Complaining nonstop sucks the energy. Constant criticism without affirmations can quickly destroy the esteem of your partner, which might already be fragile.
Eph 4:29 (GW) Don’t say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.
7. Financial disagreements.
Money stress can be so overwhelming. This can quickly escalate when one or both partners are financially undisciplined. Work with a budget and stay on the same page. Learn to trust God for your finances as well.
Php 4:19 (GW) My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.
8. No quality time together.
Relationships need a couple of times together to be at their best. Spend time and invest in quality time together. Pray together, and play together. Laugh and relax together and stop worrying unnecessarily.
Ecc 4:9-10 (GW) Two people are better than one because together, they have a good reward for their hard work. [10] If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is ⌞all⌟ alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.
9. Lack of intimacy.
Not feeling close physically and emotionally strains things. Do not work against your intimacy through lies, deception, and insensitivity. Study your partner and make them happy as much as you can.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:3
10. Not resolving conflicts constructively.
Sweeping issues under the rug or fighting dirty poisons the vibe. Settle quarrels quickly. A good union is one of two forgivers. Avoid strife and don’t sulk continually.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
Top Ten Quarrel Triggers in Relationships and Marriages
Failing to communicate
Not making yourself clear, talking in “silence”, mumbling words and mono-syllable answers can often be the source of anger and irritation. Avoid them. Encourage one another daily… Hebrews 3:13a
Expecting mind reading
Use your words! Your fiancee or spouse is not the Holy Spirit who can pick up your thoughts. They are no magicians, so learn to use words! Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Colossians 4:6
Leaving messes behind
Leaving your partner, to pick up socks, and clothes, clean the dishes, and attend to all you regularly scatter can be frustrating! Especially the sanguines, they seem anointed to scatter things and forget where they pick things from. It is now so frustrating if you are married, for example to a melancholy who is a perfectionist.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
Being on devices 24/7
Constantly on your phone and ignoring each other kills the vibe quickly, leaving the other person feeling neglected and insignificant. Put your phone aside and don’t degenerate to chatting with each other on the phone in the same house! How can you be married and lonely?
Psa 68:6 (GW) God places lonely people in families. He leads prisoners out of prison into productive lives, but rebellious people must live in an unproductive land.
Not splitting chores
Feeling like the only one doing the whole work in the house can bring bad vibes quickly and trigger unnecessary quarrels. Be hands-on together and nobody should be cooking alone while the other is on computer games, day in and day out! That would be unfair. Love wouldn’t operate that way! Find something to do to help out! Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” 1 Peter 4:10
Here is a ten-point advice for singles and younger couples from a perspective of 20+ years of marriage:
Commit to lifelong faithfulness. Make your vows before God and keep them through thick and thin. Fidelity and loyalty are what will see married couples through in all seasons of life. Even as singles, beware of someone who is already cheating on you. They will not likely change
Be besties for life! A happy marriage is built on the foundation of a deep and abiding friendship. Make time each day to connect, laugh together, and be each other’s best friend. Don’t marry someone who is not a friend!
Two are better than one…if one falls down, his friend can help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Communicate respectfully. Listen to understand each other, not just reply. Handle discussions and disagreements with care, respect and keep it like your lives depend on it.
Be flexible. No one always gets their way so meet halfway when you don’t see eye to eye. Focus on understanding each other, not being right.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
Forgive and forget. Resentments poison relationships. When mistakes come up, go with mercy and leave the past in the past.
Pray together daily. God must be at the center of a Christian marriage for guidance, provision, and keeping you united in purpose.
Practice acts of service. Look for ways to lighten each other’s load through selflessness instead of entitlement. Consider your lover more important than self.
Be quick to affirm, slow to criticize. Appreciation and validation strengthen the bond between a husband and wife more than criticism ever can.
Manage money responsibly. Harmony in finances prevents stress and arguments. Agree on a budget, save for the future, and hold accountability.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation…which plunge them into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Enjoy each moment together. Even when busy, carve out time to connect, have fun and cherish this partnership as God’s gift. Cherish each other always.
1. Focus on developing your relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. As traditional as that may sound, never despise meetings in church.
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT): And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
2. Work on becoming the best version of yourself – mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Keep on developing capacity!
Romans 12:2 (NIV): Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
3. Guard your heart and steer clear of empty relationships, compare dating standards to God’s.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT): “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
4. Use dating apps prayerfully if desired but don’t obsess – connect in real life with wisdom and patience.
Proverbs 19:11 (NLT): Common sense is a fountain of life to those who embrace it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
5. Pray daily for your future spouse.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT): Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
For Couples:
6. Be particular about intimacy through meaningful conversations beyond daily logistics and make time for romantic exploring.
Song of Solomon 2:3-6 (NLT): Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Strengthen me with raisins and refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.
7. Protect your union from temptation and harmful influences that threaten oneness through social media, spending, or unwise friendships.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NLT): Avoid every kind of evil.
8. Communicate affection through generosity of word, action and non-sexual touch to foster deep bonding.
Ephesians 4:29-31 (NLT): Don’t use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. And do not grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed for the day of redemption. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.
9. Resolve conflicts respectfully through active listening, humility, repentance and compromise instead of aggressive reactions.
Proverbs 15:1 (NLT): A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
10. Pray together daily for vision, strength, and blessings upon your family
Eph 3:14 (MSG) My response is to get down on my knees before the Father,
Faith is essential for overcoming the challenges of the world
We must not allow deception or troubles to shake our faith
Maintaining faith protects us from the chaos around us
Listening to inspiring sermons repeatedly helped Pastor Jerry stay strong in his faith, even to the point of running around the hotel pool in excitement.
Remaining Focused on God’s Promises
God’s word contains promises to cover every area of our lives
We must stay anchored to these promises and not be distracted
The enemy wants to make us forget God’s promises for our lives
Pastor Jerry keeps a collection of his mentors’ sermons on his iPod to constantly renew his focus on God’s word.
Avoiding Worldly Distractions
Social media and negative news can be detrimental distractions
We must be discerning about what information we consume
Distractions make it harder for God’s word to take root in our hearts
Pastor Jerry avoids listening to preachers who spread lies and negativity, as he knows it can undermine his faith.
If we heed these three directives from the Lord – staying in faith, remaining focused on His promises, and avoiding worldly distractions – Pastor Jerry believes 2024 will be a year of progression, advancement, promotion, and the fulfillment of our highest expectations.
Progressing in Faith
Faith can grow and increase from one level to another, from “Faith to Faith”
The speaker shares how his ministry has experienced progression and growth over the years, breaking financial records each year
Remaining stagnant and not progressing is not God’s will, it is a “curse” to stay the same
Advancing in God’s Glory
Going from “glory to glory” means experiencing more of God’s manifested presence, power, and goodness.
This includes miracles, financial breakthroughs, and increased favor
God desires to fill our homes and lives with His glory, not just the church
Supernatural Increase
The speaker shares a testimony of a man who experienced a $12 million increase in the value of a forgotten stock, after the speaker prayed for supernatural increase.
This demonstrates how God can bring unexpected blessings and breakthroughs when we step out in faith.
The Biblical Definition of Glory
The first mention of “glory” in the Bible refers to Jacob’s acquisition of wealth and assets from his father-in-law Laban.
The glory of Joseph’s life was the prosperity and wealth he experienced as the second-in-command in Egypt.
The Bible teaches that we are to go from “faith to faith” and from “glory to glory” – meaning financial breakthrough and increasing levels of prosperity.
When Joseph’s brothers saw the glory of his position and wealth, they were amazed and instructed to tell their father about it.
Declaring Your Financial Glory
We must declare and decree our progression from “faith to faith” and “glory to glory” in order to experience it.
The Bible instructs us to “declare His glory among the nations” and to “decree a thing, and it shall be established.”
When the people in the temple spoke of God’s glory in harmony, miracles and breakthroughs occurred.
Speaking positive confessions about your financial future and declaring that 2024 will be a year of advancement and promotion.
The Promise of Future Glory
God promises to bestow grace, favor, and “future glory” upon those who walk uprightly.
No matter how much glory or prosperity you have experienced thus far, there is more “future glory” headed your way.
Believing that God has even greater financial blessings and breakthroughs in store for your life in the days ahead.
