4. Marriage Devotional: The Fullness in Christ

Marriage Devotional: The Fullness in Christ

Author: H. Norman Wright

My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19, NASB).

    Some businesses today operate from a deficit position rather than a surplus. Some individuals and some marriages operate the same way. These people feel empty, isolated, lonely, inadequate, and helpless. Many people go through life with important needs unmet. Some go through marriage

in the same way.

    Aside from your physical needs, do you know what your basic needs are? You need: security; love and belonging (being wanted, cared about, listened to, accepted, understood); self-esteem (receiving attention, respect, significance, value); and fulfillment of your potential of giftedness.

    You and your spouse probably look to each other to meet some of these needs, and rightly so. But your partner cannot meet all your needs. God is the only one who can. He is the primary source for meeting your physical needs for food and shelter (Matthew 6:26,27). He meets your need for security and love (Romans 5:8; 8:35,38,39). God meets your need for significance or purpose (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:21).

    The more you believe these verses, the more you will be able to fulfill your potential and giftedness. In reality, you don‵t ever have to operate from a deficit. Because of what God has done for you and said about you, you can respond to yourself, your partner, others, and to life itself out of a sense of fullness. You are not deficient when you know Christ. Neither is your partner. Experience His resources. Use them. Enjoy them. Express your fullness to your partner and to the world!

3. Devotional: Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Author: H. Norman Wright

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, Praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).

    Praise the Lord! Have you ever said that out loud? Praise is not only a response to God but a step in seeing change happen in your life. When you praise God for what He has done, for who He is, and for what He will do in your life, you are released to be more dependent upon Him and less dependent on yourself.

    It's easy to praise God for what He has done because you can reflect back and identify something tangible. But what about the future? How difficult is it for you to praise God for what He is going to do? Such praise opens your life to some possibilities you may never have considered. By praising God, you not only become a risk-taker, but you become more aware of what He wants for you. This may be an uncomfortable idea for you. It may mean that you learn to praise God in an unpleasant job situation or during times of financial difficulty. It may mean praising God in spite of that taxing personal relationship in your marriage or family life. Perhaps you are troubled and perplexed about some situation in your life. This is exactly the time God wants you to praise Him.

    Lloyd John Ogilvie has an interesting thought along this line: "Consistent praise over a period of time conditions us to receive what the Lord has been waiting patiently to reveal to us or release for us." Praising God is a response to His love, His goodness, His faithfulness, and His unbelievable concern for each one of us. When you praise God, you recognize His sovereignty. When you praise God, you transfer from trusting yourself to trusting Him.

    What have you praised God for today? Take a few moments to reflect upon several things you have praised God for in the past and what you can praise Him for in the future. Share your praises with each other and then praise Him together.

2. A Quote from C. H. Spurgeon (5)

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1. Hymn: How Great Thou Art

Hymn: How Great Thou Art

Author: Carl G. Boberg (1859-1940)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
    consider all the works thy hands hath made,
    I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
    thy pow‵r throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee:

How great thou art! How great thou art!

2. And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
    sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
    that on the cross my burden gladly bearing
    he bled and died to take away my sin.

3. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
    and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
    Then I shall bow in humble adoration
    and there proclaim: My God, how great thou art!