Prayer: Finding Hope in Jesus

Dear Heavenly Father,

In a world that is ever changing and the uncertainty of tomorrow, we are incredibly grateful that You dear Lord are our eternal hope. We thank You for being our never-changing Savior who knows the end from the beginning with the universe securely embedded in the palm of Your comforting hands. Lord, we ask that You develop in us as married couples an unwavering trust in the hope that You so graciously extend to us in marriage.

We ask humbly that You kindly navigate us husbands and wives to find hope in You by taking the necessary steps for personal and relational growth as a couple. Lord, Your Word reminds us in the book of Isaiah as it reads, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Lord, thank you for reminding us that You will use all things for our good; even when things are blurred, and our perspective has been dulled. Help us to be focused and consumed on the hope in Jesus as we wait patiently for the freedom found only in You. Lord, knowing that our present and future hope can only be magnified and found in You, we ask that You remove any doubt or fears we may have and allow us as husbands and wives to remain steadfast in Your faithfulness as we run and not grow weary. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

-Terome & Ronda Fulmore  

The Power of Surrender

The key element to having an incredible marriage starts with a husband and wife’s total surrender to the Almighty God . God is waiting patiently for us to stop relying on our own ability and decisions to reason as it relates to marriage disciplines.  When we elevate our own desires over what God has for us as couples, we tend not to surrender like we should. By surrendering to God, we put our hope and faith in Him alone. 

Surrendering Means to Allow God to Step in and Control

When we as husband and wife truly surrender, God reminds us of His character and promises as He directs us through the blueprint of marriage in which He designed. Through our surrendering, He changes us from the inside out so we as couples represents a depiction of His image. The areas in marriage where we are powerless, God steps in and performs miraculous miracles that will take our relationship to greater heights that are well beyond what we can ever think.

An Absolute Surrender to God is Necessary

God has the unique ability to offer key elements that will afford our marriages the opportunity to thrive beyond our greatest imagination. In marriage, when we feel incapable, God is able. When we feel discouraged, God provides encouragement. When we feel a sense of struggle, God wants us to surrender all to Him. Scripture tells us; “Then Jesus told his disciples, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). In other words, Jesus wants us as husbands and wives to deny ourselves, die of ourselves and absolutely surrendering to His majesty.  

The Key Element in Marriage is Being Connected to God

The question on the table is, are we willing to die for the greater good for our spouse. I am more than sure every couple wants a thriving marriage but negates the fact that a total surrendering is key for spiritual advantage for marital growth. The key element in marriage is also having an intimate relationship and connection with God as He intended. In order for this special relationship to come to past as purposed, we must be willing to surrender our mind, body, and soul to the God.

Unconditional Love and Faith Along the Journey

A strong connection with God and our spouse often serves as a foundation upon which other important key elements for a strong marriage are built. Without question, the absolute essential key elements for any successful marriage relationship must be built on the foundation of God with the understanding that marriage requires unconditional love, faith along the journey, commitment, dedication, and trust. “Let us not forget, very hard work!” As we embark on this journey together as married couples, remember that your marriage will thrive when you surrender individually and together as a couple and allow God’s key elements for marriage to supersede your feelings or thoughts. Journey well!

–Terome and Ronda Fulmore   

One can never underestimate the power of prayer and how prayer can change the complexity of a situation or circumstance and bring about resolve in God’s timing. We are reminded in scripture that Jesus demonstrated the need for consistent and deliberate prayer which is needed in petitioning our request to God. All throughout scripture, we can see the power of prayer demonstrated in the nature of God as He encourages believers of His omniscience and faithfulness despite our current season of life, especially in a marriage.

Jesus Prayed in Gethsemane

The power of prayer was a pivotal point of opportunity of Jesus’ model for us to follow which was done in a quiet and reserved place. The special places where Jesus prayed allowed Him to isolate Himself to commune with the Father on a regular basis. Scripture states, “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray” (Matthew 26:36). In this model, Jesus demonstrated the need to pull away from our circle of influence and surroundings to commune with the Father.

What Our Prayer Life Should Look Like

As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, this was an opportune time for Him to share His inner most feelings, thoughts, and emotions to God. From this depiction of what our prayer life should look like individually and together as a married couple, there are a couple facts to be reminded of.

Prayer is a Direct Communion with God

One, prayer is our direct, uninterrupted communion with God which affords us the opportunity to talk with Him on a one-on-one basis. There is nothing in the world that God loves more than having a relationship with those who confesses Him as Savior and Lord while at the same time wanting to talk to Him through prayer .

God Will Answer Prayers According to His Will

Secondly, prayer is seeking God with the faith and belief that He will answer our prayers according to His desire, timing and Will for our lives and marriage. The power of prayer is acknowledging God’s faithfulness in bringing resolution of a request to past. Often times, we can place ourselves in the disposition of wanting our prayers answered in our timing and not allowing God to work through us for spiritual growth, patience, long- suffering and perseverance.

Prayer in Marriage Allows for Vulnerability

Finally, in a marriage relationship, husband and wife who pray together increases their intimacy and vulnerability between God and themselves. The more couples pray on a consistent basis, the more empathy and patience we can store up for our spouse. In marriage, the power of prayer connects husband, wife, and God together for eternal rewards as it provides a deeper Spiritual unity in and through God. “The Power of Prayer Changes Outcomes.” Trust God.

QUESTION: Let us know how we can pray for you and your spouse. Please message us your prayer request here: devotedspouses@yahoo.com

-Terome and Ronda Fulmore

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray concerning the tough season some couples are experiencing in their marriages today. With all the unresolved conflict from the past, well before the Coronavirus pandemic, these times are high-lighting and exposing couples to looming issues that is causing marriage and family division.

Lord sometimes we are so eager to get our point across, we forget that there is another perspective regarding the conflict we are experiencing. Lord, Your Word says, “ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). Lord, we need your help and guidance to respond positively with love and compassion as husband and wife in marriage.

Help us to take the time to listen to each other’s heart so that we might know when the other is hurting or in need of an ear to just listen. Lord, help us to see the struggles we are facing and give us the wisdom we need to resolve the conflict together as husband and wife. Help us to feel what our spouse is feeling, so that we might grow stronger in grace. Lord, remind us to lift our spouse up in prayer on a regular basis. Lord, finally, help us to be the best husband and wife we can be to glorify your name by being a good listener, fulfil our purpose in marriage and to do Your Will. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

-Terome and Ronda Fulmore

“A great marriage isn’t the result of blind luck. It’s the result of two faithful hearts committed to building a life together” (Matthew L. Jacobson).

Have you ever thought about what it would take to build an amazing marriage? For me, I had no idea what marriage encompassed as it relates to the covenant of God and what was required of me.

God Will Still Empower Us with Tools

Like myself, most couples are oblivious to God’s covenant and instructions for marriage before or even after the “I Dos”. Even with our lack of knowledge regarding marriage, God will still empower us with the tools necessary to construct and build an amazing marriage when we seek His wisdom and guidance.

As we look at building an amazing marriage, we must keep in mind the most forgotten and powerful words that can be a game changer in which we committed to; and those words are- “I DO”. In a marriage relationship, what we “DO” each and every day is crucial in building something special in marriage that God will be proud of and He can use for His glory.

Build an Amazing Marriage to Glorify God

Husbands and wives who aspire to have amazing marriages often times see the good in their spouse before they realize it in themselves. By recognizing these wonderful attributes, a husband or wife will help their spouse to reach his or her full potential in marriage.

Since God is the Creator and Designer of the most profound human relationship, which is marriage, He has the blueprint for how to build an amazing marriage to glorify Himself for His purpose and plan for the relationship between husband and wife.

With God All Things are Possible; Build Wisely

In scripture, we are reminded in the book of Matthews as “Jesus looked at them and said, with man this impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Since all things are possible with God including the things of marriage, we must be encouraged to build with love and patience. Couples who have amazing marriages understand that marriage is a life-long process of representing authentic relationship balance and compromise.

Keeping the Lines of Communication Open and Honest

Although there are many variables that, if taken whole-heartily can assist in building a solid  foundation in marriage. A few variables of this foundation are a spiritual connection with God and spouse, committing to the journey of marriage regardless of the season you are in, and keeping the lines of communication open and honest with one another.

Couples who share a sense of purpose build an amazing marriage by becoming an intricate part of the building process- God’s Process. “Build Wisely- Build Patiently- Build with God”.

Question/ Thoughts– What steps are you taking to build the marriage God desires for you and your spouse?

-Terome & Ronda Fulmore

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for all of your provisions. Lord, we thank You that there is no situation out of your control and there is nothing You do not know about. Lord, You are Jehovah-Jireh, our Father who provides. We are well aware Lord that You own all thing and are willing to provide us with everything we need. We thank You Lord that You know what our needs are before we even petition You for them. You are aware of everything that is a burden to our hearts as well as those things that heavily weighs on our minds.

Lord, Your Word reminds us as it states, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Lord, You alone can move the mountains and make a way out of those things that we find exceedingly difficult to comprehend. This season of life we are currently experiencing is very tough and uncertain, but we give our burdens to You. Lord, help us to remain steadfast in who You are as our provider and help us to remain faithful in your provision.

We choose to recognize and to believe Lord that You are able to accomplish far more for us than we can ever imagine. We thank You in advance for your miracles and for your spontaneous provisions in meeting our needs. Lord, thank you for teaching us to be content in all circumstances as we continue to lean and depend on You. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

-Terome and Ronda Fulmore   

Marriage is one of the most profound gifts from God to a husband and wife. Under the inherent instruction of God, marriage must be the most important single thing in all of a couple’s life. When a marriage relationship is strong, it can withstand the trials that will come along at some point during the relationship.

Two are Better than One

In order for a marriage to grow stronger, it must be exercised and trained in various areas with love and thoughtfulness for the other person. The only way to strengthen a marriage is understanding God’s concept of togetherness and companionship.

Scripture reminds us of the power and strength of togetherness with God strategically placed in the center of our relationship. It states, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Marriage has Moments of Unscheduled Surprises

When we commit ourselves to each other in marriage, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, God will multiply our efforts because of the labor we put forth. Another point of interest to be reminded of as we build a strong marriage is the fact that we must love intentionally, share deeply, fight fairly while forgiving freely. As we know all too well, marriage certainly has its moments of unscheduled surprises along the journey, but God so graciously offers His divine guidance through the trials of marriage where two people are becoming one.

Turn Areas of Weakness into Strength

Nevertheless, couples need to embrace the notion that good strong marriages do not just happen. Good strong marriages are a product of the combined efforts of two committed people who labor together with God over a period of time as they turn areas of weakness into strength. As a husband and wife fully engulf themselves in making their marriage a high priority, their relationship will grow stronger and stronger in their determination to honor God.

God Intends for Marriage to be Special

In marriage, we are Stronger with God as He intends for marriage to be a special relationship in which two people cultivate the mentality of- “a threefold cord is not quickly broken”. When this mentality is experienced, couples will reap the harvest of deep intimacy and the most complete fulfillment of God’s promised.

Question: Do you have areas in your marriage that need to be strengthened? If so, ask God for wisdom on how to strengthen them. Listen closely as He explains how.

-Terome & Ronda Fulmore

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this day and another opportunity to love You and our spouse. We lift marriages up to You today as we seek You for guidance and wisdom on how we can be the best husband and wife we can be for Your purpose and plan. Lord, show us how to love our spouse unconditionally as You so compassionately demonstrated Your love for the Church. Lord, your Word reminds us that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Lord, please remind us that love covers a multitude of sin and any areas we fall short as husband and wife. Again, thank you Lord for showing us what love looks like despite the season of marriage we are currently experiencing. Amen. -Terome & Ronda Fulmore

One of the most beautiful sight and depiction of creation was when “God saw everything that He made and said indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). God’s creations from a singular perspective was seen as “good”, but from a plurality outlook, His creations were deemed “very good”.

Fulfilling the Call of Marriage

Everything God created was perfectly planned while at the same time looking at man and said that “it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18). God emphasized man’s need for companionship, friendship and a woman who will help him fulfill the call of leveraging his inadequacies, deficiencies and strengthen his area of weaknesses.

Catapult Your Potential to Grow as Husband and Wife

In marriage, we were created to live out God’s purpose and plan together to glorify His name. Often times, couples do not understand the importance of shedding light in a loving way on our weaknesses. When we identify those vulnerable spots in our relationship, we will heighten our capabilities of catapulting our potential to grow as husband and wife. It is not good that man should be alone because of the need for honoring God in marriage to emulate Christ and the Church.

As we stand eagerly at the altar, preparing ourselves for a life-long journey together in marriage, we never assume that all kinds of hurdles and trials will test our relationship with one another and with God; but yet, it is still not good that man should be alone despite the challenges ahead.

Shaping and Cultivating a Meaningful Partnership

Like many of us in marriage, we intend to have exceptionally good marriages which we envisioned at some point in our lives. Like any relationship, exceptionally good marriage should be built strategically by seeking God first for wisdom, knowledge and understanding in order to learn how to coexist in becoming one.

God is the Designer, Architect and Builder

Marriage is a life-long process of becoming one which also highlights our weaknesses, accentuate our strengths while shaping and cultivating a meaningful partnership that reflects the image of Christ. Marriage…it is good, especially when both husband and wife allow God to be given complete control. Besides, God is the Designer, Architect and Builder who desire to help us fulfill the call of marriage. We agree with spiritual understanding that marriage is “Good…Very Good”, as long as we are being guided by God’s divine principles and disciplines. Stay Devoted!

QUESTION: How is God shaping your marriage to reflect His image? Please comment.

-Terome & Ronda Fulmore