DEVOTIONS
​
Monday: This coming Sunday we focus our hearts in this “Great is Thy Faithfulness” series on the topic of marriage. Please know this: lessons on marriage can be hard on some. While couples may squirm and get uncomfortable hearing things we pray their hearts take hold of and adjust in order to strengthen their relationship, others who are single, widowed, divorced, separated, struggle at moments during this topic. Regardless of marital circumstance, as followers of God we all have a stake in good, long-term marriages. We need to honor faithful marriage even if it’s not our personal experience. Let’s start this week off right by praying for all marriages: Lord, cover this topic. Help all, no matter our status, to learn together. In Jesus, amen.
Tuesday: Marriage is a complex relationship…perhaps the most intricate on the face of the earth. Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize this when we say “I do”. Good marriages don’t just happen. They have to be created. They have to be developed. The willingness and ability to love and serve our spouse is dependent on a myriad of complex issues, characteristics and experiences. None of these can be used as an excuse, but certainly can be helpful in understanding why we may have more difficulty in marriage than other may have. Are you married? Pray specifically for your own marriage today. Not, or no longer, married? Pray for the ones close to your heart today. Father, grow us together and tougher in a good way. Help us look to You. In Jesus, amen.
Wednesday: “But those who marry will face may troubles in this life (1 Corinthians 7:28).” Amen to that (at times…for some). Often in relationships we allow the negative to compound, fester, infect ourselves and our other half. This shouldn’t happen! Marriage is fun, good, filled with nurturing hope and help. Having a good, strong, healthy, faithful marriage is work…but it’s worth every ounce of work we put in. Pray today for yourself. Pray you learn to serve no matter what. Pray this relationship depends upon your effort (this truly changes your mindset). God, help me do better. Help me be the good. In Jesus, amen.
Thursday: Whenever a couple finds themselves dissatisfied in marriage, they have 3 choices: to settle, bail, or build. Most couples do one of the 1st two options; they either settle thinking nothings gonna change and they’re just stuck or they bail out and hope for the best somewhere else. Imagine if we invested and built back better? Imagine if we returned to when we first started having those butterflies in our stomach? Imagine if we served one another? Imagine if we made sure our partner knew they were all we want and need? Woo! Lord, help me have this! Build us back better and keep our fire lit. In Jesus, amen.
Friday: Pray for all marriages today. Pray for folks to get over the concept of falling in or out of love. Love and marriage is a choice. Falling is not intentional for the most part. Pray all marriages seek to honor God first and foremost. Pray we learn what works best and make it happen. Father, give me to strength and the resources needed to make my marriage better than ever. In Jesus, amen.
Saturday: Marriage is hard work. Any marriage that has achieved intimacy and been a blessing through the years has been worked on. Pray all surrender themselves and their marriages to the Lord, allowing Him to work. Lord, build us up better than ever before. May our relationship focus on You. In Jesus, amen.
​