These daily marriage devotionals are compiled from verses that we have shared with Christian couples in many counseling sessions over many years. Please read one per day and meditate on how it applies to your marriage. (Note: if you are not certain you are a Christian, please read The Sinner’s Prayer)
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Love should be at the heart of our relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily challenges and stresses of life, but this verse reminds us to prioritize love and to show love to our spouse in all that we do.
One way to put this verse into practice in marriage is to be intentional about showing love and affection to our spouse. This can involve small acts of kindness, like surprising them with their favorite meal or leaving love notes around the house. It can also involve making an effort to listen and understand our spouse and to show them respect and appreciation.
Another way to apply this verse in marriage is to seek out opportunities to serve and support our spouse. By putting their needs before our own and showing them love and compassion, we can model the love of Jesus and strengthen our bond as a couple.
For some marriages, this needs to be applied by not doing unloving things such as these five common challenges that can arise in any marriage and can potentially harm the feeling of love and connection between partners:
Lack of communication: When partners are not able to effectively communicate with each other, it can lead to misunderstandings, resentment, and a lack of connection.
Lack of intimacy: Intimacy, both emotional and physical, is an important part of a loving and healthy marriage. If a couple is not able to be intimate with each other, it can lead to a sense of disconnection and unhappiness.
Infidelity: Trust is a fundamental aspect of a loving and committed relationship. If one partner is unfaithful, it can cause deep emotional pain and damage to the trust and bond between the partners.
Lack of respect: It is important for partners to show each other respect and appreciation. If one partner consistently disrespects the other, it can erode the love and affection in the relationship.
Constant conflict: Constant arguing and conflict can be detrimental to a marriage. If a couple is unable to resolve their differences and find ways to peacefully coexist, it can lead to a breakdown of the relationship.
It’s important to remember that all marriages have their ups and downs, and it is normal for couples to experience challenges. The key is to work through these challenges together and to seek help if needed, such as through therapy or counseling.
Overall, John 13:35 is a reminder of the importance of love in our relationships, and this is especially applicable in the context of marriage. By prioritizing love and showing love to our spouse in all that we do, we can model the love of Jesus and strengthen our bond as a couple.
Digging deeper
- How will the world know you are my disciples? – The world will know your are Jesus Christ’s disciples by your love. Not your church, rules, regulations, theology, righteousness, power, or rhetoric.
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If you miss one, two, or many days, don’t worry about it and don’t try to catch up. Just start where you are and keep going. We have found the Holy Spirit can prompt you to return to just the passage you need for today.
This is an ongoing labor of love because these marriage devotionals will never be finished, but we have to start somewhere, so we will update often. We appreciate your support and prayers because this is a work of God not us. And please forgive us because we have never found a verse that doesn’t apply to marriage somehow.
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5)
Going beyond marriage devotionals
- Leave and cleave – God gave husbands instruction to leave and cleave because they need to break ties with their birth-families to forge their marriages
- The perspective of a successful marriage – If this perspective can lead to an incredible Olympic victory, imagine what it can do for your marriage. It’s almost a miracle!
- Biblical relationship checkup – This Biblical relationship checkup helps couples find where they are on God’s map of a successful marriage and find direction for improvement
- Help for hurting marriages – When I am weak, then I am strong. Help for hurting marriages is found in the wisdom of these Bible scriptures. Apply them as often as needed.
- Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong and Lasting Marriage by Rob Green – Field-tested and recommended by multiple counselors in a thriving counseling practice, Tying the Knot has already guided many couples into a stronger and more joyful union. Let this nine-week pre-marriage study reorient your life and marriage around Christ, so you both will experience all the blessings of marriage as God designed it.
- Love Life for Every Married Couple: How to Fall in Love, Stay in Love, Rekindle Your Love by Ed Wheat – This is a favorite classic book because it has stood the test of time. Physician Ed Wheat has helped thousands of couples improve their love lives and build happier marriages. In Love Life for Every Married Couple, he’ll help you improve your marriage through sharing, touching, appreciating, and focusing healing attention on your mate.