No, that's not us in the picture. I don't even know who they are. But the picture expresses the kind of close relationship that I have with my bride of 26+ years. How do we do it?
A good marriage begins with God, and depends daily upon God. A christian marriage is not simply a covenant between two people. It is a covenant between two people and God, promising God certain things about the future relationship with the marriage partner.
The news media, and the entertainment industry, would have you believe that the sole purpose of marriage is to provide a legal way to receive regular sexual pleasure. That is why about half of all marriages are destined for failure and divorce.
God ordained marriage for the purpose of producing Godly offspring. ( Malachi 2:15 ) Sadly, today, most offspring are the unwanted results of the fulfillment of selfish motivated sexual desire. Visit any public preschool, or elementary school, and you will see the tragic results of these selfish desires. Many, if not most of the children, were and are, unwanted by their parents, and they know it!
What are the ingredients of a good marriage? The ingredients of a good marriage are the same as the ingredients of a happy and successful life.
When we were born, we were created to care only about ourselves. It had to be that way, in order for us to survive. But, when we become adults, we are told that we need to repent ( have another mind ) about things. That means to SURRENDER ALL OF OUR SELFISH DESIRES, ALL OF OUR PLANS, to God. That's what being born-again is all about. I believe that SELFISHNESS IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF MARRIAGE PROBLEMS!
#1: Ideally, both parties to a marriage should have previously surrended their lives to God, knowing that He will take better care of them, than they would take care of themselves. Organized religion has substituted all sorts of terms and ceremonies for the born-again experience, but Jesus said that we must be born of the Spirit. There's more to that than a ceremony, or a sinner's prayer. Only God can provide a spiritual birth. ( See Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:24-27 and John 3:1-8 )
#2: In a happy and successful marriage, husband and wife pray together daily. In our home, we not only have evening devotions, but whenever one of us leaves the house for more than a few minutes, we take time to pray for the one who is going off,- to work, or to shop, or to keep an appointment.
#3: It is often stated that both parties in a marriage must work at it. Let's make it more basic. Both parties must be hard workers. Physical beauty doesn't last very long. The willingness to work lasts nearly a lifetime. One of the things, that keeps our marriage strong, is our willingness to work for each another, to please one another, and appreciate the work that the other one does for us. When I consider how hard my wife works for us, it causes me to be even more in love with her.
#4: Always try to please your spouse. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7, that a husband would seek to please his wife, and the the wife would seek to please her husband. If two are married, that is the way it should be. Husband and wife should always seek to please one another,- unless it somehow interferes with their service to God. Paul was troubled by this, because he thought it was better for people to be single like himself.
Some men demand submission from their wives, and end up spoiling their marriages. Yes, the man is supposed to be the head of the household, but it doesn't always work out that way. Some men are not up to the task. In a christian marriage, there is no male or female, because the two are one in Christ Jesus. ( Galatians 3:8 ) The two are better off working together, and trying to please each other, rather than fighting over who is in charge.
Our Sunday AM services are being held at the Mexico Beach Civic Center. In accordance with federal laws, we have permission to use this heated, and air conditioned, facility on Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM central time. We begin with a short time of greeting and fellowship, and then TJ leads us in worship. After the service we have holy communion, a time when people can request prayer, especially for healing, and sometimes, a pot luck luncheon.
The Mexico Beach Civic Center is located at 105 N. 31st Street. It is the white building with the dark green roof, which is just behind that new Mexico Beach restaurant, Mango Marley's. It is behind Parker Realty, and is on the northeast side of Rte 98. It is about 7/10 mile south of the Mexico Beach Welcome Center. For a map showing the location of the Mexico Beach Civic Center, click below the photo:
Mexico Beach Civic Center
If you have questions, or comments, click on the Contact us link below.
Have a wonderful week. May God bless you, and your family!
To learn more about Jesus' return, click here:
Jesus is Coming Back Soon