Month: March 2018

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

As we approach Good Friday this week I’ve begun to think about how much Jesus truly loves us and how He gave himself for our sins. That is true love! Christ’s love for the church is a guide for us in marriage to love each other as He has loved us.  In fact, He instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

What is true love?  I think 1^st Corinthians 13: 4-7 answers that question perfectly- Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

As you walk through this week, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I kind, loving and patient with my spouse?
• Do I put them first in my decisions and actions?
• Am I honest and trustworthy?
• What can I do to better reflect the true love of Christ to the one that I truly love?

I will be asking myself the same questions.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help me to reflect the true love of Christ to my spouse.  Grant me the strength to be loving, kind, forgiving, honest and unselfish.  In Jesus name, Amen

Have a blessed week everyone and please share your thoughts.

Maxine,

TeamMarriage Ministries

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21 

We all know that words are powerful things.  Whether they are used to build people up or break them down, words have power and impact.  The bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”  This is so true. But a funny thing happens when you begin to apply scripture to your life with the help of the Holy Ghost.  You change.  I did!

I will admit, I didn’t always watch what I said  to my husband.  To be honest, I can confess that sometimes I was downright mean.  I still struggle today but thank God I have gotten much better.  What changed me?  Prayer and lots of it.  When I began to pray and ask God to help me see my husband as He sees him and to bring my concerns to God not my husband, I changed!  Once I began  to pray and invite the Lord into my heart and mind especially as it pertained to to my spouse, I became more patient, more mindful of what I said and how I said it.  Do I still argue and say harsh and spiteful things?  Yes, but not nearly as often and I have learned that as a wife, you catch more bees with honey.

Top 6 things to consider:

1. Compliment, encourage and praise each other.
2. Remember your courtship and all the sweet things you said!
3. Be your spouse’s biggest cheerleader, they need one!
4. Be mindful of your words. You can’t take them back.
5. Speak well of each other and esteem each other highly.
6. Don’t speak bad about your spouse to anyone and share concerns and issues in private.

Dear Lord, help me to watch the words I use with my spouse.  Remind me that my words can either build up or destroy my marriage.  Give me wisdom and self control in this area now and always.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Maxine,

TeamMarriage Ministries