Wow, y’all! Thank you for all the kind enthusiasm about this series! We had a busy day yesterday and it was so much fun to see how many of you had connected with our prayer that we’d be faithful to follow Him! This month is going to be amazing, I just know it!!
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For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. — Romans 8:5-6
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In 2002 for my birthday I wanted to go see “Sweet Home Alabama.” I’m a huge Reese Witherspoon fan and I thought it looked like a great movie, even if it was a chick flick. Since it was a chick’s birthday (hello?!) I figured that sort of movie would be appropriate, right? Scott was not so convinced and we ended up seeing (insert eye roll) “Signs” aka “The Worst Movie Ever.”
I hated it. Every minute of it.
Honestly, it could have been a great movie and I would have hated it. Because I had my heart set on seeing the other one. My mind was already made up. And I’m guessing most everyone reading this could share a similar story.
But here’s the thing, just like we can make up our minds about a movie or a restaurant or whatever, we also have this choice to set our minds on things of the Spirit or things of the flesh. And the choice we make has a profound impact on our marriages.
When I’m focused on Christ, I find I think about myself and my wants less. I’d imagine Scott would say the same is true for him. And just like it’s true for us as individuals, it’s true for us as couple as well. When we function in one mind — the mind of Christ — our priorities reflect His. We find there is more time and energy and even money to do Kingdom-advancing things. But when we get too focused on ourselves, serving and ministering become an interruption and sometimes even an annoyance.
It’s a daily choice, y’all. And sometimes it’s more than once in a day. When life is chaotic and we’re exhausted, we have to stop and reset ourselves. It isn’t easy. But it is essential. The choice to set our minds on Him is the choice to serve and sacrifice and surrender — not just to each other but, even more beautifully, to the Lord.
And when we’re living that way, it really doesn’t matter what movie we see … even on our birthdays.
~ Teri Lynne
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Today’s Prayer:
Lord, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in ourselves and lose sight of You. Help us to choose every day to set our minds on the things of Spirit. As we focus on You, may we grow in grace and kindness toward one another, always seeking to serve each other well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
#MarriagePrayers: Lord, may we choose daily to set our minds on You. (Romans 8:5-6) Share on X**********
Thank you for joining us for #MarriagePrayers: 31 Verses to Pray for Your Marriage. Scott and I will be sharing a new verse and prayer every day throughout May, leading up to our 20th anniversary on June 1. You can find every day’s post indexed here. We pray you will be encouraged and challenged as you pray God’s Word for your marriage.
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