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#99: “Dates”, Common Interests, In Other Good Times
I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15) Friendship requires commitment to spend time together, enjoying one another’s company and finding common interests. Without that commitment, the friendship will never develop any real depth. Very late in Christ’s earthly ministry, He…
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#98: Protection From Drifting Apart
Guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:14 NASB) Couples sometimes drift apart after several years of marriage. We like to suggest a few ways couples can preserve the gift of love God has given them. First, we encourage couples to verbalize –…
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#97: Deference – Yielding To Others For Their Benefit
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21) Deferring to another means that my heart is yielded to the Holy Spirit’s work. It means that I am willing to give up my agenda, my preferences, and my schedule for the benefit of someone else. Deference means that my needs are not always…
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#96: Liberty From Fear And Obligation
Live as free men… live as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)Giving freedom in marriage means we allow our spouse to be different from us, to be unique. Freedom means not dwelling on past hurts. It means not being fearful about the future, but being committed to living in the present. Freedom means learning to…
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#95: Protected By Wisdom From Above
Wisdom strengthens the wise. (Ecclesiastes 7:19) The psalmist speaks of our tendency to wander like a sheep, but he tells me that God’s wisdom protects me as I choose my steps. God’s wisdom protects me from straying as He gives me discernment for daily life. God sees it all – the big picture. He sees…
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#94: Honoring Your Spouse’s Strengths
Let marriage be held in honour. (Hebrews 13:4, NASB) Over the years we’ve come to appreciate each other’s character qualities – those strengths within each other that bless each other – for example, very supportive and loyal, convictingly diligent about getting tasks completed, discerning and insightful, truthful and hospitable. Those are just a few of…
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#93: The Look and Sound of Approval
Give, and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:38 NASB)In our years as seminar speakers, we have met many men and women who never receive their spouse’s approval. Instead, they have been criticised – for their size, the way they dress, how they keep house, or for their cooking, the way they handle finances,…
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#92: Harmony Based On Knowing Another
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)Many couples live with conflict and emotional discord. We need to earnestly pray that the Prince of Peace would rule and reign in our household. Let us desire that our marriage and our family to reflect the beauty of…
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#91: Green-Stamp Service
With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men. (Ephesians 6:7)Have we ever found ourselves “green stamping” our spouse? By that I mean doing something for him/her while internally deciding that they are owed for our “act of service.” Let us be honest in admitting that we do that at times.…
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#90: Prayer Helps Heal Hurts
Pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:16)There may be no more powerful healing tool for relationships than prayer. Amid every argument in marriage, couples can find common ground in yielding prayer: “not my will, but Yours be done”. (Luke 22:42) There’s an important healing message as two agree in prayer, declaring…
RBW FAMILY MINISTRIES 