Love and Lead

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Ephesians 5:

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Just as my mission in life is to know God, to love him, to believe him, to claim his promises and to run the race persevering to the end to win the prize to be with him forever the fullness of salvation and to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

As a husband by priority is to love Ivanna and to give myself up for her in the hope that she would have all that as well: to know God more, to love him, to believe him, to claim his promises, to obey in joy, to run the race of faith and to run to the very end. Its the gift of God, not mine to give, but how can I love and lead and sacrifice and serve to help towards this end? How can I encourage, how can I set the example, how can I run with her, suffer with Ivanna. 

Jesus teach me to lead. Jesus teach me to love. Jesus teach me to follow you. Help me to love and lead in such a way as it helps Ivanna follow you!

Teach me to talk and act in grace and truth. 

Teach me to find sustenance in your Word with such joy. 

Teach me to see the spritual reality. Teach me to see the opportunities for faithfulness around me and the people I have the opportunity to invest in. 

Teach me to view sin as you do. To see how evil and destructive it is. Teach me to hate sin. 

Teach me your heart of compassion. 

Teach me to work for the things that will last. Teach me to endure in joyful work as you work Jesus and as you work Father

Teach me how the scriptures are not just learning, but that they help me know you God and Jesus Christ, for to know you is eternal life

Teach me to really love you more and more God. I want to live in the fullness of your love and dance in the joy of loving you Lord and live in the love you have for others, for each individual. 

Teach me not just to know, but to obey and live this way with joy. I have no desire to be a scholar, but I want to be the kind of person you have made me to be. For you have made us all to be like your Son Jesus Christ. As I follow you Christ, I pray it might in some way help Ivanna and others. 

Amen.