Loving others regardless of who they are.
I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:23
First Impression
For some of you, this may tax your brain a little. For others, the answer will come easily. It’s not right or wrong. I want you to recall something that may have been a few years ago or even a lot of years ago. I’m going to ask you some questions that I think will help you get to the answer. Ready?
When was the first time you ever saw your spouse? What was your first impression of them? If you asked Nancy that second question, her answer would be something like, “My first impression of Kim was pretty bad!” which meant that I had a lot of work to do to overcome that first blind date.)
Now, think about the first time that you knew in your heart that this was the person that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? When did you share that with your now spouse? Your One Thing is to share the memory of the first time you knew you wanted to marry your spouse with them today!
Today’s One Thing: Share the memory of the first time you knew you wanted to marry your spouse with them today!
DON’T JUST SURVIVE! – Your Marriage Was Meant To Thrive!
If you like these series of tips and want to receive your One Thing Email please sign up at http://awesomemarriage.com/onething (It’s free!)
Our Daily Bread
God Stuff
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have……..1 Peter 3:15
Most of Mike’s co-workers knew little about Christianity, nor did they seem to care. But they knew he cared. One day near the Easter season, someone casually mentioned that they’d heard Easter had something to do with Passover and wondered what the connection was. “Hey, Mike!” he said. “You know about this God stuff. What’s Passover?”
So Mike explained how God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He told them about the ten plagues, including the death of the firstborn in every household. He explained how the death angel “passed over” the houses whose doorframes were covered by the blood of a sacrificed lamb. Then he shared how Jesus was later crucified at the Passover season as the once-and-for-all sacrificial Lamb. Suddenly Mike realized, Hey, I’m witnessing!
Peter the disciple gave advice to a church in a culture that didn’t know about God. He said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).
Because Mike had been open about his faith, he got the chance to share that faith naturally, and he could do so with “gentleness and respect” (v. 15).
We can too. With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, we can explain in simple terms what matters most in life—that “stuff” about God.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY: Father, help me be ready to explain the hope and purpose You can bring to life.
Credit: Our Daily Bread