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Marriage 3

Word of the Day

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” Philippians 2:3

Guys: as you know Paul is writing to the Philippians and he desperately desires them to experience a unity that is deep, binding and fills their hearts. So, it makes sense that he begins with “selfish ambition”. It’s impossible to have strong unity where selfishness exists, it usually only causes strife. Paul pretty bluntly says “don’t do it”. I’m sure he was thinking of Jesus’ example. Jesus put himself last. He served and didn’t expect to be served. He gave up His life for those He loved. Okay, now let’s apply Paul’s exhortation to our marriage relationship. If we’re honest, how often do we do “things” for our wives which are really not motivated by love for them, but are based on selfishness? Specifically, do we do things so we will be rewarded? As Paul desired a strong unity for the Philippians, the one area that needed to disappear was “selfish ambition.” Likewise if we truly desire a strong unity in our relationship with the one on earth we love the most, then without exception we must get rid of the selfishness. What can you do for your wife today that would cause her to know that you regard her above yourself?

Father, please humble us and change our hearts. Remove any area of our lives that selfishness is present.

Girls: When I read what Dave wrote I thought really my job is done. I can say “ditto”, just put husband in where it says wife and call it good! The only other thing I was thinking is, sometimes we know as wives how we are to act, but it’s getting our heart in the right place. Prayer seems so important at that point. Seeking God and asking Him to show us where we are more concerned about our needs over our husbands. A good question - “Are we more concerned about what’s best for us, than what’s best for our husbands. As one lady asked “Am I doing it wrong when I see our marriage as ME instead of WE?”

Father, Thank You for marriage. Thank You for our husbands. Change our hearts where they need to be changed. Help us to be the wives you want us to be. May our marriages bring You glory!

Dedicated to Prayer,

Dave and Diana

Hebrews 4:16