The realization that we are God’s children now and forever should motivate us to praise Him. If your primary love language is words of affirmation, expressing verbal praise to God will be easy. However, it’s also easy to use standard words and phrases expressed at regular times and places. If this happens, even your praise, which starts out as authentic, can become a mere ritual. Thus, you enhance your love relationship with God when you think creatively about places and ways to express praise to Him.

If you worship with your spouse, you can encourage each other to be creative and original in your praise. In the process, you’ll create a spiritual bond that can last a lifetime.

Take some time to pray individually or as a couple. Make it a time of worship to praise God for His creation, love for you, and goodness to your family.

If you have more time, discuss together or reflect on these questions:

What standard words and phrases do you hear in praise and worship settings?

Which words do you use most often when praising God?

What is the ideal setting for praising and worshipping God? Why?

Consider these passages for further study on Praise and Worship.

Psalm 71:22-24

I will praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
    Holy One of Israel.
²³ My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.
²⁴ My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
    have been put to shame and confusion.

Romans 14:11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”^[a]

Phillippians 2:9-11

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 95:1-7

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
² Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.

³ For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker;
⁷ for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,

When you think of ways to praise the Lord best, you think of ways to share your love. Be aware of your love language and use your abilities and talents to praise the Lord. Everyone shows it differently and shouldn’t be judged by a right or wrong method. Give it your best.

The important thing to remember in dealing with anger- especially anger toward your spouse- is that you do not allow your negative emotions to lead you to wrongful behavior. Sharing your anger with your spouse is essential. Emotions come and go. When we talk about them, they tend to go. When we hold them inside, they tend to stay.

If you find it difficult to break the barrier of silence, try writing your thoughts and feelings in a letter to your spouse. Many times it is easier to write than it is to speak of such feelings. But as you become comfortable writing the letters and your spouse reads them with understanding and comfort and encouragement, you will eventually learn to verbalize your feelings and thoughts. Writing can be a big step in the process of learning how to communicate openly.

Take some time to pray individually or as a couple. Ask God to help you…

Make amends for past incidents in which you expressed anger unhealthily.

Express your anger in a way that strengthens your relationship instead of damaging it.

Create a relationship in which you feel comfortable sharing any emotion.

If you have more time, discuss together or reflect on these questions:

How has anger damaged your relationship in the past?

What changes would you like to see each other make in the way you express anger?

What specific strategies can you use to make sure your anger is dealt with properly?

Consider these passages for further study on anger:

Psalm 7:11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.

Mark 3:1-6 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

John 2:13-17 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

Psalm 74:1-23

“God, why have you rejected us for so long? Why are you angry with us, the sheep of your pasture? Remember the people you bought long ago. You saved us, and we are your very own. After all, you live on Mount Zion. Make your way through these old ruins; the enemy wrecked everything in the Temple. Those who were against you shouted in your meeting place and raised their flags there. They came with axes raised as if to cut down a forest of trees. They smashed the carved panels with their axes and hatchets. They burned your Temple to the ground; they have made the place where you live unclean. They thought, “We will completely crush them!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. We do not see any signs. There are no more prophets, and no one knows how long this will last. God, how much longer will the enemy make fun of you? Will they insult you forever? Why do you hold back your power? Bring your power out in the open and destroy them! God, you have been our king for a long time. You bring salvation to the earth. You split open the sea by your power and broke the heads of the sea monster. You smashed the heads of the monster Leviathan and gave it to the desert creatures as food. You opened up the springs and streams and made the flowing rivers run dry. Both the day and the night are yours; you made the sun and the moon. You set all the limits on the earth; you created summer and winter. Lord, remember how the enemy insulted you. Remember how those foolish people made fun of you. Do not give us, your doves, to those wild animals. Never forget your poor people. Remember the agreement you made with us, because violence fills every dark corner of this land. Do not let your suffering people be disgraced. Let the poor and helpless praise you. God, arise and defend yourself. Remember the insults that come from those foolish people all day long. Don’t forget what your enemies said; don’t forget their roar as they rise against you always.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭74‬:‭1‬-‭23‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/105/psa.74.1-23.NCV

Gary Chapman‘s thoughts are great. We are blessed with all kinds of emotions to feel. Knowing and learning how to deal with these emotions takes wisdom. Find ways to use this knowledge to grow your wisdom on a regular basis.

The moment we acknowledge our failure, God forgives our sins. But as long as we excuse our sins, God will not hear our prayers (see Psalm 66:18). The first step in developing your relationship with God is to confess all known sins. With a pencil and paper, ask, “Lord, where have I failed in my marriage?” As God brings truth to your mind, list your failures. Then go over your list, confessing each sin, thanking God that Christ has paid the penalty for your sin, and accepting His forgiveness for that sin.

Confession and forgiveness do not mean we will immediately lose all remorse about our sin. We may still feel horrible when we reflect on what we’ve done, but our feelings have nothing to do with God’s forgiveness. We must not allow those feelings to defeat us. When feelings of guilt return after confession, we simply say, “Thank you, Father, that those sins are forgiven and that You no longer hold them against me. Help me to forgive myself.”

Take some time to pray individually or as a couple. In your prayer time…

Ask God to help you recall your failures in your marriage.

Keep a list of the things He brings to mind.

Confess each one.

Ask for forgiveness for each one.

If you have more time, discuss or reflect on these questions.

What failures in your marriage still need to be forgiven?

How easily can you forgive yourself after you’ve failed your spouse? Why?

Does forgiveness require forgetting the other person’s sin? Explain.

Consider these passages for further study on Confession and Forgiveness.

Luke 15:11-24 The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Hebrews 10:17-18 Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts
    I will remember no more.”^[a]

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Psalm 66:16-20 Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.

For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke.

If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Gary Chapman shared these tips. Evaluating how we treat each other keeps my relationships fresh. Finding ways to encourage and show more respect goes a long way.

When we confess to God, it means that what we have done is wrong. Confession makes no attempt to minimize our wrongdoing but openly admits that our behavior is inexcusable. first John 1:9 tells us God stands ready to forgive those who admit their sins.

After confessing to God, you must confess to the person you’ve wronged.

In marriage, that is your spouse. Your confession might go something like this: “I’ve been thinking about us, and I realize that in a lot of ways I have failed you. I sat down the other day and made a list of things I feel I have done that are wrong. I have asked God to forgive me for each of the things, and if you have a few minutes, I’d like to share my list with you and ask if you would forgive me as well. I really want the future to be different, and I think this is where I need to start.

Take time to pray and tell the Lord:

Praise Him for His willingness to forgive and restore you.

Confess any sins that are eating at your conscience.

Ask Him to bless your efforts to repair relationships that were damaged by your sin.

Take time to reflect:

How does the expression “Right actions begin with right thoughts” apply to your discussion of confession and forgiveness?

When is the best time to talk about issues in your marriage?

How would your spouse respond if you came to him or her with the words of confession in the devotion?

Consider these passages for further study on Confession:

Psalm 32:1-7 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

Proverbs 28:13 People Who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

James 5:16-18 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

The first step in being aware is a step to put together and organize what needs to be changed to make things right. Great tips to reflect on from Gary Chapman.

Only through the healing act of confession could David be restored to a right relationship with God and live as the man God had called him to be.

The feeling of being wronged by a spouse can cloud the marriage relationship. But when we, motivated by love, confront our spouse, receive their apology, and forgive, we free them from their burden, as the Lord freed David, and we can go on to rebuild trust and health in the relationship.

Of course, it is tempting when we’ve been wronged to feel like the “good person “ in the marriage. But we too must confess our own sin and admit our own inadequacy. That will help us become more loving, free to forgive- as God has forgiven us.

Take time to pray, individually or as a couple. Acknowledge to the Lord that it’s easy to forget that He conflicts His people of sin because He loves us. Thank Himself for wanting you to be more like Him – and ask for His assistance as the two of you try it.

Take time to discuss and reflect on these questions:

What kind of offense is hardest for you to forgive? Why?

Why is it so difficult to give up moral superiority after you’ve been wronged?

What’s the most loving thing you can do after your spouse has wronged you?

Consider these passages for further study on Repentance and Forgiveness:

Psalm 51:1-19

“God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again. I know about my wrongs, and I can’t forget my sin. You are the only one I have sinned against; I have done what you say is wrong. You are right when you speak and fair when you judge. I was brought into this world in sin. In sin my mother gave birth to me. You want me to be completely truthful, so teach me wisdom. Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you crushed be happy again. Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Do not send me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit. Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong, and sinners will turn back to you. God, save me from the guilt of murder, God of my salvation, and I will sing about your goodness. Lord, let me speak so I may praise you. You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them. You don’t want burnt offerings. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin. Do whatever good you wish for Jerusalem. Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with right sacrifices and whole burnt offerings, and bulls will be offered on your altar.‬‬

Romans 2:4

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

1 John 1:9

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.

We are not perfect and recognizing when we realize we have done wrong. The Lord is merciful and gives us grace and wisdom to forgive. Making opportunities to set things right. Being patient to live in faith. Great thoughts of Gary Chapman.

Tell your spouse: “What can I do to make this up to you? I know I hurt you and feel bad about it, but I want to make it right. I want to do something to show you that I love you.”

Words don’t mean much unless they’re backed up with action. Job was overrun with words from his friends, who tried to make sense of his terrible suffering. But many words from his friends, who wanted to make sense of his terrible suffering. But much of what they said was wrong. In Job 12:11, Job says he tested their words to determine what was true. We all do the same thing – test words to see if they are genuine and if they will likely be followed up with action.

To establish trust, you need to show that your words are genuine. When you ask your spouse how you can make the situation right, you are trying to make restitution. You are demonstrating that you care about your relationship. After all, your spouse wants to know whether your apology is sincere. Make sure your answer is clear.

Thank God for the opportunity to make restitution with your loved one. Ask the Lord to help you show your loved one that you’re sincere and want to do what’s right. Ask the Lord to equip you to seek the reconciliation your relationship needs.

Discuss together or reflect on these questions:

What should you say to your spouse when you realize reconciliation is needed?

How might your spouse test your words to see if they are sincere?

What specific steps can you take to prove your sincerity to your spouse?

Consider these passages for further study on reconciliation:

Matthew 18:15-17 ^15: “If your brother or sister^[a] sins,^[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’^[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Ephesians 4:32 ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Trust is crucial in a relationship. Without it, it will always struggle. Find ways to keep building trust, and your relationships will grow stronger. Gary Chapman shares great thoughts and guidance here. It’s one of the things that I like to focus on.

In 2 Chronicles 32:24-26, Hezekiah repented after his lack of gratitude angered the Lord. God had healed him from an illness, but Hezekiah was too proud to acknowledge it. However, when the Lord’s anger stirred, Hezekiah forgot his pride and rushed to make amends. He didn’t just apologize in Prayer; he humbled himself. He made sure his actions backed up his words.

When we hurt our spouses, we must acknowledge that what we have done is wrong and that just apologizing is not enough to make it right. We also need to make a plan to change our actions so we don’t hurt our loved ones in the same way again.

Take time to pray and acknowledge that you need to do more than say you are sorry when you do wrong. Admit that you need to turn away from your wrong patterns of relating to your loved one. Ask the Lord to help you change and give you the strength to repent.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

What would you say to a woman who was fed up with having the same argument with her husband for thirty years?

Can you picture you and your loved one arguing about the same old things thirty years from now? Explain.

How can the spouse who’s been wronged help the other come to repentance?

Consider these passages for further study on repentance:

2 Corinthians 7:8-11  Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point, you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Revelation 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

2 Chronicles 32:24-27

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. ²⁵ But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and Judah and Jerusalem. ²⁶ Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.

²⁷ Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and his precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuables.

God gave us the ability to have the reason to know right and wrong. When we learn and are aware that we did wrong, it’s that strength to set things right. Repent can be very powerful and forgiveness to allow us to heal in many ways. Great thoughts of Gary Chapman to help us see more insights.

Uzziah learned too late that explosive, angry behavior is never constructive. It not only hurts the person to whom it is directed, but it destroys the self-esteem of the perpetrators who are out of control. In the heat of such angry explosions, people say and do things they later regret. Undisciplined anger that expresses itself in verbal and physical explosions will ultimately destroy relationships. The person on the receiving end loses respect for the person who is out of control and will eventually just avoid them.

Some years ago, it was a popular belief in certain psychological circles that releasing anger by aggressive behavior could be a positive way of processing anger. Angry people were encouraged to take their aggression out on pillows or golf balls. However, research now indicates that the venting of angry feelings with such aggressive behaviors does not drain a person’s anger but makes the person more likely to be explosive in the future. Explosion, whether verbal or physical, is not an acceptable way of handling one’s anger.

Take time to pray and ask God to make known to you the people who have been hurt by your anger so that you may make amends. Ask Him to give you the wisdom and self-control to express your anger in a way that honors Him.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

How would you respond to someone who argued that some people are born with fiery tempers and that there’s nothing wrong with it?

What’s the worst thing your anger has ever caused you to do?

What can your spouse do to help you keep your anger in check? How can you help your spouse?

Consider these passages for further study on anger:

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Matthew 5:21-24

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

2 Chronicles 26:16-19

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. ¹⁷ Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. ¹⁸ They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

¹⁹ Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy^[a] broke out on his forehead.

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. Anger is an emotion we all have and knowing ways to use it effectively can build relationships stronger. Knowing how to manage and learn from others can make you a stronger person. Pray for the extreme times when you need this strength to make sure you are making wise decisions when your emotions are high.

Loving relationships require patience. Patience must become a way of life. We cannot expect all our differences to be resolved overnight or with one conversation. It takes time and diligence to understand another’s point of view and to negotiate answers to our differences. It is both a lifelong process and the heart and soul of relationships. We cannot build positive relationships without being diligent in our feelings, seeking understanding, affirming each other, and finding workable solutions.

Don’t expect perfection of yourself or your family members. On the other hand, don’t settle for anything less than a loving relationship. We must make room for momentary relapses. None of us change quickly, and we often revert to old patterns. You’ve heard the cliche “Rome was not built in a day.” This is true in relationships as well. Exercise patience, and you are likely to be rewarded.

Take time to pray and thank God for the healthy, functional relationships you enjoy with friends and loved ones. Acknowledge your less-than-functional relationships. Ask God to help you show His love to those people.

Take time to discuss together or reflect on these questions:

What effect has impatience had on your relationships? Explain.

What is the biggest obstacle to effective communication in your relationships? Explain.

Consider these passages for further study on Healthy Relationships.

1 Corinthians 6:1-20

”When you have something against another Christian, how can you bring yourself to go before judges who are not right with God? Why do you not let God’s people decide who is right? Surely you know that God’s people will judge the world. So if you are to judge the world, are you not able to judge small cases as well? You know that in the future we will judge angels, so surely we can judge the ordinary things of this life. If you have ordinary cases that must be judged, are you going to appoint people as judges who mean nothing to the church? I say this to shame you. Surely there is someone among you wise enough to judge a complaint between believers. But now one believer goes to court against another believer—and you do this in front of unbelievers! The fact that you have lawsuits against each other shows that you are already defeated. Why not let yourselves be wronged? Why not let yourselves be cheated? But you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do this to other believers! Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God’s kingdom. Do not be fooled. Those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob—these people will not inherit God’s kingdom. In the past, some of you were like that, but you were washed clean. You were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. “I am allowed to do all things,” but not all things are good for me to do. “I am allowed to do all things,” but I will not let anything make me its slave. “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. By his power, God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead. Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! It is written in the Scriptures, “The two will become one body.” So you should know that anyone who joins with a prostitute becomes one body with the prostitute. But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord. So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies.“
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭20‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/105/1co.6.1-20.NCV

I Corinthians 13:1-13

”I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. Love never ends. There are gifts of prophecy, but they will be ended. There are gifts of speaking in different languages, but those gifts will stop. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will come to an end. The reason is that our knowledge and our ability to prophesy are not perfect. But when perfection comes, the things that are not perfect will end. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. It is the same with us. Now we see a dim reflection as if we were looking into a mirror, but then we shall see clearly. Now I know only a part, but then I will know fully, as God has known me. So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.“
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭13‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/105/1co.13.1-13.NCV

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

2 Chronicles 15:7

”But you should be strong. Don’t give up, because you will get a reward for your good work.”“
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/105/2ch.15.7.NCV

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. A way to evaluate to learn how you can improve yourself with others. What stands out to me is to keep forgiveness in your heart.

How do you get rid of past failures? King Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:37 gives us some clues. Solomon was urging his people to make themselves right with the Lord. But the principles apply to marriage as well. The first step is to identify your failures. Write them down, if necessary. Make sure you know exactly what you have done. The second step is to confess your failures as wrong – to God and your loved one. Humbly ask for their forgiveness. The third step is to repent – that is, to change your behavior.

To confess this week and then repeat the same behavior next week does not remove barriers. It makes things worse. God is in the business of changing lives. Why not sign up for God’s rehabilitation program? Let Him give you the power to break old habits and replace them with acts of kindness and love. You can become the person your loved one deserves.

Take time to thank God for forgiving your imperfections. Ask Him to make you aware of how your failures have hurt your spouse and others. Ask Him for the wisdom and courage to make amends – and then to make the necessary changes in your life.

Take time to reflect on these questions:

What is the failure of yours that has hurt your relationship?

How does your loved one express his or her disappointment in you?

What kind of reaction does that cause in you?

Consider these passages for further study on Failure:

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

I Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation^[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 Chronicles 6:37 and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’;

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman on how to be more effective with our failures. The first step is to be aware and then know what to do to fix it. This gives us more confidence to do the right thing to make our relationships stronger.