Marriage and family is hard work! Without a doubt, it doesn’t just happen, one has to work on it. Marriage and family “God’s Way” takes extra work. One must learn the basics of what God says and prayerfully apply the principals while patiently trusting the Lord to “work all things together for the good”. Marriage is more than just a legal contract based on rights and responsibilities. A covenant marriage commitment is an
eternal commitment with God. It is summarized in our “Covenant Marriage Statement”
Believing that marriage is a covenant intended by
God to be a lifelong relationship between a man and
a woman, we vow to God, each other, our families,
and our community to remain steadfast in unconditional
love, reconciliation, and sexual purity, while purposefully
growing in our covenant marriage relationship.
God is always the giver of the covenant. We are the recipients. So we must choose to accept and remain obedient in the covenant and God will do His part. I am so glad that God is the God of a second chance and so for many of us this is a renewed beginning for a lifelong commitment to grow and make our marriages better. Do not think any marriage is immune from problems. We all need to work to make our marriages ones that are built on the solid rock of the Lord. Let’s all seek to continue to make a “Marriage Covenant Commitment” each and every day.
The heart of marriage: a covenant.Understanding expectations, developing good communication, gaining skills in conflict resolution, discovering appropriate roles or creating new ones, becoming spiritual friends and sharing a ministry. They are essential to God because it is a reflection of the Godhead.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that marriage is hard work. Just like anything worth having requires hard work , in like manner a godly marraige require hard work. I believe the greatest problem most marraiges is that Christ isn't in first place. I believe my love for God should supersede all loves in my life and consequently I express my love for God through the way I treat my spouse.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree...yes, "marriage and family is hard work". I believe that God truly has to be the Head in order to do things His way. Besides, God did originate the institution of marriage and family as well. It is my belief as well that marriage should be viewed as a covenant to God representing total surrender that involves the merging of one's life into another. It’s almost like a binding of two hearts with one heartbeat. The covenant is not just about two people becoming one because they love each other but they should also want to protect, cherish and care for each other until death but, above all else, doing it God’s way. Marriage is not something to do just because it’s cute. Vows and promises are being made before God. Perhaps, one should be mindful that sometimes, you only get out of something what you put into it. Imagine what it would be like if both were to bring a 100% to the table and God is sitting at the head of the table. Glory to God!
ReplyDeletePastor Gary:
ReplyDeleteYour message and insight about marriage is so encouraging. I am reminded of just how important it is for the “seasoned saints” of God to share their wise counsel and growing experiences of life. Pastor you and Cheryl have years of marital growth and the joys and challenges reflective of your obedience to the principles and precepts of God’s word for a Christian marriage and lifestyle.
There are books and other tools that are useful for helping others seeking to grow in their marriage but nothing, in my opinion, is better than a living example of God at work daily in the life of a Christian marriage. When a marriage reflects love, joy and strength with years of enduring love to back it up it is a great example of God’s love and patience at work.
Please continue to share the good news of salvation, love and the joys and challenges of seeking God for direction on how to love and cherish the one that has agreed to walk hand in hand with you into His will.
Keep working on it as God continues to lift up those of us who are reaping the fruits from the ministry He has given you and your bride.
Winnie