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Today's Scripture: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24, NIV. Today's Word: Your destiny is too big to accomplish on your own. That’s why it’s so important to be connected to the right people. We have to understand that God has already arranged for certain people to speak faith into you. He has already placed people in your path that will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams. The reason some people never reach their highest potential is because they never get away from the wrong people. Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or never giving you their approval no matter how hard you try. Friend, life is too short to drag people along. If you will get the wrong people out of your life, then God will bring in the right people so you can fulfill the destiny He has in store for you. Prayer for Today: Father in heaven, thank You for placing the right people in my life. Help me to discern the right connections You have for me. Give me strength to release the wrong relationships so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
“Encourage each other every day while it is ‘today.’” (Hebrews 3:13a NCV)
If you’re married, God has given you an incredibly important role: to be your spouse’s biggest fan. It’s a job only you can do in the way God desires, and your spouse desperately needs you to do it.
We live in a world full of critics. We don’t have to look far to find someone who will put us down.
That’s why every person on the planet desperately needs to be affirmed by someone on a regular basis. It’s how God wired us. If you’re married, one such person should be your spouse. To have a growing marriage, it’s essential for you and your spouse to build into your marriage continual affirmation of one another.
More than likely, it’s something that was a part of your marriage in the beginning. Few people will marry someone who doesn’t affirm them in some way. But like so many other parts of a growing marriage, it often fades over the course of time.
The Bible says in Hebrews 3:13, “Encourage each other every day while it is ‘today’” (NCV). What should you affirm in your spouse?
- Affirm his/her value. When you’re dealing with houses, the word “appreciate” means to rise in value. You raise the value of other people when you appreciate them. As you appreciate your spouse, you raise his or her value, and you raise the value of your marriage. Proverbs 12:25 says, “A word of encouragement does wonders” (LB). A word of encouragement will do wonders for your marriage — or any other relationship you’re in.
- Affirm his/her strengths. You will bring out the best in your spouse when you point out his or her best, not by pointing out his or her worst. Choose to be a dream builder, not a dream buster. We ultimately become what other people see in us. No person in your spouse’s life will impact his or her self-identity, and ultimately his or her future, like you.
- Affirm his/her ministry. Let your spouse know how much you appreciate what he or she does for God’s sake in the world. You can each make unique contributions to the world. Cheer your spouse on as he or she makes contributions. Help your spouse see the impact being made for Jesus’ sake.
We have incredible power over our spouses’ understanding of themselves. We can use that power to build them up or tear them down. It’s our choice.
And it’s one of the most important choices we make for the health of our marriage.
Talk It Over
- What does your spouse affirm in you that impacts your life in an important way?
- What keeps us from affirming our spouses more consistently?
- What about your spouse do you need to affirm more often?
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