Day 23 and Day 24

You get a combo package today. Sundays seem a little harder for me to do this but I got it done right before bed.

Day 23 - Love Always Protects

[Love] always protects. ~1 Corinthians 13:7

Your mate and marriage need your constant protection from:

Harmful influences. Bad habits, things that drain away precious hours from your family.

Unhealthy Relationships. Not everyone has the material to be a good friend. Anyone who undermines your marriage does not deserve the title of "friend". And you must be on guard always from allowing opposite-sex relationships to draw you away from the one to whom you've already given your heart.

Shame. Never speak negative about them in public. Generally speaking, love hides the faults of others. It covers their shame.

Parasites. Anything that sucks the life from your marriage, usually addictions.

Wives you must guard your heart from being led away through books, magazines and other media that blur your perception of reality and put unfair expectations on your husband. Instead do your part in helping him feel strong.

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. ~Proverbs 14:1

TODAY'S DARE

REMOVE ANYTHING THAT IS HINDERING YOUR RELATIONSHIP, ANY ADDICTION OR INFLUENCE THAT'S STEALING YOUR AFFECTIONS AND TURNING YOUR HEART AWAY FROM YOUR SPOUSE.

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

Day 24 - Love vs. Lust

The world is passing away, and also it's lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. ~1 John 2:17

From eyes to heart to action. And then follows shame and regret. That's the progression.

Here's a song that I LOVE and it goes well with today's lesson.



God's blessings go far beyond our fundamental needs (food, clothing, shelter), and we could rightly say we want for nothing. Yet we still want more. So we set our eyes and hearts on seeking worldly pleasure: it could be sexual fulfillment outside of our marriage but it could also be lust for possessions or power or prideful ambition.

Lust is the opposite of love. Setting your heart and passions on something forbidden is the first step out of fellowship with the Lord and with others.

What is the source of the wars and fights among you? Don't they come from the cravings that are at war within you? ~James 4:1

So focus on being grateful for everything God has already given you rather than choosing discontentment. And while you're at it, set your eyes and heart on your spouse again.

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth...Be exhilarated always with her love. For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress and embrace the bosom of a foreigner? For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths. ~Proverbs 5:18-21

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ~1 John 2:15

Lust is the best this world has to offer, but love offers you the best life in the world.

TODAY'S DARE

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.

Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil. ~1 Peter 2:16