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God As Your Business Partner
by Dr. Gary Chapman
Have you ever considered making God your business partner? Many couples have made foolish financial decisions because they left God out of the process.
Those who seek God's wisdom and make financial decisions based on principles revealed in Scripture will save themselves much heartache. We are at our best when we cooperate with God.
R.G. LeTourneau, one of the industrial giants of the last generation said that when he made God his business partner, he went from a struggling business to a highly successful business.
The Scriptures are clear: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all who ask."
Let prayer be your first order of business, not the last resort.
Article written by Dr. Gary Chapman. Based on the book, The Marriage You've Always Wanted, by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Moody Publishers.
For a complete listing of Dr. Chapman's books and resources,click here.
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That Lovin' Feeling
by Shauntie Feldhahn
Commitment is a decision to have the abundant marriage God desires, regardless of circumstances or whether you think your spouse is doing his or her part.
This includes:
Realizing that marriage is an unbreakable covenant before God. At weddings, Atlanta minister Barry Grecu explains that ancient Hebrew culture understood a covenant not as a contract, which could be broken, but as a binding, permanent agreement - just like the covenant God makes with us.
Choosing to "do it until you feel it." We often let our feelings guide our actions, but we are actually built for the opposite. Our Creator has designed us so that when we love another person with our actions, our feelings inevitably follow.
Engaging in Christian community, prayer and discipleship - especially when you don't want to.These three aspects of the Christian life help sustain every believer, but they are particularly essential for those going through a difficult season.
Relying on God to help you act selflessly toward your spouse. As Grecu puts it, "We are incapable of living out our covenant promises in our own human strength. Jesus says, 'Apart from Me you can do nothing' and calls us to engage with the Spirit of God being lived out through us."
Focusing on the good in our spouse and the sin in ourselves - instead of the other way around. If you're dissatisfied with your marriage, try this challenge: For the next 30 days, don't say anything negative about your spouse - neither to him or her nor to someone else. Every day, find something you appreciate about your spouse, and verbalize it. This marital application of Philippians 4:8 (which instructs us to focus on whatever is praiseworthy) has the power to transform a marriage.
When we examine and work to change ourselves, we often bring out the best in our spouse as well.
Taken from For Couples Only by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn. Published by Multnomah Publishing.
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