Love Dare » huntley

Day 40 – Love is a covenant

huntley — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:01:25 +0000

Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. — Ruth 1:16

Today’s Dare

Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home. Perhaps, if appropriate, you could make arrangements to formally renew your wedding vows before a minister and with family present. Make it a living testament to the value of marriage in God’s eyes and the high honor of being one with your mate.

What has God revealed to you during the Love Dare? How have your views of your marriage changed? How committed are you to God and to your spouse? Who can you share this with as a testimony?

Day 39 – Love endures

huntley — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:01:16 +0000

Love never fails. — 1 Corinthians 13:8

Today’s Dare

Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.

What were some of the hesitations you had in writing this letter? How do you expect your spouse to respond to it? How did God help you in writing it, and what did the process teach you about yourself?

Day 38 – Love fulfills dreams

huntley — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:01:42 +0000

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. — Psalm 37:4

Today’s Dare

Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

What has made you resistant to fulfilling your mate’s desires in the past? How would it change your relationship if they knew their dreams were a priority to you? What desires are you attempting to meet?

Day 37 – Love agrees in prayer

huntley — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:01:15 +0000

If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father. — Matthew 18:19

Today’s Dare

Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it’s in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don’t forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

What can you do to help your mate be willing for the two of you to begin praying together? If you agreed to pray together, what was it like? What did you learn from it?

Day 36 – Love is God’s Word

huntley — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:01:30 +0000

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105

Today’s Dare

Commit to reading the Bible every day. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock.

What parts of your life are in the greatest need of God’s counsel? Where do you feel the most susceptible to failure? What are you asking God to show you through His Word?

Day 35 – Love is accountable

huntley — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:01:27 +0000

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. — Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Today’s Dare

Find a marriage mentor—someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.

Who did you choose? Why did you select this person? What do you hope to learn from them?

Day 34 – Love celebrates godliness

huntley — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:01:31 +0000

[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. — 1 Corinthians 13:6

Today’s Dare

Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

What example did you choose to recognize? How many other ways could you celebrate their growth in godliness? How could you encourage them to persevere in it?

Day 33 – Love completes each other

huntley — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:01:55 +0000

If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? — Ecclesiastes 4:11

Today’s Dare

Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.

What are some upcoming decisions you can make together? What did you learn today about the role of your mate?

Day 32 – Love meets sexual needs

huntley — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:01:10 +0000

The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. — 1 Corinthians 7:3

Today’s Dare

If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.

Was this a satisfying experience for you? If it didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped, what do you think is complicating matters? Have you committed this to prayer? If it was a true blessing for both of you, what can you learn from this for the future?

Day 31 – Love and marriage

huntley — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:01:05 +0000

A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. — Genesis 2:24

Today’s Dare

Is there a “leaving” issue you haven’t been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

Has this been a hard thing for you to deal with? How has it affected your relationship? If the worse offender in this area is your spouse (with your in-laws), how can you lovingly move this toward a better situation?

Day 30 – Love brings unity

huntley — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:01:10 +0000

Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. — John 17:11

Today’s Dare

Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.

Did the Lord open your eyes to anything new that might be giving fuel to this point of disagreement? How do you intend to respond? What do you hope to see God do in your spouse as well?

Day 29 – Love’s motivation

huntley — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:01:13 +0000

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

Today’s Dare

Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, say “I love you,” then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person—unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.

How will this change of motivation affect your relationship and reactions? What does this inspire you to do? What does it inspire you to stop doing?

Day 28 – Love make sacrifices

huntley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:01:12 +0000

He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. — 1 John 3:16 (HCSB)

Today’s Dare

What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse’s life right now? Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.

How much of your mate’s stress is caused by your lack of concern or initiative? When you expressed a desire to help, how did they receive it? Are there other needs you could meet?

Day 27 – Love encourages

huntley — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:01:56 +0000

Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. — Psalm 25:20

Today’s Dare

Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you’re expecting too much, and tell them you’re sorry for being so hard on them about it. Promise them you’ll seek to understand, and assure them of your unconditional love.

When you place high expectations on your spouse that they don’t feel internally motivated to attain, what does that tell you about yourself? What are some ways to deal with these disconnects?

Day 26 – Love is responsible

huntley — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:01:09 +0000

When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. — Romans 2:1 (HCSB)

Today’s Dare

Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God’s forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.

What does your mate need to see in order to believe that your confession was more than just words?

Day 25 – Love forgives

huntley — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:01:38 +0000

What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, — 2 Corinthians 2:10

Today’s Dare

Whatever you haven’t forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to “forgive us our debts” each day, we must ask Him to help us “forgive our debtors” each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, “I choose to forgive.”

What did you forgive your spouse for today? How long have you been carrying the weight of it? What are the possibilities now that you’ve released this matter to God?

Day 24 – Love vs. Lust

huntley — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:01:43 +0000

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. — 1 John 2:17

Today’s Dare

End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you’ve swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed—today—and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.

What did you identify as an area of lust? What has this pursuit cost you over time? How has it led you away from the person you want to be? Write about your new commitment to seek Him – and to seek your spouse – rather than seeking after foolish desires.

Day 23 – Love always protects

huntley — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:01:08 +0000

[Love] always protects. — Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

Today’s Dare

Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that’s stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.

What did you throw out first? Are there others that need to go as well? What do you hope the removal of these things will do for you, your marriage, and your relationship with God?

Day 22 – Love is faithful

huntley — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:01:10 +0000

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord. — Hosea 2:20

Today’s Dare

Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, “I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don’t love me in return.”

Why is this kind of love impossible without the love of Christ beating in your heart? How does His presence within you enable you to love, even when it’s primarily one-sided?

Day 21 – Love is satisfied in God

huntley — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:01:29 +0000

The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire. — Isaiah 58:11

Today’s Dare

Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are thirty-one—a full month’s supply), or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.

How do you think spending time daily with God will change your situation and perspective? How can you make Him a bigger part of your day?

Day 20 – Love is Jesus Christ

huntley — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:01:29 +0000

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. — Romans 5:6

Today’s Dare

Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, “Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. But You have shown Your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven Your power to save me from death by Your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by Your grace.”

Write about what this experience has been like for you. Even if you are only renewing your commitment to receive and express His love, what has He shown you today?

Day 19 – Love is impossible

huntley — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:01:56 +0000

Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. — 1 John 4:7

Today’s Dare

Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

What do you believe God is saying to you? Is there a stirring in your heart? What decision have you made in response to this?

Day 18 – Love seeks to understand

huntley — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:01:30 +0000

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. — Proverbs 3:13

Today’s Dare

Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as you prefer. Focus this time on getting to know your spouse better, perhaps in areas you’ve rarely talked about. Determine to make it an enjoyable evening for you and your mate.

What did you learn about your spouse that you didn’t know before? How could you continue this process of discovery in other ways, at other times? What were some of the moments that made this evening memorable?

Day 17 – Love promotes intimacy

huntley — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 05:01:20 +0000

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. — Proverbs 17:9 (NIV)

Today’s Dare

Determine to guard your mate’s secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.

How much of an effort is it for you to hold back from saying something, critical or otherwise? What have you learned about your spouse today, simply from listening?

Day 16 – Love intercedes

huntley — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:01:18 +0000

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. — 3 John 2

Today’s Dare

Begin praying today for your spouse’s heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse’s life and in your marriage.

Have you experienced the power of prayer in the past? What did you choose to pray for? Was it easy for you, or did it feel foreign to you?

Day 15 – Love is honorable

huntley — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:01:23 +0000

Live with your wives in an understanding way … and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life. — 1 Peter 3:7

Today’s Dare

Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for her. It might be putting his clothes away for him. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show your mate that he or she is highly esteemed in your eyes.

How did you choose to show honor? What was the result? What are some other ways you could demonstrate honor in the coming days?

Day 14 – Love takes delight

huntley — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:01:44 +0000

Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life. — Ecclesiastes 9:9 (HCSB)

Today’s Dare

Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he or she would love to do or a project they’d really like to work on. Just be together.

What did you decide to give up? What did you do together? How did it go? What new thing did you learn (or relearn) about your spouse?

Day 13 – Love fights fair

huntley — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:01:16 +0000

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. — Mark 3:25

Today’s Dare

Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to “fight” by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.

If your spouse participated with you, what was their response? What rules did you write for yourself?

Day 12 – Love lets the other win

huntley — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:01:01 +0000

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. — Philippians 2:4

Today’s Dare

Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

What issue did you choose? What did giving in cost you? How will this help in the future?

Day 11 – Love cherishes

huntley — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:01:05 +0000

Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. — Ephesians 5:28

Today’s Dare

What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? IS there housework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says “I cherish you” and do it with a smile.

What did you choose to show that you cherish your mate? What did you learn from this experience?