Wednesday 2-13-08 "Mind"

Greetings Internet Campus,

Mark 12:30-31 (NLT2) 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

So far we've looked at becoming one heart and one soul...today we're looking at having one mind with your spouse. What does that mean?

Having one mind is simply this...a commitment to a unified way of thinking. What is your belief system? How do you both feel about Christ? (see part B of yesterday's devotional), how are you going to raise your kids? Spender or saver? Where do you both stand on these things? I know when you got married you figured that all of this stuff would just "work itself out"...guess what...it doesn't.

Most times when arguments happen in relationships, they are based on a conflict of convictions. Not only do we firmly believe what we're thinking...we're willing to argue with someone we care deeply about over it. There is a VERY simple and important way to avoid conflict over having two minds... communication.

I know...you've heard it before...communication is the key to a healthy marriage. Guess what? It is. No way around it. Do you want to know what your spouse believes, thinks, and is convicted about in all areas of your marriage? Talk to him/her about it. Sure, there is potential for conflict here...but isn't your marriage worth it? Most couples don't. They wait for situations to occur in their marriage and THEN talk about what they believe in (and usually fight about it).

Don't wait. Talk today. Become one mind.

Write it Down: A little different today...ask your spouse whether you are a spender or a saver...don't argue..just ask their opinion. Then talk about it. In your journal, write down what happened. Then choose another belief and repeat the exercise.

Your marriage is worth it!

Pastor Brian