2020-11-03
Proverbs 5:15 NIV
For some of us, part of God’s plan is that we’ll form loving relationships and get married. For others, His plan is that we’ll stay single. If we’re designed for singleness, it might seem strange to think about faithfulness in marriage. But since marriage is a reflection of God’s love for His church (take a look at Ephesians 5:22-23), it can help us think about our faithfulness to God too.
In Proverbs 5, Solomon shows us a picture of staying faithful to a husband or wife using the imagery of a well: ‘Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers…For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly’ (vv.15-23 NIV).
In Solomon’s day, clean water was a very precious commodity, and a well or cistern was considered to be as valuable as gold. By comparing a spouse to a well, he’s showing us how valuable and refreshing a loving, faithful relationship can be. He also demonstrates the dangers of straying outside of that relationship. This is advice we need to pay attention to and remember if we get married. But for all of us, it’s also a reminder of how faithful we should be to God.
Wandering from Him and looking to other things to fulfil us can lead to disaster, but staying close to Him means we can experience His refreshment, peace and love.
Ezra 9-10; John 8:1-20; Ps 96; Prov 25:1-7
2020-07-18
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
James writes, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown” (James 1:12 NIV). Are you thinking of quitting? Life is full of quitting points, but if you throw in the towel on your marriage, your career, or your dream, you may regret it for the rest of your life. Only by staying the course can God strengthen you and make you a winner. F. B. Meyer says, “You never test the resources of God until you attempt the impossible.” Quitting doesn’t build character, endurance does. It develops something in you that nothing else can; that’s why God calls it “blessed” (James 5:11 NKJV). It stustains courage, gives staying power to discipline, and turns dreams into reality. Nobody knew more about endurance than Jesus. He endured all the way to Calvary: when they plucked the hair from His face, when the whip tore His flesh, when they nailed Him to a cross, when His friends forsook Him, when bystanders mocked Him, when God turned His face away, and when hell rose up and cried, “Quit!” The Bible says, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured.” God rewards those who diligently seek Him (See Hebrews 11:6). He promises that when you seek Him with all your heart, you’ll find Him (See Jeremiah 29:13). And those promises apply to you. So tell God, “I plan to keep going, and trusting You for the strength to break through.” When you pray that way, you’ll find your quitting point isn’t as solid as you thought.
Soul food: Acts 6-7; Luke 8:16-25; Ps 140; Prov 16:3
2020-04-04
Psalm 31:12 NIV
When your mate breaks your marriage vows, it can break your heart. And after the initial shock wears off, your driving desire can be to hurt them in return. So what should you do instead? (1) Take time to process your emotions. A quick, “I forgive you,” or just sweeping things under the rug, will sabotage any hope of rebuilding a strong relationship. (2) If your mate is a habitual betrayer who wants to live as he or she pleases, God’s Word gives you the right to be set free from them. But don’t move too quickly. Ask yourself if work and family pressures may have caused you to neglect each other. Did you inadvertently open a door for the Enemy? These are hard questions – but they must be answered, because the decision you make is one you will live with for the rest of your life. You may not believe it right now, but God can make a good marriage out of a bad mess. Yes, it will take time – trust can only be rebuilt slowly. And that means: (a) Learning to be sensitive to one another. (b) Acknowledging that your mate may need detailed accountability, and you may have to go the extra mile to rebuild the trust that was lost. But it can happen. “The righteous cry out…the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18 NKJV). God can turn your situation around. If you’ll work with Him – He’ll work with you.
Soul food: 2 Thes 1-3; Matt 27:1-10; Ps 32; Prov 9:10-16
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
