Christlike Devotion

Christ's devotion to His Father and to God's love for me kept Him on the cross. It was His unwavering commitment to His heavenly Father that prompted Him to begin His ministry by submitting Himself to baptism by John. It was Christ's devotion to His Father that motivated Him to spend forty days in the desert, alone and needy, so that He could be tempted with everything I might face - and yet remain victorious. It was becayse of His dedication to His Father that Christ endured the rejection, hatred, and betrayal of the very people He would die for. Christ's devoted commitment was ultimately displaying in the turning point of human history - His death on the cross.

Hebrews tells us that Christ endured the cross because He looked forward to the joy of the days before Him. That means He so looked forward to a relationship with me that He was willing to die. The joy of the relationship with me is a part of what motivated Christ to put up with all the ridicule and disappointment.

We need a taste of that devotion if our marriages are to survive the tests life is sure to bring.

Couples often ask for marital help after one of life's tragedies, such as a baby lost in labor, a bankruptcy, or a rebellious teenager..

The couples who survive life;s tragedies are the ones who show devotion in the everyday things. They express commitment and devotion to one another regularly through acts of devotion, big and small.

- The One Year Devotions for Couples by David & Teresa Ferguson