Latest / Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel / Hot Thoughts, Part 5: From Pride to Partnership, Embracing Grace in Marriage

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Hot Thoughts, Part 5: From Pride to Partnership, Embracing Grace in Marriage · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  Are pride and self-centeredness still holding you back from truly experiencing
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  the transformation Jesus offers?
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  Welcome to the last part of Couples Journey blog series podcast entitled Hot Thoughts.
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  Today, Rey and Annie share how embracing God's grace and pursuing ongoing renewal
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  in Christ is the key to a marriage rooted in humility, love,
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  and joy, reminding us that change is a lifelong journey.
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  Here's the final part of this week's series.
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  Realizing the presence of pride and self-centeredness in ourselves and in our marriage is one thing.
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  Accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior for the forgiveness of these sins is another.
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  But truly embracing His transformation work in us so we are delivered from these
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  deeply rooted behaviors is a continuing journey.
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  This journey begins with the incredible message of the gospel and must always
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  remind us of its profound impact on our lives and relationships, especially marriage.
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  As we receive God's amazing grace, let's also extend grace to ourselves and
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  our partners, remembering that transformation is a lifelong process.
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  We will face daily challenges from a broken world and Satan's temptations,
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  which can trigger our pride and self-centeredness.
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  It's a daily spiritual battle, demolishing false reasoning and pride.
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  Let's resolve to pursue a life where we hunger to know God more deeply,
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  and where our marriage becomes a partnership rooted in humble submission to His truth.
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  By His grace, may we be continuously transformed, fostering a loving,
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  respectful, and joyful union.
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  We began this week's series boldly and shamelessly, confronting the negative
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  consequences that can arise in our lives and marriages if we ignore these destructive
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  behaviors and refuse to take serious action.
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  Recognizing that these patterns stem from living apart from God is not about
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  making excuses, but about moving closer to a decision for change.
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  It is only through Jesus Christ that we can receive a transformed heart and
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  mind, impactful in our actions.
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  As Ezekiel 36 verse 26 says, Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a
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  new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh
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  and give you a heart of flesh.
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  Through years of learning and growth, we've gathered practical applications
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  that continue to help us respond and adapt as God works within our pride and self-centeredness. 1.
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  Reflect and identify pride or false reasonings.
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  Regularly examine your thoughts and attitudes that may hinder harmony,
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  such as pride, blame shifting or defensiveness, and ask God for humility.
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  During earlier seasons, when we weren't united in our intentionality for this
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  faith journey, it was especially hard to have healthy conversations on these matters.
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  Satan can easily manipulate our minds.
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  Being part of a small group and surrounded by others who share similar desires
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  can be helpful, but it's truly powerful when a couple is united in seeking God's guidance.
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  This not only improves the marriage but benefits other relationships as well. 2.
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  Use God's Word as a guide. We cannot emphasize enough how much we need God's wisdom and truth.
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  It shouldn't just be a consideration. It must be a top priority for anyone who
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  wants to change the course of their life and marriage, submitting wholly to God's authority.
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  His Word shapes our responses, changes our attitudes, and equips us with understanding and encouragement.
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  3. Foster humility and respect. Practice listening with humility.
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  This has been a challenge for us, especially because of our impatience.
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  It's only by God's grace that we are able to embrace humility.
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  Continue to grow in it, and learn from our failures.
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  Listening to understand, rather than just to defend, can transform our conversations.
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  When we fail, it's His grace that lifts us up again and encourages us to move
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  forward, stronger than before. 4.
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  Choose joyful submission. This is easier when we see tangible results,
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  that our submission is leading us along God's good path. But difficulties can
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  arise when circumstances are unclear or uncertain, tempting us to doubt.
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  It's crucial to remember that God is the ultimate authority in our lives and in our marriage.
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  Our willingness to joyfully submit flows from our love and devotion to Him.
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  As we seek Him daily, our confidence in Him grows, and by His grace.
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  That confidence empowers wholehearted submission. 5.
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  Pray for divine transformation We realize prayer is vital because we are fighting
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  battles for His transformative work in us.
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  Our immersion in God's truth is a spiritual warfare.
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  We are daily dying to our old selves. Let's pray regularly for the Holy Spirit
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  to help us demolish wrong thinking and cultivate love, patience,
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  and humility, especially in our marriages.
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  Let's not allow the enemy to distract us or make us feel far from these applications.
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  Instead, let's be grateful that we're not walking this journey alone.
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  Whether you're still waiting for shared faith and intentionality with your spouse
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  or seeking growth on your own, there is always room to develop through God's incredible grace.
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  Mercy and love. He is sufficient. He is enough.
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  And when we need support, He is faithful to lead us to those who will journey alongside us.
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  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.
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  The old things passed away. Behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17.
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  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
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  Journey blog series podcast.
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  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your family and friends.
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  You're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
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  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
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  Learn more about this movement on the website www.couplesjourney.org.
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  Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make a difference.
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  Here's the final part of today's episode.
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  As we wrap up this series, remember that true transformation begins with surrendering
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  every aspect of our lives to Jesus Christ.
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  We're encouraged to stay committed to that journey, seeking God's grace daily
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  as He molds us into the spouses He desires.
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  Join us next week for another impactful series designed to deepen and strengthen your marriage.
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  Until then, may God's love and grace be with you always.