The Promise – 2 – Pursuit

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Save Marriages from Divorce.

Current & Future marriages.

Great relationship advice.

 

Promise #1
GOD is my ONE and MY SPOUSE is my TWO

 

We PURSUE what we don’t have.

Love is a pursuit.

Work hard to gain attention and affection.

-Saw each other every day and phone calls.
-Stayed up all night talking.
-Look your best. Be your best.
-Special gifts.
-Ask the big question.
 

We were pursuing one another. -hard work.

 

Can you be lazy and improve anything?

-House?
-Job?
-Fitness?
-Relationship?

 

We cannot be lazy with our most important relationships.

 

Promise #2
I Promise to always PURSUE my TWO.

This is going to be work, but it will save your marriage.

Marriages that are cold, distant, boring, lack spice & romance, bitter, angry, unhappy… STOPPED PURSUING EACH OTHER.

 

Everything is vying to be your priority.
We must pursue our priority.

This is Biblical.

Genesis 2:24 (NIV) That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

 

dāḇaq – to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch

The word means to continually pursue with affection.

Do you dāḇaq? Continually pursue one another?

 

In Genesis 29, Jacob fell in love with Rachel. Her father, Laban, agreed to let Jacob marry Rachel if he worked 7 years.

 

Genesis 29:20 (NIV) So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

 

Then it gets weird… Jacob goes in on his wedding night…

Gen 29:25 (NIV) When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”

Genesis 29:26-27 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”

Out of love for Rachel, Jacob continued to pursue her.

Jacob married Rachel and then worked 7 years for her.

BIG IDEA!

He worked for what he already had.

 

Not married – You are worth pursuing.

Dump whoever takes you for granted.

Avoid the relationship of convenience.

Be pursued and pursue.

 

The “I Do” and “I Should” Gap

Good intentions… but tired and busy.

#1 WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING GOOD, SAY IT.

Say thank you – dinner, kindness, cleaning, mowing the lawn, picking up milk.

 

Pursue her with words of affection.
Non-sexual affection.
“I love you because…” You honor God, self-sacrificing, best friend.

Pursue him with word of affirmation.

He is becoming what you see in him!

Don’t tell him what’s he not.
Tell him who you see him becoming.

YOUR WORDS BUILD HIM UP.
Spiritually – took us to church, praying, worshipping, signing us up for CG, leading us.

 

She wants to know: Do you love me today?

He wants to know: Do you believe in me today?

 

#2 WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING SPECIAL, DO IT.

 

…Come home early – go to the park – buy tickets – help with the kids – do the dishes – CREATE A MEMORY

 

Fill the car with gas, write a note, make the bed, watch their fave movie

DO SOMETHING YOUR SPOUSE LOVES.

 

#3 WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BE IT

Don’t gripe about what your spouse is not.

Continue to grow into who you are supposed to be.

You can’t change others.
You can change yourself.

DO NOT control your spouse… pursue your spouse.

Promise #2
I Promise to always PURSUE my TWO.

 

God pursues you.

God sent his son for you.
Jesus bore the cross for you.
Jesus still reaches for you.

Is God your #1?

 

Make your move

#1 Pursue God as #1.

 -Can you be lazy and improve?

 -Not later, but now. PRAY & WORSHIP.

#2 Pursue your #2.

 -Think something good, SAY IT.

 -Think something special, DO IT.

 -Want something different, BE IT.
#3 Change/Repent

 -Pursue again – like you used to.

 -Come thank God for your life.

 -Come Pray.