Christopher Bailey - Newlywed Couples Devotional: 52 Weeks of Everyday Scripture, Reflections, and Prayers for a God-Centered Marriage

Acknowledgments

WITHOUT THE GRACE AND REDEMPTION OF GOD, this book would have never been possible. He will always have our appreciation firstfor always showing up in our lives, redeeming all the areas we blew it, and using everything the Enemy meant for harm for good. Thank you to each and every couple who invited us into their story, by meeting with us in person or by picking up this book. Your desire to strive for better in your marriage keeps pushing us forward.

Thank you to our daughters. First, Alicia, for being the one who kept us on our deadline and pushed us to write without overthinking, cheering us on the whole way. Taylor, for always interrupting with her phone calls that just so happened to provide us with the breaks we needed, and for always thinking and telling us that we are the best in the universe. Finally, to Mackenzie, for being the English and psychology scholar who taught us all the proper placements of every single comma in this book. Thank you all for always believing in our ability to write and to change lives with the truth of the gospel. We truly hope that the writing of this book encourages each of you to accomplish all that God has called you to.

Lastly, thank you to our team of editors, Kim Suarez, Meg Ilasco, and Susan Randol, who were always there to answer our questions, reassure us, and encourage us along the way.

About the Authors

CHRIS AND JAMIE BAILEY are professional Christian counselors and marriage coaches. They have been married for over twenty-five years and, together, raised three daughters. Everything they teach other couples was learned firsthand through their own backgrounds and marriage. They run a private practice in South Carolina as well as Expedition Marriage, an online marriage ministry. They are certified facilitators of Prepare and Enrich and SYMBIS, two of the top premarital and marital assessment programs for couples. Through speaking, writing, and hosting marriage retreats, they desire to share the truth of Gods Word, along with practical tools for Christian couples everywhere to live an abundant life through Jesus. Learn more and access their online resources at expeditionmarriage.org.

References

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV Text Edition: 2016. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Lone Barone, Everybody Loves Raymond (1998). (Referenced in Week 9, For Better or For Worse.)

Ramsey, Dave, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003). (Referenced in Week 19, The Value of Things.)

Ramsey, Dave, Financial Peace University (www.daveramsey.com). (Referenced in Week 19, The Value of Things.)

Gottman, John, The Gottman Institute (www.gottman.com). (Referenced in Week 23, Cant We Just Get Along?)

Smalley, Gary, The5Love Languages (www.5lovelanguages.com). (Referenced in Week 27, The Languages of Love.)

Welch, Kristen, Made to Move Mountains: How God Uses Our Dreams and Disasters to Accomplish the Impossible (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2020), 4041. (Referenced in Week 30, Made for More.)

Feldhahn, Shaunti, The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference (Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2013), 116117. (Referenced in Week 35, What Are You Waiting For?)

Resources

Boundaries in Marriage, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Boundaries in Marriage Workbook, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

The5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman (www.5lovelanguages.com)

How We Love, Milan and Kay Yerkovich (www.howwelove.com)

Financial Peace University, Dave Ramsey (www.daveramsey.com)

The Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey (www.daveramsey.com)

SYMBIS: Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott (www.symbis.com)

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Week 1

Worth Fighting For

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

NOW THAT YOURE MARRIED, its essential that you learn how to be a good fighter. No, not so you can win battles against your spouse, but so you can fight for them and for your marriage. As the apostle Paul neared the end of his earthly life, there were three things he recognized as important: fighting the good fight, finishing the race he began, and keeping the faith. This involved persevering through all of his trials, continuing on with the assignment God gave him, and doing so with complete faith in Gods plan. We want for you to embrace all three in your marriage, and, one day, to make the same claims Paul did at the end, that you kept going and finished strong.

Too often and too soon, couples give up on their marriages. Thats just not a statistic you need to be a part of. All of us enter into marriage having no idea what to expect. We may think we know what it will be like, but lets be realour preconceptions usually involve amazing communication, reciprocated kindness, and all the blissful sensations love stirs in us. Theres nothing wrong with those ideals; in fact, they likely helped you decide to get married in the first place. And those things will indeed be present in your marriage, too, but there will be times youll need to fight for them. We want you to be ready for that battle.

You have begun your journey of marriage, and it will be exciting and adventurous, but it will also be a place of growth and learning. Be eager and ready for those parts of the journey, too. Remember that your marriage has a purpose, as part of the race God has set before you, to help you become more and more like Jesus. Its worth fighting for, finishing, and fulfilling in truth. As you move forward, just one day at a time, enter each moment as a warrior willing to fight for the marriage that God blessed you with. Your main job as a spouse is much like Pauls as a follower of Christto fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. If you commit to doing these three things in your marriage, God will be sure to do his part as well.

1. Discuss your thoughts on how you each might handle hardship or unexpected trials in your marriage. Can you come up with a game plan now in order to be better prepared? Try coming up with example scenarios, perhaps by examining what your friends or parents have experienced in their own marriages.

2. Ask each other, What does me being willing to fight for you look like?

3. Is there an area now where you need my help fighting for youa place where I can stand up for you or let you know Ive got your back?

4. What do fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith in our marriage mean to you?

5. Take a minute to hold hands, look at each other, and say these words: I have your back, and I promise to always fight for you and for us.

Dear Lord,