Series: The Vow
Week 2: The Vow of Pursuit
Who has made a fool out of yourself for love?
BY NATURE, WE PURSUE WHAT WE DON’T HAVE.
What happened? Stopped pursuing…
Any other area of life you could be lazy and improve? Body? Business? Yard?
If the grass looks greener somewhere else, it is time to water your own yard.
We’re looking at four different vows that if we live these vows, they will help equip us and move us toward the marriage that truly honors God.
VOW #1: I PROMISE THAT GOD WILL BE MY FIRST PRIORITY AND MY SPOUSE WILL BE MY SECOND.
Genesis 2:24
united—(root word) dabaq (daw-bak’); cling or adhere; to catch by pursuit, to pursue hard with affection and devotion.
Genesis 2:24: They pursued hard after one another, and therefore they became one flesh.
Story of Jacob and his love for Rachel: Genesis 29:16-30
Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful
Leah had weak eyes
Jacob worked 7 years—Leah—the 7 more for Rachel. He worked for what he already had.
I promise to always pursue my two.
For those Not married: Don’t date someone who takes you for granted. Reevaluate the Relationship. You are worth pursuing!
3 Principles about CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN INTENTIONS AND ACTIONS
Most of us have good intentions—Feel love—Tired.
- WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING GOOD, SAY IT.
Hebrews 3:13
If you want to keep the deceitfulness of sin out of your marriage learn to encourage one another daily.
Live by—Thank you for amazing—Gorgeous—Marry all over
Guys: Pursue her with words of affection.
Non-sexual affection.
When you think something good, say it. Set it free, and bless her.
I love you because … You honor God — You are so much fun—Self-sacrificing—Best Friend
Ladies: Pursue him with words of affirmation.
Because he is becoming what you see in him! No Boos!
Don’t tell him what’s he not—that is so defeating.
Tell him who you see him becoming.
Even if he’s not quite there, when you build him up, he’ll grow into the man that you hope that he’ll become, especially spiritually.
Ephesians 5:33
Men—She wants to know: Do you love me today?
Ladies—He wants to know: Do you believe in me today?
- WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING SPECIAL, DO IT.
James 4:17
Any time that you know something good that you should do to be a blessing, do it.
Do something your spouse loves.
- WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BE IT.
If only she would… If my husband would be spiritual leader.
Don’t gripe about what your spouse is not.
You become who God wants you to become.
Guys, take the lead. Women are responders. Women tend to multiply. What you give them, they tend to multiply. You give them a hard time, they’re multipliers.
If you don’t like what you’re getting, look at what you’re giving.
To get what you’ve never had, you must do what you’ve never done.
To get what you once had, you must do what you once did.
When Jesus was talking to the church in Ephesus, who fell away, He said it very simply. Different context, but apply this to your marriage loosely from Scripture.
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:5
You know how to pursue. Don’t waste the gift that God has given you through all these years. Fall in love all over again. If the grass looks greener somewhere else, put some fertilizer down. Water your own yard. Mow that grass.
VOW #2: I PROMISE TO ALWAYS PURSUE MY TWO.