Scriptures
1 John 3:2 NKJV
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
2 Peter 3:18 NKJV
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Proverbs 15:1 NKJV
A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger
COUPLE DEVOTION – September 12
September 12
And if, over the years, you have grown to love and admire your spouse more and more, then his or her praise will get more and more strengthening and healing. As Faramir says to Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: “The praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards.” To be highly esteemed by someone you highly esteem is the greatest thing in the world.
ADORED BY THE ADORED. One reason that we find spouses’ affirmation so powerful is that they know us. Here is a second reason: a compliment from an admirable person is always more uplifting than approval from a person you don’t respect. You marry a person that you admire, and so right from the start his or her approval means a lot. But as the years go by, if you both grow in grace and Christ-like character and you come to admire and adore your spouse more and more, then the effect of any praise from the other becomes transformative.
To be adored by someone you adore is like heaven. And that is what heaven will be like (1 John 3:2).
Reflection: Discuss with your spouse the place in your life where you need his or her encouragement and affirmation more.
Thought for reflection: Realizing that your power to bless
and build up your spouse depends in part on his or her respect for your growth and character. Ask God to help you grow in grace 2 Peter 3:18) so your ability to affirm and bless your spouse will have the greatest effect.
Reference: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy and Kathy Keller.