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Learning To Love Your Spouse
by Dr. Gary Chapman
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:11-12
My research indicates that there are five basic languages of love:
- Words of Affirmation - using positive words to affirm the one you love
- Gifts - giving thoughtful gifts to show you were thinking about someone
- Acts of Service - doing something that you know the other person would like
- Quality Time - giving your undivided attention
- Physical Touch - holding hands, kissing, embracing, putting a hand on the shoulder, or any other affirming touch
Out of these five, each of us has a primary love language. One of these speaks more deeply to us than the others. Do you know your love language? Do you know your spouse's?
The Bible makes it clear that we need to love each other as God loves us. The apostle John wrote that God's love can find "full expression" in us. If that's true for the church in general, how much more true is it for a couple?
Finding out how your loved one feels love is an important step in expressing love effectively.
A PRAYER: Father, help me to be a student of my spouse. I want to know how best to show my love. Please give me wisdom as I try to determine my beloved's love language.
(Taken from the January 2nd entry.)
Article written by Dr. Gary Chapman. Based on the book, The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Tyndale House Publishers, copyright 2009.
For a complete listing of Dr. Chapman's books and resources, click here.
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