Day 23 Love Always Protects

Day 23

Love always protects

[Love] always protects. –1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV

Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, and any addiction or influence that’s stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.

Today’s Questions:

What did you throw out first? Are there others that need to go as well? What do you hope the removal of these things will do for you, your marriage, and your relationship with God?

You will be restored if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent. (Job 22:23)

Yesterday’s Dare:

This kind of love is impossible without the love of Christ because truly loving someone, including myself, is impossible without the love of Christ. The love of Christ enables me to love regardless because it gives me strength and courage. Without His love, I would be lost. 

Day 22 Love Is Faithful

Day 22

Love is faithful

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.

Then you will know the Lord. –Hosea 2:20

Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, “I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don’t love me in return.”

Today’s Questions:

Why is this kind of love impossible without the love of Christ beating in your heart? How does His presence within you enable you to love, even when it’s primarily one-sided?

I have chosen the faithful way. (Psalm 119:30)

Yesterday’s Dare:

The more I commit my heart and life to God and the more I worship Him, the more He will bless me (and Tommy). He will see to our needs and some wants. Walking with Jesus Christ has put and will continue to put an optimistic outlook on life. I can make God a bigger part of my life and my day by praying daily and reading my Bible. Also by living the Christian lifestyle in everything I do. 

Day 21 Love Is Satisfied In God

Day 21

Love is satisfied in God

The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire. –Isaiah 58:11

Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are thirty-one –a full month’s supply), or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.

Today’s Questions:

How do you think spending time daily with God will change your situation and perspective? How can you make Him a bigger part of your day?

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:16)

Yesterday’s Dare:

The Lord has been wonderful to me! Giving my life to the Lord has been the best decision I have ever made! He has shown me that through Him all things are possible! I believe it now more than ever. He has shown me the only way through life is through Jesus Christ. 

Day 20 Love Is Jesus Christ

Day 20

Love is Jesus Christ

While we were still helpless, wt the right time Christ died for the ungodly. –Romans 5:6

Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, “Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. But You have shown Your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven Your power to save me from death by Your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by Your grace.”

Today’s Questions:

Write about what this experience has been like for you. Even if you are only renewing your commitment to receive and express His love, what has He shown you today?

In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them. (Isaiah 63:9)

Yesterday’s Dare:

I believe God is pushing me toward the correct path and the way He’d like for my life to be. I believe He wants me to be in the Catholic Church so Tommy and I are going to go this Sunday. (Wish us luck) I pray more and read the Bible, though probably not as much as I should.

Side Note:

The reason I didn’t post early this morning like usual is Tommy got his job with the movie company! God has truly blessed us because I am also going to take the GACE to become a Paraprofessional next school year (hopefully). I also went to GPC to get ready for school this summer/fall. J Things are looking up for us only because of the Lord!

Day 19 Love Is Impossible

Day 19

Love is impossible

Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. –1 John 4:7

Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

Today’s Questions:

What do you believe God is saying to you? Is there a stirring in your heart? What decision have you made in response to this?

This is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

Yesterday’s Dare:

I was unable to fix dinner yesterday but I knew that so I prepared in advanced and we did lunch. There really wasn’t anything new I learned about Tommy. I always ask questions and talk, we both do. We did have fun though because it was just the two of us and though we don’t have a kid that rarely ever happens. Tommy is a sweet person and is really only out to do good and be successful For whatever reason I lose sight of that sometimes. 

Day 18 Love Seeks To Understand

Day 18

Love seeks to understand

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. –Proverbs 3:13

Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as you prefer. Focus this time on getting to know your spouse better, perhaps in areas you’ve rarely talked about. Determine to make it an enjoyable evening for you and your mate.

Today’s Questions:

What did you learn about your spouse that you didn’t know before? How could you continue this process of discovery in other ways, at other times? What were some of the moments that made this evening memorable?

Acquire wisdom; and with all you acquiring, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

For a list of questions related to today's dare, see the Appendix. 
                                            

Yesterday’s Dare:

It is not hard for me to keep Tommy’s secrets. I have done so in the past and will continue to do so in the present and future. Most of the time it is easy for me not to say anything critical when we talk, others its not. We are very open about things and welcome comments, as long as they are not hurtful or careless. It makes me sad to say that sometimes I feel as if Tommy doesn't think very highly of me nor does he always consider my feelings are more sensitive than his. I do know that he loves me and would trust me with his deepest secrets and life.

Day 17 Love Promotes Intimacy

Day 17

Love promotes intimacy

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. –Proverbs 17:9 NIV

Determine to guard your mate’s secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.

Today’s Questions:

How much of an effort is it for you to hold back from saying something, critical or otherwise? What have you learned about your spouse today, simply form listening?

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3)

Yesterday’s Dare:

I have recently begun praying and asking God for forgiveness and for Him to help me lead the life I need to. I prayed that He would see Tommy get this job, and that he would help him out of his depression and motivate him to work out more and feel better about himself. I loved praying for Tommy and I actually do so very often.