Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on

Sweethea
rts

The Worlds First Sweethearts

February 1
Bible Reading: Genesis 2:18-25
Key Verse: Verse 18 - And the LORD God said, It is
not good that the man should be alone; I will make
him an help meet for him.
Key Words: It is not good that man should be

alone

There are a lot of things that these sweethearts teach

us. They teach us about marriage the coming together as
one. They teach us about the influence of the woman. But
the primary thing we learn from the worlds first
sweethearts is the importance of our responsibility to God.
They were to leave their parents (after marriage), they were
to cleave to each other, and they were to weave their love as
one with God.
When a couple fails to do this, the honeymoon soon
leaves the marriage and separation ensues.
Shortly
thereafter they begin to play the blame game, each blaming
the other for their sin. They were sweethearts but their
relationship was never the same. Sin had entered not only
the garden, but their marriage.
Sin, its effects: How does a worm get inside an
apple? Perhaps you think the worm burrows in from the
outside. No, scientists have discovered that the worm
comes from the inside. But how does he get in there?
Simple! An insect lays an egg in the apple blossom.
Sometime later, the worm hatches in the heart of the apple,
then eats his way out. Sin, like the worm, begins in the
heart and works out through a persons thoughts, words,
and actions.
If you fail to keep God at the core of your marriage,
you will find it decaying as well.

What to do:
Remember, two is the number of division; three is
the number of completion. If all you have is a husband
and a wife, you have division. When you add God to
the husband and wife, you have completion.
********************

The Sweethearts Who Lived By

Faith
February 2
Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:8-19
Key Verse: Verses 8 & 11 By faith Abraham, when
he was called to go out into a place which he should
after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went
out, not knowing whither he went. Through faith
also
Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and
was delivered of a child when she was
past age,
because she judged him faithful who
had promised.
Key Words: By faith Abraham...Through faith

Sarah

As you study the lives of Abraham and Sarah, you can

find failures; such as going into Egypt, lying about Sarah
being Abrahams sister, an immoral relationship with Hagar.
But these sweethearts were also mighty in their faith. No
doubt, their faith in God was one thing that helped bind them
together. Their faith also made them faithful to God which is
the key to remaining sweethearts.
God does reward
faithfulness.
Charles Spurgeon preached to thousands in London
each Lords Day, yet he started his ministry by passing out
tracts and teaching a Sunday School class as a teenager.
When he began to give short addresses to the Sunday School,
God blessed his ministry of the Word. He was invited to
preach in obscure places in the countryside, and he used every
opportunity to honor the Lord. He was faithful in the small

things, and God trusted him with the greater things. I am

perfectly sure, he said, that, if I had not been willing to
preach to the small gatherings of people in obscure country
places, I should never have had the privilege of preaching to
thousands of men and women in large buildings all over the
land. Remember our Lords rule, whosoever exalteth
himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted.
Abraham and Sarah sweethearts who lived by faith
what a great lesson for us all!

What to do:
The couple who lives for God will grow old together.
********************

Sweethearts Who Fell In Love

February 3

Bible Reading: Genesis 19:23-38

Key Verse: Verse 26 But his wife looked back from

behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Key Words: his wife looked back

The story of Lot and his wife is truly one of the sad
truths we find in Gods Word.
The tale of Lot and his wife all began in Genesis 13
when the herdsmen of Lot and Abraham were at strife. So
Abraham, being the gentleman he was, let Lot choose which
way he and his herds and herdsmen would go; and Abraham
and all of his would go in the opposite direction.
There were three steps that led Lot and Mrs. Lot to
Sodom. Step One: Genesis 13:10, They looked toward
Sodom. Step Two: Genesis 13:11, They journeyed toward
Sodom. Step Three: Genesis 13:12, They pitched their tent
toward Sodom.

The next time we read about Lot and his sweetheart,

they had moved into Sodom. Now God warns Lot of Sodoms
impending doom, and he, his sweetheart and his daughters
flee from the city. But God had warned them not to look back
which Mrs. Lot did, and we all know the results of that!! You
see, the problem with Lots wife was she had left Sodom but
Sodom had never left her. The world had destroyed this pair
of sweethearts.
Some years ago, musicians noted that errand boys in a
certain part of London all whistled out of tune as they went
about their work. It was talked about and someone suggested
that it was because the bells of Westminster were slightly out
of tune. Something had gone wrong with the chimes and they
were discordant. The boys did not know there was anything
wrong with the peals, and quite unconsciously they had
copied their pitch.
So it was with Lot and his wife and so it will be with
any couple who falls in love with the world. They fail to see
just how out of tune they are with God.

What to do:
Remember, the thing that ruined mankind wasnt
the apple in the tree but the pair on the ground.
********************

Sweethearts Whose Marriage

Was Made In Heaven
February 4
Bible Reading: Genesis 24:61-67
Key Verse: Verse 64 And Rebekah lifted up her
eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the
camel.
Key Words: when she saw Isaac

The Bible truth regarding Isaac and Rebekah is one of

great intrigue to me. Abraham sends his servant out to find a
wife for his son with only three commands.
1. His wife must be one of us (verse 4).
2. She must be submissive (verse 5).
3. You must not fail. Failure is not an option.
The same principles need to be applied to marriage
today.
1. Marry one of your own. A believer should not marry
an unbeliever.
2. Submission for the wife is vital (and I might add, love
for the man is vital as well).
3. Failure in marriage should not be an option.
As you read about Isaac and Rebekah, you can see it
was indeed a marriage made in heaven. When we fail to
marry in Gods will, unhappiness in the marriage relationship
will result.
I recently read about a speaker at a womans club who
was lecturing on marriage. She asked the audience how many
of them wanted to mother their husbands. One member of
the audience in the back row raised her hand. You do want
to mother your husband? the speaker asked. Mother? the
woman echoed. I thought you said smother.
You need not worry about smothering your mate when
your marriage is made in heaven.

What to do:
1. Marry in Gods will.
2. If you are already married and facing problems,
remember I Corinthians 13:8a, Charity never faileth.

Sweethearts Who Had To Wait

February 5
Bible Reading: Genesis 29:1-20,and verse 30
Key Verse: Verse 20 And Jacob served seven years
for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days,
for the love he had to her.
Key Words: And Jacob served seven years for

Rachel

We know several things about the sweethearts, Jacob

and Rachel, found in Genesis 29.
First, we know Rachels dad had Jacob serve seven
years in order to have Rachels hand in marriage.
Second, we know Laban deceived Jacob and on his
wedding night, instead of giving him Rachel, he gave him
Rachels sister, Leah. He had to serve another seven years for
Rachel fourteen years in all.
Third, we know we reap what we sow. Just as Jacob
had deceived Isaac into giving him the family blessing, now
Laban had deceived Jacob.
Fourthly, we know that Jacob and Rachel were truly in
love. They were willing to wait for fourteen years in order to
marry, revealing their patience and love for each other.
We must learn that Gods timing and our timing in
regard to marriage isnt always the same. Patience is a virtue.
The purposes of God often develop slowly because His
grand designs are never hurried. The great New England
preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet
manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of
frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him
feverishly pacing the floor like a caged lion. Whats the
trouble, Mr. Brooks? he asked.
The trouble is that Im in a hurry, but God isnt!
Havent we felt the same way many times?
Someone once said:
Patience is a virtue.
Possess it if you can:
Found seldom in a woman,
And never in a man.

What to do:
Remember, if they are worth marrying, they are
worth waiting for.
********************

Sweethearts Who Didnt Wait

February 6

Bible Reading: Genesis 34:1-24

Key Verse: Verse 8 And Hamor communed with
them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for
your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
Key Words: : I pray you give her him to wife
Dinah was the daughter of Leah and Jacob. One day
while visiting some of her lady friends Prince Shechem saw
her and raped her, fell in love with her and wanted to marry
her.
Now Shechem was a Gentile and because of this, the
family of Jacob demanded he go through the Jewish ritual of
being circumcised.
There are several problems here. First of all, they are
marrying out of Gods will (Gentile and Jew). Secondly, an act
of ritualism doesnt make one a spiritual leader or correct the
wrong of marrying out of Gods will. Third of all, the rage was
never dealt with. All of this didnt set well with Simeon and
Levi, the brothers of Dinah so they killed Shechem. It is
believed that Dinah never married. What a shame!!
The point is that one sin always leads to another. Rage
led to false words, false words led to anger, and anger led to
murder. If they had only waited on God!
G. Campbell Morgan says in regard to waiting on God:
Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going
to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort.
Waiting for God means, first, activity under command;
second, readiness for any new command that may come;
third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.
Marriage out of Gods will, to say the least, can lead to a
miserable life.

What to do:
Desire Gods will and lifes partner for your life.
********************

Sweethearts Who Saved A

Nation

February 7

Bible Reading: Exodus 6:14-27

Key Verse: Verse 20 And Amram took him

Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him
Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram
were an hundred and thirty and seven years.
Key Words: And Amram took him Jochebed

More is known about Jochebed than Amram. We

know that God used them both to save a nation. We often
think of Moses being saved as the result of the faith of
Jochebed, but in Hebrews 11:23 we read, By faith Moses,
when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,
because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not
afraid of the kings commandment.
It was their faith that saved Moses who we know was
able to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage. The faith of these
sweethearts really did save a nation.
It is imperative for me to point out that the object of
their faith was God. The object of our faith is of supreme
importance. Its not about having faith in faith or faith in
religion or even faith in people. Its faith in God that counts.
In April 1988 the evening news reported on a
photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a
plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the
group as they fell and opened their parachutes. On the film
shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute,
the picture went berserk. The announcer reported that the

cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the

plane without his parachute. It wasnt until he reached for the
absent ripcord that he realized he was freefalling without a
parachute. Until that point, the jump probably seemed
exciting and fun.
But tragically, he had acted with
thoughtlessness, haste and deadly foolishness. Nothing could
save him, for his faith was in a parachute never buckled on.
Faith in anything but an all-sufficient God can be just as tragic
spiritually. Only with faith in Jesus Christ dare we step into
the dangerous excitement of life.
Praise God for these sweethearts who lived by faith in
God.

What to do:
Remember, little faith in Jesus and His shed blood
will get you into heaven, but a great faith will get
heaven into you.
********************

The Rejected Sweetheart

Moses and Zipporah
February 8

Bible Reading: Exodus 2:11-25 & Numbers 12:1

Key Verse: Verse 21 And Moses was content to

dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah
his daughter.
Key Words: and he gave Moses Zipporah his

daughter

There is much speculation as to whether Zipporah is

the Ethiopian woman of Numbers 12:1. Some say she is;
others say she isnt. I dont think well ever know the answer
to that question, at least on this side of heaven. But whoever
the rejected wife is of Numbers 12 stirs up the wrath of God
against Miriam and Aaron which indicates for me, anyway,

that while man rejected the marriage of the couple, God

didnt!!!
Have you or your spouse ever been rejected? It hurts;
it hurts deeply. But I encourage you to keep your eyes on God
during times of rejection.
Campbell Morgan was one of 150 young men who
sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888. He passed
the doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon.
In a cavernous auditorium that could seat more than 1,000
sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When
Morgan stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the
searching, critical eyes caught him up short. Two weeks later
Morgans name appeared among the 105 REJECTED for the
ministry that year.
Jill Morgan, his daughter-in-law, wrote in her book, A
Man of the Word. He wired to his father the one word,
Rejected, and sat down to write in his diary. Very dark
everything seems. Still, He knoweth best. Quickly came the
reply: Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven. Dad.
In later years, Morgan said, God said to me, in the
weeks of loneliness and darkness that followed. I want you to
cease making plans for yourself, and let Me plan your life.
Rejection is rarely permanent, as Morgan went on to prove.
Even in this life, circumstances change, and ultimately, there
is no rejection of those accepted by Christ.
Do Gods will; and if you are rejected for that by
people, remember the only rejection that matters is when God
rejects us.

What to do:
Where would we be if Jesus had quit because of
rejection?

Sweethearts That Should Never

Have Been

February 9

Bible Reading: Judges 16:4-14

Key Verse: Verse 4 And it came to pass afterward,

that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose
name was Delilah.
Key Words: he loved a woman

Every child knows the story of Samson and Delilah.

They were sweethearts, but should not have been. They
should not have been together for several reasons.
First, it was an unequal yoke: a Hebrew who believed
in God and a Philistine who didnt.
Secondly, it was a deceitful relationship. Delilah
constantly attempted to deceive Samson to find out where his
strength lied.
Thirdly, it was an adulterous relationship.
Fourthly, it was a deadly relationship, not only did
Samson die, but so did many Philistines.
To say that both Samson and Delilah were foolish
would be an understatement; but people do foolish things for
the excitement and adrenalin rush that they receive. How
foolish!
In 1982, ABC Evening News reported on an unusual
work of modern art a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be
viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun
barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an
undetermined moment within the next hundred years. The
amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare
into the shells path! They all knew the gun could go off at
point-blank range at any moment, but they were gambling
that the fatal blast wouldnt happen during their minute in the
chair. Yes, it was foolhardy, yet many people who wouldnt
dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they
can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the
inevitable self-destruction.

So it was with these sweethearts that should have

never been.

What to do:
Remember, if it is wrong then nothing right can
come from it.
********************

Sweethearts Who Meet By

Divine Providence

February 10

Bible Reading: Ruth 2:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 1 - And Naomi had a kinsman of

her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family
of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Key Words: and his name was Boaz

Much could be said about the meeting and marriage of

Boaz and Ruth. But one thing we know for sure, the meeting
of these sweethearts was planned by God.
I recently read about the citizens of Feldkirch, Austria,
who didnt know what to do. Napoleons massive army was
preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights
above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian
border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide
whether they should try to defend themselves or display the
white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday, and
the people had gathered in the local church.
The pastor rose and said, Friends, we have been
counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed.
As this is the day of our Lords resurrection, let us just ring the
bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His
hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of
God to defend us. The council accepted his plan and the
church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal,

concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the

night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy
broke camp and left.
Just as these Austrians fretted over their enemy,
singles often fret over a life of loneliness without ever
marrying. I challenge you to fret not. The key for every single
person is to simply be and do the will of God, and God will
provide for them.

What to do:
Remember, fretting is not a part of Gods plan for
your life.
********************

A Departed Sweetheart

February 11

Bible Reading: Ruth 1:1-9 & 4:13-17

Key Verse: Verse 3 And Elimelech Naomi's

husband
died; and she was left, and her two
sons.
Key Words: And Elimelech Naomis husband died

For me one of the most heart-wrenching times of life is

watching as a person goes through the loss of a spouse to
whom they have been married for years. Its during this time
that decisions must be made about life and living. Either we
can go into a shell of depression and discouragement or we
can invest our lives in the ministry of God for others. This is
what Naomi did.
1. Naomi went back to her people.
2. She invested her life in Ruth.
3. God blessed Naomi. She is known as the mother of
Ruths son (4:17).
In 1974 there was an elderly couple in our church, the
Donaldsons, who were long-time missionaries. Bro. & Mrs.
Donaldson had been married for over 65 years when Bro.

Donaldson died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral was

on a Friday, and to everyones amazement, come Sunday
morning, Mrs. Donaldson came walking into church, taught
her Sunday School class, sang in the choir, and carried a
young couple out to lunch. She did this not once but every
Sunday. She chose to invest her life in others rather than to
become depressed and discouraged. Now, Im sure her heart
ached; but she continued steadfast and developed the title of
Naomi, the Second. What a blessing she was!! She left
behind a testimony of faithfulness and dependability, not one
of doom and despair. To God be the glory!!

What to do:
Remember, theres nothing wrong with weeping and
mourning over a departed spouse; but the key is
getting up and serving God by serving others.
********************

Sweethearts: When Love

Doesnt Seem To Be Enough
February 12

Bible Reading: I Samuel 1:1-18

Key Verse: Verse 8 Then said Elkanah her husband
to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest
thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I
better to thee than ten sons?
Key Words: am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Elkanah loved Hannah, but his love for her wasnt
enough. She wanted him to give her a son who could be
raised for Gods glory.
Now, its not that love failed; its just that Hannah felt
as though she had failed Elkanah.
You must give Hannah credit, though; she didnt quit.
She turned to God and asked that God intercede on her

behalf, which He did. When you feel as though you are

personally failing in your marriage relationship, you can do
one of two things: give in or pray up. Which will you choose?
The same can be said for life in general.
Some onlookers thought it was unusual, but few
noticed when the pastor wheeled into the church parking lot
in a borrowed pickup truck. But everyones eyes were upon
him when he backed the truck across the lawn to his study
door. Refusing comment or assistance, he began to empty his
office onto the truck bed. He was impassive and systematic:
first the desk drawers, then the files, and last his library of
books, which he tossed carelessly into a heap, many of them
flopping askew like slain birds. His task done, the pastor left
the church and, as was later learned, drove some miles to the
city dump where he committed everything to the waiting
garbage.
It was his way of putting behind him the
overwhelming sense of failure and loss that he had
experienced in the ministry. This young, gifted pastor was
determined never to return to the ministry. Indeed, he never
did.
In life, as in marriage, you can give in or pray up. The
choice is yours.

What to do:
Pray up or you will give in.
********************

The Unknown Sweethearts

February 13

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 3:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 10 - And the name of Saul's wife

was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the
name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of
Ner, Saul's uncle.
Key Words: And the name of Sauls wife was

Ahinoam

Now, be honest...before today if someone would have

you to name King Sauls wife, could you? We know only three
things about Ahinoam.
1. She is Sauls wife.
2. She is only mentioned once in the Bible.
3. She births children by Saul.
Now, while all of this may be taken as a negative, there
are certainly some positives found here as well.
1. She never embarrassed King Saul. He managed to
do that for himself.
2. She did not seek the limelight like many queens
did.
3. She did not attempt to become the vice-king or
associate king. (I see that a lot today from pastors
wives.
They are the behind-the-scenes copastors.)
Now, Im sure you can find many negatives in the lives
of these two sweethearts; but one thing that appears to be a
positive is that they do appear to have been faithful to each
other. There appears to be no polygamy in the relationship.
This reminds me of a Mark Twain story. Once when
Mark Twain was lecturing in Utah, a Mormon acquaintance
argued with him on the subject of polygamy. After a long and
rather heated debate, the Mormon finally said, Can you find
for me a single passage of Scripture which forbids polygamy?
Certainly, replied Twain, No man can serve two masters.
At least it appears the unknown sweethearts got that
right.

What to do:
Stay faithful morally to each other.

Adulterous Sweethearts
February 14

Bible Reading: II Samuel 11:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 4 - And David sent messengers, and
took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with
her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and
she returned unto her house.
Key Words: he lay with her
The steps of sin never change, whether it be Adam and
Eve in the garden, Achan at Jericho, or David on the roof. Sin
all begins by being out of Gods will. David was supposed to
be at a battle of the kings, but instead he went for a walk on
his roof. He was out of Gods will. The path of sin is always
the same.
Step One: I saw (verse 2 and saw the woman),
Step Two: I coveted (verse 2 the woman was very
beautiful),
Step Three: I took (verse 4 and took her), and
Step Four: I fell (verse 4 he lay with her).
In 1986, Gordon MacDonald was the president of
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He was admired and
respected by countless people throughout the Christian
community. Within a year he was a broken man. He had
committed adultery. By 1988, he was on the long road to
healing and wrote a therapeutic book which dealt with his
own brokenness, Rebuilding Your Broken World. In this
book, MacDonald shared an experience which took place
several years before his adulterous relationship. While on
campus to speak at a college commencement, he struck up a
conversation with a school board member. After some
pleasantries the new acquaintance asked, If Satan were to
blow you out of the water, how do you think he would do it?
Im not sure I know, said MacDonald. All sorts of ways, I
suppose; but I know theres one way he wouldnt get me.
Whats that? Hed never get me in the area of my personal
relationships, answered MacDonald. Thats one place where
I have no doubt Im as strong as you can get. Satan is wise
and powerful. Thats why Paul wrote, Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (I Corinthians
10:12).

What to do:
Nothing good comes from adultery. Note what
comes as a result of adultery. There was 1) death, 2)
deception, and 3) disloyalty. You are free to do what
you want to do, but you are not free to choose the
consequences of your action
********************

Sacrificial Love
February 15

Bible Reading: I Kings 11:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 3 - And he had seven hundred
wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines:
and his wives turned away his heart.
Key Words: seven hundred wives...three hundred

concubines

If my math is right, Solomon had one thousand

women...WOW!! One thousand...most of us cant handle one,
much more one thousand!! To be the wisest man on earth, he
wasnt very smart, was he?
Dont you know that Solomons palace was full of
tension? You get that many women together who love the
same man and you have a problem waiting to happen.
Reminds me of a story I read recently titled Men,
Women, and Words.
In a Harvard study of several hundred preschoolers,
researchers discovered an interesting phenomenon. As they
taped the childrens playground conversation, they realized
that all the sounds coming from little girls mouths were
recognizable words. However, only 60% of the sounds
coming from little boys were recognizable. The other 40%
were yells and sound effects like Vrrrooooom! Aaaaagh!
Toot toot! This difference persists into adulthood.

Communication experts say that the average woman

speaks over 25,000 words a day while the average man speaks
only a little over 10,000. What does this mean in marital
terms? On average a wife will say she needs to spend 45
minutes to an hour each day in meaningful conversation with
her husband. What does her husband sitting next to her say is
enough time for meaningful conversation? Fifteen to twenty
minutes once or twice a week.
Now, lets see if Ive got this straight. Solomon had
one thousand women thats 25,000,000 words a day he
would have had to listen to! It would have been 45,000 hours
per day of conversation he would have been asked to listen to.
Hey Solomon, you wanted it you got it!
This could not have been a pleasant experience with so
many sweethearts.
He who findeth a wife [singular] findeth a good
thing. Theres a reason that God intended for us to have only
one wife. Trust me, its all we can handle.

What to do:
Be content with the wife of your youth.
********************

Evil Sweethearts

February 16

Bible Reading: I Kings 16:25-34

Key Verse: Verse 31 And it came to pass, as if it had

been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of
Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife
Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians,
and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
Key Words: that he took to wife Jezebel

They were evil; they were schemers and plotters. They

killed and had killed. They were false worshippers. It was the
leadership of Ahab and Jezebel that led Elijah to pray for a

famine. These sweethearts were truly evil. They really

thought that they could make it without God. What a
tragedy!
The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who
had a strong disdain for religious things. As he plowed his
field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church
people who passed by on their way to worship. October came
and the farmer had his finest crop ever the best in the entire
county. When the harvest was complete, he placed an
advertisement in the local paper which belittled the Christians
for their faith in God. Near the end of his diatribe he wrote,
Faith in God must not mean much if someone like me can
prosper. The response from the Christians in the community
was quiet and polite. In the next edition of the town paper, a
small ad appeared. It read simply, God doesnt always settle
His accounts in October.
Sadly, today in our nation and even in our churches
there are couples who believe that they too can live anyway
they want, and all will be well and stay well. Let me lovingly
warn you...NOT SO!!

What to do:
Learn from Ahab and Jezebel or you will end up
being evil sweethearts yourselves.

Sweethearts Who Knew All

Was Well

February 17

Bible Reading: II Kings 4:1-17 & verse 26

Key Verse: Verse 26 - Run now, I pray thee, to meet

her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well
with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she
answered, It is well.
Key Words: It is well
In order to get the full impact of this Bible truth, you
need to read all of II Kings chapter 4. Here, though, in the
midst of a crisis are two sweethearts who realize all is well.
Their son, a miracle child from God (which I believe every
child is) is sick and dies but they never lost faith. The key to a
marriage surviving is in always understanding that God never
does things to us, but allows things for us. These sweethearts,
I believe anyway, understood that.
Thats why the
Shunammite woman could say all is well.
During the terrible days of the Blitz, a father, holding
his small son by the hand, ran from a building that had been
struck by a bomb. In the front yard was a shell hole. Seeking
shelter as quickly as possible, the father jumped into the hole
and held up his arms for his son to follow. Terrified, yet
hearing his fathers voice telling him to jump, the boy replied,
I cant see you!
The father, looking up against the sky tinted red by the
burning buildings, called to the silhouette of his son, But I
can see you. Jump! The boy jumped because he trusted his
father. The Christian faith enables us to face life or meet
death, not because we can see, but with the certainty that we
are seen; not that we know all the answers, but that we are
known.
No matter what you are facing in life, remember God
knows, and all is well.

What to do:
Remember, faith is not merely you holding onto
God; but it is also God holding on to you.
John 10:28-29.

********************

Sweethearts Who Were In

Gods Place for Gods Purpose

February 18

Bible Reading: Esther 2:1-20

Key Verse: Verse 16 - So Esther was taken unto king
Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month,
which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his
reign.
Key Words: So Esther was taken unto King

Ahasuerus
Most everyone knows the story of Queen Esther and
how she was chosen by the king to be his bride because of her
beauty. We know of the conflict between Haman and
Mordecai, and how Mordecai, Esthers uncle, had her
intercede for all the Jewish people with King Ahasuerus. No
doubt Esther was a part of Gods plan for his people for such a
time as this. It was no accident that she was the kings
sweetheart.
Oftentimes it is not the faith of both sweethearts that
see them through difficult times, but the faith in God of just
one of them that makes a difference for all. This certainly
would have been one of those times where ones faith could
easily fail.
A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb
on the way down. The following conversation ensued:
Is anyone up there?
I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?
Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I cant hold
on much longer.
Thats all right, if you really believe you have nothing
to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch.
A moment of pause, then: Is anyone else up there?
Praise God Esther didnt say is anyone else up there!!
If you married in Gods will then God has you where He wants
you for such a time as this. So have faith in God.

What to do:
Remember, faith in God never fails.
********************

Sweethearts Who Suffered

Together
February 19

Bible Reading: Job 2:1-10

Key Verse: Verses 9 - Then said his wife unto him,

Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and
die.
Key Words: Then said his wife unto him

Many believe that Jobs wife was degrading Job when

she says in verse 9, Curse God and die. I personally believe
she was out of line, but I also believe she loved Job dearly and
no longer wanted him to suffer.
This couple had been through a lot together: children
dying, losing their livelihood with the loss of all their
livestock, servants dying, Job suffering. But they, through
Gods grace, made it through together and God blessed the
end of their lives, doubling all they had before the suffering
began.
When Jewish psychiatrist Victor Frankl was arrested
by the Nazis in World War II, he was stripped of everything
property, family, possessions. He had spent years researching
and writing a book on the importance of finding meaning in
life concepts that later would be known as logotherapy.
When he arrived in Auschwitz, the infamous death camp,
even his manuscript, which he had hidden in the lining of his
coat, was taken away.
I had to undergo and overcome the loss of my
spiritual child, Frankl wrote. Now it seemed as if nothing
and no one would survive me; neither a physical nor a

spiritual child of my own! I found myself confronted with the

question of whether under such circumstances my life was
ultimately void of any meaning.
He was still wrestling with that question a few days
later when the Nazis forced the prisoners to give up their
clothes.
I had to surrender my clothes and in turn inherited
the worn-out rags of an inmate who had been sent to the gas
chamber, said Frankl. Instead of the many pages of my
manuscript, I found in the pocket of the newly acquired coat a
single page torn out of a Hebrew prayer book, which
contained the main Jewish prayer, Shema Yisrael (Hear, O
Israel! The Lord our God is one God. And you shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your might.)
How should I have interpreted such a coincidence
other than as a challenge to live my thoughts instead of
merely putting them on paper?
Later, as Frankl reflected on his ordeal, he wrote in his
book, Mans Search for Meaning, There is nothing in the
world that would so effectively help one to survive even the
worst conditions, as the knowledge that there is a meaning in
ones life...He who has a why to live for can bear almost any
how.
These sweethearts had a why to live: God; and so do
you and your sweetheart. Your why to make it is the glory of
God is at stake.

What to do:
Remember the words of C. S. Lewis when he was
asked, Why do the righteous suffer? Why not, he
asked, they are the only ones who can take it.
********************

Unnamed Sweethearts

February 20

 Bible Reading: Song of Solomon, Chapter 1

Key Verse: Verse 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses

of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Key Words: for thy love is better than wine

The Song of Solomon is not a story but a song, sung by

God to His lover. The book is a picture of a glorious wedding.
Its about Gods love for Israel and about Christs love for His
church, The Bride of Christ.
I read the following written by Dale Galloway.
Little Chad was a shy, quiet young fella. One day he
came home and told his mother hed like to make a valentine
for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, I wish
he wouldnt do that! because she had watched the children
when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always
behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and
talked to each other.
But Chad was never included.
Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son.
So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three
whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made
thirty-five valentines.
Valentines Day dawned and Chad was beside himself
with excitement! He carefully stacked them up, put them in a
bag, and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake him
his favorite cookies and serve them up warm and nice with a
cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just
knew hed be disappointed; maybe they would ease the pain a
little. It hurt her to think that he wouldnt get many
valentines maybe none at all.
That afternoon she had the cookies and milk out on
the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked
out the window. Sure enough, here they came, laughing and
having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the
rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected
him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms
were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened, she
choked back the tears.
Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you.

But he hardly heard her words. He just marched

right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: Not a
one...not a one. Her heart sank. And then he added, I didnt
forget a one, a single one!
Nor can Christ! He never forgets His future Bride, not
a single one of us.

What to do:
Just as Christ never forgets us, let us never forget
Him.
********************

Unusual Sweethearts
February 21

Bible Reading: Hosea 1:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 2 - The beginning of the word of the

LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go,
take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of
whoredoms: for the land hath committed great
whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Key Words: Go, take unto thee a wife of

whoredoms

What an unusual command by God, Go, take unto

thee a wife of whoredoms... Why would God command such
a thing? Since this is a devotional and not a commentary, I
will quickly state three points.
1. Hoseas marriage is a picture of Gods grace and
mercy to us, in spite of us.
2. Hoseas marriage is a picture of Gods blessing to
us, in spite of us.
3. Hoseas marriage is a command to teach us the
depth of Gods love and mercy for us.
As you read the book of Hosea, you are prone to
wonder about Gomer. Did she emerge from her whoredom a
wise woman? Did she return Hoseas love? Did she become a

model wife and mother? We can certainly hope so, but you
have to admit that they were unusual sweethearts.
When Irving S. Olds was chairman of the U.S. Steel
Corporation, he arrived for a stockholders meeting and was
confronted by a woman who asked, Exactly who are you and
what do you do? Without batting an eye, Olds replied, I am
your chairman. Of course, you know the duties of a chairman
thats someone who is roughly the equivalent of parsley on a
platter of fish.
This is about how useful Gomer was in her marriage
with Hosea; but, of course, the book of Hosea is not about
Gomers unfaithfulness -- its about Gods faithfulness. So
remember when all is not well in your life and in your
marriage, God is faithful when others arent.

What to do:
When all is not well in your
marriage, remember Hosea.

Sweethearts Like No Other

February 22

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Key Verse: Verse 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ
was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she
was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Key Words: before they came together, she was

found with child

While I do not believe that either Joseph or Mary

should be worshipped, you would have to admit there are no
other sweethearts quite like them, chosen by God to be the
earthly parents of the Messiah.
You would have to also admit that the birth of Jesus
was miraculous...born of a virgin. Some years ago, I was
asked if I could explain the virgin birth of Jesus. My answer
both then and now: Faith doesnt require that I explain it; it
simply demands that I believe it.
But the birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth, for sure.
A little boy asked his mother where he came from, and also
where she had come from as a baby. His mother gave him a
tall tale about a beautiful white-feathered bird. The boy asked
his grandmother the same question and received a variation
of the bird story. Outside to his playmate he said, You know,
there hasnt been a normal birth in our family for three
generations.
Now, we know thats not true; but what is true is that
Mary and Joseph were sweethearts like no other.
While our marriage can never be like Josephs and
Marys, our marriage can be different and we can be
sweethearts like no other in our community and church by
loving and honoring one another and being an example of
what a Godly marriage is. May that be one of your goals!!

What to do:
Strive and ask God to help you make your marriage
all He wants it to be.
********************

Interesting Sweethearts

February 23

Bible Reading: Luke 1:1-14

Key Verse: Verse 5 - There was in the days of Herod,

the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias,

of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the

daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Key Words: Zacharias...and his wife...was

Elisabeth
Zacharias and Elisabeth was an interesting couple.
First, they were both righteous before God (verse 6). Second,
they, like Abraham and Sarah, had no children and were past
their child-bearing years (verse 7). Third, Zacharias was the
High Priest. Fourth, they were born in the town of Abrahams
dwelling, Hebron. Fifth, Elisabeth was the cousin of Mary,
the mother of Jesus. Last of all, through a miracle of God,
Elisabeth birthed John the Baptist, the forerunner to Jesus.
The thing I find truly interesting about the couple is that they
had no selfish aims or ambitions...only to live pleasing to God.
They truly understood only what was done for God would last.
A farmers daughter was carrying her pail of milk from
the field to the farmhouse, when she fell a-musing. The
money for which this milk will be sold, will buy at least three
hundred eggs. The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will
produce two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will
become ready for the market when poultry will fetch the
highest price, so that by the end of the year I shall have
enough money from my share to buy a new gown. In this
dress I will go to the Christmas parties, where all the young
fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my head and refuse
them every one. At this moment she tossed her head in
unison with her thoughts, when down fell the milk pail to the
ground, and all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment.
So it is with our lives as well. Remember, only whats done for
Christ will last.

What to do:
Remember, Ive never met the couple that comes to
the end of life that has ever regretted putting God first.
********************

The Sweethearts Whose Passion

Couldnt Be Controlled

February 24

Bible Reading: Acts 25:13-27

Key Verse: Verse 13 - And after certain days king

Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute
Festus.
Key Words: Bernice

While not much is said about the husband of Bernice,

we know she was married to the king of Chalcis, located in
Greece.
Historians say of Bernice that she was the eldest
daughter of Agrippa I. Here is what history records about
Bernice.
She was the sister of Drusilla. Acts 24:24
records that Drusilla was a Jewess so Bernice
had to have had some Jewish blood in her
and no doubt knew of God, but yet still
rejected Him.
Historians recorded that she had an
adulterous relationship with her brother,
Agrippa II.
We know that she heard the gospel message
from Paul and rejected it (Acts 26:28-30).
The historian Ellicott writes that Bernice
was a woman of uncontrolled passion.
I read the following article and as I did, I could not
help but think of Bernice.
You may have heard the story of two friends who met
for dinner in a restaurant. Each requested filet of sole, and
after a few minutes the waiter came back with their order.
Two pieces of fish, a large and a small, were on the same
platter. One of the men proceeded to serve his friend. Placing
the small fish on his plate, he handed it across the table.
Well, you certainly have your nerve! exclaimed his friend.

Whats troubling you? asked the other. Look what

youve done, he answered. Youve given me the little piece
and kept the big one for yourself. How would you have done
it? the man asked. His friend replied, If I were serving, I
would have given you the big piece. Well, replied the man,
Ive got it, havent I?

What to do:
Remember, where the Spirit of God rules, there is
temperance.
********************

The Samaritan and Her

Sweethearts
February 25

Bible Reading: John 4:1-30

Key Verse: Verse 18 - For thou hast had five

husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy
husband: in that saidst thou truly.
Key Words: For thou hast had five husbands

Much could be said about the Samaritan woman but if

you would stop and think, she was living like a natural person
would live. But after she was saved, the first thing she did was
find all of her sweethearts so they could be saved as well.
While you may not approve of her lifestyle, she was
responsible for more souls being saved than the average
believer today.
George Sweeting, in his book The No-Guilt Guide for
Witnessing, tells of a man by the name of John Currier who in
1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in
prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a
farm near Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1968, Curriers sentence was terminated, and a

letter bearing the good news was sent to him. But John never
saw the letter, nor was he told anything about it. Life on that
farm was hard and without promise for the future. Yet John
kept doing what he was told even after the farmer for whom
he worked had died.
Ten years went by. Then a state parole officer learned
about Curriers plight, found him, and told him that his
sentence had been terminated. He was a free man.
Sweeting concluded that story by asking, Would it
matter to you if someone sent you an important message the
most important in your life and year after year the urgent
message was never delivered?
We who have heard the good news and experienced
freedom through Christ are responsible to proclaim it to
others still enslaved by sin. Are we doing all we can to make
sure that people get the message?
Praise God that these men had a sweetheart who
cared!!

What to do:
Tell others what Jesus has done for you.

Sweethearts Who Served

Together

February 26

Bible Reading: Acts 18:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 2 And found a certain Jew named

Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with
his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had
commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and
came unto them.
Key Words: certain Jew named Aquilla...with his

wife Priscilla

This couple served God together. Now, how precious

is that? Note the following verses. Acts 18:18, And Paul after
this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of
the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him
Priscilla and Aquilla; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for
he had a vow. Acts 18:26, And he began to speak boldly in
the synagogue: whom when Aquilla and Pricilla had heard,
they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of
God more perfectly. Romans 16:3, Greet Priscilla and
Aquilla my helpers in Christ Jesus.
How wonderful it is to see sweethearts serving the
Lord together.
Missionary Ken Board to Japan writes about his
sweethearts last Sunday. Watching videos of TV programs
with my wife could be frustrating at times. Without saying a
word she would suddenly get up and leave, so thinking that
she was probably going to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a
snack, I would pause the video and wait. I would wait several
minutes, and when she didnt return, I would go looking for
her and find her asleep in bed. One night she did something
she had never done before. We had just finished watching a
program when I received a phone call. While I was talking on
the phone, she got up out of her chair and headed for the
bedroom, but just before she entered the room, she stopped
and smiled and waved her hand. That moment has become a
precious moment in my memory, for early the next morning
she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and went home to be with
the Lord.
The next day I was looking through her Bible and I
found two verses that she had written in her own hand.
Inside the front cover of her Bible she had written, Delight
thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of
thine heart (Psalm 37:4). Inside the back cover of her Bible
she had written, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
Faithful there is no more a fitting word to describe
the life of Louise Board. To her children she was a faithful
mother. To her husband she was a faithful wife. To her Lord
she was a faithful servant and missionary. On the last Sunday
of her life, she attended church in the morning and went out

with the church members to distribute tracts and church

flyers in the afternoon. Faithful!
When people speak of us and our last Sunday on this
earth, I wonder what they will say.
What else could I possibly add?

What to do:
As sweethearts, serve God together. Never marry a
sweetheart who does not have a servants heart. If you
do, I promise it will not be sweet.
********************

Sweethearts That Appear To Be

The Perfect Couple

February 27

Bible Reading: Acts 5:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 1 - But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Key Words: Ananias, with Sapphira his wife
On the surface this couple appeared to be the perfect
couple.
They appeared to be givers (verse 1).
They attended church.
They were in unison (verse 9).
They gave all the outward signs of being just a perfect
couple. But all of us know that there usually is no perfect
marriage.
The Perfect Story: There was a perfect man who met a
perfect woman. After a perfect courtship, they had a perfect
wedding. Their life together was, of course, perfect.
One snowy, stormy Christmas Eve this perfect couple
was driving along a winding road when they noticed someone
at the roadside in distress. Being the perfect couple, they

stopped to help. There stood Santa Claus with a huge bundle

of toys. Not wanting to disappoint any children on the eve of
Christmas, the perfect couple loaded Santa and his toys into
their vehicle. Soon they were driving along delivering the
toys. Unfortunately, the driving conditions deteriorated and
the perfect couple and Santa Claus had an accident. Only one
of them survived the accident. Who was the survivor?
Answer: The perfect woman. Shes the only one that
really existed in the first place. Everyone knows there is no
Santa Claus and there is no such thing as a perfect man.
A Males Response: So, if there is no perfect man and
no Santa Claus, the perfect woman must have been driving.
This explains why there was a car accident.
While there is no perfect couple, each couple can unite
to serve God together with sincerity and integrity. Are you
doing that?

What to do:
Be real, but be real to God and for God, not to the
world and for the world.

The Sweetheart of Jesus

February 28

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:17-33

Key Verse: Verse 25 - Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself
for it;

Key Words: Christ also loved the church, and gave

himself for it
A father and a mother love their son and want the
very best for him. They hope he will find a girl outstanding
in character and attainments, and that this girl will make
him a good wife. They watch him pay attention to two girls,
each of whom is seeking to capture the son for herself. The

two girls may be jealous of each other in the modern sense

of unpleasant fear and resentment, but the parents are
jealous of their son in the Bible sense of the word. They are
not jealous of him, nor are they jealous of either of the
girls. They have a feeling of great love and desire for their
son; they wish to protect him from any unworthy choice;
they wish only that he will turn to that which will be best
for him.
God has jealousy for us; He loves us so much that
He does not wish us to waste our powers and our affections
on the trivial and tawdry. Gods whole purpose in the
processes of life is to undeceive us, to turn us from hope or
trust in ourselves and turn us back to all hope and trust in
Himself.
What to do:
Sing praises unto God. Isnt He wonderful,
wonderful, wonderful!!

The Invitation To Be A
Sweetheart

February 29

Bible Reading: Revelation 22

Key Verse: Verse 17 - And the Spirit and the bride

say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And
let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let
him take the water of life freely.

Key Words: And the Spirit and the bride say,

Come
Today, all unbelievers have an invitation to become a
bride of Christ. Its not something that will be forced on
anyone. Its simply an open invitation.

The other day in the mail, a credit card application

arrived. The credit card application said, "You have been
prequalified for a $15,000 limit." This meant that I had
already been determined to be acceptable to the company.
This meant that the credit card company had already given
the OK. However, the invitation did not automatically grant
me membership. In order to get the card, I had to fill out a
form and send it in. Even though the company had already
extended the credit approval, that did not mean that I would
automatically get the card. I had to write back and say that I
wanted it.
God has already prequalified you for heaven by paying
for your sins on the cross, but He can only activate your
account if you tell Him you want Him to do so. If you still
believe that you must pay for it yourself, what youre saying is,
I dont need Your card. Ive got my own and Im going to
satisfy You by my own human efforts. A person needs to
understand that in order to receive eternal life they have to
admit that they are a sinner and therefore unable to save
themselves.
Today, if you have never accepted Jesus as your
Savior, He wants you to become his bride. Will you say yes
to Jesus?

What to do:
Say yes to Jesus.

Notes:

I deeply appreciate the

help of
Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org