31 Day Marriage Devotion

One of the more common complaints I hear from spouses is when one of the partners in the marriage talks about being alone in their marriage. These lonely spouses perceive a seemingly invisible barrier between each other. It’s a communication breakdown they cannot change because the deepest and most intimate component of marriage communication is uniquely spiritual. While couples can relate in many ways, there is one way that is non-negotiable if you intend to engage each other like Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25-33). That spiritual component is an intimate three-person dynamic between the husband, wife, and God. I’m not necessarily talking about praying together, going to church, reading the Bible, or doing other churchy things—all vital aspects of a sound relationship. I’m speaking of in-depth and comprehensive spiritual communication. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

What is the most important quality you would like to have in your marriage? Of all the qualities to choose from, there is one transcending quality that must be at the top of your list. That one transcending quality is God’s glory. If your desire to glorify God is the chief aim of your life and marriage, there is a fantastic chance you will experience a meaningful and satisfying relationship with your spouse, even should your spouse not meet all of your expectations. There is nothing that transcends this God-centered quality in His image bearers. Suppose your chief aim in life is to spread the fame of God. In that case, you can be comforted by the fact that even sin or non-sinful disappointments and let downs will not overcome your dogged and steadfast determination to be like Jesus—a primary way to glorify God (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1). Whenever sin makes its advances, your determination to glorify God will win the war against sin’s intent. When the guardian of your heart is the glory of the Lord, you’re in the best place to be a good friend, a great lover, and a wonderful spouse. There are many tools available to help you more effectively glorify God. May I share three of them with you? Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

I watched my wife go through three miscarriages. They happened to her. It was her pain, her disappointment, her fear, but they were my miscarriages, too. I did not feel hurt the way she did. I have no idea of the physical, mental, and emotional agony of a miscarriage—at least not the way she does. But I hurt because she was hurting. I hurt because I lost something, too. We are one flesh. When someone murdered my brother in 1997, my wife hurt along with me. She did not hurt the way I did, but she hurt because her husband was hurting. We are not two people acting independently of each other. We are one body (Hebrews 13:3). When I sin—no matter what it is—my wife has a responsibility for that sin. She would never say, “That’s Rick’s problem. That’s his sin.” No, it’s our sin. She is not guilty of my sin, she does not repent of my sin, and God does not consider her guilty for my sin, but she has a role to play because she is me, and I am her—we are one. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

I watched my wife go through three miscarriages. They happened to her. It was her pain, her disappointment, her fear, but they were my miscarriages, too. I did not feel hurt the way she did. I have no idea of the physical, mental, and emotional agony of a miscarriage—at least not the way she does. But I hurt because she was hurting. I hurt because I lost something, too. We are one flesh. When someone murdered my brother in 1997, my wife hurt along with me. She did not hurt the way I did, but she hurt because her husband was hurting. We are not two people acting independently of each other. We are one body (Hebrews 13:3). When I sin—no matter what it is—my wife has a responsibility for that sin. She would never say, “That’s Rick’s problem. That’s his sin.” No, it’s our sin. She is not guilty of my sin, she does not repent of my sin, and God does not consider her guilty for my sin, but she has a role to play because she is me, and I am her—we are one. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

If you put two sinners in a box, a room, or a home for an extended period with no plan for escape, you can expect problems. There may be a lot of love along the way, but there will also be unavoidable disappointments, arguments, and conflict. The dating couple can break up and go on to the next relationship. Vocational workmates are similar. If you don’t like your boss or the environment in which you work, you can move on to the next big thing. Marriage is different. Though it’s easy to get into, there is no escape plan other than death. Sadly, too many couples ignore the hardness of their hearts and create an alternate plan: divorce (Matthew 19:8). By the time two people enter a dating relationship, they come together with their unique baggage: fallen shaping influences given to them by Adam, others, and their personal choices. After you commingle their baggage, there is no way to avoid sinful combustion in the home. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

A husband and wife are not just two people within the marriage. Yes, they have independent relationships with the Lord and with others, but they are also one flesh. Like our blessed Trinity, there is perfect oneness that unites the Father, Son, and Spirit. This kind of union is both a mystery and a practical reality. Though we cannot fully understand what a one-flesh union means, we can functionally and faithfully participate in a one-flesh marriage while enjoying its benefits. Before two people made a one-flesh covenant (agreement) with God, they were two individuals belonging to different family units. At some point after their initial introduction, they realized that being with each other was worth leaving their respective families to set up their unique autonomous domestic empire. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

How honest can you be with your spouse? Is your marriage vulnerable and safe enough to communicate transparently? Are you free from critique and condemnation, which releases you to be vulnerable? A good way to consider my questions is to reflect upon how you relate to the Lord. I suspect you are honest, transparent, and vulnerable with Him. You freely talk to Him (prayer), and He freely talks to you (Bible). He knows you through and through, and though your relationship is not perfect, you are in a safe place as you mature with Him. Because of your call to imitate God, you have a remarkable opportunity to export your relationship with the Lord to your spouse (Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 4:9). Think for a moment about what it could look like if you chose to imitate God in your marriage. Let’s focus on only one of the ways God relates to you: He does not condemn you. God never condemns, mocks, criticizes, or puts you down when you share your heart with Him (Ephesians 4:29). He is always ready to listen and willing to help. The Father knows your frame and understands your weaknesses. He encourages you by speaking into your various situations with love (Psalm 103:12-14). Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

If you are going to imitate the Lord in your marriage (Ephesians 5:1), being for your spouse must be a logical and loving objective and practice. That is how Paul talked to the Romans about the Lord’s attitude toward them. He said God was for them. God is for you, too. Think for a moment about how God is for you and how that motivates you to love Him. God being for us is one of the most significant highlights of the gospel. He is the one person we cannot have against us. Before Paul told the Christians in Rome that God was for them in Romans 8:31, the apostle provided a few practical examples of how God was for them (Romans 8:29-30). He talked about God’s active goodness on behalf of those He loves. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

When your spouse sins, who pays for it? Do you make them pay for what they did wrong, or do you take your spouse to Jesus and show them how His death is enough punishment to remove all of our transgressions? Christians understand the point of the gospel: Christ paid for our sins. The profundity of the gospel encapsulated in five monosyllabic words is amazing grace! This simple way of explaining things is how we taught our children. I would hold up my right hand so they could see each finger. Starting at one end, I showed them the gospel. Five fingers. Five powerful words: Christ. Paid. For. My Sins. When Adam chose to walk away from God by believing a lie (Genesis 3:6), God instituted a plan to redeem Adam and his fallen race (Genesis 3:15). Adam could not save himself. If God did not intervene, Adam and the rest of us would spend a Christless eternity in Hell. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw

I was meeting with a couple who seemed convinced that the other person in the marriage was the biggest sinner in the room. Both of them were clear about how the other spouse was sabotaging their relationship. They had their facts straight, and, for the most part, they were correct in their accusations. It did not matter what angle I took to motivate them to think and act like Christians. Finally, after several attempts to convince them of the futility of their positions, I conceded any further hope of a ceasefire. There would be no redemptive-relational progress that day. They were too mad, too self-justified, too hurt, too unforgiving, and too stubborn to change. At that point, I gave up and recommended that the combatants continue their conflict. Yes, I told them to pursue their anger toward each other. “Keep on keeping on. Duke it out.” I paused and added, “But under one condition, I want to make a stipulation.” I said they could continue to fight all they wanted to as long as I could choose the location for all future skirmishes. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeovercoffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallifeovercoffee/ X: https://twitter.com/lifeovercoffee1 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/LifeOverCoffee Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheLifeOverCoffee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFvkS-BMYH2a_CKmqSHF1Hw