George Smiles From Jane's MarmaladeSample

DAY 3

#2 on our list: SPOUSE

ASK God to show up. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your “thoughts and feelings” around this topic of honoring your Spouse in the #2 position on the GSFJM list.

READ: PRV 19.14, MAT 19.4-6, HEB 13.4-7, COL 3.14, ECC 4.9-12, 1PT 4.8

DEVOTIONAL: The whole Biblical concept of “leaving and cleaving,” i.e., leaving your family to become one with your spouse – that’s a big deal. And just like God and the Holy Spirit are real, so is this commitment to your spouse. You choose your spouse because of an initial love for that person. As time presses onward and the “honeymoon” feels like it is over, you need to work at keeping that relationship in place. And putting that person in the second seat right after God in our list of priorities takes some effort. The traditional marriage vows; “to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, till death do us part,” are important and can be really hard. We all have our view of what we think life should be like, and yet when things go differently, how do we react? Are we ready to throw in the towel too easily? Honoring your spouse may take some real grit as life presses in on you – the commitments of little children or managing teenagers, maybe taking care of older parents, a surprise job loss, a medical issue, or even the loss of big dreams. But making that intentional time with your spouse, to put that person in front of everything else we have here on earth, is really, really important. Spend time in prayer together each day or during a scheduled time each week sharing your concerns and hopes, dreams, and realities. Don’t let anything get in front of this relationship. Without that commitment, things fall apart. I’m sure you have your own examples of spousal relationships going bad - divorced parents or close friends. The divorce rate is over 50%. Do not let that be your model! If you stand strong with and for your spouse, God will honor this and you will keep the ties close with that person who is so special to you (and to God!), that you are one with them as per God’s direction from His word.

WRITE. How are you doing with keeping your Spouse in that position right behind God? What might need to change to make this happen more regularly so it becomes a natural order for you? How can you draw in your spouse to do this study with you so you’re both working on your relationship together? Are there any things you can identify that are standing in your way of honoring your spouse in this way? What are those and how can you actively change them?

MEDITATE: Take the time to think and pray about what came out in your writing and reading time today. Pray over these things, and maybe go include your spouse in this time. Commit to time praying regularly with your spouse. Ask together for clarity and direction for the Holy Spirit to speak to you about how to honor each other in your marriage relationship. Thank God for bringing you together and asking Him to be with you.