Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: From This Day Forward

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Today Is the Day - Lincoln Brewster, Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin, Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture, From the Inside Out, Lead Me - Sanctus Real

READ:   John 15:4-5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Hebrews 3:13

THINK:  Pastor talked about getting past the slumps in our relationship.  Over the years, there have been a few slumps in my marriage.  For us, it’s usually the wife wanting more attention and the husband being uncommunicative and this often comes when we’re in a season of stress.  There were times we sought the help from a counselor.  I don’t even remember what the trouble was…but one time in particular, seeing a counselor was therapeutic, for sure.  It felt good and validating to express ourselves with a 3^rd party.  But, we became so distracted by our feelings about the counselor that our problems seemed to diminish.  We couldn’t get over this guy and his unprofessional habit of turning the conversation back on himself and how his week had gone, what his wife was up to, how he spent his time on his trip to Denver, etc.    Aha!  We did have something in common!  We forgave each other, promised to work harder at looking to each other’s interests and discontinued visits with the self-absorbed counselor. 

 A big stress for some folks right now is unemployment.  This week “60 Minutes” visited a group of unemployed professionals in the Silicon Valley.  Several formerly six-figure employees were interviewed after 1 or 2 years of unemployment.  Some have had no job prospects after hundreds of applications, had to cash in their retirement and college-savings for their kids and even lost their homes.  One lady who was making 70K per year was collecting cans and bottles for cash.  This sort of trial is one that would bring great stress to a marriage and even worse in the lives of those who do not know the grace and hope we have in Jesus.   Forgiving each other and being considerate is so important, especially when our ego is attacked.  It’s harder to do when the stress level is high, like when catastrophe hits, but this is the best time to “be considerate of the doubts and fears of others.  If we do what helps them we will build them up in the Lord.”  Rom.  15:1-2 (NLT) 

DO:  Think of ways to encourage your spouse. Practice speaking words that build up and express appreciation.   

PRAY:  Lord, I thank you for forgiving me and bearing with me in all of my bad behavior.  Help me to bear with my spouse with the same grace and mercy you’ve extended to me.   Help me to be a good friend and encourager to those I know who are facing difficulty.  Help me to believe You for working miracles in our lives because You are Omnipotent! Amen

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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