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Love God, Love Your Spouse
By Chris and Liz Sarno of Relevant Church
In the book of Matthew, Jesus gave two commandments: (1) Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and (2) love others as you love yourself. The Message version says these are the “pegs” upon which every other commandment and law hang. These principles can also be applied to marriage. Loving God with everything in you and loving your spouse like you love yourself are two keys to a strong, healthy marriage.
Loving God with all of your heart, mind and soul is easier said than done. The Bible tells us that if we really love God we will obey His Word even when we don’t want to. Jesus Himself gave us the best example of this when He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” In the ultimate sacrifice of obedience and love He laid down His life in order to do His Father’s will. Conforming your will to God’s Word may at times mean laying down your life and sacrificing what you want to think say and do.
After God, the most important person in your life is your spouse and according to Jesus you need to love them like you love yourself. Think you don’t love yourself? Think again! There are so many things you do daily without even realizing it that are just for you. Every morning you wake up and fix a cup of coffee, wash your hair, put on your clothes, workout (or not), drive the route you want to work, watch the shows you want to, read your choice of books, do what makes you happy. Many decisions are based upon what you want. That’s fine but what would happen if you were as concerned about making your spouse happy as you were about pleasing yourself? What if your first thought when you woke up each morning was, “How can I best love God today, and how can I best love my spouse?” Even better, what if you maintained that awareness throughout the day?
Stay conscious of how you can best show love today. Loving God and your spouse intentionally may not always be easy, but it is worth it.
1. What areas of your life do you need to adjust in order to truly love God with all your heart, mind and soul?
2. What is one thing you can start implementing today to intentionally love your spouse more than you love yourself?
By Chris and Liz Sarno of Relevant Church
In the book of Matthew, Jesus gave two commandments: (1) Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and (2) love others as you love yourself. The Message version says these are the “pegs” upon which every other commandment and law hang. These principles can also be applied to marriage. Loving God with everything in you and loving your spouse like you love yourself are two keys to a strong, healthy marriage.
Loving God with all of your heart, mind and soul is easier said than done. The Bible tells us that if we really love God we will obey His Word even when we don’t want to. Jesus Himself gave us the best example of this when He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” In the ultimate sacrifice of obedience and love He laid down His life in order to do His Father’s will. Conforming your will to God’s Word may at times mean laying down your life and sacrificing what you want to think say and do.
After God, the most important person in your life is your spouse and according to Jesus you need to love them like you love yourself. Think you don’t love yourself? Think again! There are so many things you do daily without even realizing it that are just for you. Every morning you wake up and fix a cup of coffee, wash your hair, put on your clothes, workout (or not), drive the route you want to work, watch the shows you want to, read your choice of books, do what makes you happy. Many decisions are based upon what you want. That’s fine but what would happen if you were as concerned about making your spouse happy as you were about pleasing yourself? What if your first thought when you woke up each morning was, “How can I best love God today, and how can I best love my spouse?” Even better, what if you maintained that awareness throughout the day?
Stay conscious of how you can best show love today. Loving God and your spouse intentionally may not always be easy, but it is worth it.
1. What areas of your life do you need to adjust in order to truly love God with all your heart, mind and soul?
2. What is one thing you can start implementing today to intentionally love your spouse more than you love yourself?
Scripture
About this Plan
This 16-day devotional (with two catch-up days) was written for couples in ministry roles by couples in ministry roles. At Leading and Loving It, we believe that ministries will not be healthy unless marriages are healthy first. You and your spouse will discuss a variety of topics including communication, finances and sexual intimacy!
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Leading and Loving It is a ministry dedicated to equipping, connecting, and impacting pastors’ wives and women in ministry. We hope to encourage healthy women and therefore healthy marriages, healthy families, and healthy ministries.For more infromation, please visit: www.leadingandlovingit.com
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