2020-03-11
John 13:1 NLT
Let’s look again at how Jesus loved His disciples and how you should love your wife. He never stopped loving them. The Bible tells us that Jesus “had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth…and now he loved them to the very end.” Do you remember the marriage vows you took? “For better, for worse…for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death us do part”? If the magic has left your marriage and you feel like you’ve fallen out of love with your mate, pray: “Father, my love for my spouse is at an all-time low. I know Your Word says unfailing love is patient, kind, humble, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-5). I confess that I’ve kept records of offenses and had little patience with my mate’s shortcomings. Forgive me for my spiritual immaturity. I ask You to permeate my heart and love my spouse through me. Help me to let go of resentment and make our marriage a model of how You loved the church and gave Yourself for it. Work in us, Lord, both to will and to do Your good pleasure (See Philippians 2:13). Heal and restore our relationship for Your glory. Guide us as we follow the pattern established in Your Word for regenerating and restoring lost love: remembering the things we used to do together, repenting of our failings, and rekindling the fire of love we had in the beginning (See Revelation 2:5). Only You can change a person’s heart, and I submit my heart and emotions to You now. ‘Turn…me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God’ (Jeremiah 31:18). In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”
Soul food: Gen 40-41; Matt 22:1-14; Ps 27; Prov 7:10-20
2020-03-10
Proverbs 5:18 NKJV
The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ…loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NKJV), so let’s take another look at how Christ loved the founders of the church, His twelve disciples. He recognized their gifts. He rejoiced in their successes. He supported and encouraged them to grow to their full potential. Are you willing to do that? When you truly love someone, you won’t try to hold them back or seek to control them because of your insecurities. You’ll recognize their gifting, help them become everything God called them to be, release them, and celebrate their successes. And should their light shine brighter than yours, become their biggest cheerleader. If this wasn’t modeled in your family of origin, chances are, you’ll have to work at it. And if you had an unfaithful partner in a previous relationship, you may need to ask God to heal your heart and give you a new level of trust. Building this kind of relationship calls for a level of humility and honesty you’re probably not used to. It may require overcoming your male ego, admitting your fears, and saying to your wife, “I love you and I really want to trust you. Will you please help me?” Until you get through this stage and feel more secure about your relationship, a marriage partner who truly loves you will go the extra mile when it comes to telling you where they’ve been and who they spent time with during the day. The truth is, sometimes you have to fight for your marriage – but it’s worth it, because in the end, you both win!
Soul food: Gen 37-39; Matt 21:33-46; Ps 112; Prov 7:6-9
2020-03-09
Deuteronomy 24:5 NKJV
The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25 NKJV). And since the disciples were the original church founders, let’s look again at how Jesus treated them. He spent time with them, talking and listening. Old Testament law required: “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife” (Deuteronomy 24:5 NKJV). Imagine, a whole year of doing nothing but loving and getting to know each other! Why did God plan it that way? Because no battle you’ll ever fight, and no business you’ll ever be involved in, is more important than building a lasting relationship with your spouse. A leading cause of divorce today is among couples who don’t set aside time at the end of the workday to sit down together, free from the TV and telephone, and share their thoughts and feelings. Do you know what never grows old? Caring, communicating, assuring your spouse that of all the places you could be right now, you’d rather be with them. Many times your wife will share problems with you, but it’s not because she wants you to “fix” them. Truth be told, some of the problems she discussed with you months ago remain unfixed, and she’s okay with that! What she’s looking for is empathy, understanding, and support. When you listen attentively to her concerns, she feels loved and valued, and nine times out of ten, the problem fades into obscurity. It’s a big return – on a small investment!
Soul food: Gen 35-36; Matt 21:18-32; Ps 106:24-48; Prov 7:3-5
2020-03-08
Ephesians 5:25 NKJV
Why does the Bible say, “Husbands, love your wives…as Christ…loved the church and gave Himself for her”? Because your wife needs to know you love her, think about her, include her in your plans, and that you consider her opinions, needs, and desires. And if you don’t tell her, she won’t know it! So let’s look at how Jesus loved the church, which began with twelve disciples who were flawed human beings, and learn how you should love your wife. (1) He loved them unconditionally. Was it always easy? No. But instead of nagging His disciples about what they were or were not, He rejoiced, thinking about what they would become when His grace had worked in their lives. Stop and remember the qualities you saw in your wife that initially attracted you to her. Over the years she may have gained a few pounds, added a few new wrinkles, and sometimes seems to be buried under a mountain of household chores. But she’s still the same wonderful person you fell in love with. That’s easy to forget, so you must constantly remind yourself – and her – of it. When roses are exposed to frost, they wither and die, but given the right amount of sunshine and rain – they flourish. Describing an ideal wife, Solomon writes, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NKJV). Why did these children praise their mother? Because they saw their father do it! So if you’ve been too busy, too self-absorbed, or too distracted, change your ways – and tell your wife how much you love her. (And by the way, ladies – that principle works both ways!)
Soul food: Matt 5:3; Luke 18:9-14; Isa 57:14-21; 2 Sam 7:18-29
2020-03-07
Malachi 3:14 NLT
In the last book in the Old Testament, Malachi, the Israelites asked, “What’s the use in serving God?” It’s a question nonbelievers and sometimes even believers ask, particularly when times are hard and our faith is sorely tested. The psalmist gives us the answer: “Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression…happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful – and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor” (Psalm 112:1-9 TLB). Notice that the benefits of serving God include happiness, children you can be proud of, success, influence, and honor. Note in particular the words: “He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.” These blessings are all part of your “benefits package.”
Soul food: Gen 32-34; Matt 21:12-17; Ps 106:1-23; Prov 7:1-2
2020-03-06
Mark 11:24 NIV
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers,” said: “Believe God until…you can thank Him for the answer. If the answer still tarries outwardly, do not pray in such a way that it’s evident you’re not believing for it. Such a prayer in place of being a help will be a hindrance; and when you are finished praying you’ll find that your faith has weakened, or has entirely gone. The urgency that you felt to offer this kind of prayer is clearly from self…It may not be wrong to mention the matter in question to the Lord again, if He is keeping you waiting, but be sure you do it in such a way that it implies faith. Do not pray yourself out of faith. You may tell Him that you’re waiting…still believing Him and therefore praise Him for the answer. There is nothing that so fully clinches faith, as to be so sure of the answer that you can thank God for it. Prayers that pray us out of faith deny both God’s promise in His Word, and His whisper ‘Yes,’ that He gave us in our hearts. Such prayers are but the expression of the unrest of one’s heart, and unrest implies unbelief…’For we which have believed do enter into rest’ (Hebrews 4:3). This prayer that prays ourselves out of faith frequently arises from centering our thoughts on the difficulty rather than on God’s promise. Abraham ‘considered not his own body…he staggered not at the promise of God’ (Romans 4:19, 20). May we watch and pray that we enter not into the temptation of praying ourselves out of faith.”
Soul food: Gen 30:25-31:55; Matt 21:1-11; Ps 136:13-26; Prov 6:32-35
