In a not-so-distant past, we were blessed with a tiny boy, a mere handful in my palm. Fast forward to the present, he’s graduated and already working.
The pace of time is astonishing! In a couple of years, I would easily and successfully become a grandpa! What?
I am still trying to feel like a dad and now the granddad thing is beckoning gently!
The scripture in Ephesians 5:15-16 urges us to walk wisely, redeeming the time, for the days are challenging. In simpler terms, make the most of every opportunity, given the desperate times we live in.
Seize the Moment, Dear Couples
Now is the time for couples to unite and make the most of every chance. Avoid spending half your lifetime in disputes and suspicions, robbing yourselves of the power found in the prayer of agreement. The synergy between husband and wife should result in abundant productivity, touching lives around you positively.
Break Free from Energy-Wasting Patterns
Unnecessary quarrels, prolonged silences, and attempts to change your spouse are all energy-draining activities. Romans 13:11 (MSG) cautions against getting so absorbed in daily obligations that you lose track of time and God. Your time can be maximized only with God.
Rom 13:11 (MSG) But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God.
The Dawn is Near
Romans 13:12 (MSG) emphasizes that the night is nearly over, urging us to be awake to what God is doing.
Rom 13:12 (MSG) The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed.
The urgency is clear – time is fleeting. The dreams in your diary and the aspirations you’ve carried for years should not linger; it’s time to give birth to them.
Don’t Squander Precious Minutes
Romans 13:13 (MSG) reminds us not to waste a minute, discouraging frivolity and indulgence. Couples should work together, aligning with the purpose for which they came together, avoiding squabbles and distractions.
The Path Forward
To make the glory embedded in your union a reality, couples must decide to follow God, forgive easily, love unconditionally, and pray fervently.
I sincerely pray for your strength and unity, that the purpose for which your family came together becomes a reality.
I want to share ten pieces of advice that can contribute to a flourishing relationship or marriage.
1. Cherish Each Other Always
Avoid the trap of taking your spouse’s love and efforts for granted. Whether it’s paying the bills or preparing meals, acknowledging and appreciating each other’s contributions is vital for a joyful marriage.
As lovers in a relationship, learn to compliment and appreciate one another.
2. Minimize External Influences
External factors, such as in-laws, friends, colleagues, and family, can impact your marriage. While everyone plays a role, exercise wisdom in managing external influences to prevent unnecessary burdens on your relationship.
For singles in courtship, embrace counsels and do to isolate yourselves.
3. Establish Family Goals
Having a common vision for the family fosters unity. Work towards achieving shared objectives, whether it’s a project, a vacation, or any other aspiration that binds both partners together.
While in courtship, set goals and exclude physical intimacy at that stage.
4. Check in on Each Other’s Fulfillment
Don’t assume your spouse is always content. Regularly discuss career, goals, dreams, and aspirations to ensure you’re both fulfilled and can support each other’s growth.
5. Foster Transparency, Eliminate Secrets
Avoid the pitfalls of keeping secrets. Open communication builds trust, so be transparent about all aspects of your life, including finances. Shared knowledge prevents misunderstandings.
6. Cultivate Best-Friendship
Strive to be each other’s best friend. Engage in open conversations, share laughter, and enjoy recreational activities together. Marriage is more than a serious commitment; it should also be a source of joy.
7. Open the Financial Book
Maintain transparency in financial matters. Share details about income, expenses, and investments. This transparency not only builds trust but also ensures accountability.
8. Let Forgiveness Prevail
Address grievances promptly, preventing them from escalating into deeper issues. Avoid harboring resentment and practice forgiveness. Controlling your temper and choosing words wisely are essential for a peaceful marriage.
9. Measure Your Words
Words are powerful; they shape your marriage. Be cautious about what you say to your spouse. If you wouldn’t want to experience it, don’t say it. Your words should reflect the love and commitment you share.
10. Seek Wisdom from Respected Mentors
Having a mentor both partners respect can be invaluable. Seek guidance from experienced individuals during challenging times. Their wisdom may provide the insight needed to navigate various aspects of married life.
May these insights contribute to the success and longevity of your marriage. Blessings to you all.
This morning, I want to delve into a crucial principle outlined in the scriptures, one that guarantees daily victory in our work, relationships, marriages, and life in general.
The power lies in the words we speak. Uttering words with our mouths is a potent force that steers the course of our lives.
These spoken words possess such influence that they can overwhelm our lives, shaping and controlling the events that unfold. Recognizing this, Jesus Christ emphasized the significance of words, stating,
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63, KJV).
From the moment of birth, we emit sounds as a sign of life. As we grow, words form, marking our progression. In relationships, words play a pivotal role, from expressing romantic interest to exchanging vows on a wedding day. Marriage thrives on a consistent exchange of loving words.
Even in matters of faith, confessing certain words is essential. The act of proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus brings about a powerful experience.
Proverbs 13:2-3 underscores the significance of words in the spiritual realm. Positive affirmations lead to a fruitful life, while negative expressions open the door to destructive forces.
In the spiritual dimension, the devil understands the potency of words. He endeavors to inject negative thoughts, hoping they find verbal expression. Verbalizing negativity transforms thoughts into tangible experiences.
The crucial question to ponder is, “What are you saying?” Proverbs admonishes that by keeping our mouths, we safeguard our lives. Therefore, monitoring our speech becomes imperative.
Avoid statements like:
“I don’t even understand my life.”
“I am very confused.”
“I think there is a curse working against me.”
Negative words give power to undesirable experiences. Refrain from using hurtful words in relationships. Never belittle your partner with demeaning remarks or indulge in verbal abuse.
For singles enduring verbal abuse, seek help. Recognize that such behavior often worsens after marriage. If your intended partner consistently employs hurtful words, consider seeking counseling.
Words are potent and must be used responsibly. Don’t stay in love with someone whose words consistently demotivate and weaken you.
May understanding abound, and may our words be a source of life and encouragement.
Let’s face it, the pressures of life can strip away the joy and laughter from our marriages. When couples succumb to life’s demands, their relationship can transform into a mere cohabitation, lacking the vitality of shared laughter and joy.
Important conversations become the only discourse, leaving no room for lighthearted moments. Tension looms, and the marriage becomes a tedious routine.
The impact of allowing life’s pressures to take a toll on marriages is profound. Unaddressed pressures can lead to a cascade of issues, from anger and harsh words to late nights, seeking solace in ungodly friendships, and even the risk of emotional entanglements with the opposite sex.
Amidst life’s pressures, couples must learn to lean on each other for spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial support. It’s a time for mutual support and encouragement, where kind words, appreciation, and affirmation play a crucial role. This is also the time when intimacy becomes not just a desire but a need—a means of ministering to each other.
During challenges, laughter becomes a powerful tool. It is therapeutic and healing, adding value to the relationship without costing a dime.
Couples can creatively infuse laughter into their homes, finding joy amid adversity.
Psalm 2:4 reminds us that “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.”
Learning to laugh in challenging times invites God’s power into the situation. Laughter becomes a declaration of trust in God’s ability to change circumstances. It shifts the focus from the present situation to the belief in God’s capacity to turn things around.
In those moments, couples find the strength to trust in God’s mercy, restoring their fellowship with the divine. Laughter becomes a conduit for grace, allowing couples to draw strength from the throne of grace. Through laughter, couples can rediscover God as their Shepherd, leading them beside still waters and restoring their souls.
May you find refreshing laughter in your marriage during times of pressure, trusting in the Lord’s ability to bring joy and resilience.
