I must admit, posting these love dares is getting a lot bit old. But trying to do these dares--or even thinking about the dares--has been very helpful to me so far. Plus, I said I would do it to the end, so it's now a matter of my word.
So here are the next few:
Day 27: Love Encourages
Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you're expecting too much , and tell him you're sorry for being so hard on him about it. Promise him you'll seek to understand, and assure him of your unconditional love.
Day 28: Love Makes Sacrifices
What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life right now? Is there a need you could lift from his/her shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.
Day 29 (March 1): Love's Motivation
Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Wheter it comes easy for you or not, say "I love you," then express love to them in some tangible way. God to God in prayer again, thanking him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person--unconditionally, the way hi loves both of you.
Day 30 (March 2): Love Brings Unity
Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for him/her. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.
Day 31 (March 3): Love and Marriage
Is there a "leaving" issue you haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.
(The "leaving" issue refers to the counsel in Genesis 2:24 that a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh. So the dare is to adequately cut off the dependance on parents that we may still be clinging to that may be damaging to our marriages.)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Love Dare Catch-Up: Days 23-26
Dare 23: Love Always Protects
Remove anything that is hindering your relationship--any addiction or influence that is stealing your heart away from your spouse.
Dare 24: Love Vs. Lust
End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed--today--and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.
Day 25 (Monday): Love Forgives
Whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to "forgive us our debts" each day, we must ask Him to help us "forgive our debtors" each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive.
Day 26 (Tuesday): Love is Responsible
Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God's forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgivenss as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.
Remove anything that is hindering your relationship--any addiction or influence that is stealing your heart away from your spouse.
Dare 24: Love Vs. Lust
End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed--today--and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.
Day 25 (Monday): Love Forgives
Whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to "forgive us our debts" each day, we must ask Him to help us "forgive our debtors" each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive.
Day 26 (Tuesday): Love is Responsible
Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God's forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgivenss as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Love Dare, Day 22: Love is Faithful
(I think this one is especially good)
Dare:
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 his (her) interest in receiving it. Say to him (her) today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't [seem to] love me in return."
I especially like this one because it is so different than what the world tells us. Real love is not something we fall into. It's something we choose. It's an action. I've always felt distinctly that nothing will make more of a difference in my marriage than the effort I choose to put into it. Even though this requires more of me, it also gives me a continual sense of empowerment. I can make a difference.
Dare:
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 his (her) interest in receiving it. Say to him (her) today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't [seem to] love me in return."
I especially like this one because it is so different than what the world tells us. Real love is not something we fall into. It's something we choose. It's an action. I've always felt distinctly that nothing will make more of a difference in my marriage than the effort I choose to put into it. Even though this requires more of me, it also gives me a continual sense of empowerment. I can make a difference.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Love Dare, Day 21: Love is Satisfied in God
I'm gonna start paraphrasing a few of these dares, if you don't mind.
Dare:
Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your scriptures. As you do, immerse yourself in the promises God has for you.
Dare:
Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your scriptures. As you do, immerse yourself in the promises God has for you.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Love Dare, Day 20: Love is Jesus Christ
Dare:
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 my your resurrection. Lord, change my heart and save me by your grace."
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 my your resurrection. Lord, change my heart and save me by your grace."
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Love Dare, Day 19: Love is Impossible
Look back over the dares from previous days. Were the
re 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.
re 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.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Love Dare, Day 18: Love Seeks to Understand
Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as your 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.
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