to accept Jesus! There’s no chance he’ll ever live for God. So our relationship is doomed because we’re ‘unequally yoked.’ There’s no hope. We could never have the blessed marriage that God wants His children to have.”
I gently remind those who tell me this that God loves their mates just as much as He loves them. And I also tell them that salvation is not just for them, but for their whole family.
Psalm 68:6 says that God sets the solitary in families. He puts the lonely into the warmth and security of a loving home. And I believe He saves that one person in order to bring a whole family in to the Kingdom of God.
God saved you and got His message to you for a reason. He has drawn you by His Spirit. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (RSV).
I believe that it is ordained of God for you to be reading this article. You didn’t receive this information just by chance. I believe this with all my heart!
God has drawn you by His Spirit. And He brought you and me together through this article for a reason—to let you know that He wants to heal your marriage, save your mate, and give you a brand-new life.
You’re probably familiar with 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 which talks about the weapons of our warfare. The Living Bible’s rendering of this passage, in verse 5, says that “you are to grab rebels and bring them back to God through prayer.” Isn’t that good? You can grab your mate through prayer and bring them back to God.
Second Peter 3:9 says, “God is not willing that any man perish, but that all come to repentance.” That word “all” includes your mate!
Joel 2:28 says, “In the last days I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.” Does that exclude your mate? No, of course not. God is pouring out His Spirit on your mate! You can’t manipulate or change your mate in your own power. I must stress this.
But when you pray, God changes people. He changes things. He changes circumstances. He rearranges events in order to see people come into the Kingdom of God. He will use His full power in order to see your marriage healed. He will work if you pray.
Excerpt permission granted by Lakewood Church
Lisa Osteen Comes is an Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas under the leadership of her brother, Pastor Joel Osteen. In her role, she brings over 25 years of preaching and ministry experience to the congregation and is involved in many aspects of the church's leadership.
Lisa is a notable miracle of our day, having been healed of a crippling disease as a baby. Injured at birth, Lisa developed a condition similar to cerebral palsy which doctors said would cripple her and cause her early death. But as her parents prayed for her, God miraculously healed Lisa before her first birthday.
In 1990, while serving at Lakewood Church, again Lisa's life was spared when she opened a package containing a pipe bomb that exploded in her lap, riddling her office with nails and shrapnel. God miraculously protected her and she escaped with minor injuries.
Through all of her challenges and experiences, Lisa has become known as a respected ministry leader and Bible teacher. Lisa's passion for God's Word and love for people radiate in her practical, yet insightful messages. Lisa is a graduate of Oral Roberts University. She and her husband, Kevin, work together at Lakewood Church and they have three children.