Day 28- Love Makes Sacrifices

Today's dare:

What is one of the greatest needs in your husband's life right now? Is there a need you could lift from his shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.

Day 27- Love Encourages

Today's dare:

Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your husband has told you you're expecting too much, and tell him you're sorry for being so hard on him about it. Promise him you'll seek to understand and assure him of your unconditional love.

Day 26- Love is Responsible

Today's dare:

Take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask for God's forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your husband. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask him for forgiveness as well. No matter how he responds, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if he responds with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.

Day 25- Love Forgives

Today's dare:

Whatever you haven't forgiven in your husband, forgive it all today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to "Forgive us our debts" each day, we must ask Him to help us "Forgive our debtors" each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive".

Day 24- Love vs. Lust

Today's dare:

End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed- Today- and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.

Day 23- Love Always Protects

Today's dare is to remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your husband.

Day 22- Love is Faithful

Today's dare:

Love is a choice, not a felling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your husband has lost most of his interest in receiving it. Say to him today in works similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return".

Day 21- Love is Satisfied in God

Today's dare is to be intentional about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are 31, one for each day). or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.

Day 20- Love is Jesus Christ

Today's dare is to take God at His Word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, "Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner. But You have shown your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven your power to save me from death by your resurrection. Lord, change my heart and save by your grace.

Day 19- Love is Impossible

Today's dare is to look back over the dares from the previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you wehre you stand with Him and ask for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.

Day 18- Love Seeks to Understand

Today's dare is to prepare a special dinner at home, just for the two of you. The dinner can be as nice as you prefer. Focus this time on getting to know him better, perhaps in areas you've rarely talked about. Determine to make in an enjoyable evening for you and him.

Day 17- Love Promotes Intimacy

Today's dare is to determine to guard your husband's secrets (unless they are dangerous to him or you) and pray for them. Talk to him and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to him when he shares personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make him feel safe.

Day 16- Love Intercedes

Today's dare is to begin praying for your husband's heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in his life and in your marriage.

Day 15- Love is Honorable

Today's dare is to choose a way to show honor and respect to your husband that is above your normal routine. It may be holding putting his clothes away, or work gear. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show him that he is highly esteemed in your eyes.

Day 14- Love Takes Delight

Today's dare is to purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your husband. Do something he would love to do or a project he would like to work on. Just be together.

Day 13- Love Fights Fair

Today's dare is to talk about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, establish for yourself rules to "fight by". Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.

Day 12- Love lets the Other Win

Today's dare is to demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your husband. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

Day 11- Love Cherishes

Today's dare is to meet the needs of your spouse today. Does he need an errand ran, or a back/foot massage? Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you" and do it with a smile.

Day 10- Love is Unconditional

Tomorrow's challenge is to do something out of the ordinary for your husband, something that proves that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash his car, clean the kitchen, sort the mail (Cathy:), buy a favorite treat, massage feet (Nami:), fold the laundry, etc. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.

I'm sure finding these "things" will be easy. There is much we can do that often we don't want to see or look for. I think choosing something that has been an area of contention before would stand out all the more.

Day 9- Love Makes Good Impressions

Today's dare is to think of a specific way you'd like to greet your husband today. Do it with a smile and enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for him.

Day 8- Love is Not Jealous

Today's dare it to determine to become your husband's biggest fan and reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he recently enjoyed.

It could be a very minor one, but celebrate it all the same. Maybe he's watching what he's eating and he declined a treat. You might need to look hard.

Day 7- Love Believes the Best

Today's dare is to get two sheets of paper. On the first, spend time writing out positive things about your husband. Then do the same with the negative things on the second sheet. Place both in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.

Day 6- Love is Not Irritable

Today's dare is to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

Day5- Love is Not Rude

Today's dare is to ask your husband three things that make him uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking him or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

Pretend you are asking the Lord. How would you respond to Him??

Day 4- Love is Thoughtful

Today's dare is to contact your husband during the business day and have no other agenda other than asking how he is and if there is anything you could do for him.

Day 3- Love is Not Selfish

Today's Dare:

Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."

Day 2- Love is Kind

Today's Dare:

In addition to not saying anything negative, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

This doesn't have to cost money. Maybe a backrub and doing it until it doesn't hurt. Or a foot massage. Maybe making a favorite meal or treat, that would really surprise him. Be creative and think outside the boz

Day 1- Love is Patient

Hello Love Dare Challengers,

This is the first day of a true test. Are we willing to commit to the long haul? The long haul begins by taking that first step. That first step is being the patient person we need to be to our human husband, with all his imperfections and quirks.

Today's Dare:

Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our works often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say NOTHING negative to your spouse AT ALL. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.