Jesus totally depended on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.
Several passages show how Jesus was full of joy because of the Holy
Spirit.
What do you think it looks like to be full of the Holy Spirit?
In your relationship with God?
In your relationship with your spouse?
In your relationship with your kids?
In your relationship with others?
For now, let me (Chuck) isolate one area: Marriage. I refuse to see marital casualties among my small group members as I've witnessed in every Christian setting, from evangelical schools to churches, that I've ever attended. I know this must break God's heart. Yet, it's easy to see why marriage is Satan's number one target, because the marital relationship best illustrates God's love for Israel and Christ's love for the Church. Satan laughs with maniacal glee when couples argue, separate, and divorce.
So, if I stress "closeness," that's why. Let's band together to show the world Christ's love through our marriages!
And we strongly believe that closeness begins with Holy Spirit dependence through prayer.
Are you praying together as a couple?
We can talk all we want about love languages, communication skills, the fear dance, etc. etc. etc. but fundamentally, life together boils down to exalting God together, and the first place this should begin is in prayer.
In over 30 years of counseling, I have never worked with a couple who prayed together who didn't stay together. That's how powerful coming before the Father is.
If you're not praying together, Satan will have a hay day with your relationship. You'll magnify little annoyances. You'll dredge up old wounds. You'll operate in your own power. You'll minimize the log in your own eye. You'll whine, criticize, rationalize, antagonize . . .
But when you come together in prayer, the Spirit can alert you to potential dangers, soften your heart toward your mate, convict, challenge, comfort, and guide.
Are you praying with your spouse?
If not, why not?
Start today! Attach the practice to something you already do: following a meal or before bedtime. If the thought of praying aloud with your mate terrifies you, start small: One sentence thank-you prayer or one sentence request. That's all!
But start somewhere. And start today! You can't afford not to.
What do you think it looks like to be full of the Holy Spirit?
In your relationship with God?
In your relationship with your spouse?
In your relationship with your kids?
In your relationship with others?
For now, let me (Chuck) isolate one area: Marriage. I refuse to see marital casualties among my small group members as I've witnessed in every Christian setting, from evangelical schools to churches, that I've ever attended. I know this must break God's heart. Yet, it's easy to see why marriage is Satan's number one target, because the marital relationship best illustrates God's love for Israel and Christ's love for the Church. Satan laughs with maniacal glee when couples argue, separate, and divorce.
So, if I stress "closeness," that's why. Let's band together to show the world Christ's love through our marriages!
And we strongly believe that closeness begins with Holy Spirit dependence through prayer.
Are you praying together as a couple?
We can talk all we want about love languages, communication skills, the fear dance, etc. etc. etc. but fundamentally, life together boils down to exalting God together, and the first place this should begin is in prayer.
In over 30 years of counseling, I have never worked with a couple who prayed together who didn't stay together. That's how powerful coming before the Father is.
If you're not praying together, Satan will have a hay day with your relationship. You'll magnify little annoyances. You'll dredge up old wounds. You'll operate in your own power. You'll minimize the log in your own eye. You'll whine, criticize, rationalize, antagonize . . .
But when you come together in prayer, the Spirit can alert you to potential dangers, soften your heart toward your mate, convict, challenge, comfort, and guide.
Are you praying with your spouse?
If not, why not?
Start today! Attach the practice to something you already do: following a meal or before bedtime. If the thought of praying aloud with your mate terrifies you, start small: One sentence thank-you prayer or one sentence request. That's all!
But start somewhere. And start today! You can't afford not to.
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