I am writing this after a full day of ministry on Sunday; a full day AND a fulfilling day! What a blessing to gather together with the family of God to worship the Lord, fellowship with each other and serve one another in various areas of ministry.
I was blessed to hear of a good discussion held in our young adults Sunday School class. It is always a joy to see those who come out for Bible Study at 10:00am each Sunday morning. There was certainly a spirit of anticipation for our 11:00am service. Our choir was excited to have Dr. Stan Pethel leading them this morning. Our church family was blessed to have him leading our congregation in worship and providing special music for our service. I am grateful for the good feedback on the message: "How to have a Lasting, Loving, Living Marriage."
It is good to know that any marriage can last when we are willing to INVEST in that relationship. Our relationships with others teaches us that all relationships need an investment of time and energy; this is especially true of a marriage. The pattern that God has established for a marriage in Genesis 2:24 reinforces the idea that a marriage can truly be "built to last." Christ's reply to the Pharisees (Mark 10:2-9) also emphasizes His plan and desire for a marriage to go the distance.
A marriage that lasts would be rather dull without a LOVING relationship and this comes through our INVOLVEMENT with one another. You can't really love someone without being involved in their life. No matter how good or how challenging your marriage relationship may be at this time it can be a loving relationship. It should begin with our love for the Lord (Matt 22:34-40). Our love for Him impacts all other relationships. Along with loving the Lord we are to "love one another" (John 15:12). If you are feeling a bit distant from you spouse and not as loving as you think you can be or should be then you are not off the hook, because we are also told that we are to love our neighbor as ourself (Matt 22:39). So if nothing else you can love your mate even if your mate feels more like a neighbor than that person you first married. "Well, you don't know WHO I am married too; if you did, you would know that asking me to love him or her is asking for the impossible." You are right. I do not know the details of your marriage. What I do know is that God has told us that we are to love our ENEMIES (Matt. 5:44). So you can STILL love your mate. Remember God does not ask or tell us to do something that He does not enable us to do. Whatever the ups or downs, or ins and outs, or good times or bad times of your marriage you CAN love your mate. I'm not talking some emotional feeling, cold chill, or quiver in your liver - no the love of the Bible is a love that involves feelings; BUT is so much more than feelings. Biblical love is ACTIVE. Love is a VERB. Love is more than SAYING it, it is SHOWING it. So learn how to express love in a way your spouse understands. Share with them one or more of the following: 1) Words of affirmation, 2) Acts of Service, 3) Giving of Gifts, 4) Quality Time, or 5) Physical Touch. (Get more information on "The Five Love Languages" by clicking HERE.)
A Lasting marriage that is a Loving marriage will also be a LIVING marriage, a relationship that exhibits vitality! To enjoy a vibrant marriage calls for INTENTIONALITY on your part. You have to plan to keep your marriage vibrant. You have to work at it to keep the home fires burning. What can you do this week to "rejoice in the wife of your youth" (Prov. 5:18)? How can you have a relationship like the one recorded in the Song of Solomon? What practical steps can you take to nurture the life, energy and vibrancy of your marriage? How ever you answered those questions is how you can add life to your relationship. So what are you waiting for?
Plan to INVEST in your relationship, deepen your INVOLVEMENT with one another and get INTENTIONAL about your marriage and you WILL then have "A Lasting, Loving, Living marriage"!
Thankful for our Family Emphasis Month.
Pastor Mike
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