Author Archives: Intentional Faith

“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31 Satan always gives the best first and the worst last. For example, Proverbs 20:17 says, “The bread of deceit is sweet, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”  With Satan, it always starts sweet,Continue reading “Saving the Worst for Last”

There is a private score card we keep in our minds of our partner’s positive and negative characteristics.  By now you have become more familiar with both and merciful in each.  Somewhere jot down a few of those characteristics in a place where they can be kept private and store them away.  They will eachContinue reading “Day 7 Dare”

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT) 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Proverbs 10:12 (GW) 12 Hate starts quarrels, but love covers every wrong. Song of Songs 8:7 (NIV) 7 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all theContinue reading “Scriptures for Day 7”

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoledContinue reading “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace”

Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.  Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your relationship.  Then list any wrong motivations (selfishness, anger, etc.) that you need to release from your life.  Now practice that mercy inContinue reading “Day 6 Dare”

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) 32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT) 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgiveContinue reading “Scriptures for Day 6”

Gen 19:24-26 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven,  and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.  But his wife, from behind him, looked back; and she became a pillar ofContinue reading “Looking Back”

Ask your spouse to tell you three things that you do or say that cause them to be uncomfortable or irritated with you.  Listen to them without justifying yourself or attacking them.  This is from their perspective only and for your insight. 

Proverbs 27:14 (GW) 14 Whoever blesses his friend early in the morning with a loud voice— his blessing is considered a curse. Proverbs 25:24 (GW) 24 Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman. Psalm 112:5 (NIV) 5 Good will come to him who isContinue reading “Scriptures for Day 5”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. —Proverbs 3:5 God, this world’s problems are so complicated that I cannot make my way without Your guidance. Quicken my mind and deepen my understanding.  Help me hear Your voice and heed your advice.  Keep me walking along the pathContinue reading “Prayer for Midday”