LOVE DARe: Day 35

Love is accountable.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel" (Proverbs 12:15).

Everyone needs wise counsel throughout life.

A couple that faces problems alone is more likely to fall apart during tough times.

Couples who interlock their lives in a network of other strong marriages radically increase their chances of surviving the fiercest of storms.

Wise people constantly seek counsel and gladly receive it.

The unfortunate thing with most of us is that we waste years of life learning painful lessons when we could discover those same truths during a few hours of wise counsel.

We ought to have the courage to cross bridges others have built.

I cannot deny, I need today's dare more than anyone else. I do not know if it is pride or fear of "exposing" self that hinders me to seek other people's counsel or something else. Courage Brother do not stumble. Trust in God and do the Right!

LOVE DARe: Day 34

Love celebrates godliness.

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth" (1 Cor . 13:6).

 "The report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil" (Romans 16:19).

The pursuit of godliness, purity, and faithfulness is the only way for me to find joy and ultimate fulfillment.

God's Word is the ultimate expression of what real life is. Scripture is God's ideals and instructions that are the only pathways to real blessing and when we see people follow them in obedience to the Lord, it should cause us to rejoice.

Love rejoices most in the things that please God. We should be doubly thrilled and excitedly cheering our spouses on for what they're allowing God to accomplish in their lives.

LOVE DARe: Day 33

Love completes each other.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11.)

Marriage origin intention was for woman and man to complete each other:

Differing Natures and temperaments were meant to provide balance;

Teamwork raise the two to health and maturity;

Where one is weak, the other is strong ;

When one needs building up, the other is equipped to enhance and encourage; 

We multiply one another's joys and divide one another's sorrows.

Our differences can frequently be the source of misunderstanding and conflict, yet they can be ongoing blessings if I respect them.

Working together on purpose honors God's design for my relationship and guards the oneness God intends.

LOVE DARe: Day 32

Love meets sexual needs.

In marriage, romance is meant to thrive and flourish.

The Song of Songs is a good example and a beautiful love story where romance is celebrated. It expresses how honesty and understanding in sexual matters lead to a life of confident love together.

In the act of romance, we join our hearts to each other in an expression of love that no other form of communication can match.

All the Dares so far - patience, kindness, selflessness, thoughtfulness, protection, honor, forgiveness - will play a role in renewing sexual intimacy.

LOVE DARe: Day 31

Love and marriage.

Leave. And cleave. And dare to walk as one.

Leaving = means to break from a natural tie. This, though an issue in many marriages, at least it has not affected my marriage in any significant way. 

We have successfully cut the apron strings.

The purpose of "leaving", is not to abandon all contact with the familial ties but rather to preserve the unique oneness that marriage is designed to capture.

Cleaving = carries the idea of catching someone by pursuit, clinging to her as my new rock of refuge and safety.

Of course tasked with the responsibility of loving my wife "just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).

As a result we are free to become everything God meant when God declared us "one flesh":

In decision making

In priorities 

In affections.

Leave. And cleave. And dare to walk as one.

LOVE DARe: Day 30

Love brings unity.

Just like love, unity is of God.

Some of the unshakable hallmarks of our God are: Unity, Togetherness, Oneness.

In this spirit of oneness, husband and wife (though two distinct individuals) are spiritually united into the mystery of "one flesh".

The mystery is so compelling that God uses the imagery of marriage to explain God's love for the church.

In today's dare, I am reminded that the preservation of oneness with my wife is worth every sacrifice and expression of love.

I ask of God's strength as I make it my mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with my wife.

LOVE DARe: Day 29

Love's motivation.

"Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men" (Ephesians 6:7).

Love motivated by mere duty cannot hold out for very long.

Love that is only motivated by favorable conditions can never be assured of sufficient oxygen to keep it breathing.

Definitely, moods and emotions can create all kinds of moving motivational targets. 

But love comes from God.

Therefore, when God is my reason for loving, my ability to love is guaranteed.

The love that is demanded from me in marriage should not be dependent on my wife's sweetness or sustainability. 

The love between my wife and I should have one chief objective, honoring the Lord with devotion and sincerity.

The blessing that that kind if love brings to my beloved in the process is simply a wonderful, additional benefit.

Only love that is lifted up as an offering to God is able to to sustain itself when all other reasons have lost their ability to energize me.

Love that has God as its primary focus is unlimited in the heights it can attain!