#twoasonedevotional

Surely there are more phrases than these that should be said often in marriage, but we believe this list is a great start. Here's why. 1) I love you. The expression of love goes far beyond words, but it doesn't hurt to say it. Chances are, this phrase is a regular part of your marital vocabulary. So let this be a reminder to stop and think about what it means the next time you say or hear it. To love another in covenant marriage is to commit to them, body and soul, to selflessly seeking their good for God's glory. 2) I'm sorry. Unless you're perfect (who is?), this is a good phrase to keep handy. You will offend your spouse, and you will likely sin against them—in word, deed, or both. Be quick to apologize and seek reconciliation every time you're the offender. Doing so keeps your heart soft and guards your marriage against bitterness. 3) I forgive you. Just as you will likely offend, you will likely be offended against. Forgiveness is as much for your heart as it is for your spouse's. Deal with sin, talk about it, and as much as you're able, be fast to forgive. If you're dealing with a deeper wound or a greater offense, take steady steps down the path of reconciliation. Healing can take time, but use wisdom when you clean the wound (get help, talk, engage in church community). As mentioned, these three phrases are just a start. What other phrases do you find healthy in your daily communication as a married couple? Stay fierce, Ryan and Selena #fiercemarriage #31daypursuit #40prayers #twoasonedevotional #fiercemarriagebook https://www.instagram.com/p/BqXsa_RARid/?igshid=1agb9pti6wwj

Feelings of love brought you to one another, principles of love compelled you to marry, but it's your covenant of love that will keep you together. That statement might rub you the wrong way, so let's explore. Love as an emotion is a fickle thing. It comes and goes with moods, circumstances, perceptions, and so much more. That's because true love isn't an emotion, it's an action and a choice. Love is consistently deliberating to look out for another's good above your own. So, when we say "love may have brought you together, but your covenant will keep you together", we mean that the marriage covenant is the only framework strong enough to bind you as one through every season and storm of life. That's what Dietrich Bonhoeffer was getting at with the cited quote. We've seen God work all sorts of miracles in marriages that choose to love even when the feelings of love are absent. Truly... miracles. Couples who have no business being married because of past mistakes and betrayals are enjoying a fullness of life in their marriage that is inexplicable outside of the radical grace and goodness of God. Friends, value your covenant. Remember that God designed it for your good! Remember that love isn't always easy, but that God's love is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than you could ever imagine. Whatever you're facing, wherever you are, trust God's way. Fight for each other the best you can and expect God to work in your hearts. Look to the body of Christ (your local church) to help you through confusing and seemingly hopeless circumstances. If you're in a place of strength, help another couple! Let God use you to pray for them, listen to them, bring meals to them, and care for their hearts in their time of need. God is good and his design for love is powerful! We pray that your covenants are strengthened and enlivened by the promises of God in Christ. Stay fierce, Ryan and Selena #fiercemarriage #love #31daypursuit#twoasone #twoasonedevotional https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ghBB6BK4g/?igshid=blxl68m0cq0j

Your beliefs about God will have an immeasurable impact on your marriage—they affect how you view each other, yourself, and the larger purpose of your marriage covenant. So many couples spend all their time addressing behaviors, but it’s often fruitless in the long run. Beliefs always fuel behaviors. Always. This profound truth has remained true for us our entire relationship. We can absolutely say that we wouldn't still be married without the love and grace of God. What's even more amazing, is how listening to God and following his Word has multiplied our unity, joy, and sense of purpose! Our marriage hasn't been pain-free or easy by any means, but we've felt God's grace close-by every step of the way. We haven’t avoided life’s storms, we’ve just had God’s unwavering help and hope in navigating them. May you and your spouse have a deep and rich relationship with your Savior that fuels your love for each other! We’re praying for you. Stay fierce, Ryan & Selena #fiercemarriage #fiercemarriagebook #31daypursuit #twoasonedevotional

Love may have brought you together, but your marriage covenant will keep you together. That statement might rub you the wrong way, so let's explore. Love as an emotion is a fickle thing. It comes and goes with moods, circumstances, perceptions, and so much more. That's because true love isn't an emotion, it's an action and a choice. Love is consistently deliberating to look out for another's good above your own. So, when we say "love may have brought you together, but your covenant will keep you together", we mean that the marriage covenant is the only framework strong enough to bind you as one through every season and storm of life. That's what Dietrich Bonhoeffer was getting at with the cited quote. We've seen God work all sorts of miracles in marriages that choose to love even when the feelings of love are absent. Truly... miracles. Couples who have no business being married because of past mistakes and betrayals are enjoying a fullness of life in their marriage that is inexplicable outside of the radical grace and goodness of God. Friends, value your covenant. Remember that God designed it for your good! Remember that love isn't always easy, but that God's love is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than you could ever imagine. Whatever you're facing, wherever you are, trust God's way. Fight for each other the best you can and expect God to work in your hearts. Look to the body of Christ (your local church) to help you through confusing and seemingly hopeless circumstances. If you're in a place of strength, help another couple! Let God use you to pray for them, listen to them, bring meals to them, and care for their hearts in their time of need. God is good and his design for love is powerful! We pray that your covenants are strengthened and enlivened by the promises of God in Christ. Stay fierce, Ryan and Selena #fiercemarriage #love #31daypursuit #twoasone #twoasonedevotional

Your perspective on what makes a good marriage will impact your real-life marriage in profound ways. This quote from Gary Thomas hits home. If you believe you can "find" the ideal marriage, you will grow hopeless if/when you realize that yours isn't perfect. Instead of looking for ways forward, you'll look for ways out. Most will acknowledge that marriage takes work. However, when it's time to do the work we can be so quick to give up... because real work is hard. It's when things get difficult that you're true beliefs show. Here's the thing: every marriage gets challenging at some point. Every. Single. One. The contrary perspective is this: you can't find a good marriage, you make one. You enter your union with clear eyes, knowing that your spouse can't be perfect... that you won't be perfect yourself. This starting point acknowledges that you need plentiful grace, forgiveness, and... work, to create a healthy, Christ-centered marriage. This is why we will relentlessly point couples to Christ. How can you forgive when it's hardest if you've never experienced radical grace yourself? How can you love when your spouse is unlovable if you've never encountered God in His awesome holiness (perfect, set-apart)... and received His love despite your imperfection? How can you stand strong in your identity if your identity relies on anything that can fail? Only Jesus can give you an unshakeable identity through his love, forgiveness, and grace. That's why we will keep pointing couples to Christ. May you and your spouse make your marriage incredible by standing firm on Christ through every season. Stay fierce, Ryan & Selena #fiercemarriagebook #31daypursuit #fiercemarriage #twoasonedevotional

No one on earth can encourage a man quite like his wife. (And the same is true for wives and their husbands). We must remain mindful of that truth. As a wife, you have access to your husband's heart unlike anyone else. He has invited and let you in. No one on earth knows him as well as you or in ways you do. You know his strengths and his weaknesses. His hopes and his fears. His confidence and struggles... and you know what words will help him most. Use your words and actions to help him instead of discouraging him. That's love in action, and it will transform your marriage. Fierce wife: tag your husband below and tell him something encouraging. Use this opportunity to bolster his strength, encourage his faith, and express appreciation in fresh ways. You may make his day! Stay fierce, Ryan and Selena #wifeinpursuit #31daypursuit #twoasonedevotional

Love—true love—isn't easy. It requires commitment, work, perseverance, and the ability to remember why you've chosen to love someone... especially when they're 'unloveable'. Marriage is not a contract for this very reason. Instead, it's a covenant. God's covenant with his people bound him to act in love and go the most extreme measures (even death on the cross) to redeem them. Our earthly covenants are neon signs pointing to the eternal covenant of God with his people—with us. In light of God's design for covenant, every moment in marriage becomes a neon sign pointing us to the gospel. Each amazing experience is a testimony of God's goodness and unmerited grace over our lives. Every difficult moment is a call back to the inexhaustible well of Christ's living water—his joy, his hope, his peace, and most of all, his love. True love—covenant love—doesn't depend on emotion to exist. It doesn't hold the other's heart ransom by withholding affection until demands are met. True love is generous. True love hastily engages in the actions of love regardless of whether or not the feelings accompany it. How can you show true love to your spouse today? What would be different if you did? As in every case, look to Christ. The gospel reminds us that we are secure, loved, set apart, and adopted into God's eternal family. Let that truth penetrate your heart, then watch as it permeates your marriage. Much love, Ryan and Selena #fiercemarriage #31daypursuit #twoasonedevotional

When a woman cherishes God most—far more than material things, ambition, physical beauty, or people pleasing—that is when she is full enough and free enough to love her husband the way God intended. God didn't instruct wives to "submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" arbitrarily. (Ephesians 5:22) Those words grate against culture—that much is not lost on us! Nor is it lost on God. He knew how it would sound when Paul penned those words, and He knew how it would sound to you today! Reading that verse always creates a good opportunity for a heart check. Submission is a touchy subject for one reason: sin. In sin, some husbands have abused their authority and headship to domineer and control. In sin, some wives have sought to undermine authority for selfish gain. No one is without guilt....no one except Jesus. And Jesus has shown us a better way—a better love! Jesus is the perfect leader; the perfect example of headship. His love is unwavering.... patient, kind, gentle, and so much more. Jesus is the perfect servant; the perfect example of submission. Jesus, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." (Philippians 2:6) He submitted to the Father even though he is totally equal in his divinity. He submitted, not out of weakness or because he was less, but out of strength, unity, and wisdom. That's why a wife can love her husband best only when she cherishes God most. Without God-given identity through his grace and love, this type of love—Christ-like love—is impossible. WIthout God-given purpose, submission is impossible. Fierce wife, find your worth, identity, and security in Christ alone. Be consumed by God. Then, you will have all you need and more to love your husband exactly as God intended. Stay fierce, Ryan & Selena Note: We understand that it ALWAYS goes both ways. There is much to be said to husbands on their side of the matter. However, this time we're speaking just to wives. #fiercemarriage #twoasonedevotional #love