DAY 11

Day 11
"Love Cherishes"

"Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies."
(Ephesians 5:28)

If your older car breaks down and it will require major repairs for it to be road-worthy again, would it be reasonable to use the funds to buy a newer vehicle instead? Of course. But if you broke your hand, wouldn't you have it fixed at all costs? Of course.

What about in your marriage? If things "break down", do you give up on it, or go to extremes to repair the relationship? If you are tempted to trade in your wife for another one, then you have believed the lies of our culture. Don't let the culture around you determine the worth of your marriage. To compare it with something that can be discarded or replaced is to dishonor God's purpose for it ... Instead, it should be a picture of love between two imperfect people who choose to love each other regardless.

The truth is that a husband and a wife are one - you are a part of each other. What one experiences, you both experience. When one hurts, you both hurt. When one rejoices, you both rejoice. When there is a problem in that relationship, a couple should go to all lengths to fix the problem. Think carefully about what Paul writes to husbands in Ephesians 5:28-29, "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it . . ." This verse makes it clear that when you show love to your wife, you are actually showing love to yourself.

Consider the other side to that - if you hurt your wife, you are hurting yourself as well. Did you ever think about that? Love would have you to make sure that her needs are met because you are a part of each other. if she has issues causing pain or frustration, then you should care for these with the same love and tenderness as you would a bodily injury. If she is wounded in some way, you should think of yourself as an instrument that helps bring healing to her life. This is called cherishing your precious partner, your gift from God.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' (Proverbs 31:28,29)

. . . .remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35)

"Pray without ceasing."
(1Thessalonians 5:17)

Prayer, simply put, is conversation with God. And just as with any other normal conversation, the communication must be allowed to go both ways. Often we place our energy and focus in prayer on the speaking part, where we "make our requests known to God" (Philippians 4:6), with little, if any, time and energy allotted to listening to Him. God wants to speak to you today in prayer, so be sure to make time to shut out all the other voices and focus on what He is saying.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in Prayer. Help me to be consistent in my prayer life. Help me to silence the other voices in my life, including my own, in order to hear from You today. Burn into my hearts the importance of praying. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Mark 5:21-34 ... In what ways have you reached out to Jesus this week? How has He responded to meeting your needs and how has His response impacted your faith; and your journey each day with your wife?