Challenge #63

Is there peace in your marriage and in your home? I sincerely hope so. All that talk about couples fighting against each other reminded me of two scriptures in particular: Matthew 12:25 and Ephesians 6:12. Take a moment to read both by clicking on the verse links. What stands out to you? Jesus says in Matthew that any house divided against itself cannot stand. Wouldn't that be true for your house as well? So if you are at war with your spouse, there is division and you are setting your house up to fall. Another way to say this is: you're setting your marriage up to fail. You must come together for your house to stand, for your marriage to be successful. Ephesians reminds us that there is a real enemy and it is not your spouse. It says that we battle against the devil, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness. There is an enemy and it is not flesh and blood - your husband or wife. We see this same theme of being able to "stand," persevere, or succeed. And thankfully, we see the tools necessary to do so. There is nothing we can do without God's help because without Him we are nothing. If we truly desire a loving, peaceful marriage that flourishes, we must seek help from the Creator of marriage. There is no getting around it. We're lost without Him.

I've both heard and read this phrase and it holds true: the best thing you can do for your marriage is to become a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. Why? Because God designed marriage. Let Him teach you not only have to love your spouse, but how to put others first and love others with the godly love that He provides.

You must come out of the idea of "self." This was taken from Our Daily Bread:

A man once asked me, “What is your biggest problem?” I replied, “I see my biggest problem every day in the mirror.” I am referring to those “me first” desires that lurk in my heart.
In James 4:1 we read: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” The words “desires for pleasure” refer to our self-serving desires. That’s why in James 1:14 we are told: “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James warns that such “me first” desires will destroy our friendship with God (4:4) and cause divisions, wars, and fights (vv.1-2).
Therefore, we are told to put off “me first” thinking. How do we do this? First, “Submit to God” (4:7). We need to get our ranking right—God is God and His will must always be first. Second, “Draw near to God” (v.8). Deal with those desires that lead to sin by going to God for cleansing. Don’t be double-minded, desiring both evil and good. But rather desire to please God alone. Third, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord” (v.10). Then “He will lift you up.”
Remember, “me first” living is not the key to success. Put God first.

I once was full of self, and proud
Just like a Pharisee,
Until one day, quite by surprise,
I caught a glimpse of me. —Hawthorne

When you forget yourself, you usually start doing something others will remember.

Forget yourself today. Do something that your spouse will remember.