Love (For Spouse): January 5, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5, 2011

LOVE
(FOR YOUR SPOUSE)

DEFINITION:

Affection for one another.

SCRIPTURE:

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12.

“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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We have been married for over 53 years and through out these years we have both learned a lot about marriage and relationships between spouses. These are lessons that we have learned during these years of marriage and we would like to share them 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 as future spouses that you share the same 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 COMMITMENT 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. Problems will come. It is a fact of life. Together you will have mountains to climb and valleys to struggle through. Newlyweds think that love will conquer all. In tough times it takes not just love but a firm lifelong commitment to one another and to the Lord.

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 harsh to them.” If these two verses are a basis for your marriage, God will bless it. A Christian marriage is an equal partnership and requires mutual submission. One can’t have it their way all the time. There must be give and take.

As you begin 2011 make sure your relationship with your spouse or spouse to be is based on Biblical commandments as we have outlined above. If you do you will see God do wonderful things in your lives in 2011, and your love relationship with your spouse will grow stronger.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Timothy 1:7.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.

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 our marriage be an example to others.