Fidelity

I am currently reading through Hosea in my daily Bible reading.

Hosea - a picture of God's faithfulness with an unfaithful people.

Fidelity to God.

It is so easy, like Israel, to be drawn in by the world,

to be distracted by "shiny objects,"

to place God on the back burner.

He deserves first place!
Often Israel thought they were doing right,
they thought they were pleasing God.
They may have been following the letter of the law,
but they often missed the heart of the law.

Fidelity in marriage (or friendship) is a big deal as well.

How do you show faithfuless and loyalty?

Do you place a priority on your time with you spouse?

Is he/she the most important person in your life?

Do you turn to your spouse first (after God) in difficult situations?

No friendship should be above your spouse.

Do you make decisions with your spouse?

Do you value and desire their opinion?

Do you stand up for and respect your spouse in private and in public?

No "old bag" or "old man" jokes.  No divulging private matters that should stay private.

It is easy to fall into a "worldly" mindset - 

one that cuts down the partner in marriage,

one that focuses on independence rather than togetherness.
God values fidelity and has given us His perfect example.
STRIVE - STRIVE - STRIVE