"Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God"- Ruth 1:16
Wow! Can you believe it!? We have reached the forty days! Amazing, unbelieveable and so awesome! Thank you so much for joining me in this or following along with this challenge and my blog. I am so excited for all of you! I hope that you have gone on to experience a new journey in your life and/or marriage. I hope from this, you have gained some wisdom and most importantly, joy. I hope you have received the love that God offers to you and I pray you have embraced His forgiveness upon your life and desire to extend that forgiveness to others.
Now for today, though the forty days is up, my strong desire is that you would not give up and would continue to allow this challenge to be a part of your everyday life. Just because this is over doesn't mean you give up! Continue to desire to change as person and grow closer to God daily. Continue to desire to improve your marriage and family. Strive for better in every aspect of your life! You can do this! Choose to dive into Gods Word and use this challenge as a guideline to help you.! Remind yourself what love is and the pieces that make love to be real! Remind yourself that it is patient and kind and its not rude or jealous! Remind yourself of Christs forgiveness towards you and how you should be "Christlike". Tomorrow if you choose start over at Day 1 again! (I am going to do it as well)!
Remember your Marriage is a CONVENANT, not a CONTRACT! The two words sound similar in meaning and intent but are in reality much different. A contract is written based on distrust, outlining the conditions and consequences if broken. A convenant is a verbal commitment based on trust, assuring someone that your promise is unconditional and good for life. It is spoken before God out of love for the other. A contract is self-serving (based on negativity), it establishes a time frame of accomplishes met. A convenant benefits others (based on positivity) it comes with unlimited responsibility and has no expiration date! A contract can be broken with mutual consent and a convenant is intended to be unbreakable. The word "convenant" is actually in the bible. Several convenants were made between God and His people and they were never broken! God was always faithful in keeping His promise and remained faithful though His people were not.
Today choose to look at your marriage as a convenant, made to be unbroken. Don't look at it as a contract....don't put a time limit on your marriage....remain faithful in keeping your promise! Even if your spouse is not receiving your love try and hang on. Be faithful to them and God. Keep trying....challenge yourself everyday. Choose today to renew your "convenant" with your spouse and with God. Choose to surrender this covenant of marriage to God...so He can bless it and secure it. Hand over your marriage and spouse to God. Let Him be your Savior. never let go of this beautiful gift God has given you. There is complete hope in Christ. There is complete healing and restoration through Him. Never look at your marriage as a contract again. Don't look at it with negativity but look at it as a positive thing...eager to see what God is going to do....allow Him to work Miracles!
THE DARE: literally choose to renew your covenant....write out a renenwal of vows....start fresh. Choose to keep going and never give up.....you are DARED TOO ;) LET CHRIST RULE YOUR HEART AND MARRIAGE....MAKE A CONVENANT WITH GOD TO LIVE IN OBEDIENCE WITH HIM AND TO NEVER BREAK YOUR MARRIAGE VOWS.
God bless you on this continuous journey....may you continue to live out the challenge of putting Christ first and your spouse second....praying you keeping going and don't give up.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
DAY 39 OF THE LOVE DARE: LOVE ENDURES
"LOVE NEVER FAILS."-1 Corinthians 13:8
I am truly amazed at this journey....39 days of embracing Christ and His love. I am so Grateful for this experience. It hasn't been easy but its taught me a lot. Today is important, an ultimate DARE. Though your love has been threatened, it keeps pursuing. Though challenged it keeps moving forward. Though mistreated and rejected, it refuses to give up. LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Many times in a marriage crisis it seems to be that the couple is always at a hit or miss. Its similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet. They were always missing eachother not aware of their sarafices and undying love. I notice when the one who wants to keep making it work and makes their spouse aware and the spouse refuses to let down their walls and try, the one who wanted it too work gives up! Then it becomes a crazy cycle of cat n mouse. Why can't we ever just be on the same path at the same time?!
My encouragement to you today is tell you to keep on going. You may have tried this challenge but feel it hasn't made any difference. You may feel all its done is cause you to hurt more and put you on an emotional rollercoaster. (I understand, trust me) But please don't keep trying. Give this your all and keep on fighting. Let down your guard to your spouse completely. Don't withdrawl yourself because you feel rejected. Ask yourself, has this changed you from the inside out? Have you learned to forgive? Have you learned of Christs unconditional love for you? In this time have you grown closer to God and become more dependent upon Him to meet your needs? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this has not been done in vain. Gods love is unending and unstoppable...our love should do our best to be the same. If your spouse doesn't choose to receive your love, keep giving anyway. Jesus did with Peter right before His crucifixtion. Peter denied Christ three times and Jesus still turned and looked at Peter. He loved Peter and knew his faults, regardless, Jesus did not give up loving Peter through the rejection.
When you have done everything within your power to obey God, your spouse may still forsake you and walk away just as Jesus' followers did to Him. But if your marriage fails, if your spouse walks away, let it not be because you gave up and walked away. Love never fails. Bear the fruits of the Spirit with your spouse (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control). Where these attributes as part of you Armor. The greatest is Love....let the Holy Spirit dwell in your heart so love can continue to overflow out of you. You will shine. Your inside changing will change your outside. You will be radiant. You will become "attractive" once again to them but this time it may be your heart that they fall in love with. Be spotless in their sight. Let God continue to change you and perfect those areas of your life where you struggle the most. Regardless, God will bless you greatly for choosing to live for Him.
A few days ago we were dared to build our marriage on the Word of God because when all else may fail, the truth of God will always be standing and never changing. We have also been dared to be patient, unselfish, and sacrafice our needs for our spouses. All these dares have been based on Gods Word...Don't let your Love fail. Today use Gods Word to speak through you to your spouse. Love never fails so today put your unfailing love in the most powerful and personal words. Put these words on paper. Share with them your unfailing love. Tell them you forgive them for everything they have done and no matter how often they have done it. Apologize for your treatment to them in the past, asking forgiveness once again. Pour out your heart on paper...pour out Christs love upon them. Tell them they are a gift from God and promise to love them and be there for them til death. Vow to be a different person....vow to be the person God has asked you to be. Tell them even if they don't like you or what they are reading that you still choose to love them...forever! Because Love never fails.
THE DARE: TAKE SOME TIME TO DIVE INTO THE WORD OF GOD TODAY. PRAY ABOUT WRITING THIS LETTER AND PRAY FOR THE WORDS. COMMIT TO YOUR MARRIAGE. COMMIT TO NEVER GIVING UP AND LETTING YOUR LOVE FAIL. PLACE THE LETTER IN A PLACE THEY WILL SEE IT.
PRAYING FOR MIRACLES YOUR WAY. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP MOVING YOU.
I am truly amazed at this journey....39 days of embracing Christ and His love. I am so Grateful for this experience. It hasn't been easy but its taught me a lot. Today is important, an ultimate DARE. Though your love has been threatened, it keeps pursuing. Though challenged it keeps moving forward. Though mistreated and rejected, it refuses to give up. LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Many times in a marriage crisis it seems to be that the couple is always at a hit or miss. Its similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet. They were always missing eachother not aware of their sarafices and undying love. I notice when the one who wants to keep making it work and makes their spouse aware and the spouse refuses to let down their walls and try, the one who wanted it too work gives up! Then it becomes a crazy cycle of cat n mouse. Why can't we ever just be on the same path at the same time?!
My encouragement to you today is tell you to keep on going. You may have tried this challenge but feel it hasn't made any difference. You may feel all its done is cause you to hurt more and put you on an emotional rollercoaster. (I understand, trust me) But please don't keep trying. Give this your all and keep on fighting. Let down your guard to your spouse completely. Don't withdrawl yourself because you feel rejected. Ask yourself, has this changed you from the inside out? Have you learned to forgive? Have you learned of Christs unconditional love for you? In this time have you grown closer to God and become more dependent upon Him to meet your needs? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this has not been done in vain. Gods love is unending and unstoppable...our love should do our best to be the same. If your spouse doesn't choose to receive your love, keep giving anyway. Jesus did with Peter right before His crucifixtion. Peter denied Christ three times and Jesus still turned and looked at Peter. He loved Peter and knew his faults, regardless, Jesus did not give up loving Peter through the rejection.
When you have done everything within your power to obey God, your spouse may still forsake you and walk away just as Jesus' followers did to Him. But if your marriage fails, if your spouse walks away, let it not be because you gave up and walked away. Love never fails. Bear the fruits of the Spirit with your spouse (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control). Where these attributes as part of you Armor. The greatest is Love....let the Holy Spirit dwell in your heart so love can continue to overflow out of you. You will shine. Your inside changing will change your outside. You will be radiant. You will become "attractive" once again to them but this time it may be your heart that they fall in love with. Be spotless in their sight. Let God continue to change you and perfect those areas of your life where you struggle the most. Regardless, God will bless you greatly for choosing to live for Him.
A few days ago we were dared to build our marriage on the Word of God because when all else may fail, the truth of God will always be standing and never changing. We have also been dared to be patient, unselfish, and sacrafice our needs for our spouses. All these dares have been based on Gods Word...Don't let your Love fail. Today use Gods Word to speak through you to your spouse. Love never fails so today put your unfailing love in the most powerful and personal words. Put these words on paper. Share with them your unfailing love. Tell them you forgive them for everything they have done and no matter how often they have done it. Apologize for your treatment to them in the past, asking forgiveness once again. Pour out your heart on paper...pour out Christs love upon them. Tell them they are a gift from God and promise to love them and be there for them til death. Vow to be a different person....vow to be the person God has asked you to be. Tell them even if they don't like you or what they are reading that you still choose to love them...forever! Because Love never fails.
THE DARE: TAKE SOME TIME TO DIVE INTO THE WORD OF GOD TODAY. PRAY ABOUT WRITING THIS LETTER AND PRAY FOR THE WORDS. COMMIT TO YOUR MARRIAGE. COMMIT TO NEVER GIVING UP AND LETTING YOUR LOVE FAIL. PLACE THE LETTER IN A PLACE THEY WILL SEE IT.
PRAYING FOR MIRACLES YOUR WAY. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP MOVING YOU.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
DAY 38 OF THE LOVE DARE: LOVE FULFILLS DREAMS!
"DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART"-Psalm 37:4
Love sometimes needs to be extravagant. Sometimes you need to go all out, without resisting or holding back. Love needs to set aside all the "what ifs" and other technicalities and just bless because it wants too. We need to put our whole heart into our marriages and other relationships. It has too ALL, if not it will appear to be nothing. You can't reach someone with half-hearted motive, that will never win them over. Your love for your spouse should be the kind of love that wants to fulfill every dream and desire of THEIRS! Love sacrafices to put your desires aside and finds away to make them happy.I'm not talking about spending money and maxing out your credit cards (that would be awesome, but not practical or wise). There are others ways to fulfill your spouses dreams....
Gods love has met our needs and we don't always deserve it. We are so imperfect, loaded with sin, yet God forgives and loves us so much. He looks after us, provides and protects us, and if we truly delight in Him, gives us the desires of our heart. Gods love is our model. His love is what we should imitate. Your spouse may be far from perfect but they are still deserving of your whole-hearted love.
Not everything your spouse wants has to be bought at a high price. Not everything they desire costs money. They can desire your time and attention. They can long for your touch, a hug, or long kiss. They can be dreaming that you would just treat them with honor and unconditional love and respect. Your spouse may pray with all their heart that you decide to put God first and then them. Your spouses ultimate desire may just be that you think they are the most gorgeous thing that walked this planet. Dreams and desires come in all shapes, sizes and forms. They aren't always those things that are so easily tangible or replaced. Its not always materlistic things boughtt at a ridiculous price. Your love should be priceless.....their should be no set amount on what you would do for them. Your love should take notice of their every dream n desire. Love calls you to listen to what they hope for. Love calls you to remember things that bring a smile to their face. Love calls you to give when it feels inconvenient. Love calls you to constantly be thinking of their desires and possibly making them yours as well. Love shares dreams and fulfills them together.
THE DARE: WHAT IS SOMETHING YOUR SPOUSE WOULD REALLY LOVE? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR SPOUSES DREAMS OR DESIRES? TODAY I DARE YOU TO OVERWHELM YOUR SPOUSE WITH A LOVE LIKE GODS LOVE. PUT ASIDE THE FACT THAT THEY TOO CAN BE IMPERFECT AND FORGIVE, SACRAFICE AND COMMIT TO FULFILLING THEIR DREAMS. START PRAYING ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SHOW THEM YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY DESIRE. DECIDE TO DO WHAT YOU CAN....REMEMBERING THAT SOME DESIRES CANNOT BE BOUGHT AT ANY PRICE.
PRAYING FOR ALL YOUR DREAMS AND DESIRES. PRAYING THAT AS YOU DELIGHT IN CHRIST AND VOW TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE WITH ALL YOU HAVE, THAT GOD WILL FULFILL ALL YOUR DREAMS. GOD BLESS YOU.
Love sometimes needs to be extravagant. Sometimes you need to go all out, without resisting or holding back. Love needs to set aside all the "what ifs" and other technicalities and just bless because it wants too. We need to put our whole heart into our marriages and other relationships. It has too ALL, if not it will appear to be nothing. You can't reach someone with half-hearted motive, that will never win them over. Your love for your spouse should be the kind of love that wants to fulfill every dream and desire of THEIRS! Love sacrafices to put your desires aside and finds away to make them happy.I'm not talking about spending money and maxing out your credit cards (that would be awesome, but not practical or wise). There are others ways to fulfill your spouses dreams....
Gods love has met our needs and we don't always deserve it. We are so imperfect, loaded with sin, yet God forgives and loves us so much. He looks after us, provides and protects us, and if we truly delight in Him, gives us the desires of our heart. Gods love is our model. His love is what we should imitate. Your spouse may be far from perfect but they are still deserving of your whole-hearted love.
Not everything your spouse wants has to be bought at a high price. Not everything they desire costs money. They can desire your time and attention. They can long for your touch, a hug, or long kiss. They can be dreaming that you would just treat them with honor and unconditional love and respect. Your spouse may pray with all their heart that you decide to put God first and then them. Your spouses ultimate desire may just be that you think they are the most gorgeous thing that walked this planet. Dreams and desires come in all shapes, sizes and forms. They aren't always those things that are so easily tangible or replaced. Its not always materlistic things boughtt at a ridiculous price. Your love should be priceless.....their should be no set amount on what you would do for them. Your love should take notice of their every dream n desire. Love calls you to listen to what they hope for. Love calls you to remember things that bring a smile to their face. Love calls you to give when it feels inconvenient. Love calls you to constantly be thinking of their desires and possibly making them yours as well. Love shares dreams and fulfills them together.
THE DARE: WHAT IS SOMETHING YOUR SPOUSE WOULD REALLY LOVE? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR SPOUSES DREAMS OR DESIRES? TODAY I DARE YOU TO OVERWHELM YOUR SPOUSE WITH A LOVE LIKE GODS LOVE. PUT ASIDE THE FACT THAT THEY TOO CAN BE IMPERFECT AND FORGIVE, SACRAFICE AND COMMIT TO FULFILLING THEIR DREAMS. START PRAYING ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SHOW THEM YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY DESIRE. DECIDE TO DO WHAT YOU CAN....REMEMBERING THAT SOME DESIRES CANNOT BE BOUGHT AT ANY PRICE.
PRAYING FOR ALL YOUR DREAMS AND DESIRES. PRAYING THAT AS YOU DELIGHT IN CHRIST AND VOW TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE WITH ALL YOU HAVE, THAT GOD WILL FULFILL ALL YOUR DREAMS. GOD BLESS YOU.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
DAY 37: LOVE AGREES IN PRAYER....A FAMILY THAT PRAYERS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER
"If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father.-Matthew 18:19
You have all heard the term,"A family that prays together stays together...," I believe it to be a proven fact. Marriage tends to improve almost 100%....for many godly couples the one thing that has held their family together and helped draw them closer, is "daily prayer" together.
It not only helps a marriage last but also brings about more respect, deeper love and heightens the level of sexual intimacy. There is more power in prayer than we believe and it can work wonders in every level of your relationship.
When you married God gave you a permanent prayer partner for life. We are joined to come together in prayer for every circumstance and every decision. What's beautiful about it, is the team work involved. When one is feeling weak the other can be strong and take over in prayer. Its great accountability. When one is dealing with certain fears, anxieties, and insecurities the other can take their spouses hands and pray for them. Wouldn't that just bring so much love, joy and respect if your spouse did that for you? Instead of taking out the tool box and trying to fix the problems on your own, they just PRAYED. If you guys were in the middle of an arguement and one of you just stopped and prayed...would you be able to fight any longer? I doubt it, how can you continue to be angry at such honorable intent? This should become an automatic response whenever you face a situation in life that you don't have an answer too. Come together and be in agreeance in prayer and allow God to bring you the answers.
Praying for your spouse leads your heart to care more deeply for them but more importantly this pleases God. It brings protection against outside problems. It brings strength and guards your marriage with Armor! God loves to see you humbling yourselves together and seeking His face. His blessings begin to pour out on you more when you get on your knees and give Him your hearts. I know that not many couples are uncomfortable with this but in this midst of disagreeing and bitterness, it breaks down the walls. When there is chaos in your home and you intervene with prayer, it quiets loud voices and lessens the pain. Its so important that your children and the people around you see this example. God wants us to communicate and invite Him into our homes, our marriages and our chaotic life...He wants to help us in those times and if we fully give Him our whole hearts and do it together, His presence will be there. Its the best way to open the doors of communication with God and your spouse....
THE DARE: ASK YOUR SPOUSE IF YOU CAN BEGIN PRAYING TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT A TIME TO DO IT..(MORNING BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE OR BEFORE BED ETC...) USE THIS TIME TO BRING FORTH YOUR CONCERNS, DISAGREEMENTS AND NEEDS BEFORE GOD. BE AGREEANCE WITH ONE ANOTHER...INVITE GOD IN. IN THE MIDST OF A DISAGREEMENT TRY TO STOP AND PRAY....SEE IF THIS CHANGES THINGS. IF YOUR SPOUSE IS RESISTANT...THEN YOU KEEP PRAYING, DON'T GIVE UP AND TRY AN INTIATE PRAYER WITH THEM.
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON HIM....DON'T BE DISTRACTED BY EARTHLY MATTERS. PRAYING FOR THE DEEP CONNECTION YOU LONG FOR WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND GOD.
You have all heard the term,"A family that prays together stays together...," I believe it to be a proven fact. Marriage tends to improve almost 100%....for many godly couples the one thing that has held their family together and helped draw them closer, is "daily prayer" together.
It not only helps a marriage last but also brings about more respect, deeper love and heightens the level of sexual intimacy. There is more power in prayer than we believe and it can work wonders in every level of your relationship.
When you married God gave you a permanent prayer partner for life. We are joined to come together in prayer for every circumstance and every decision. What's beautiful about it, is the team work involved. When one is feeling weak the other can be strong and take over in prayer. Its great accountability. When one is dealing with certain fears, anxieties, and insecurities the other can take their spouses hands and pray for them. Wouldn't that just bring so much love, joy and respect if your spouse did that for you? Instead of taking out the tool box and trying to fix the problems on your own, they just PRAYED. If you guys were in the middle of an arguement and one of you just stopped and prayed...would you be able to fight any longer? I doubt it, how can you continue to be angry at such honorable intent? This should become an automatic response whenever you face a situation in life that you don't have an answer too. Come together and be in agreeance in prayer and allow God to bring you the answers.
Praying for your spouse leads your heart to care more deeply for them but more importantly this pleases God. It brings protection against outside problems. It brings strength and guards your marriage with Armor! God loves to see you humbling yourselves together and seeking His face. His blessings begin to pour out on you more when you get on your knees and give Him your hearts. I know that not many couples are uncomfortable with this but in this midst of disagreeing and bitterness, it breaks down the walls. When there is chaos in your home and you intervene with prayer, it quiets loud voices and lessens the pain. Its so important that your children and the people around you see this example. God wants us to communicate and invite Him into our homes, our marriages and our chaotic life...He wants to help us in those times and if we fully give Him our whole hearts and do it together, His presence will be there. Its the best way to open the doors of communication with God and your spouse....
THE DARE: ASK YOUR SPOUSE IF YOU CAN BEGIN PRAYING TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT A TIME TO DO IT..(MORNING BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE OR BEFORE BED ETC...) USE THIS TIME TO BRING FORTH YOUR CONCERNS, DISAGREEMENTS AND NEEDS BEFORE GOD. BE AGREEANCE WITH ONE ANOTHER...INVITE GOD IN. IN THE MIDST OF A DISAGREEMENT TRY TO STOP AND PRAY....SEE IF THIS CHANGES THINGS. IF YOUR SPOUSE IS RESISTANT...THEN YOU KEEP PRAYING, DON'T GIVE UP AND TRY AN INTIATE PRAYER WITH THEM.
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON HIM....DON'T BE DISTRACTED BY EARTHLY MATTERS. PRAYING FOR THE DEEP CONNECTION YOU LONG FOR WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND GOD.
Friday, November 12, 2010
DAY 36 OF THE LOVE DARE: LOVE is GODS WORD!
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."-Psalm 119:105
B asic
I nstruction
B efore
L eaving
E arth
The Bible is Gods way of communicating with us. Its our instruction to living a life of joy on this Earth, it give us guidance and direction. Every answer to a problem exists in the Bible by word or example. We can always apply it to our everyday life. Gods plan for our life exists in His Word and daily we should be diving into it seeking His answers not ours.
Many of us believe we are in control of our own destiny and we control our life. This can be furthest from the Truth. God is in control of our life. However, He gave us freedom to make our own choices because he loves us. When you love someone you let them go, you allow them to be free and make their own decisions while praying they will love you in return. When you try and control their every move they will run from you and resent you. This is God with us, God doesnt want us to run from him and He doesnt want to control our every move and choice. We arent his puppets tied to a string. He is the God of all Wisdom and knows the meaning of true love. He wants us to experience life to the fullest, He wants us to decide where we want to go and who we want to be with but He is always watching and waiting for you to acknowledge Him. He desires from you to come to Him, loving and seeking Him daily. He gives us that ability through prayer, worship and His Word.
I dont know all the hardships you have faced in your life nor do I have all the answers. But I do know that God does. He has a plan for the way you handle your finances. A plan for the way you raise your children. A plan for the way you treat your body, how you spend your time and how you handle conflict. He also has an ultimate plan how you handle your marriage. He is our Maker and know exactly what we need and what we should do and its all in the Bible! Our instruction and guidance is right there for us to see and when we choose not to follow it our life will be chaos! God has the right plan outlined for us to live by and apply it, he is just waiting for you!
His Scripture is a light to our path.....it leads the way towards joy and Eternity. If we know God, its important we commit to His Word daily so we can grow closer with Him and our spouse (and family and friends). We need to stop being lazy and do it! Choose today to:
1) BE IN IT- make it a habit daily. make it your routine...get up and read it with your spouse as well...even if its for 10 minutes. If you practice this daily you will grow and learn things you never knew. God will bring you more wisdom and more knowledge. The Bible is a strengthening tool for our heart and mind. You will begin to desire it and hunger for it more and more. God will reveal amazing things to you and it will begin to fill voids in your life. You will feel His presence and Holy Spirit move with in you. You may not feel like it but it may take a step of being obedient before your heart is fully in it. I guarantee you through obedience God blesses you and your heart will change.
2) STAY UNDER IT- The Bible can be deeply challenging and hard to understand so its important you find a Bible teaching church or a Bible study to join or even look for daily devotionals to help guide you through it.
3) LIVE IT- the Bible is a living book, taken to be applied to and lived by. Reading it will change your heart but living it will also change your life. The Word lives because it becomes a part of who you are. James 1:22 says,"Prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers." When we become Christians, we carry Christs name so its important we be the best example possible to those around us. We are human, and make mistakes but its important we do not give God a bad name. So we are to be wise in how we live. I think this is the most challenging part especially in our own homes.
Every aspect of your life you submit to Gods principles will grow stronger and more long lasting over time. But any part of your life (finances, health, children, and your marriage role) that you choose to withhold from Him and handle on your own, will weaken, crumble and fail when the storms of life come. Be careful of which aspect you choose not let go of, for most marriages it can be "money" and most marriages end in divorce because they choose to control that aspect of their life instead of following Gods plan. Dont allow your way to mess up the beautiful life God has for you. Be wise...build your house or your life on Gods plan. Seek His Ways in His Word.
THE DARE: COMMIT TO READING THE BIBLE EVERYDAY. FIND A DEVOTIONAL BOOK OR OTHER RESOURCE AS WELL TO HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH IT. FEED YOURSELF DAILY AND APPLY IT. IF YOUR SPOUSE IS OPEN TO IT, COMMIT TO READ WITH THEM AS WELL. LOOK AT YOUR LIFE AND "YOUR" PLAN....IS THERE AN AREA OF YOUR LIFE (MARRIAGE) THAT YOU HAVE NOT FULLY SUBMITTED TO GOD? WHAT AREAS OF YOUR LIFE ARE IN GREATEST NEED FOR GODS CARE AND COUNSEL? PRAY ABOUT THOSE AREAS WHERE YOU FEEL YOU MAY BE HEADED TOWARDS FAILURE AND LET GO...FIND THE ANSWER IN GODS PLAN. SURRENDER ALL.
PRAYING FOR REVELATION IN YOUR LIFE. PRAYING GOD REVEALS HIS PLAN AND PRAYING THAT YOU WOULD TAKE TIME DAILY TO READ, SEEK GOD, AND LIVE IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
B asic
I nstruction
B efore
L eaving
E arth
The Bible is Gods way of communicating with us. Its our instruction to living a life of joy on this Earth, it give us guidance and direction. Every answer to a problem exists in the Bible by word or example. We can always apply it to our everyday life. Gods plan for our life exists in His Word and daily we should be diving into it seeking His answers not ours.
Many of us believe we are in control of our own destiny and we control our life. This can be furthest from the Truth. God is in control of our life. However, He gave us freedom to make our own choices because he loves us. When you love someone you let them go, you allow them to be free and make their own decisions while praying they will love you in return. When you try and control their every move they will run from you and resent you. This is God with us, God doesnt want us to run from him and He doesnt want to control our every move and choice. We arent his puppets tied to a string. He is the God of all Wisdom and knows the meaning of true love. He wants us to experience life to the fullest, He wants us to decide where we want to go and who we want to be with but He is always watching and waiting for you to acknowledge Him. He desires from you to come to Him, loving and seeking Him daily. He gives us that ability through prayer, worship and His Word.
I dont know all the hardships you have faced in your life nor do I have all the answers. But I do know that God does. He has a plan for the way you handle your finances. A plan for the way you raise your children. A plan for the way you treat your body, how you spend your time and how you handle conflict. He also has an ultimate plan how you handle your marriage. He is our Maker and know exactly what we need and what we should do and its all in the Bible! Our instruction and guidance is right there for us to see and when we choose not to follow it our life will be chaos! God has the right plan outlined for us to live by and apply it, he is just waiting for you!
His Scripture is a light to our path.....it leads the way towards joy and Eternity. If we know God, its important we commit to His Word daily so we can grow closer with Him and our spouse (and family and friends). We need to stop being lazy and do it! Choose today to:
1) BE IN IT- make it a habit daily. make it your routine...get up and read it with your spouse as well...even if its for 10 minutes. If you practice this daily you will grow and learn things you never knew. God will bring you more wisdom and more knowledge. The Bible is a strengthening tool for our heart and mind. You will begin to desire it and hunger for it more and more. God will reveal amazing things to you and it will begin to fill voids in your life. You will feel His presence and Holy Spirit move with in you. You may not feel like it but it may take a step of being obedient before your heart is fully in it. I guarantee you through obedience God blesses you and your heart will change.
2) STAY UNDER IT- The Bible can be deeply challenging and hard to understand so its important you find a Bible teaching church or a Bible study to join or even look for daily devotionals to help guide you through it.
3) LIVE IT- the Bible is a living book, taken to be applied to and lived by. Reading it will change your heart but living it will also change your life. The Word lives because it becomes a part of who you are. James 1:22 says,"Prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers." When we become Christians, we carry Christs name so its important we be the best example possible to those around us. We are human, and make mistakes but its important we do not give God a bad name. So we are to be wise in how we live. I think this is the most challenging part especially in our own homes.
Every aspect of your life you submit to Gods principles will grow stronger and more long lasting over time. But any part of your life (finances, health, children, and your marriage role) that you choose to withhold from Him and handle on your own, will weaken, crumble and fail when the storms of life come. Be careful of which aspect you choose not let go of, for most marriages it can be "money" and most marriages end in divorce because they choose to control that aspect of their life instead of following Gods plan. Dont allow your way to mess up the beautiful life God has for you. Be wise...build your house or your life on Gods plan. Seek His Ways in His Word.
THE DARE: COMMIT TO READING THE BIBLE EVERYDAY. FIND A DEVOTIONAL BOOK OR OTHER RESOURCE AS WELL TO HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH IT. FEED YOURSELF DAILY AND APPLY IT. IF YOUR SPOUSE IS OPEN TO IT, COMMIT TO READ WITH THEM AS WELL. LOOK AT YOUR LIFE AND "YOUR" PLAN....IS THERE AN AREA OF YOUR LIFE (MARRIAGE) THAT YOU HAVE NOT FULLY SUBMITTED TO GOD? WHAT AREAS OF YOUR LIFE ARE IN GREATEST NEED FOR GODS CARE AND COUNSEL? PRAY ABOUT THOSE AREAS WHERE YOU FEEL YOU MAY BE HEADED TOWARDS FAILURE AND LET GO...FIND THE ANSWER IN GODS PLAN. SURRENDER ALL.
PRAYING FOR REVELATION IN YOUR LIFE. PRAYING GOD REVEALS HIS PLAN AND PRAYING THAT YOU WOULD TAKE TIME DAILY TO READ, SEEK GOD, AND LIVE IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
DAY 35: LOVE IS ACCOUNTABLE AND NEEDS COUNSEL!
"PLANS FAIL FOR LACK OF COUNSEL,BUT WITH MANY ADVISERS THEY SUCCEED."-PROVERBS 15:22
There is no doubt in my mind that one of the key ingredients to building a strong and healthy marriage is seeking Godly Counsel and Great Accountability! If couples face problems alone their foundation will break. God made us need fellowship for the very reason of helping each other through tough times. Those marriages that are more open to recieveing help are those marriage that pull through and grow closer together. God made us to be dependent on others...we are not strong enough to do everything on our own, nor do we have all the answers.Wise people constantly seek wise counsel and gladly receive it but fools never ask and ignore it when its given to them. The Bible states in Proverbs 12:15 that,"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
I believe that when Christian couples go through tough times, it will later on be used to help others. They may not be a licensed psychologist but they have the wisdom of life experience. Couples who have been married one year may face a huge trial that a couple married for 28 years may have never faced but through their trial, they can guide the other couple, pray with them and give them advice. In Gods eyes its not age He cares about...He knows despite age or how many years you have been a believer, that ANYONE is possible of using their story to bring others to Him. That's the great thing about Gods Kingdom, its so diverse. I love the verse in 1 Timothy 4:12," Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young (in age or faith), but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." It proves no matter what we are all useful as one of Gods tools!
You and your spouse need to be able to lean on other people. At times its humbling and sometimes embarrassing to admit that you have weaknesses and faults but God asks us to confess. He knows its good for us when we seek Godly counsel! Hebrews 3:13 says,"Encourage one another day after day....so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Too often, if we isolate ourselves from others and push your Christian friends away it becomes a downward spiral and pretty soon the tearing apart begins. My husband and I are notorious for doing this...we have stepped away from our group of friends and isolated ourselves and pretty soon became blinded by sin. Our mentors are used as reminders as well, they refreshen us daily with Gods word. We need accountability in our lives to push us and motivate us when we are weak. We need to surround ourselves with those who will tell us what need to hear not what we wanna hear. Those are true friends, they are the ones that really love you. It needs to also be on a consistent basis like our Married Couples Group at Church, FUSE, ITS CONSISTENT. Every week we are fed in areas we hunger. We thirst for the fellowship and connecting and its there. We are able to relate with others who maybe experiencing the same trials and we can help eachother through with finding dependency in Christ first.
I cannot tell you how important it is to surround yourselves with the right people. God brings some people and friends in your life for a "season" because of His "reason". Find those who share your same beliefs above all else and they will provide for you the right wisdom. Be careful of the advice you take in. The Worlds advice will tell you opposite of Gods advice. Advice from Oprah or Dr. Phil isn't always going to be the advice given by your Pastor. Guard yourself against the wrong influencers. Ask yourself about the friends you share your deepest problems with. What are they telling you. If problems arise at home, do they tell you to meet up for a drink at the local bar? Do they advise you to leave your spouse and hook up with the hot neighbor? Do these friends send you pornographic emails and tell you obscene jokes? Then these friends will not help strengthen your marriage...they will contribute to bringing it down. Those friends are the ones you should distance from yourself for a time. Don't allow those influencers to come in...satan will use them to fed you decieving things.
If your marriage is hanging by a thread or you are going through struggles with in yourself, pray God will send you Godly mentors. Then seek it...get involved at church, join a married couples study, seek help from a pastor or counselor. I guarantee you it will strengthen you in amazing ways. Reconnecting with Christian couples and relating with them will bring you closer to your spouse. You won't feel alone in your trials. You will begin to see His amazing work as He brings people in your life with common interests! One day you will be needed to help others struggling with the same thing! Iron sharpens Iron and Christians sharpen and strengthen eachother. Rejoice in your struggles today. Be open and honest....seek out a couple whose marriage it what you wish yours would be....ask how they did it and see where the conversation goes....let your guard down to those who love God.
THE DARE: FIND A MARRIAGE MENTOR-SOMEONE WHO IS A STRONG CHRISTIAN AND WHO WILL BE HONEST AND LOVING WITH YOU. IF YOU FEEL THAT COUNSELING IS NEEDED, THEN TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO SET UP AND APPOINTMENT. OPEN UP AND SHARE YOUR STRUGGLES AND FEARS. ALLOW GOD TO RELEASE YOU FROM IT. PRAY AND ASK GOD TO DIRECT YOUR DECISIONS, DISCERNMENTS AND YOUR PATH WITH FRIENDS. TAKE A LOOK AT THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS...ARE THEY HELPING YOU IN LEADING YOU TOWARDS GODS WAY OR ARE THEY HURTING YOU?
Praying for you today. I'm praying you will seek Godly Counsel in all decisions you and your spouse make. I'm praying you find strong accountability with other Christians and connect on consistent basis. God Bless.
There is no doubt in my mind that one of the key ingredients to building a strong and healthy marriage is seeking Godly Counsel and Great Accountability! If couples face problems alone their foundation will break. God made us need fellowship for the very reason of helping each other through tough times. Those marriages that are more open to recieveing help are those marriage that pull through and grow closer together. God made us to be dependent on others...we are not strong enough to do everything on our own, nor do we have all the answers.Wise people constantly seek wise counsel and gladly receive it but fools never ask and ignore it when its given to them. The Bible states in Proverbs 12:15 that,"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
I believe that when Christian couples go through tough times, it will later on be used to help others. They may not be a licensed psychologist but they have the wisdom of life experience. Couples who have been married one year may face a huge trial that a couple married for 28 years may have never faced but through their trial, they can guide the other couple, pray with them and give them advice. In Gods eyes its not age He cares about...He knows despite age or how many years you have been a believer, that ANYONE is possible of using their story to bring others to Him. That's the great thing about Gods Kingdom, its so diverse. I love the verse in 1 Timothy 4:12," Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young (in age or faith), but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." It proves no matter what we are all useful as one of Gods tools!
You and your spouse need to be able to lean on other people. At times its humbling and sometimes embarrassing to admit that you have weaknesses and faults but God asks us to confess. He knows its good for us when we seek Godly counsel! Hebrews 3:13 says,"Encourage one another day after day....so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Too often, if we isolate ourselves from others and push your Christian friends away it becomes a downward spiral and pretty soon the tearing apart begins. My husband and I are notorious for doing this...we have stepped away from our group of friends and isolated ourselves and pretty soon became blinded by sin. Our mentors are used as reminders as well, they refreshen us daily with Gods word. We need accountability in our lives to push us and motivate us when we are weak. We need to surround ourselves with those who will tell us what need to hear not what we wanna hear. Those are true friends, they are the ones that really love you. It needs to also be on a consistent basis like our Married Couples Group at Church, FUSE, ITS CONSISTENT. Every week we are fed in areas we hunger. We thirst for the fellowship and connecting and its there. We are able to relate with others who maybe experiencing the same trials and we can help eachother through with finding dependency in Christ first.
I cannot tell you how important it is to surround yourselves with the right people. God brings some people and friends in your life for a "season" because of His "reason". Find those who share your same beliefs above all else and they will provide for you the right wisdom. Be careful of the advice you take in. The Worlds advice will tell you opposite of Gods advice. Advice from Oprah or Dr. Phil isn't always going to be the advice given by your Pastor. Guard yourself against the wrong influencers. Ask yourself about the friends you share your deepest problems with. What are they telling you. If problems arise at home, do they tell you to meet up for a drink at the local bar? Do they advise you to leave your spouse and hook up with the hot neighbor? Do these friends send you pornographic emails and tell you obscene jokes? Then these friends will not help strengthen your marriage...they will contribute to bringing it down. Those friends are the ones you should distance from yourself for a time. Don't allow those influencers to come in...satan will use them to fed you decieving things.
If your marriage is hanging by a thread or you are going through struggles with in yourself, pray God will send you Godly mentors. Then seek it...get involved at church, join a married couples study, seek help from a pastor or counselor. I guarantee you it will strengthen you in amazing ways. Reconnecting with Christian couples and relating with them will bring you closer to your spouse. You won't feel alone in your trials. You will begin to see His amazing work as He brings people in your life with common interests! One day you will be needed to help others struggling with the same thing! Iron sharpens Iron and Christians sharpen and strengthen eachother. Rejoice in your struggles today. Be open and honest....seek out a couple whose marriage it what you wish yours would be....ask how they did it and see where the conversation goes....let your guard down to those who love God.
THE DARE: FIND A MARRIAGE MENTOR-SOMEONE WHO IS A STRONG CHRISTIAN AND WHO WILL BE HONEST AND LOVING WITH YOU. IF YOU FEEL THAT COUNSELING IS NEEDED, THEN TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO SET UP AND APPOINTMENT. OPEN UP AND SHARE YOUR STRUGGLES AND FEARS. ALLOW GOD TO RELEASE YOU FROM IT. PRAY AND ASK GOD TO DIRECT YOUR DECISIONS, DISCERNMENTS AND YOUR PATH WITH FRIENDS. TAKE A LOOK AT THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS...ARE THEY HELPING YOU IN LEADING YOU TOWARDS GODS WAY OR ARE THEY HURTING YOU?
Praying for you today. I'm praying you will seek Godly Counsel in all decisions you and your spouse make. I'm praying you find strong accountability with other Christians and connect on consistent basis. God Bless.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
DAY 34 OF THE LOVE DARE: LOVE CELEBRATES GODLINESS.....
"LOVE DOES NOT REJOICE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH.-1 Corinthians 13:6
LOVE rejoices in the things that are pleasing to God. When your spouse is growing in Christian character, perservering in Faith, seeking purity and embracing roles of giving and service and becoming spiritually responsible in your home, the Bible says we should be celebrating it! However, the world will tell you different! The world tells you to rejoice in Earthly things and will tell you that you don't need God, your Bible or church to grow and from the moment we commit our lives too Christ, invite Him in our marriages, seek him daily through pray and His word, a war will begin! We need to be on our guard, wearing the Armor of God as it says in Ephesians 6 and get ready to defend our spouse and marriages for the rest of our life. As I stated before and cannot tell you enough, the devil hates marriage especially of those who are Believers, he feels threatened by them. (those who are not Christian he leaves alone because he feels they are already on his side). The devils ultimate plan is to seek you, destroy you and cause division!
I may sound like a "bible thumping, Jesus Freak" but I dont care! I am proud to know God and feel privileged that Jesus has saved me. I have lived my life on both sides of the Spiritual Realm. I know whats its like to be oppressed and depressed by the darkness of this World and I also know what its like to have a deep sense of joy and the "burden of this earthly life" to be lifted from my shoulders. I will tell you that I would die for my Faith in Jesus Christ. I know that all the things in this world will one day pass away and I know that when I die I will take nothing with me. The things of this world (money, cars, houses, jobs, etc....)are all meaningless and dont value my life or yours! How you choose to live your life on this earth is what matters, whether your heart has been changed by God and how you lived for Him is what will be accounted for, therefore rejoice with others and celebrate with those who come to Christ!
The accomplishments made in Spiritual Growth with your spouse is what you should be proud of above all else! I speak to myself when I say this but we need to praise our spouses for Godly decisions they make. I will give you an example; My husband after working so hard for over 7 years with the same company, finally got a promotion that was so well deserved!I was so happy for him but he probabley didn't get the response he was hoping for from me (I tend too also have a bad habit of not believing until I see it). But my husbands faith and growth in Christ means far more to me than his promotion. My heart melts when he leads are family in prayer and the times he would read me scriptures. He got asked to lead a table at our Bible Study group at Church and did great....it made him even more attractive in my heart and eyes! Too see his potential in Christ is what makes me wanna brag about him. When he serves God I fall in love all over again and have an immense feeling of connectedness. Its awesome....that's how I know God is real in love of us. I'm proud of his successes but desire to give him a more heartfelt congratulations when he worships and honors God. When leads our family spiritually things are in order and the way God instructed them to be....and I love it!
What are u most proud of in your spouse? Is it their job position, the money they make, how popular and liked they are among people or is their Godliness that you celebrate? None of those other "things" define them in Gods eyes. Its not their accomplishments made on Earth that matter its how they lived their life for God. I'm an imperfect human who gets frustrated when my husband doesn't stay in the Word everyday. I get annoyed that he chooses not to seek Christ in every aspect of his life, but he is human too. It takes time to develop a solid relationship with God for some people (I am one of them) it takes time also to develop knowledge and wisdom and we need to appreciate those baby steps made. Encourage, praise and celebrate who they have become in Christ. Uplift them and you will get better results and continuous growth for God. God works in peoples lives in different ways, don't judge your spouse because they may not seek God as intently as u do.
THE DARE: Decide today to celebrate your spouses Godliness above their earthliness. . Commend them in the steps they have taken and praise them when those "Christian" characterestics appear. Build up and do not tear down. Pray for your spouses growth daily...be proud and passionate. , rejoice in righteousness and truth. pray for ur own growth in God and pray he teaches you to celebrate in the godly moments and pray He shows you what's most important to be proud of in life. Desire Godly accomplishments in your own life as well.
GOD BLESS U. I PRAY UR MARRIAGE BE HELD IN HIS HANDS.
LOVE rejoices in the things that are pleasing to God. When your spouse is growing in Christian character, perservering in Faith, seeking purity and embracing roles of giving and service and becoming spiritually responsible in your home, the Bible says we should be celebrating it! However, the world will tell you different! The world tells you to rejoice in Earthly things and will tell you that you don't need God, your Bible or church to grow and from the moment we commit our lives too Christ, invite Him in our marriages, seek him daily through pray and His word, a war will begin! We need to be on our guard, wearing the Armor of God as it says in Ephesians 6 and get ready to defend our spouse and marriages for the rest of our life. As I stated before and cannot tell you enough, the devil hates marriage especially of those who are Believers, he feels threatened by them. (those who are not Christian he leaves alone because he feels they are already on his side). The devils ultimate plan is to seek you, destroy you and cause division!
I may sound like a "bible thumping, Jesus Freak" but I dont care! I am proud to know God and feel privileged that Jesus has saved me. I have lived my life on both sides of the Spiritual Realm. I know whats its like to be oppressed and depressed by the darkness of this World and I also know what its like to have a deep sense of joy and the "burden of this earthly life" to be lifted from my shoulders. I will tell you that I would die for my Faith in Jesus Christ. I know that all the things in this world will one day pass away and I know that when I die I will take nothing with me. The things of this world (money, cars, houses, jobs, etc....)are all meaningless and dont value my life or yours! How you choose to live your life on this earth is what matters, whether your heart has been changed by God and how you lived for Him is what will be accounted for, therefore rejoice with others and celebrate with those who come to Christ!
The accomplishments made in Spiritual Growth with your spouse is what you should be proud of above all else! I speak to myself when I say this but we need to praise our spouses for Godly decisions they make. I will give you an example; My husband after working so hard for over 7 years with the same company, finally got a promotion that was so well deserved!I was so happy for him but he probabley didn't get the response he was hoping for from me (I tend too also have a bad habit of not believing until I see it). But my husbands faith and growth in Christ means far more to me than his promotion. My heart melts when he leads are family in prayer and the times he would read me scriptures. He got asked to lead a table at our Bible Study group at Church and did great....it made him even more attractive in my heart and eyes! Too see his potential in Christ is what makes me wanna brag about him. When he serves God I fall in love all over again and have an immense feeling of connectedness. Its awesome....that's how I know God is real in love of us. I'm proud of his successes but desire to give him a more heartfelt congratulations when he worships and honors God. When leads our family spiritually things are in order and the way God instructed them to be....and I love it!
What are u most proud of in your spouse? Is it their job position, the money they make, how popular and liked they are among people or is their Godliness that you celebrate? None of those other "things" define them in Gods eyes. Its not their accomplishments made on Earth that matter its how they lived their life for God. I'm an imperfect human who gets frustrated when my husband doesn't stay in the Word everyday. I get annoyed that he chooses not to seek Christ in every aspect of his life, but he is human too. It takes time to develop a solid relationship with God for some people (I am one of them) it takes time also to develop knowledge and wisdom and we need to appreciate those baby steps made. Encourage, praise and celebrate who they have become in Christ. Uplift them and you will get better results and continuous growth for God. God works in peoples lives in different ways, don't judge your spouse because they may not seek God as intently as u do.
THE DARE: Decide today to celebrate your spouses Godliness above their earthliness. . Commend them in the steps they have taken and praise them when those "Christian" characterestics appear. Build up and do not tear down. Pray for your spouses growth daily...be proud and passionate. , rejoice in righteousness and truth. pray for ur own growth in God and pray he teaches you to celebrate in the godly moments and pray He shows you what's most important to be proud of in life. Desire Godly accomplishments in your own life as well.
GOD BLESS U. I PRAY UR MARRIAGE BE HELD IN HIS HANDS.
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