No Pruning, No Fruit

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

~Prayer~

For the faith to believe that God can enable you to become "more than conquerors: over any hardship or tragedy in your life....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How has God pruned you in the past in order to make you bear more fruit?

As The Years Go By

1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

 We love Him because He first loved us.

~Prayer~

That God would deepen your relationship with Him and therefore, deepen you commitment to each other......~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What has tested your marriage commitment over the years?

Love Can Find A Way

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NKJV)

 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.....

~Prayers~

That the love god that penetrates people's hearts will also characterize your own ability to love the unlovable with perseverance.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Do you know someone who resists love? Are they relationship in your life that need to experience healing? What steps have you taken to bring this about?

Making Adjustments In A Marriage

Proverbs 13:15 (NKJV)

Good understanding gains favor,

But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

~Prayer~

That your hearts my not become hardened to one another and that you'll never lose your desire to please one another.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Where have you had to make adjustments in your marriage, individually and as a couple?

Pleasing Your Mate PT. 2

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

 So teach us to number our days...

 

~Prayer~

That you will build your marriage around Jesus Christ and that you will develop some common interests that both of you can enjoy.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What arrangements can you make to spend more time together during the next week? Each of you share one thing that you like to do that would give you some time together.

 

 

Pleasing Your Mate PT 1

Romans 15:1-3 (NKJV)

 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.

~Prayer~

For the ability to focus on pleasing your mate rather than yourself.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How Romans 15:1-3 can be applied to your marriage? Take the pulse of your heart to please one another. Write down, then discuss the three things your spouse could do that would truly please you.

The Finished Work of Patience

James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

~Prayer~

Together pray through (not around) a problem, trial or other issues, asking God to give you patience to allow time to learn from the experience. Ask God to increase your oneness as a couple....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Do you feel prepared to handle suffering in your marriage relationship? Why?

No Pain, No Gain

 

Hebrews 12:11 (NKJV)

 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness...

~Prayer~

As God for the courage, faith and perspective that embraces pain in your life. Ask Him to make you more fruitful, knowing that fruit bearing is always preceded by pruning... ~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What attitudes of mind are required to accept pain as gain? In what area do you and your family need to be better disciplined?

Dare To Risk PT. 2

Psalm 18:35 (NKJV)

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;

Your right hand has held me up,

Your gentleness has made me great.

~Prayer~

If you don't have a vision for your life, marriage and family, why not get on your knees tonight as a couple and ask God to help you see what He wants you to do?~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Dare To Risk PT 1

Psalm 18:32-33 (NKJV)

It is God who arms me with strength,

And makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of deer,

And sets me on my high places.

~Prayer~

At the end of your life will it be said you, "He believed God for everything or not enough?" Ask God to help you be more of a Christian risk taker....~Amen~

~ Something To Ponder~

Are you a risk taker, in your marriage and family? Are you a risk taker, do you play it safe in your walk with God?

Living With Differences

Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

~Prayer~

For the ability to discuss differences openly without being defensive or feeling threatened...~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How do your differences make you stronger as a couple?

Of First Importance

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)

 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...

~Prayer~

That God will help you choose the most important values for your family, and to spend your time and finances in ways that honor Him...~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Write a "mission statement" for your family, listing to core values you would like to see emphasized. Does the way you spend most of your time and money reflect these values?

4 Steps to Becoming Accountable

Proverbs 27:17(NIV)

As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

~Prayer~

Dear Father, lead me to a people who He can us to sharpen me.... ~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What are you greatest needs that would lead you to find an accountability partner? Who are potential accountability partner you could approach?

4 Steps

1. Humble your ego.

2. Determine your need.

3. Select a mature Christian--of the same sex--who would have the courage to get real and speak the truth, ask you tough questions.

4. Approach this person and ask him/her to keep you accountable.

Tip

Finally, meet with this person on a regular basis to set measurable goals and allow him/her to ask you how you're doing.

Accountability In Marriage

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV)

 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

~Prayer~

That God would us accountability to your mate to help you and your spouse grow closer to Christ and preserve your marriage.

~ Something To Ponder~

Do you feel free to be accountable to you mate? Why? Why not? If appropriate, discuss accountability with your spouse.

The Benefits Of Accountability

 

Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)

 Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

~Prayer~

That  God would lead you to some poeple who will love you enough to protect you and help you stay focused on what God wants to do through you....~Amen~

 

~Something To Ponder~

How would you personally benefit  from accountability? How would it benefit your spouse and your family?

Characteristics Of The Unaccountable

Proverbs 9:8-9 (NKJV)

Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

 

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

~Prayer~

That you would have the strength and wisdom to avoid situations where you are isolated from others.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

In what situations do you find yourself most open to temptation?

Accountability: Your Personal Alarm System

Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)

 Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

~Prayer~

For humility and vulnerability, and that your life will be an open book before the Lord, before your family and before some selected Christians who you trust....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Do you find the concept of being accountable to another person uncomfortable? Why?

Worthy Of Praise

Proverbs 31:28-29 (NKJV)

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

 

“Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

~Prayer~

That God would give you the opportunity soon to thank your mother for the good things she has done in your life.... ~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Can you be that example for your daughters, your nieces and young ladies that are around you?  For what qualities can you praise your mother?

Motherhood As A Career

Titus 2:4-5 (NKJV)

 That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

~Prayer~

That God will guide you to make decisions about career and family that reflect the priority that rearing children should have in a Christian home.

~Something To Ponder~

What are some prices children sometimes pay for both parents working outside of the home?

Why You Need Romance

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

Its flames are flames of fire,

A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it.

~Prayer~

Ask God to equip you to be the romantic partner your spouse needs you to be....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

As you look back on your time together, what have been the romantic high-lights? Do you think you have lost some of the romantic fire you once had? What can you do to fan the embers?

Discovering Something Beautiful

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

~Prayer~

That you will develop the ability to accept the gift God gave you in your mate.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Make a list of all you differences and how yo complement one another. Than make a list of all the positive qualities in your mate.  Write out a love letter that is a statement of your acceptance of your mate.

With Open Arms

Psalm 51:10-12 (NKJV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 

Do not cast me away from ....Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

~Prayer~

If you need to confess any sins, do so now and thank God for His forgiveness...~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Talk about you understand of God's forgiveness--is it absolute, total? Do you harbor and fears that God will reject you? What for?

Kids & The Image of God

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

~Prayer~

That you  can experience God's acceptance in order to communicate acceptance 

and self-esteem to your children.

~Something To Ponder~

On a scale of 1-10 (1 = low), rank your parents' expectations of you as a child. discuss with your mate how those expectation affect you and your parenting style today.

The Weight of Expectations

Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

~Prayer~

That God's acceptance of you will cause you to be so secure that you willingly extend acceptance and realistic expectations to your children.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Talk with your spouse about your expectations for yourself and your children. Are they realistic?

Taking A Stand

Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes....

~Prayer~

That you and each member of your family will never be intimidated or ashamed of affirm Christian values in a non-Christian world....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How have you and your children had the opportunity to take a public stand for Christ? Share a recent time where you've been ashamed to stand up for Jesus Christ.....