Jesus Our Light Christian Fellowship

09/01/2026

You are the closest person to your spouse's heart. They've let you in, trusted you... given you access. Marriage is truly unlike every other human relationship.
The question remains: how will you steward their heart now that you have access? Will you encourage or tear down? We urge you to encourage each other intentionally. Here are a few ideas.

1) Think before you speak, then act on your spouse's behalf.
Knee-jerk reactions can be harmful because they usually take into account only one perspective...one set of feelings: your own. What if we stopped and thought about the other person's perspective and sought understanding? What if we considered carefully how our words might affect them at that moment? What if loving them was our primary objective in that moment...how would we react? Love advocates for the other, especially in those tender moments.

2) Consider what God is doing in them and encourage it.
God is at work on the hearts of his children every single day. The Holy Spirit is refining and reshaping our beliefs, passions, and attitudes to be more reflective of Christ. Can you see God's craftsmanship at work in your spouse? How can you encourage growth? What scripture is on your mind... maybe it's something God wants you to share with your husband/wife?

3) Remember why you love him/her and express it.
Life gets busy and we can grow lazy with communication. Take a step back and recall the reasons you love your spouse, then intentionally express it. Stop him/her in their tracks, square off, look eye to eye, and encourage. Speak words that give life by reminding him/her what you love about them. Or, write a simple note. Whatever your method, thoughtful encouragement received from a spouse is unlike any other.
We hope you and your spouse enjoy a marriage that is mutually encouraging. Words have the power to give life or death (Proverbs 18:21), and choosing life-giving words is a sure way to make your marriage feel...alive.

Stay fierce,
Ryan & Selena

07/12/2025

Romance has its place, but have you ever thought of your marriage as warfare? (No, we're not referring to arguments, though they're part of the bigger battle for sure.)

Many are familiar with the idea that marriage is about more than your happiness—it's about your holiness (thanks to Gary Thomas for that gem). But what are the implications of such a claim? And what could be the result if couples take it seriously?

Marriage is warfare with battles raging on at least three fronts: your heart, your household, and your community. The key is to remember that if you're unified in Christ, you're fighting the battles together! That one truth will unify you and fortify you to fight well in whatever battle you face.

1. The battle for your heart
As you fight to "crucify the passions of your flesh" (Gal 5:24)—pride, lust, anger, envy, and selfishness)—you are fighting your own flesh, but you're not fighting alone. The enemy would sell you the lie that you are alone and even against your spouse in your battle. Don't buy it. FIght together with Christ clear in sight.

2. The battle for your household
Every victory won for your marriage is a victory won for your children. God designed and instituted the biblical household *so that* all involved would flourish and glorify him as a result. The enemy would sell you the lie that the home and biblical values are arbitrary. Don't buy it. Fight alongside your husband/wife for truth, unity, and peace in your home.

3. The battle for your community
"As the household goes, so goes every other institution of society." (C.R. Wiley) Traditional family is no longer normal. It's radical. And truly biblical marriage is especially radical. The enemy would sell us a lie that it's an outdated institution, ripe for deconstruction and irrelevant for human flourishing. Don't buy it. Instead, be united as husband and wife in the call to live as lights in a dark place.
Marriage is warfare, this is clear. Be sure you're fighting alongside and not against each other. Seek unity in your home as you gather around God's truth, and fight your battle faithfully knowing full well the greatest war was won on the cross.

Christ at any cost,
Ryan

06/12/2025

No one on earth can encourage a husband quite like his wife. (And the same is true for wives and their husbands, but today we'll focus on just the ladies). We must remain mindful of that truth.

As a wife, you have access to your husband's heart unlike anyone else. You know his strengths and his weaknesses. His hopes and his fears. His confidences and insecurities. His victories and failures.

Use your words and actions to help him instead of discouraging him. That's love in action, and it will transform your marriage.

But what if you don't FEEL strong? Should you pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, grit your teeth, and just be stronger? I don't think that's the answer. The answer is to look to the ONE who is strong forever, victorious always, and eternally available: Jesus. Be strong, yes, but be strong IN CHRIST. Let who he is, what he's done, and who he says you are be your unending source of strength.

He is and always will be enough.

Fierce wife: TAG your husband below and tell him something encouraging. You may make his day!

Stay fierce,
Selena

PS: If you’re looking for a community of wives that love Jesus and are sharpening each other, search “Fierce Wives” on FB. 💪🏻😉

20/08/2025

It is right and good to enjoy marriage, and it is God's plan for marriage to be mutually incredible!

But (and it's a significant 'but')... the purpose of our marriage is not solely our own happiness. If that were the case, every marriage would end as soon as things become difficult.

When we view our union as a means by which God is glorified in us and through us, everything changes.
May your marriage endure in light of the purpose found by living to glorify Christ through it.

May you and your spouse be filled with limitless joy that doesn't start and stop based on your circumstances, but rather is found in Christ.
Your marriage is an incredible adventure, enjoy it! Enjoy your spouse! And more than anything, enjoy knowing that God is actively using your marriage for His ultimate glory!

Stay fierce,
Ryan & Selena Frederick

02/11/2024

Love is a choice. Choose to stay in love and you will remain there.

13/05/2024

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

JOLCF Celebrates Mother’s Day. Honoring our mothers for their own special day. We thank you for your love and hard work moms!🫶

25/03/2024

26/12/2023

Godly friendship is endearing, honest, encouraging, challenging, and deeply committed.

The model of friendship outlined throughout the Bible is unlike any notion of friendship seen anywhere else in history.

It is that type of friendship we should cultivate in our marriages— the kind that sharpens, honors, respects, listens, and fights on behalf of the other.

In marriage, we can sometimes grow too familiar with each other. We can forget common courtesies like not interrupting, listening energetically, giving each other the benefit of the doubt, and showing basic manners out of respect for each other.

This doesn't mean you act perfectly (that is totally unrealistic!), it just means you don't let yourself grow lazy or disrespectful of each other out of familiarity.

Guys, treat her well! Open doors, give her compliments, take interest in the things that interest her.

Ladies, show your husband that you truly appreciate and love him. Express thankfulness, love him in a way he will feel most loved, and remember the influence you have on his morale (encourage him).

By building your friendship you're building your marriage, and the investment is always worth it.

Keep fighting fiercely,
Ryan & Selena Frederick

Pic by Jeff Marsh Creative /

09/09/2023

Yes! Every marriage could benefit from this. ❤️

21/07/2023

JOLCF Sports Camp Day 2!

Batch 2 photos

21/07/2023

JOLCF Sports Camp Day 2!

Batch 1 photos