Night Light For Couples

The Single Man “Pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:10 Contrary to conventional wisdom, the single man often has a rough go of life. He is far more likely than an unmarried female to be an alcoholic, drug user, or convicted criminal. He is less responsible about his driving habits, finances, and personal appearance. (Check with your auto insurance agent, bank officer, or neighbor with college‐age sons if you doubt this statement.) There are millions of exceptions, of course, but statistically speaking, an unmarried young man is at risk for many antisocial behaviors. Yet when he falls in love, marries, and begins to care for, protect, and support his wife, he becomes a mainstay of social order. His selfish impulses are inhibited. His sexual passions are channeled. He discovers a sense of pride in his family. He learns why, on average, a married man lives a longer and happier life than his single counterpart. God knew what He was doing when He designed the institution of marriage. It’s a smart husband who recognizes this and lovingly cultivates his relationship with his wife. Just between us… Do you feel you changed after we married? Do you ever miss being single? Why? How has being married to me benefited your life? How can I help you feel more joy in our marriage and pride in our family? (husband) Dear God, thank You for Your gift to me of marriage. Thank You for my lovely spouse and for Your daily blessing on our relationship and our home. May I never take Your generosity for granted or Your holy purposes lightly. Amen. From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Night Light For Parents “Is Breakfast Ready?”

There will be…glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good. Romans 2:9–10 Though I (jcd) have always respected the talents of mothers, my appreciation for them soared when my son, Ryan, was three years old. Shirley broke her leg while skiing (she claims it was an accident), granting me the chance to do her thing for a few weeks. It was a shocking experience. My first day on the job, Ryan interrupted my deep, dreamy sleep with a loud cry at 6 a.m. As he howled, I staggered toward his room, then nudged open the door. The crying abruptly stopped and a cheery voice asked, “Is breakfast ready?” I trudged into the kitchen and stared at the cabinets, hoping something quick and simple would tumble out. Ryan followed, peppering me with questions such as “Are we having bacon?” and “Why isn’t the milk poured?” Finally, exasperated with his unresponsive new “mother,” Ryan sighed and said, “I’m getting so tired of you!” Isn’t that often the story of motherhood? You give up your own needs to care for your beloved offspring—yet they fail to appreciate or even notice it. Be assured, however, that God notices. Every sacrifice, large or small, brings a smile to His face and joy to heaven. That’s worth remembering the next time your child is howling at 6 a.m. Before you say good night… What do you find most discouraging about motherhood? What can the kids and your spouse do better to help you? In what ways does God value mothers? (See Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 20:9; Proverbs 23:22; Isaiah 66:13; John 19:26–27.) (mother) Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of motherhood. Give me strength and encouragement to face its challenges as I seek to fulfill and enjoy Your ordained plan for our family. Amen. From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

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40 Day Journey Day 31

Offering intercessory prayer means nothing other than Christians bringing one another into the presence of God, seeing each other under the cross of Jesus as poor human beings and sinners in need of grace. Then, everything about other people that repels me falls away. Then I see them in all their need, hardship, and distress. Their need and their sin become so heavy and oppressive to me that I feel as if they were my own, and I can do nothing else but bid: Lord, you yourself, you alone, deal with them according to your firmness and your goodness. Biblical Wisdom Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16 Questions to Ponder How does seeing others under the cross of Jesus Christ cause all that “repels me” about them to fall away? In what way is everyone equal under the cross? How does looking at other people through the lens of God’s mercy change our feelings about them and about ourselves? Psalm Fragment May he judge your people with righteousness,    and your poor with justice. May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,    and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,    give deliverance to the needy,    and crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:2-4 Journal Reflections Make a list of the people whom you would like to bring into the presence of God today. Write a line or two describing the nature of your relationship with each of these people. Intercessions For each person listed in your journal today, pray: Lord, you yourself, you alone, deal with (name) according to your firmness and your goodness. Prayer for Today Forgiving and transforming God, thank you that under the cross of Christ we all stand equally together under your love and mercy. Bible Gateway

Verse Of The Day

the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 ESV