The Needs of Wives

Dear Wives On Purpose,

Let me tell you, 2014 came in like a flood!
“Never let the needs of the women keep you from doing what God has called you to do.”

These words pierced my ears like scratching on a chalk board back in 2010. I felt defensive. Why was she admonishing me like this? I had been a home maker for 5 years hosting wives and teaching biblical principles for marriage. I had read Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life and I was clear about my call. God wanted me to help meet the emotional and spiritual needs of married women.

She had been my Spiritual mentor for several years now and had been present as God broke yokes on my life. She of all people knew I was working my plan. While at home raising my babies, I set the following goals: 1) to become an active member of my Church 2) to master grocery shopping and meal planning on a strict budget and 3) to facilitate Wives On Purpose Support Groups in my home.
I would serve the growing number of wives who needed God’s Word to stay married. I would share practical strategies for growing through various stages of marriage.

What was really behind her harsh tone and stern words?  

Today in 2014, as I write this note to you, I heard those painful words again. Only this time I know it is God speaking to my heart. “Lisa,” He says, “You have let the needs of women in your old support group keep you from doing what I called you to do!” You, your children, and the Wives On Purpose Support Group in your home have out grown your desires. It is time to reach new goals! Now I am being admonished by God and instead of getting defensive, I cried then made my confession to God and now to you.

I apologize for allowing my love for you and my desire to see your marriage succeed come before my obedience to God. When I fall out of order, I wrongfully think I am helping you but, when I am in my God ordained place then I am writing and speaking and reaching wives so God can help all of us! If you ever have a spiritual mentor I pray that you take care to listen to her words. If she prays for you and loves you like I do…then God may show her some things you will need for such a time as this.

Forgiven and cleansed I am sharing my 2014 goals with you. 1) To grow my consulting business writing business mission and vision statements 2) To reach over 500 by monthly newsletter 3) To accept speaking engagements at Church ministry groups sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ around prayer and marriage 4) To coach no  more than 5 wives at a time. 5) To write that devotional that so many of you have been waiting for since we met back in 2005. (I hear you shouting) 

God is doing a new thing in my life and in my work. He has called me to reach the women of influence, the strong and those who want to move ahead in their call fighting fear with faith. The wives who are determined to keep their eyes off circumstances and husbands in order to truly see God!

My teaching not my helping will drive Wives On Purpose to watch over the ways of their households, pay careful attention to their husbands, and enjoy good times in marriage knowing they don’t last forever.

This year, I am stronger and armed with the Word of God. I even have new spiritual mentors, my own coaches, and close personal friends to go along with me. Now I invite you to give me the honor of serving you through my work. Tell your friends, buy a book or CD, enroll in a Wife Talk or Take Wife School. No matter how you get on purpose, I am looking forward to ministering to marriages one book or message at a time! 
I luv you but God loves you so much more!
It is a happy new year indeed.
Staying on Purpose
Lisa Ellis Williams

Live Married in Peace

Ladies, 

I pray God's peace for you and your marriages in 2014. 

Now I want to share a few ways you can build that peace in your own home. I use these and every tip I share and have enjoyed the peace of Christ in my marriage for many years. John 14:27(a) NKJV records these words from Jesus, ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. May you receive real peace in 2014. 

Ten Tips to Grow Peace in Your Home

© Lisa Ellis Williams, 2011

• Greet your husband each morning and evening with a soft tone of voice and a smile

• Spend 15 minutes each day with your husband and be quiet. You will be amazed at how much he will say if you are just listening.

• Make decisions about your social calendar together.  Refrain from just giving him the schedule

• Say “please” and “thank you” to your husband just like you would everyone else

• Don’t answer every call when you are with your husband. Very few people are more important that he 

• Cook dinner yourself and have the entire family sit at the table to eat.

• Seat your husband at the head of the table. His position is important. 

• Keep children’s clothes and toys out of your bedroom

• Thank God every time your husband comes home. (Thank him sometimes too)

• Let his personality shine in the home decorations. (Not just in the one room that he claims) 

Ministering to marriages, one wife at a time, 
Lisa Ellis Williams

Want more marriage tips? 

Subscribe to News Wives Can Use today! 

Overcoming Enemies

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David’s enemy for the rest of his life. 1 (Samuel 18: 28 NLT)

Have you ever stopped to consider why your husband has enemies?

In this passage Saul looked at two things about David and decided to be his enemy for the rest of his life. What could they be?

Saul realized that the Lord was with David. The Lord is with your husband too. If you look closely the evidence is there. But more importantly, Saul realized that his own daughter, Michal, loved David. Michal was David’s wife and she loved him! You love your husband too. 

Those two things made Saul David’s enemy for life.  If the Lord is with your husband and you love him, he may have people who have decided to be his enemy for life. 

You must recognize some of your husband’s enemies may be people closest to him. It is difficult to watch your husband be kind to those who treat him like an enemy. If this is the case, ask yourself "Why?"

God’s word is clear that some people will hate your husband just because God is with him and you love him. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 reminds us that love never fails. That is how he will overcome his enemies. 

Need motivation to keep loving your husband?
Subscribe to News Wives Can Use.

Ministering to marriages, one wife at a time
Lisa Ellis Williams

Need Confirmation?

Dear Wives On Purpose, 

God will use others to encourage us and to give us confidence in what HE says to us. 

For me it tends to go like this: I read a verse of scripture and my heart begins to burn deeply followed by a stirring inside. Sometimes my heart even begins to beat a little faster. 

No, I am NOT having a heart attack! You can laugh… really… 

It took me years to learn when and how God speaks to me as I read His word in the Bible.

Are you facing a major decision? God will use scripture as confirmation.  

Wait for it.

Listen for it.

Pray for it. 

That is "On Purpose" if you ask me. 

What major decisions are you facing that you need a verse from God to confirm? 
Need more? 
Subscribe and get marriage News Wives Can Use!  

Ministering to marriages, one wife at a time
Lisa Ellis Williams 

When wives get tired of homemaking

Wives, 

 

Are you tired? 

I hear it all of time. “I am so tired” These are the words frequently spoken by wives expressing a desire for their husbands to assume more household duties and increase the time they spend caring for small children.  No matter the source of your exhaustion, a tired wife is a tired wife. 

There are multiple strategies for handling this dilemma but today, I offer just one. 

If you are tired or weary

R.E.S.T.

R-read your Bible focusing on verses about resting. Share them with your husband so he can pray for you.

E-eat three healthy meals every day.  Set the table and have at least one meal with your husband present.

S-sleep. Take naps when you can and go to bed earlier at night.  

T-talk to God about your feelings during prayer and journal time. As you feel more rested, then talk to your husband. Be careful not to sink into grumbling and complaining. 

As you rest meditate on Galatians6: 9. “And let us not grow weary while dong good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” 

Wives, are you weary? 

Then take a rest… “on purpose”

Ministering to marriages one wife at a time

Lisa Ellis Williams

Want more help for married women? 

Subscribe to News Wives Can Use