How Can I Inspire Thee? Here are Just a Few Ways... Wives to Husbands, Part 2 - finale

Boaz Ministries

As we were looking over the list of practices these real wives have shared, narrowing it to 50 wasn't easy. All of the suggestions were awesome, and quite frankly, there are some that I (Bridget) found eye-opening, and beneficial!

We hope these will be a blessing to you and yours! And, of course, there will be a Husbands to Wives list in the coming days - so, stay tuned!
 

*Ask him how you can pray for him at work. Later on in the week, get an update from him on what you’ve prayed for.

 *Be proactive about doing something together that he really enjoys. Make a date, get him excited, and share his enthusiasm!

*Ask, “If I could do one thing that would really empower you and inspire you, what would it be?” Then listen, resist being defensive (the hard part), and follow through.

*Remind him of specific times when he’s made an impact on other people’s lives.

*Buy him something small to stoke the fires: A journal for a writer, some carpentry pencils for a woodworker, some grilling tools for the master chef. Add a sweet note: “Just because I love the way you’re made.”

*Think about a way you’ve been hurting him or annoying him. Or there may be ways you’re not “seeing” him—not stepping into his world to understand what it’s like to be him, with all of the things he cares about. Apologize, and work hard at showing true change.

*Find a mutually enjoyable activity you like doing together on a regular basis, even if it’s as simple as playing the Wii together after the kids are in bed.

*What’s difficult about his life right now? Pray for his endurance, and encourage him specifically. Galatians 6:9 is a great start for both. Think, What can I do to ease the load he’s carrying?

*Send a snail-mail love note to him at the office, affirming him in
his work.

*In his area of weakness, pray about how to subtly, gently step in and help him.

*Tell him what a great dad he is. Be specific.

*If and when he messes up, respond with the kind of grace, compassion, and mercy that God gives you. Respond in a way that communicates, You’re safe with me—and I’m not going to rehash your failures. This is a secure place for you to grow … and I love the journey with you.

To be continued...

How Can I Inspire Thee? Here are Just a Few Ways... Wives to Husbands, Part 1

 Boaz Ministries

A wife has the unique ability to help her husband to feel the freedom to reach his fullest potential as the man God created him to be. As we’ve interacted with couples in small groups, couple-to-couple, and one-on-one, we’ve been able to compile helpful lists of practical ways spouses may bless and inspire one another. Below are just a few of the 50 practical tips that wives say they are using, with success! We are sure you have some great suggestions of your own, and we welcome the sharing!

*Discover his “love language,” and become fluent in it.

*Be a student of your husband. Does he feel inspired if he has all his ducks in a row? If he has a creative space to think? If he feels verbally affirmed?

*Consistently mention ways you see him growing to be more like Christ.

*Initiate great sex.

*Ban yourself from nagging, which is the Great Life-Sucker.

*Ask God to open your eyes to the ways He has made your husband unique, and to give you wisdom about how to maximize that workmanship.

*Pray about and pursue at least one dream of your own, talking with him about it. An inspired wife breeds inspiration.

*Give him a book or audio CD to learn about something he loves doing.

*Make sure he feels respected by you.

*Ask him about some dreams he has—and pray about them together, evaluating them. Then ask how you can help him go after them.

*Text him on a stressful day. Example: “REMINDER: I BELIEVE IN U.”

To be continued...

B & B Edwards

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

Boaz Ministries 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1Peter 4:8

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

For the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about “covering” as it relates to marriage-minded and married couples. And in that context, traditionally, we understand that the husband is the head of the household, under the Headship of Christ.

God has called all of us, as believers, to cover one another in love. Covering in love is both an action (1 Peter 4:8) in which we are to show deep, sincere (divine) love; and it is the result - the restoration of another, who would otherwise be overtaken by the enemy (James 5:20).

That there may be no misunderstanding, “covering” someone does not mean that we are to “overlook” the wrongdoing as if it is not a sin. By the power of God’s Spirit, genuine charity will cause us to reach out to individuals with loving admonition and forgiveness, that they may be restored.

If we engage in this kind of love with one another, we can experience the ultimate protection. We are covered!

A Wife's Blessing - part 2 The Covering, The Umbrella, The Shield

Boaz Ministries

The man who finds a wife finds a good thing; she is a blessing to him from the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22 The Living Bible)

It is no secret that in blessing others, we are, indeed, blessed. The husband who has knowledge and understanding of Proverbs 18:22, will be wise in the acknowledgement of his gift, his blessing; his wife. And the blessings flow from husband to wife to husband, to wife, over and over. Here are some "things husbands love about their wives," shared by godly men who draw strength, encouragement, and limitless love supplies from their wives without shame or reservation:

* A wife's forgiveness. A husband can "see" the love when he
has been forgiven.
* A wife's respect. However it is defined, a man truly appreciates
when his wife honors him.
* A wife's courtesy. Husbands cherish a wife who sincerely
laces her requests with kindness, not rude demands.
* A wife's openness. A husband would rather know what's on his
wife's mind than be expected to guess.
* A wife's unselfishness. Share your love with your husband, you
will get the best of his in return.
* A wife's patience. Husbands lead, but they do take missteps
along the way. A husband's love grows deeper knowing his
wife is longsuffering and has his back.
* A wife's praise and worship. Godly husbands enjoy witnessing
their wives in worship, whether she is in private or engaged in
corporate praise.

Men are often thought to be singular in our approach and love for women. But the man committed to marriage knows that his love is about far more than the physical. The real, lasting love we have for our wives comes from her character and who she is on the inside (1 Peter 3:1-6).

A Wife's Blessing - part 1 The Covering, The Umbrella, The Shield

Boaz Ministries

You husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her … (Eph. 5:25 NLT)

The following are words of commitment written by a husband to his wife. As part of his display of devotion, this husband gave his wife a symbol of his protection, a pendant in the form of a shield.


I WANT TO TRULY ENJOY YOU, as God intended it, in our years “together,” defined as living “as one” at the deepest soul level. Let’s truly live – together. Let’s serve well and love well – together. Let’s seek to know, love and glorify God – together. Let’s relentlessly search for God’s plan for our lives and be obedient to his direction – together. Let’s have fun and laugh and cry – together. Let’s finish well no matter what God asks of us – together. And through heaven’s eyes let’s look back on our lives with no regrets – together.
* I am passionate about you! I cherish you! I love you!
* You are lovely and beautiful – both inside and out!
* And I will forever be grateful that God brought us together. 

Resource:
http://www.bandofbrothers.org/living-with-your-wife

Intimacy Umbrella Under Your Husband, continued

Boaz Ministries


Condition: If you're truly submitted to your husband, (not just in what you choose to be) as unto the Lord...
Blessing: You will be rewarded and blessed! Col 3:18, 23-24

Condition: If you do not sexually defraud/ deny your husband and make love frequently...
Blessing: Sexual temptations will not come to you! 1 Cor 7:2-5

Condition: If you passionately rejoice sexually with your husband and allow him to delight in your breasts...
Blessing: Your husband will not go searching for other women, nor will he be tempted by them! Pr 5:15-19

Condition: If you respond sexually to him enthusiastically and don't make excuses to avoid lovemaking
Blessing: Your husband will not withdraw from you either physically or emotionally! Song of Solomon 4

Intimacy Umbrella Under Your Husband

Boaz Ministries

When we accept someone into our life, one who has demonstrated that they have our best interests at heart; we know we are loved. God’s standard provides for each partner to enjoy the blessings of marriage. In the coming weeks, we will explore some ways husbands and wives may bless each other, based on Godly love, respect and patience. For wives, the following “conditions” represent the spiritual environments in which the “blessings” may flourish.

 

Condition: If you forgive your husband daily and don't go to sleep with offenses, hurts, anger or bitterness.
Blessing: The devil will not gain an entrance to harass you!
Eph 4:26

Condition: If you honor and reverence him by accepting his leadership and responding to his spiritual guidance and correction.
Blessing: Your husband will be encouraged to lead and nurture you in your spiritual growth and intimacy with our Lord! He will want to be a godly example for you to imitate! Eph 5:22-33

Condition: If you leave your parents and unite yourself sexually to your husband.
Blessing: You will be one flesh with him (togetherness as best friends and lovers), and have a fulfilled and intimate marriage! Gen 2:24