READY
“He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your god with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.’” —Matthew 22:37-39
SET
Have you ever placed your phone on the charger before bed hoping the battery would be fully powered the following morning? Yet, when you check it, you see the dreaded black screen – the phone is dead. This is such a terrible feeling and can leave you in a state of panic. However, the fix is simple – recharge the phone!
While the stakes are quite low when our phone battery dies, the stakes are much higher when our spiritual battery runs low. Low spiritual batteries can impact nearly every area of our lives, but it can clearly be seen in our marriages. We don’t intend this to happen and sometimes we barely notice it’s happening, but inevitably, day by day, our life drains away. With low spiritual batteries, husbands become selfish and demanding and wives become frustrated and withdrawn. Compassion is traded for contempt, romance for resentment, love for longing, and grace for grumbling. Yet, the solution is simple – we must recharge our spiritual battery! How do we do this? By loving Christ with all our heart, soul and mind.
Matthew 22:37-39 is the charging station for our heart, soul and mind, and is the power source for a great marriage. If you and your spouse desire to have a marriage that honors Christ, then you, as a spouse must recharge in the power of Christ. Of course, this is an inside out model. First, start with the heart – the inner person. Your inner person must not be drawn to anything other than Christ; worship Him only. Second, move to the soul – the totality of human life. To recharge, one must use every ounce of oneself to take pleasure in the goodness of God. Third, end with the mind. Allow your meditation and regular thought life be fixed on the King of kings.
For a marriage to thrive, both husband and wife need to build their lives with Christ at the center. Husbands, love the Lord with all of your heart, soul and mind and allow this to overflow to your wife. Wives, love the Lord with all of your heart, soul and mind and allow this to overflow to your husband.
GO
What is the most impactful way for you to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind?
How can you make loving the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind a collaborative activity as a husband and wife?
WORKOUT
OVERTIME
“Heavenly Father, Your love is better than life and we desire to love You with all of our heart, soul and minds. Empower us with Your Spirit to worship You above all else. Allow us to then share that love with one another for Your glory. Amen.”