Brett, thank you so much for your thorough explanation of your understanding of what the Scripture says on this issue; it has definitely reminded me to always take everything in full Biblical, situational, historical, and cultural context, something that is very important!

I would just like to clarify that I have surrendered my plans for a family and marriage to God, but I have not given up on marriage nor have I been led to give up on it. I hope to one day have a family, however large or small God wills, and, of course, a husband who has the Mind of Christ and a heart for God to match, and often challenge, my own. When, and if, God provides such, I will wholeheartedly submit to God through him — but first and foremost I will remain faithful to God as He has taught me during my time alone unto Him.

I will continue to act on my beliefs, unless He shows me otherwise, believing that I will miss out on the future and future household and ministry He has planned for me if I do not live by the faith He has taught me and given to me. That is how I have seen that Muller, Taylor, Kuhn, and Carmichael were found deserving to be blessed by the large families that God put under their care. Pray that God will help me and find me faithful and pleasing to Him. More than anything I want to delight Him by my obedience and trust.

The portion of Scripture from Genesis 41 reports of God telling Joseph for the Egyptian people to save in the years of plenty that they might survive the years of famine. God has had me set aside multiple resources for my future ministry, but money has not been one of them. If He leads you to set aside money, God bless you in your obedience. According to my convictions, I refuse to set aside anything He has not told me to for a future that is in His Hands. May we both know God’s Guidance personally on this matter. I have never found Proverbs to be a source of law or of justification in my life and try to be very careful with its usage, but if He leads you directly to learn or be encouraged by something in it, may He bless the fruit of that lesson in measure to how you learn it, as with all lessons He teaches you.

I understand that what you posted is in accordance with many people’s understanding of Scripture, but nevertheless, I do not have peace within about it. Would you mind if I continue to pray for you and Alex and your ministry regarding God’s Will on this until I have peace? And would you do the same for me, as He leads you? This matter is very important to me and I believe our stance on it will affect much in each of our lives and in the lives of our future children — spiritual and in the natural.

I need to take some time to pray about this more. There was one other thing that I came across these past few days that really grieved me so I really need to find out what God Wills for me to do. Presently, I have not the courage nor the desire to continue to discuss my beliefs here. I know that sounds immature, but that is the way I feel. I will take it up before God.

I do not believe that further discussion is of any benefit, so I will leave this matter to be handled through prayer alone. Thank you for your time, once again, and for allowing this discussion to reach the point where we can all make well-informed and responsible decisions before God.

May God make our hearts ready and willing to obey Him, whatever He asks, all of our days. May we be a faithful people who seek Him and His Truth wholeheartedly.

Until God leads us to cross paths again, I pray that God blesses you both and keeps you on the path of His Righteousness and that you learn daily of His Faithfulness and to abide fully in His Heart that your joy would truly be complete.

Amen.

Alone unto God,
Nicole T.