Walking by Faith

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2-3 NKJV
He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.

Philippians 2:9 NKJV
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name…

John 21:3 NKJV
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

Proverbs 29:18 KJV
Where there is no vision, the people perish…

Genesis 15:5 NKJV
Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

Genesis 22:17 NKJV
blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

1 Samuel 17:27-33 NKJV
And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.” Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

1 Samuel 17:34-36 NKJV
And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him.Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

Mark 11:24 KJV
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV
Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come…

Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV
Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Romans 4:20 ESV
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God…

Today we will be looking at the miracle in Mark 6 when Jesus fed the multitudes. We often want Christianity to be all miracles, but even in the days of Jesus there were plenty of storms to follow. When we have a strong faith, and we continue time after time, storm after storm to Stand on that faith, God will always perform miracles. Pastor says; if its not good its not the end! Lets see what else he has to say in today’s message: Storms and Miracles.

Today we have Dan Seaborn with us to explain just what Faith Is… We will take a look at Hebrews 11:1 and really dive into the meaning of Faith and how it seems so hard to understand and explain. Dan will break it down for us. Let’s take a look.

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 10:10 NKJV
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

James 1:16-17 NKJV
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Revelation 20:10 NKJV
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 21:4 NKJV
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Acts 10:38 NKJV
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

1 Samuel 17:28-30 NKJV
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.

1 Samuel 17:33-37 NKJV
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Acts 9:25 NKJV
Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Luke 1:37 AMPC
For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power…

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Revelation 1:16 NKJV
He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

People Can’t Stop You

Regardless of the Need keep planting the Seed

Ephesians 6:8 NKJV
...knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 AMPC
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

1 Samuel 30:26 NKJV
Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord”

Proverbs 11:24 ESV
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.



Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him…

Resist the Devil

Prophecy for Future from God's Word

Luke 1:38 NKJV
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Philemon 1:6 KJV
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Amos 3:7 NKJV
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Proverbs 18:21 KJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Romans 4:17 NKJV
...(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

Proverbs 6:2 NKJV
You are snared by the words of your mouth…

Hebrews 3:1 NKJV
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus…

Romans 10:8 NKJV
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” …

Psalm 91:2 NKJV
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Psalm 107:2 NKJV
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…

Joshua 1:8 NKJV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth…

Job 22:28 NKJV
You will also declare a thing…

Proverbs 12:6 NKJV
...But the mouth of the upright will deliver them

Joel 3:10 NKJV
...Let the weak say, ‘I am strong

Isaiah 57:19 NKJV
“I create the fruit of the lips."

Isaiah 59:20-21 NKJV
As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”

Hebrews 13:6 NKJV
So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Romans 8:31 KJV
What shall we then say to these things?

Revelation 12:11 NKJV
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Psalm 89:34 NKJV
My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.




Mark 11:22-23 KJV
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Isaiah 59:21 NKJV
“As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 10:10 NKJV
... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 NKJV
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…

James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV
For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again…

Matthew 3:16 NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up ... and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Matthew 4:1 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV
Fight the good fight of faith…

Isaiah 28:15 NKJV
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us,

Ephesians 6:11-13 NKJV
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:12 TLB
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies…

Ephesians 6:11-13 NKJV
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Hebrews 4:1b TNT
...the one thing we should fear is that any one of you should think he has missed his chance.

James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Colossians 1:13 NKJV
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Colossians 1:13 TLB
For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Colossians 1:13 ASV
who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;

Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 17:21 CEV
...God’s kingdom is here with you.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
Satan, who is the god of this world…

Colossians 2:15 NKJV
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Revelation 1:18 NKJV
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death

Matthew 11:12 NKJV
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Luke 10:19 NKJV
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

1 Corinthians 10:2 NKJV
all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

Matthew 18:18 NKJV
...whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:18 AMP
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven,

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Ephesians 2:6 NKJV
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Mark 16:17-18 NKJV
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 14:12-14 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.



1 John 3:23 NKJV
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

Philippians 2:10-11 NKJV
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 16:16-18 NKJV
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Ecclesiastes 8:8 NKJV
No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit…

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 10:10 NKJV
... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 NKJV
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…

James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV
For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again…

Get On Track & Don't Look Back

When You Take a Hit - DO NOT QUIT

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV
For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again…

Refuse to Run When You're Under the Gun

Matthew 3:16 NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up ... and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Matthew 4:1 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV
Fight the good fight of faith…

Isaiah 28:15 NKJV
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us,

Ephesians 6:11-13 NKJV
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:12 TLB
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies…

Ephesians 6:11-13 NKJV
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

It's Never too Late to be Great

Hebrews 4:1b TNT
...the one thing we should fear is that any one of you should think he has missed his chance.

The Devil Can't Stop You

James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.



Colossians 1:13 NKJV
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Colossians 1:13 TLB
For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Colossians 1:13 ASV
who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;

Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Luke 17:21 CEV
...God’s kingdom is here with you.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
Satan, who is the god of this world…

Colossians 2:15 NKJV
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Revelation 1:18 NKJV
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death

Matthew 11:12 NKJV
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Luke 10:19 NKJV
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

1 Corinthians 10:2 NKJV
all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

Matthew 18:18 NKJV
...whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:18 AMP
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven,

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

You Are Not A Victim

Ephesians 2:6 NKJV
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Mark 16:17-18 NKJV
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

John 14:12-14 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

1 John 3:23 NKJV
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

Philippians 2:10-11 NKJV
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Acts 16:16-18 NKJV
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

People Can't Stop You

Ecclesiastes 8:8 NKJV
No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit…

Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. How do we do that? It's simple really, live like Jesus. Show his love to all people and be bold about it. There is no reason to point out sin, people know they have done wrong before, instead show them a bold love. Right now more than ever people are hungry for love and when we show them that love it opens their hearts and a door for us to Be Bold about how Jesus has changed our lives.

Today is part two in For Better or For Worse. Pastors Duane and Jeanie continue to open their hearts about what it takes to have a great relationship, not only with each other but with God. Our spouse isn’t to meet all of our needs, that is God’s job! When you don’t have God in the Middle of your relationship it makes it even harder.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 CSB
...A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Psalms 87:7 NKJV
Both the singers and the players on instruments say, All my springs are in you.

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...

Romans 5:10 CEV
Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us…

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 AMP
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.

John 15:13 NLT
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Revelation 2:4-5 LEB
...you have left your first love. ...repent and do the works you did at first

Hebrews 12:28-13:1 NKJV
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13:1 NKJV
Let brotherly love continue.

Proverbs 31:10 NKJV
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.


Proverbs 31:11 NKJV
The heart of her husband safely trusts her...

Proverbs 31:28-29 NKJV
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.

1 Corinthians 7:1-7 MSG
Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me. First, Is it a good thing to have sexual relations? Certainly—but only within a certain context. It’s good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder. The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Marriage is not a place to “stand up for your rights.” Marriage is a decision to serve the other, whether in bed or out. Abstaining from sex is permissible for a period of time if you both agree to it, and if it’s for the purposes of prayer and fasting—but only for such times. Then come back together again. Satan has an ingenious way of tempting us when we least expect it. I’m not understand, commanding these periods of abstinence—only providing my best counsel if you should choose them. Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.

1 Corinthians 7:5 AMP
Abstaining from sex is permissible for a period of time if you both agree to it, and if it's for the purposes of prayer and fasting — but only for such times. Then come back together again.

Key Concepts/Truths
God didn’t create marriage to meet all of our needs because He meets all of our needs. We will never be complete without the Lord.

Love is a choice, not a feeling. If you make the right choices, the feelings will come, too.

Love is looking and moving together as one in a unified direction towards God.

A fulfilling and successful marriage is found when you are both looking to God, hungry for God, working to please God, and making God the center of everything you do.

Marriage is not about what you will receive, but it’s about serving the other person.

We must practice the attitude we want to have in our relationships.

Key Verses:
1 Corinthians 7:1-7 • John 15:12-13 • Ephesians 5:22 • Ephesians 5:25




Which one truth do you already have evidence of in your life today? Ask the Lord for new ways to see even more of it for you and others around you. Write your answers out.



Which one truth is the most challenging or least existing in your life today? Why do you think this is? Ask the Lord if there are any beliefs or barriers that are keeping you from believing that particular truth. Write it out.



Real-Life Application
It’s quite common to hear our culture promote and encourage everyone to find their ‘soul mate,’ or ‘the one’ that they will spend the rest of their life with. So often the first image that pops into our heads is a romantic dinner, a diamond ring, and a Valentine’s Day card covered in red hearts and XOXOs.

Here’s the thing though, marriage isn’t always filled with eternal sunsets on the beach. There is an enemy who is trying to convince you of a false idea of a ‘perfect’ marriage, and if it’s not like a romantic comedy then you must have chosen wrong.

God DID design a perfect marriage, and He DID design it in a way that we will find eternal happiness, joy, and fulfillment. It’s not found by gazing into the eyes of our spouse: it’s found by gazing at Him and putting Him at our center.

Marriage is meant to make us more holy and as a result there will be happiness. It’s meant to mature us into better disciples and followers of Christ. It’s meant to make us better reflect and become the image of Christ. It’s filled with hard work, but we can have confidence that He will be faithful to purposely use it for the good of those who love Him.

This week, let’s pursue Him. If you’re single: pursue Him. If you’re married: pursue Him. No matter what, pursue Him, and it will spill over into all of your relationships and everything you do.

This Week’s Declarations
Life is released when your words are in agreement with God. Intentionally speaking life and biblical truth out loud is extremely powerful. In fact, you have that very life in the power of your tongue. These words below, when spoken out loud, will cause an acceleration of the reality of God’s words in your life. We encourage you to speak the following with an expectancy to renew your mind and see God’s fullness.

• I will use the Word of God as my guide in every area of my marriage.

• Thank you, God, that you created, established, and work through marriage to better mold me into your image. • God, I choose to put You at the center of everything that I do.

• I will commit myself to pray for, serve, and sacrificially love my spouse just as Jesus loves the church.

• The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. I choose to speak life into my marriage.

• Holy Spirit, help me set myself and my marriage to Philippians 2:3, which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”


Greater Things
We are called to love God and love others. When we keep this as a main focus in life then we approach everything through the lens of love with the desired outcome of strengthening our relationships. Constantly abiding in Him is the only way to make this possible. We will see the greater things in marriage and life when this is the true source of how we live. Father, help us to remain heart to heart with you.

What’s Next?
Now it’s time to write down anything that the Lord has spoken to you. Praise Him, thank Him, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk this out.

Today we are starting a two part series called For Better or For Worse. Pastors Duane and Jeanie are opening up like never before to discuss the ups and downs of marriage and how having God in the middle of you makes for the Best Relationship.