Catching up on the Love Dare

Day 17 LOVE PROMOTES INTIMACY
Determine to guard your mate's secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe. We should reach out to our spouse in grace and understanding, accepting them for who they are and assuring them that their secrets are safe with us.

DAY 18 LOVE SEEKS TO UNDERSTAND
Prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as you prefer. Focus this time on getting to know your spouse better, perhaps in areas you've rarely talked about. Determine to make it an enjoyable evening for you and your mate. Make your spouse your chosen field of study.

DAY 19 LOVE IS IMPOSSIBLE
Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask him to show you where you stand with him, and ask fro the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

DAY 20 LOVE IS JESUS CHRIST
Date to take God at his word. Date to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Date to pay, "Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner. Buy you have shown your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and you have proven your power to save me from death by your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by your grace."

DAY 21 LOVE IS SATISFIED IN GOD
Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your bible. Try reading a chapter out of proverbs each day (there are thirty-one - a full month's supply), or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). As you do, immerse yourself int eh love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.

DAY 22 LOVE IS FAITHFUL
Love is a choice not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return".
I think this is so important. One thing that I have really learned from this is to lead not follow your heart. That it is so much a part of a choice. As I told hubby he may drive me crazy, I may count to 10, and bite my tongue but I choose to love him and I am proud of that choice I choose to love him for always.


DAY 23 LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS
Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, and addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse.

DAY 24 LOVE VS. LUST
End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed-today-replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with his perfect love.

DAY 25 LOVE FORGIVES
Whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to "forgive us our debts" each day, we must ask him to help us "forgive our debtors" each day as well. Unforgivness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive".

DAY 25 LOVE IS RESPONSIBLE
Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God's forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.

We are truly enjoying this and both growing and changing as is our relationship. I truly believed we were strong and had a good marriage before but this is strengthening and helping in so many ways.