TOGETHER AGAIN AFTER 8 ½ YEARS

In 1987, my husband of twenty-one and a half years suddenly ended our marriage. I was devastated and moved out two months later as he was having a relationship with another woman. I was born again two days later and for the first time in my life learned of God's promises and His desire and ability to heal - bodies and marriages. I began to study God's Word avidly and to seek Him earnestly and was soon baptized with His Holy Spirit. Within a few months I had, through a friend, come into the "Words of Faith" teaching and began eagerly to devour books and listen to tapes by Kenneth Hagin, The Copelands and Charles Capps. Also, after listening to a tape by Herman Riffel on "Healing of the Inner Man," I prayed for myself and was almost instantly healed and set free from that tormenting, knife-thrusting pain I had suffered since John told me the "bad news." Praise God for the "good news" - the Gospel. I was feeding my spirit on that. I cut out TV, newspapers, magazines and secular books as soon as I realized that they were non-profitable in my quest for my healed marriage. I was working full time and had our two younger teenagers, 16 and 17 years, living with me. Our 18-year-old son went after we separated. My husband divorced me, and though I went to court to object, the Judge said he had to allow it. I vowed that one day I would show that Judge that the Word of Almighty God was far more powerful than that of any Judge or Court in the land!

Bankruptcy followed soon after, but by this time I was becoming much stronger in the Lord and it barely touched me - I had learned how to praise God in all circumstances.

Through Charles Capps' teaching, I began to personalize and pray scripture over my husband, our marriage, our children and myself - "calling things that be not as though they were." I put them on tape and listened to and spoke them regularly and frequently, in the car, while doing my housework, gardening, etc., via my walkman.

During this time I received very little encouragement from fellow Christians; especially leaders. I knew that most of them thought I was dreaming or in "hyper-faith" as one pastor told me. However I did meet two couples and read in "Above Rubies" of another couple who had been reconciled after separation and I was mightily encouraged and thanked God for these testimonies. In 1993, I was given the video "Fighting for the Home" by Mike and Marilyn Phillips (M.M.I.) and was greatly encouraged. When I heard on that video of Covenant Keepers, I contacted Marilyn Conrad in America and ordered books, tapes and the teaching curriculum. We set up a group in Rotorua and met regularly for approximately twelve months until I moved out to the Lake, by which time there were only three of us attending meetings - several others having "given up" their stand, unfortunately.

The years were rolling on by now - I kept in touch with my husband regarding the children, but apart from that I got on with my own life and my walk with God. The children left home, when our son was twenty-four and our daughter moved to Wellington after four years at University. She was born again in high school and stood faithfully with me in my stand - praise God. She now has a lovely Christian husband.

My husband had several live-in relationships with other women which I cursed to death, according to Matthew 21:19-22, as they were ungodly relationships. God's Word is true - they didn't last long. God had very early on in my walk taught me to forgive, love, pray for and bless John and all those associated with him, which I did in obedience at first, and then found it very simple to do.

During these years the devil tempted me many times to quit, but I had established habits of daily Bible reading, study, prayer, regular fellowship, spiritual warfare and declaration of Scripture and when the devil attacked, I got out the Sword and gave him a double dose, praying myself hoarse many times.

My fellow Covenant Keepers were only a phone call away and we encouraged each other many times and still do. Mostly though it was the faithful constant presence of the Holy Spirit who supported me, encouraged me and reminded me that Jesus had given His life and shed His blood to redeem my marriage from destruction, and I refused to let His sacrifice be in vain on my account when Jesus had paid such a high price for it. I would not let the devil have the last word. I put Scripture up on the walls of almost every room in my house - one of my most helpful sayings over the sink bench being "with Christ, the only way to fail is to quit" and I refused to quit.

Finally in September 1995, after almost 8 and a half years apart, my husband phoned one day and offered to come and show me photos he'd received from our son in Australia. Before the evening was out, we had decided to remarry. John told me that for some time God had been telling him that he had to get his life in order. Our pastor remarried us quietly three weeks later in the garden of my home, my two week's annual leave, planned months previously, coming just at the right time. Friends, family and workmates were flabbergasted; Christian friends telling me that they didn't really believe it would happen, unbelieving friends and workmates reminding me that I'd always said it would. I pointed out that Jesus said we would have what we say if we believe in our hearts and doubt not, and that God is faithful to perform his Word.

My husband recommitted his life to Christ after a childhood experience and we are both continuing to grow in the Lord. We are very happy to be back together and are learning to function in the respective roles God has anointed us for - something I for one didn't do in our first marriage. Life is not always plain sailing but we are learning to overcome the powers of darkness, in Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are praying in agreement for the salvation of our sons and the complete restoration of our family and believe that will happen soon. We are now both committed to God, to one another, to our marriage and to seeing God's will come to pass in our lives, and we give him all the glory.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to share my testimony, to encourage you and to overcome Satan - Revelation 12:11. If I can help or encourage you in any way, please contact me on 64 7 362 0753. From the Amplified Bible I share these verses with you: Jeremiah 23:28, 29 "He who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. Is not My Word like fire that consumes all that cannot endure the test and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock of most stubborn resistance?"

May God bless you. Continue to stand, God will not fail you, in Christ, we always triumph. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Betty McQuillan