Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“We often throw the word ‘love’ around loosely, leaving it to be defined in many ways. People say things like, ‘I love chocolate cake,’ ‘I love football,’ or ‘I love that show.’ When people say sentences like these, the words they really mean are ‘like’ or ‘enjoy.’ The definition of love goes much deeper than what we feel emotionally attached to. To love is to compassionately and righteously pursue the well-being of another.”—Tony Evans
Dear Lord, thank You that You have first demonstrated to me what true love is. I don’t have to guess what it looks like because You modeled it through the giving of Your Son Jesus Christ as my ransom. Love never shrinks back, and love is never selfish.
Lord, I pray that what I do for my spouse will come from a true heart of love, rather than duty or even in the hopes of getting something back. When I serve my spouse in love—from a sincere and pure heart—will You be kind to me and let me know You noticed? Will You reinforce this attitude in me by allowing me to see with spiritual eyes when my love makes a positive difference in my marriage.
Give me grace, Father, to love willingly, continually and even in spite of feeling as if all of my needs are not met by my spouse. Love is not conditional. Love forgives. Love believes. Love endures. Love never fails. Thank You for modeling that to me every day. In Christ’s name, amen.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 NIV
“Many husbands and wives work as a team to provide for the emotional, spiritual and overall needs of their family. How beautiful it is when they bring that sense of teamwork home and model it for their children and for others in their spheres of influence.”— Tony Evans
Lord, unity takes effort. If it didn’t, Paul wouldn’t have written what he did to the church at Ephesus. He told them to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” Forgive us as a couple when we feel entitled to unity from our spouse simply because we are married. Forgive me when I expect my spouse to get on the same page with me when I think I am in the right.
Unity takes effort. Effort comes in the form of humility, listening, grace, understanding, patience and also wisdom. Provide me with these virtues in a greater measure so that I can do my part to work toward keeping the unity in our marriage. Provide the same to my spouse, and help us both to respond to each other with peace when the other has neglected these things. Let that peace be a reminder that our unity is a critical tool in Your hands to advance Your kingdom and to bring about Your purpose for us. In Christ’s name, amen.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3
“Experiencing a marriage where both partners are fulfilling their purpose doesn’t mean that every moment will be filled with bells and trumpets. It means that faith in God’s calling and direction for yourselves and for each other will often have to carry you through those mundane moments that show up as a normal part in everyone’s life.”— Tony Evans
Dear God, it’s easy to question our purpose and direction when things delay. It’s especially easy if the delay causes any kind of discomfort in the home, a financial loss of some sort, or an inconvenience. All too often these delays can turn us to doubt. And doubt can lead to division as we question each other and Your purpose in each of our lives. Lord, help us to fully commit to seeing You carry out Your purpose for both of as individuals and for us together as a couple in Your timing. Give us the grace of patience when things don’t seem to be falling into place. Help us to pick up the shield of faith that reminds us that the vision is yet for the appointed time, and until that appointed time comes, God, we are to serve each other in humility, encouragement and mutual understanding. In Christ’s name, amen.
Why We Do What We Do
"Recently, I was able to attend your church and purchased the book, Kingdom Man. Since that time, things have gotten so much better in my life. Your ministry has blessed my whole family. My children love the Lord dearly, and all of them are active in school, sports and church. For a man who spent five years in prison, the Lord has done great things in my life. I cannot thank you enough." —Stan
