Letting God Fight for You |
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The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. — Exodus 14:14 |
Recently, Sadie and I got into a minor tiff because, evidently, I had had a bad tone all day long. We'd been running errands and catching a movie, and when we got in the car afterward, I asked her a simple logistical question and got a sassy comment in reply. I mentioned the sassiness, and she lit up — and not in the good way. We're talking dangerous sparks. "You've got a problem with my tone now?" she said. "What about the tone you've had all day long?" Well, now we had a thing. In the book of Ephesians, Paul told us to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (4:32). This is the concluding verse in the chapter, and it is also the last verse under the subheading "The New Life" in my ESV Bible. This is profound to me because before I knew Jesus, I was not walking in this "newness of life" that the Bible so often talks about. Without Jesus, I am not naturally kind or tenderhearted or even quick to forgive others, but because He has imparted all of these attributes to me, I can embrace them. When Sadie was rude to me that day, my initial reaction and instinct was not to be kind or extend tenderness. It was to be rude and get defensive. It can be hard to change old habits and instinctive reactions. Sadie and I talk a lot about what makes a marriage work — or what makes any intimate relationship work, for that matter. One theme we keep coming back to is this: while we may argue from time to time, in the end - we need to fight for each other, not against each other.
And when that's hard for us to do, we find that if we are willing to ask for God's help and be silent before Him, He will go before us, soften our hearts, and fight the battles with us. |
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We need to fight for each other, not against each other.
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We need to fight for each other, not against each other. |
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We're committed to seeing each other through to becoming the people God wants us to be. Hours after our little "tone discussion," Sadie and I put Honey to bed and then sat down on the couch to talk. God helped us each own our part of the day: "I was tired all day and took it out on you," I said. "I was fed up with your mood and just snapped," she said.
I'm sorry.
Will you forgive me?
We are better than this.
There's something a lot like Jesus going on in us when we fight for, not against, each other. Even when I'm in a bad mood, when I am hurtful to Him, He is committed to loving me and quick to forgive. He is always on my side. He is always for me. And He fights for both me and my relationships. It's easy to get mad. But life is so much sweeter when we let God do our fighting. Today, when we get mad, let's take a deep breath and say a prayer before we respond. How to Put Love First Who is the person in your life you are most likely to take a "tone" with? Do something extra sweet and kind for that person today. If you're currently having a moment, apologize for your part and offer better understanding as to where your tone is coming from. If not, give a hug, a text, a coffee — something — that says, I see you, I love you, and you matter to me. ~ by Christian |
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Excerpted with permission from How to Put Love First by Sadie Robertson Huff & Christian Huff, copyright Sadie Robertson Huff and Christian Huff. * |
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All of us believers need to learn how to be better at loving others. It's critical given that God is love and we're made in His image and are meant to reflect Him. How can you love those around you today? Come share with us. We want to hear from you. And, Happy Valentine's Day! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Discover the joy and freedom of being loved and loving well. |
How to Put Love First: Find Meaningful Connection with God, Your People, and Your Community (A 90-Day Challenge) |
Take an EXTRA 15% OFF with code HEARTS + FREE shipping on all orders $35 and more |
How to Put Love First reminds you that prioritizing and deepening your love relationship with God is the key to growing healthy relationships in every area of life. Through personal stories of their own walks with God, their pitfalls and victories in relationships of all kinds, and biblical encouragement, Sadie and Christian will help you: - Find peace and connection in your relationship with God
- Enjoy healthier, happier relationships with close friends and family
- Learn how to resolve conflict, offer forgiveness, and endure loneliness
- Reap the mental and spiritual health benefits of thriving in community
As an added bonus, Dr. Josh Kirby, a psychologist and life coach, joins Sadie and Christian to speak into some of the key themes in the book to offer informed, practical counsel to further help you incorporate these important teachings into your life. |
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Sadie Robertson Huff and Christian Huff
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Scroll through the images on the left of the store page to watch the video
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| The Love and Respect Devotional: 52 Weeks to Experience Love & Respect in Your Marriage |
Emerson Eggerichs has transformed marriages around the world with his biblically based approach to understanding the love that she most desires and the respect that he desperately needs. Now, in this long-awaited devotional based on Love & Respect, Emerson has created an experience for couples that is effective, flexible, and life changing. |
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| The Love Stories of the Bible Speak Workbook: 13 Biblical Lessons on Romance, Friendship, and Faith |
The Bible takes us on a journey of discovering the many ways that God's unfailing love is expressed. This workbook—based on Shannon Bream's book—walks you through thirteen biblical lessons on love and its many forms, including romance, friendship, family, and faith. |
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| The Marriage Devotional: 52 Days to Strengthen the Soul of Your Marriage |
Great marriages are made, not born. In this devotional, Levi and Jennie Lusko take turns showcasing the highs and lows of marital relationships and how God uses them to foster a deeper love and a more solid foundation. |
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The God Who Sees Online Bible Study |
The God Who Sees Online Bible Study |
Even when we feel invisible or forgotten, God is near. He is El Roi, the God Who Sees. Friends - Jesus has never taken his eye off us. He always knows what we are facing in this life . . . He sees, you, He loves you, and He'll never leave you. Will you join us for the FREE The God Who Sees Online Bible Study with Kathie Lee Gifford and Joanne Moody? Registration is now open and the study begins March 4th! |
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this devotion with someone who needs it today |
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