• #99: “Dates”, Common Interests, In Other Good Times

    #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…

  • #96: Liberty From Fear And Obligation

    #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…

  • #95: Protected By Wisdom From Above

    #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…

  • #91: Green-Stamp Service

    #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.…

  • #89: Giving Yourself Up

    #89: Giving Yourself Up

    Christ Jesus… did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation… coming in the likeness of men. (Philip 2:5-7) I am glad Christ didn’t selfishly hold on to heaven. I’m glad He deferred to my world and my needs, thinking them more important than His own. True deference…

  • #85: Lifting Up Your Spouse As A Person Of Great Worth

    #85: Lifting Up Your Spouse As A Person Of Great Worth

    He who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:11)It feels great to have someone – a friend, a co-worker, or a family member – view us as a person of great worth. To have such a promise of exaltation from the Lord is tremendous. But to be valued as important by one’s spouse may be…

  • #84: Kind, Good-Natured, Caring

    #84: Kind, Good-Natured, Caring

    Be completely humble and gentle. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)Gentleness in marriage means treating my spouse according to her inherent worth as declared by our Saviour. It means talking in a way that is free from rudeness or abruptness. Gentleness means being considerate of my spouse’s feelings and preferences. It means being free from roughness or harshness.…

  • #65: “Dates”, Common Interests & Other Good Times

    #65: “Dates”, Common Interests & 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 a 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…

  • #64: Strength In Gentleness

    #64: Strength In Gentleness

    Let your gentleness be known to all. (Philippians 4:5)I’ve heard it said that words hurt like punches. When we first hear that said, we feel regret because we realise how many “punches” we have hit each other with over the years when we spoke mean or insensitive words. We have thrown many a sarcastic remark…

  • #61: By What Authority?

    #61: By What Authority?

    Speak these things and rebuke with all authority. (Titus 2:15)True exhortation is grounded in God’s authority – the Scriptures. Pushing my opinions or advice on my spouse may be giving advice or even nagging, but it is not exhortation. “Exhortation with all authority” as it is stated in today’s Scriptures, is becoming familiar with the…