MOMENTS FOR MARRIAGE (By Gary Patterson)
Here is a collection of post-articles from The Christian Journeyman Blog-site that has some encouragement for married couples today.
Table Of Contents:
Dwelling Together
The Apostle Paul's Relationship Triangle
Dumping Divorce
Love Is Something We Do
TOGETHER FOREVER
Matthew 19:5-6
What do Canadian geese and Swans have to say to married couples today? Jesus said: "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."(Matthew 19:6) Here in this post-article, we look at what Jesus has to say to married couples today!
(Jesus' words)"...and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:5-6) "Canada geese (and swans) do mate for life. Mated pairs not only raise and protect their young together, but also look out for one another over the course of their lives. One mate will stay by the other's side if injured or dying, even if the rest of the flock is moving on. They are extremely devoted to one another." (canadageese.org/faq4.html)
God's Word is not the only source for God's intent for the marriage of a man and woman. Nature shows us that God intends for a man and woman to join together for life. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:6b) My grandparents and my parents took their vows seriously. They stayed together all through the years of their married life, Today, selfishness takes its toll on marriage relationships. If it is all about me, and all about what I want, then marriage becomes one-sided. It is the balance of love and compromise, and the desire to be obedient to the will of God, that helps a marriage to endure through the years, and yes, for life! GP
Photo by imagerymajestic. Published on 10 June 2012 www.freedigitalphotos.net
DWELLING TOGETHER
If there is one thing that is missing in our society today, it is mutual respect and consideration. Selfishness has become too saturated and dominant in our society today. If we see it strongly displayed in marriage, it's no wonder we see it standing out, in society.
"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)
If there is one thing that is missing in our society today, it is mutual respect and consideration. Selfishness has become too saturated and dominant in our society today. If we see it strongly displayed in marriage, it's no wonder we see it standing out, in society.
In 1 Peter 3, Peter has good advice for both husbands and wives. How do you dwell with each other? How can you have your life together be as good as it can be?
Peter uses these single words to help those in marriage understand how to have unity and stability in their life together. Let's begin with the wife. Peter uses the word "submissive" (3:1, 5) In our culture today, that word seems to be an ugly word. It is not a word that infers inferiority, but from the military standpoint, it has the meaning of rank and responsibility. The wife is to place herself under the love and care of her husband, to help him in what he is responsible for, in regards to marriage and the family.
Now to the husbands, Peter uses the word "understanding" (3:7) The husband is to be understanding, and show consideration, not selfishness and disregard. He is to put his wife's needs before His own. Just as Jesus loved the church (His bride) and gave His life for it, the love that the husband is to have for his wife, is sacrificial.
Two words of insight (from the apostle Peter) for couples as they "dwell together." GP
Photo: MasterTux / 143 images - CCO Creative Commons - Free for commercial use - No attribution required - www.pixabay.com
THE APOSTLE PAUL'S RELATIONSHIP TRIANGLE
THE APOSTLE PAUL'S RELATIONSHIP TRIANGLE
1 Corinthians 13:13
There are different illustrations of what is called: "The Relationship Triangle" The one the Apostle Paul describes, in our text, is one that not only speaks to the priority elements of a successful relationship, but to the marks of spiritual maturity.
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
There are different illustrations of what is called: "The Relationship Triangle" The one the Apostle Paul describes, in our text, is one that not only speaks to the priority elements of a successful relationship, but to the marks of spiritual maturity.
When we are talking about the marriage relationship, "The foundational Relationship Triangle" is seeing God at the top of the triangle, and the husband and wife at the two bottom points of the triangle. A marriage cannot be a success without God being the main point person, of this relationship.
Than to complete the star formation, we can add "The Relationship Triangle" Paul speaks of in our text. He speaks of "Love" as being the supreme virtue in all of our relationships. There is no room for selfishness in any relationship. And at the next point of the triangle is "Faith." As we trust God, we must trust each other, and be faithful to each other. And than the last point of the triangle is "Hope" Hope is always focused on the positive things, concerning our relationships, and for our future together.
All of this applies to help our relationship with God, and with others, be the best that it can be. With God, and love, being the top points of these two triangles, it demonstrates what should be the most important priorities in our lives. The question is: are they? GP
Photo ID 54626087 © Maciej Krynica | Dreamstime.com
DUMPING DIVORCE
"Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord; A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife." (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
Marriage, by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, is for life. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:6b)
I believe that many couples lose sight of their responsibility to God in this precious institution. It is in what God has brought together; and it is what He can keep together.
Is it an accident that a man and a woman meet, fall in love, and desire to live together, the rest of their days? Is it ever the consideration that during those days, that God is the third person involved? Why is it that when problems arise (critical in a marriage) we choose to separate, instead of placing ourselves under the direction of God. What He has joined together, He has joined to Himself. When we cut ourselves from each other, we cut ourselves from God as well.
It is amazing what the study of God's Word, and prayer, and fellowship with other Christian couples, can do for a marriage. It may not be the easy way, but it is the best way. And when you have an older couple, who have kept their commitment to Jesus Christ. as mentors, this is a very beneficial support.
We need to dump divorce, and keep our marriages in connection with the One who can, and will, provide the principles and provisions, to keep it together for a lifetime. GP
Photo: Mohamed_hassan / 3666 images / CCO Creative Commons / Free for commercial use / Free for commercial use / No attribution required / www.pixabay.com
LOVE IS SOMETHING WE DO
And you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:5)
I remember a song that was recorded by Clint Black entitled:"Something That We Do"
The most important relationship of our lives, is our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. And with every relationship, the words of this song recorded by Clint Black apply. It's not enough to just say the words, "I Love You", but those words need to be backed up by our actions.
If we love God, with all of our heart, soul, and strength, than our actions will prove, we mean what we say. Our actions are to contain obedience to God's Word. If we love God, we will be obedient to His Word. There will not be any room for what we feel is best, or to compromise God's Word, in order to please those around us. Loving God, is obeying God, with no hesitation or doubt.
Much of the sin we commit, is because we love our own desires, passions, and gratifications. And instead of disciplining our minds, and our bodies, to be in line with the will of God, we choose to give in to our weaknesses, and sin against God. In all of our thoughts, words, and actions, are we showing that our love for God is fervent, and steadfast? Yes, Love is not just in what we say, but in what we do! GP
Photo: StockSnap - Pixabay.com
Moments For Marriage
