Category: Devotion for Women

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

Dealing with a Crisis

‘How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!’ Psalms 133:1(NLT)

‘May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. ‘ Romans 15:5-7(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David and Tracy share openly and honestly about their unplanned pregnancy that happened outside of marriage. They decided that even though they had sinned, they were going to honor God moving forward and not run and hide from what they had done.

Dealing with this crisis was particularly difficult for David and Tracy because Tracy lost her job at her church due to the pregnancy. Tracy really struggled as she was cut off from much of her support community. She felt alone and afraid.

With every trial they faced, God’s sovereignty was apparent. God placed people in their lives to help them through this hard time. In the end, God blessed them immensely through the life of their sweet child Isabella.

Today’s Challenge:

Tracy and David chose to honor God even in the face of crisis. How can you honor God in your current situation?

Going Deeper:

1. Tracy shares about dealing with the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy and how God got her through that. Think about your life: What crisis have you walked through? How has God brought you through it?

2. David talks about the importance of community when crisis comes. Do you have strong community? If not, what can you do to build it?

3. Isabella is a great example of how God can bring great and glorious things out of any situation. How have you seen this ring true in your own life?

4. Pray and thank God that He is a forgiving God and a God of redemption.

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

Handling Baggage

‘O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.’ Psalms 30:2(NLT)

‘Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 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. ‘ James 5:13-16(NLT)

‘“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ‘ John 15:5(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David and Tracy share about their dating relationship prior to marriage. David came into the relationship with baggage from his previous marriage, and Tracy came into the relationship with trust issues from a previous relationship.

They began working through their baggage successfully by being open and honest with each other. We all come into marriage with baggage. The important thing is that we recognize our baggage and confront it. It’s not good to avoid these important conversations, even if it seems scary to talk about.

God wants oneness and unity in your marriage, and that can only happen if you are both fully dedicated to honesty and supporting one another through your baggage. Talk about your baggage and invite God to heal you and bring you closer together through it.

Today’s Challenge:

Tracy and David share about their baggage and how it affected them. Take some time to think: What baggage do you have?

Going Deeper:

1. Have you dealt with your baggage? If so, how?

2. What can you do to support your spouse when it comes to their baggage or things they struggle with?

3. How do you want to be supported by your spouse when it comes to your baggage and the things you struggle with?

4. Pray and ask God for healing. We all have baggage and we all need healing.

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

A Different Direction

‘Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, ‘ Colossians 1:10-11(NLT)

‘“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. ‘ Deuteronomy 8:6(NLT)

‘For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.’ Romans 8:14(NLT)

Devotional Content:

Tracy shares her story. Tracy was in a tragic car wreck and yet was not physically harmed. She was overwhelmed that God had protected her when she easily could have been killed.

After the accident, she felt God leading her into full-time ministry. She faithfully listened to God’s leading and took a full-time job at her church. Through working in the ministry and faithfully pursuing Jesus, she found contentment in her singleness. She recognized that she had all she needed in Christ. It was when she was wholeheartedly following Jesus that she found David and fell in love.

God wants you to seek Him above all else and be fully satisfied in Him.

Today’s Challenge:

Tracy shared how a tragic event changed her life and moved her closer to God. Have you ever experienced anything that moved you closer to God? What was that like?

Going Deeper:

1. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being very close, how close are you to God?

2. What things do you do to deepen your relationship with God?

3. How did you know that your spouse was the one God had for you?

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

God’s Intervention

‘But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7(NLT)

‘No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6:8(NLT)

‘Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ‘ 2 Corinthians 6:14(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David shares his story. After his first marriage ended in divorce, God intervened and showed David the main reason why it was unhealthy – God wasn’t in it!

For David, that changed everything and he invited God into his life. David knew that when and if he married again, God had to be at the center.

As God was working in David’s life, he met a Godly woman and eventually remarried. Now David and Tracy have an awesome marriage and they do that by putting God first every day.

Marriage is hard and knowing God and having Him at the center is crucial to having an awesome marriage. God designed marriage and He designed us. With God, you can experience true joy. With God, His hope and eternal promises can get you through the darkest of times. With God, you can gain the wisdom and skill necessary to have a healthy marriage. God wants to help you become the spouse He intended you to be. God wants you to have a healthy and thriving marriage.

Today’s Challenge:

David shares about how God intervened in his life. How has God intervened in your life for the better?

Going Deeper:

1. In what ways have you seen God work in your relationship?

2. Can you think of a time where God brought you into a good situation because you faithfully followed him?

3. Pray and ask God to help you see His hand working in your life and in your marriage.

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

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Devotion for Women ZZ

4 Secrets To Praying For Your Husband – Day 3

‘Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NLT)

Secret #3: Appeal to God to transform your husband into the image of Christ. 

This is the most powerful type of praying. Instead of nagging, ask God to do the very thing He wants — to transform your husband more and more to be like Jesus in his character and conduct. Choose one character quality (such as patience, love or kindness) that you know your husband wishes he had more of … and make that your primary prayer focus.

Secret #4: Appeal to God to draw your husband into a closer relationship with Christ.

Ultimately when this happens, God’s Spirit will empower your husband in every area of his life. Ask God to forgive your husband for past and present sins and to overwhelm him with His mercy and compassion — making Himself known directly to your husband.

You, my friend, are a jewel who holds the power to influence your husband in ways beyond what you may have ever even realized. Yes, you have God’s ear. And His heart. Discover how much He cares as you learn to take everything to Him in prayer.

Heavenly Father, help my husband to make right choices throughout his work life, home life and social life — so that the enemy does not have a stronghold from which to attack our family. Let righteousness guard my husband from immoral advances of other women, pornography or immoral thoughts/desires he may experience for other women. Surround him with Your breastplate of righteousness to protect his honor and heart. And when conflict does arise, let peace both dominate and preserve the sanctity of our relationship and intimacy of our communication and love of the truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

from 4 Secrets To Praying For Your Husband

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Devotion for Women ZZ

4 Secrets To Praying For Your Husband – Day 2

‘Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”’ Proverbs 31:28-29(NLT)

Secret #1: Appeal to God in prayer to help your husband succeed in his work.

God has wired men to achieve and labor to become successful in their work. (Of course women desire to achieve and become successful as well, but wives have a unique role in helping their husbands!) Learn his biggest breakthrough, what he seeks in employees he hires and what he’s looking to achieve in his next career move. Anyone can pray a general prayer, but you have the heart to really uncover what would make him dance and shout for joy.

Secret #2: Appeal to God to help your husband overcome his problems.

If your husband isn’t facing at least one problem that might discourage him, then wait until tomorrow! Whether it’s a difficult boss, a lack of money, the temptation to sin or a struggle with discouragement, just imagine how your husband will feel when he discovers you care so much that you’ll help shoulder the weight with him.

from 4 Secrets To Praying For Your Husband

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Devotion for Women ZZ

4 Secrets To Praying For Your Husband – Day 1

‘And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ‘ Philippians 4:8(NLT)

Struggles, failures, sins, betrayals, hurts, wounds, disappointments and crushing defeats. Sound familiar? Life comes packaged with all of these challenges, and marriage provides the overcoming power not only to endure it all but hopefully to learn and by God’s grace, eventually overcome. My marriage has experienced all of these, yet today we’re stronger than ever.

Our response to the challenges life brings is always more important than the actual event. 

Each of those difficult moments is simply an obstacle that God permitted in your life so you can learn the deeper secrets of how to overcome and enjoy surpassing victories. 

How true is the saying, “Behind every successful man is an even greater woman!” Now, after almost 50 years of marriage, I’ve been asked to reveal my wife Darlene’s secrets. Not just secrets she knows, but secrets Darlene has used “on me, for me” for decades.

Proverbs 31:28-29 reminds us that what and who your husband becomes is massively related to the degree you’ve helped him. And wives who flourish in their role will inevitably hear this type of a statement from their husband and children: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’”

So … what are these “secret” ways to pray for husbands? I have four favorites to share with you. We’ll start with two tomorrow. 

from 4 Secrets To Praying For Your Husband

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

Do Not Enter

‘Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.’ 1 Peter 2:17(NLT)

‘“But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” ‘ Romans 3:7(NLT)

‘“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.’ Matthew 7:12(NLT)

‘For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. ‘ Ephesians 5:25-27(NLT)

Devotional Content:

“Do Not Enter” signs make me want to enter. I guess that is my rebellious side that sometimes pops up. Yet, I know these signs are there for a reason. For example, there could be something dangerous down that street or past the gate. I run a risk if I disobey the “do not enter” sign. Maybe someone posts that sign because they want privacy. They do not want anyone bothering them. If they want to interact with someone they will initiate the interaction. If I do not heed the sign, I am crossing a boundary that someone put in place.  

I think there are “do not enter” signs in marriage. Let’s look at two. First, I am married to Nancy and have been since I was 22. “Do not enter” signs need to surround my marriage. There are places I do not need to go because they are dangerous for my marriage. Flirting with another woman, looking at pornography, having a meal or coffee with a woman alone, and going to strip clubs are all “do not enters,” and there are many more. Those I listed are the ones I see guys go past all the time and they all lead to something that is very dangerous for your marriage. The bottom line is just do not go there. Violating the “do not enter” sign will never get you to an Awesome Marriage.

The second “do not enter” sign in marriage has to do with respecting your spouse. Let me give you a couple of examples. If you have been in an argument and your spouse needs time to think things through, give them the time. If your spouse says “not tonight, how about tomorrow,” respect their request. You get the idea. Listen to your spouse and respect what they ask of you. Do this for them and the odds are good that they will return the favor to you.

Today’s Challenge: 

1. What are the “do not enter” signs you need to obey and/or respect in your marriage?

2. Dr. Kim listed some places men need to not enter. What are places that women need to not enter?

3. What are some ways that you show respect for each other?  

4. What are some other ways you can respect your spouse?

Going Deeper:

As you complete part one of this two-part plan, pick one thing you have learned to focus on for the next month.

from Traffic Signs And Your Marriage – Part 1

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

One Way

‘Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ‘ Matthew 22:37(NLT)

‘for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.’ Colossians 1:16(NLT)

‘My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ‘ Galatians 2:20(NLT)

‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ Matthew 6:33(NLT)

Devotional Content:

Do you have one way streets where you live? I do. Most of ours are in the downtown area. I think their purpose is to make traffic flow more smoothly and I think it actually works. If I am on a one-way street, I have four or six lanes going my way instead of two or three. I get where I am going faster, with less hassle. Sometimes I am in a hurry and the one-way street that I want to turn on doesn’t go the way I want it to. So I have to go another block or so, through a couple of extra traffic lights to get to the one-way street going in the direction I want to go. I have often wished that I had a remote I could click and make the one-way street always go the direction I want it to.

Marriage is a one way street — or it needs to be. One way that puts God first. One way that is a lifetime commitment to your spouse. One way that is for better or worse, richer or poorer, and in sickness or health until you die. The one-way marriage street has six lanes and I like that. The goal is always the same but there are a number of good ways to get there.  

Our problem comes when we happen to think about other one-way streets. The one we can far too easily hop over to is called “me first.” It is in direct opposition to our one-way marriage street. “Me first” puts self first instead of God. It places conditions on our commitment. It says we are here if things are better, richer, and healthy, but out of here if things are worse, poor, or sick. It says we are only here till things get tough.

The one-way marriage street can be bumpy and have a few potholes but it will get us where we want to go. Those other one-way streets can take us away from an awesome marriage – sometimes so far away that we never find the way back.

Today’s Challenge: 

1. What are the one-way streets that take your focus off of your marriage?

2. What do you need to do to stay off of them? 

3.  What do you need to do that will get – and keep – you on the one-way street leading to an Awesome Marriage?

Going Deeper:

Discuss the bumps and potholes on your one-way street today. As a couple, what will you commit to that will keep you from changing to another one-way street?

from Traffic Signs And Your Marriage – Part 1

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women ZZ

Yield

‘The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”’ Mark 12:31(NLT)

‘Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.’ Philippians 2:3-4(NLT)

‘You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.’ Philippians 2:5-8(NLT)

‘We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” ‘ Romans 15:1-3(NLT)

Devotional Content:

I was driving through my neighborhood this morning. It was a beautiful day. I saw a friend jogging toward me. I looked over to wave at him about the same time I passed a YIELD sign. This particular YIELD sign was at a place where two roads merge into one.  If two cars try to merge from two lanes into one at the same time, the results are not good. Thus, there is a YIELD sign and it was in my lane. I was supposed to slow down or stop to let the other driver enter the lane before I did. Luckily, I looked up in time to hit my brakes before I hit another car. Close call because I did not obey the YIELD sign.  

There are YIELD signs all over my marriage and often I ignore them too. I often interpret the YIELD to mean that I do not get my way and Nancy does. What it really means is for me to be unselfish even when I do not feel like it. There are times I get it and there are times I do not want to get it. I have said for years that the number one problem in marriage is selfishness. I should know – I can achieve professional status in this area. 

I have made an interesting observation. When I am driving and obey the YIELD sign, I never have a problem. I never had a wreck from obeying the YIELD sign. In my marriage, when I am unselfish, my marriage is really good. Do you know that Nancy and I have never, ever had a fight when I was being unselfish? Amazing, huh?

What if you envisioned a YIELD sign right next to your spouse? Then, what if you obeyed it? Finally, what if you did that day after day after day? Awesome Marriage? Probably.

Today’s Challenge: 

1. When you are driving how do you handle YIELD signs?

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, how selfish are you in your marriage?

3. How has selfishness affected your marriage?

Going Deeper:

Together make a YIELD sign to put on your refrigerator. Let it be a reminder for both of you to choose to YIELD instead of being selfish.

from Traffic Signs And Your Marriage – Part 1