Love Part 2: September 15, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2009

DAY TWO OF A FIVE DAY SERIES ON
LOVE

Yesterday we talked about loving God. Loving God is the greatest commandment that God has given us. Today we will share some thoughts on loving your spouse.

GODS WORD

“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 no man separate.” Mark 10:7-9.

“Marriage is honorable among all --- but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” II Corinthians 6:14.

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

We have been married for over 52 years and through out these years we have both learned a lot about marriage and relationships between spouses. These are lessons from our lives that we would like to share with you.

To begin with two people that are in love need to face several crucial issues. We strongly feel that the first and foremost question you must face is that your future spouse shares your spiritual values. In the verse above from II Corinthians it clearly states that you are not to be unequally yoked together. Down through the years we can honestly say that being unequally yoked together is the leading cause for marriage breakups. If your future spouse does not know the Lord and live a Christ honoring life, DO NOT PROCEED. Do not get into marriage thinking you can change your future spouse once you are married. It just does not work!

We also believe that there are three keys to a successful marriage. First there must be a COMMITTMENT by both parties. A lifetime commitment to one another and the honoring of the vows you take at your ceremony are critical in making a marriage successful. Together you will have mountains to climb and valleys to struggle through and unless you have the Lord next to you and a firm life long commitment, humanly speaking the marriage probably will not last.

Secondly, there must be daily COMMUNICATION between spouses. This includes listening to one another, talking often and sharing all things, both good and bad, with one another. When either of the two spouses withholds things from the other, the marriage begins to collapse. Marriage is a two way street between husband and wife. There must be a mutual submission and a willingness to put aside selfish personal desires that are harmful to the marriage relationship.

Thirdly, partners in a marriage must be CHRIST-LIKE. Most spouses have no idea what we mean when we say CHRIST-LIKE. Simply said --- Jesus had a servant’s heart and attitude. He was kind, willing to forgive, tender hearted, always thinking about others, and was compassionate every day He spent on earth. In a marriage both parties must strive to be kind, forgiving and compassionate along with wanting what is best for your spouse.

In order to be Christ-like one must submit oneself to Christ as his or her Lord of their life. If your marriage is on the rocks, first look at your own life. Have you submitted yourself completely to Christ and allowed Him to become Lord of your life? If you want healing in your marriage, start with yourself and your relationship with God. You will then be able to deal with your spouse with a Christ-like attitude.

Just as we are told in the scriptures to love God, we are also told to love our spouse. In Colossians 3:18-20 it reads: “wives submit to your own husbands, as it is fitting unto the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter to them.” If these two verses are a basis for your marriage, God will bless it. Marriage is an equal partnership. There is no ruler but together you live equally every day of your life.

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

Help us this day to improve our marriage by strengthening our commitment to one another and to You. Help us to communicate clearly to one another and learn to listen to what each other is saying. Then help us be Christ-like in all we do. May those that we touch today see a difference in us and may we radiate to them our love to You.