Please listen in today as we share both some really important news for you, the listener, as well as an opportunity for you to help us! So take a few minutes to listen in. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes: 3 Ways We are Asking for Your help!

PRAY FOR US. And we really mean it! We know there is power in prayer! There are still a lot of things that need to get figured out,  and we need God’s wisdom to lead us in those decisions. So please pray specifically that the Lord…and the Lord alone,  would give us both His plan and His timing in the next steps for our podcast. This is the most important foundational step for us to take, and we do appreciate you helping us in this way!

SEND US YOUR CONTACT INFO: The second way you can help us is by sharing your email info with us.  We will not sell or give your information to anyone else. You can count on that.  We are asking for your email information only so that when we are ready to re-launch the podcast, you can be on the list of folks that we contact. And that is the ONLY reason we want it. So if you can send us your info -  including your first and last name and email address -  that way we can connect with you and let you know when we are getting ready to RELAUNCH the podcast.  You can send that info to [email protected] 

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK: The third and final way you can help us is by providing feedback on our podcast. The simplest way to do that is to share that feedback when you email us your first and last name and your email address. Here are some examples of feedback you could share: 1) Tell us what your favorite episode was and why. 2) Share with us the topics that most interested you in all the episodes we have shared so far. 3) Let us know any topics you would like for us to cover in future episodes. These are just a few examples of the kind of feedback you could share with us. And we want to say THANK YOU in advance for taking the time to do that for us!

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The New Year is upon us! And as we start the New Year, we want to encourage you to truly make the most important things your priority this year - both individually AND as a couple. What are those most important things? Well, listen in today and you will find out! This is not about New Year's resolutions, but about prioritizing the things that God wants us to prioritize so that we can flourish as He has designed us! So take a few minutes to listen in. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:Got Questions: How Do I Know Which of God’s Promises are for Me?  LINK:  https://www.gotquestions.org/God-promises.html

Apps or Website We Recommend for Bible Reading/Bible Study:

YouVersion Bible App - Bible Reading Plans: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app

Through the Word App - Bible Study: https://throughtheword.org

The Navigators - Bible Reading Plans: https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans

Bible Gateway - Bible Reading Plans: https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans

The Bible Project - Bible Study: https://bibleproject.com

Online Post to Help Your Consistent Bible Reading:

Biola University Post: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2020/how-to-read-the-bible-regularly

Desiring God Post: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-i-make-the-most-of-daily-bible-reading

Cru Online Post: https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/bible-studies/reasons-read-bible.html

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As we close out 2023, we want to take time to share with you something that is CRITICAL - not just for this time of year - but all year long. We also know how BUSY this time of year can be...but please take some time to listen and respond to what you hear on this episode. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes: Link go Gospel Information on Our Website: https://www.abidingmarriage.org/what-is-the-gospelLink to Online Posts on the Gospel and Marriage:

Ligonier Post: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/3-ways-gospel-changes-marriage
Lifeway Post: https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/is-marriage-about-the-gospel

Link to Abiding Marriage Series of Blog Posts:

Part 1: https://www.abidingmarriage.org/post/the-gospel-and-marriage-part-1
Part 2: https://www.abidingmarriage.org/post/the-gospel-and-marriage-part2
Part 3: https://www.abidingmarriage.org/post/the-gospel-and-marriage-part3

Link to our Podcast - two episodes on the Gospel
On your favorite Podcast site, look for #3 or #16

Apple         Spotify          Google Podcasts

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This time of year can be super-stressful for couples! And that stress can lead to conflict as husband and wife. So we want to take some time on this episode to help you and your spouse effectively deal with those stresses, so that this Christmas season can truly be a joyful season for both of you and your family! So take a few minutes to listen in. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:

Abiding Marriage Podcast #8 - Leaving, Cleaving, and Becoming One (Referenced in this episode)

Listen to our Podcast on:   
Apple         Spotify          Google Podcasts       Our Website
Shared in this Episode - Club31 Women Post: https://club31women.com/prepare-marriage-holidays

Online Articles to Help:

A Couple More Great Posts to Help Prepare for Christmas:

FamilyLife Post: https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/holidays/featured-holidays/christmas/10-ways-to-prepare-your-heart-for-christmas/

Married People Post: https://marriedpeople.org/10-ways-to-prepare-your-relationship-for-holiday-stress/

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Whether or not you and your spouse are on the same foundation with how you view money and possessions, those two topics are certainly challenging for many couples. And as you probably know, many couples who divorce say that financial struggles were a main reason for the ending of their marriage. So on today's episode, we want to help you and your spouse get on the same biblical foundation for managing money and possessions. There are lots of practical ways to do that and we are happy to share those with you. So please take a few minutes to listen in. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:Financial Ministries Recommended in This Episode:

Compass Ministries: Check them out all the great stuff they have to offer at https://compass1.org/

Dave Ramsey: Tons of stuff to check out at https://www.ramseysolutions.com/

Dave Ramsey: “The Seven Baby Steps  - linked here: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps/

Online Resources related to the False Prosperity Gospel
The Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-errors-of-the-prosperity-gospel/

Desiring God - Ask Pastor John: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/six-keys-to-detecting-the-prosperity-gospel

Recommended Resources for Purchase:
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn: 
Amazon Link Here: https://a.co/d/ihyKnMO

Master Your Money by Ron Blue:  
Amazon Link Here: https://a.co/d/9kz2f1

Online Articles to Help:

Crown Ministries - YouVersion Bible Plans on Money and Stewardship: https://www.crown.org/youversion/

The Gospel Coalition - What is Your Theology of Money: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/theology-money-200-words/

Ligonier Post: https://www.ligonier.org/guides/money-and-stewardship

The Gospel Coalition - Money and Possessions in Proverbs: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/money-and-possessions-in-proverbs/

Bible Study on Money from Proverbs: https://bible.org/article/proverbs-and-idea-%E2%80%9Cmoney%E2%80%9D

Ramsey Site on Stewardship: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personal-growth/what-is-stewardship

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Our identity in Christ is something that is critical for each of us to understand and walk out if we are to FLOURISH in our individual lives, as well as in our marriage relationship. Understanding who God says we are, as born-again Christ-followers, is ESSENTIAL if we are going to live as He has designed us! So take a few minutes to listen so you and your spouse can understand and walk out this foundational truth for your lives and marriage. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:  Follow-Up Reading and Application Recommended for Every Podcast Listener!! 

There are 5 short sections of this post on What God Thinks About You. We recommend taking one section at a time and MARINATING in it for an extended time. Maybe even looking up the Scripture references as you go. Ask the Lord to help you more deeply believe these truths about WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST!!

Desiring God Post - What God Thinks About You  LINK:  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-god-thinks-about-you

Recommended Book For Purchase:Defined - Who God Says You Are  by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
Link on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4eVYSUD

Online Articles to Help:

Desiring God Website: Lots of resources and articles to help: https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/identity-in-christ#

Cru Online Post: https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/core-christian-beliefs/identity-in-christ.html

God Questions Website Post:  https://www.gotquestions.org/identity-in-Christ.html

FamilyLife Online Post:  https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/faith/essentials-faith/growing-in-your-faith/what-does-it-mean-to-find-your-identity-in-christ/

Desiring God Post Quoted in this Episode: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/become-who-you-already-are

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Today’s episode is one that EVERY husband and wife can connect with - because we are talking about marital communication. And the truth is that lots of couples STRUGGLE to communicate with one another, even after many years of being married! So today we are going to look at Scripture and see some essentials that can help “unlock” better communication between you and your spouse. And these are things that can help you both whether you have been married a short time, or for decades! We all can grow and need to keep growing in our marital communication!! So take a few minutes to listen in. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:Jay Adams Four Communication Principles from Ephesians Chapter 4:

1) Be Honest. This flows out of V25 which says, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

2) Solve Problems Quickly. This flows out of V26-27 which says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. ”

3) Be Encouraging Instead of Attacking. This flows out of V29 which says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

4) Act, Don’t React. This flows out of V31-32 which says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

First Things First: https://firstthings.org/6-ways-poor-communication-can-affect-your-marriage/

FamilyLife Online Post: https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/communication/5-communication-tools-that-saved-my-marriage/

Les and Leslie Parrot Post: https://www.symbis.com/blog/how-to-put-good-communication-into-practice/

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So many couples we talk to are often “stuck” or “crippled” in their marriage relationship because of some things they believe about marriage that are just NOT TRUE. We can hear these lies and start to believe them -- OR sometimes, based on our life experiences, we come to the wrong conclusions about things and move forward believing these lies, without ever thinking they are actually leading you down a wrong path. So on today's episode we want to talk about some of these LIES that you and your spouse may be believing about marriage -- and why those lies can cripple, or eventually kill your marriage. And, of course, while talking about these lies, we will also discuss the truth that we need to believe and start living out in place of the lie. So take a few minutes to listen in. And as always, thanks for joining us on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:Romans 15:7 : Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Quote from Timothy Diehl: “Marriage is an invitation to give yourself to someone who will, at times, be your best friend, and at other times, be something akin to an enemy. Marriage is not an invitation to fulfillment, but an invitation to transformation as we learn what it really means to love….A good marriage comes not from the right people finding each other, but from two people committed to loving each other as they are, not as they wish they were”.

Abiding Marriage Post - How Do We Get from “I Do” to “I’m Done: https://www.abidingmarriage.org/post/from-i-do-to-im-done

Online Articles to Help:
FamilyLife Post by Bill Elliff: https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/gods-plan-for-marriage/8-lies-that-destroy-marriage/

All Pro Dad - 3 lies: https://www.allprodad.com/3-lies-about-marriage/

Crosswalk Post: https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/engagement-newlyweds/10-lies-the-world-tells-you-about-marriage.html

Marriage Missions - Lies We believe: https://marriagemissions.com/lies-believe-marriage-killers/

Retreat Center - Four Lies: https://longviewretreat.com/4-common-lies-about-marriage-truths-to-dispel-them/

Paul Tripp Helpful Graphic on Lies vs. Truth - Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/123yMVHplfq9KqMoY2ohFMRcddXc1APba/view?usp=sharing

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There’s so many emotions we feel on the day we get married! But as we….and you and your spouse may have experienced, those incredible feelings of being ‘in love’ that you had on your wedding day, don’t usually last year after year. That feeling of ‘being in love’ alone cannot sustain you on your journey of marriage.  There is something beyond a feeling that we must have, if we are going to grow and live out marriage as God has designed it. With this episode, we continue our two part podcast entitled “Do You REALLY Love Your Spouse?”. In these two episodes we will explore with you what Christ-like love is, and also some ways to practically walk that Christ-like love out in your marriage relationship. Thanks for joining us for today's episode on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:Link to 3-Page Diagram on Rights vs. Responsibilities: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pwOMCNzXv9wRwA2EM_jTLyqHZjsBO1Tr/view?usp=sharing

Summary of 5 Practical Steps Shared:

FIRST: Self-sacrificial, Christ-like love repents of SIN and SELFISHNESS. So the first step to real, lasting change for a Christ-follower is always REPENTANCE and CONFESSION. 

SECOND: Real, self-sacrificial Christ-like love shows up in the mundane, everyday details of your life as a married couple. Ask God to help you see everyday opportunities to show this self-sacrificial, Christ-like love to your spouse - and then TAKE ACTION when He shows you those opportunities. 

THIRD: Resist the urge to focus on your “rights”. Instead, with God’s help, commit to fulfilling your responsibilities to your spouse. YIELDING your RIGHT or EXPECTATION, and FOCUSING more on your responsibility,  is an act of loving self-sacrifice.  This is an incredible way to DEMONSTRATE CHRIST-LIKE love to the spouse God has given you. 

FOURTH: Self-sacrificial, Christ-like love ACTS BEFORE IT FEELS! Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of Grace that He demonstrated, are to be our model in how we love our spouse, ESPECIALLY in times when we least feel like it. 

FIFTH: Self-sacrificial, Christ-like love DOES NOT KEEP SCORE.  Self-sacrificial, Christ-like love does not give with an EXPECTATION of getting anything in return. 

And since we know it might be overwhelming for you to think about ALL FIVE of those, we suggest picking ONE that God would want you to focus on now - understanding that you will desperately need His help in order to grow in any of these areas - but know that He wants you to grow and wants to help you through it!

Online Posts to Help:

Marriage Missions Post: https://marriagemissions.com/marriage-covenant-commitment/

Got Questions: How do we love like Jesus?:  https://www.gotquestions.org/love-like-Jesus.html

Proverbs 31: https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2018/12/28/the-danger-of-keeping-score

Desiring God - What Makes Christ-like Love Different?

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-makes-christian-love-different

Focus on the Family: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/sacrificial-love/

Podcast Music: Moving to Places New by Big Score Audio

There’s so many emotions we feel on the day we get married! But as we….and you and your spouse may have experienced, those incredible feelings of being ‘in love’ that you had on your wedding day, don’t usually last year after year. That feeling of ‘being in love’ alone cannot sustain you on your journey of marriage.  There is something beyond a feeling that we must have, if we are going to grow and live out marriage as God has designed it. With this episode, we begin a two part podcast entitled “Do You REALLY Love Your Spouse?”. In these two episodes we will explore with you what Christ-like love is, and also some ways to practically walk that Christ-like love out in your marriage relationship. Thanks for joining us for today's episode on this journey of marriage!

Feedback/Contact Us: If you would like to share feedback on our podcast or suggestions for future episodes, please send us an email at [email protected] Thanks in advance for doing that for us!!

Episode/Show Notes:Four Definitions of Self-Sacrificial Christ-like love: 
Author and Speaker Paul Tripp says: “Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving.”

Pastor Bill Elliff defines love as: “Love is that divine quality that always responds in self-sacrifice”

And Jonathan Holmes, who we mentioned earlier, says: “Biblical love in marriage flows out of our relationship with Christ into a covenantal commitment to self-sacrifice in small and large ways for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of my spouse”.

Got Questions Site - maybe the easiest to understand: “In the most basic sense, love is the emotion felt AND actions performed by someone concerned for the well-being of another person. Love involves affection, compassion, care, and self-sacrifice.”

Online Posts to Help You and Your Spouse:

Marriage Missions Post mentioned in this episode on Covenantal Commitment in Marriage: https://marriagemissions.com/marriage-covenant-commitment/

Got Questions: How do we love like Jesus?:  https://www.gotquestions.org/love-like-Jesus.html

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