Instructions for Marriage Part 3

Ephesians 5:31

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”   This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

My wedding was far from a traditional wedding.  We opted not to have attendants.  Instead, we had our father’s give a toast or speech at the reception.  This verse is one that my dad read as part of his speech.  It was an important one for us because at the time that we got married, my husband was living with his parents. 

In laws in general have a stereotype of being difficult and my in laws did not disappoint in that.  ;-)  Their son moving out and having his own wife to now care for was a challenge as they had depended on him for a lot.  While at first, it did create some challenges for my husband and I, once he explained to them that we were still there for them however this had to be his first focus, we really came together came together as one. 

As I conclude these devotions on instructions for marriage, I pray that those of you not yet married, take these instructions as you look to your future, should you be called to be married.  For those that may not be, I ask you to take these instructions to heart and use them to realize why your friend might not be able to hang with you at times or use it to understand their struggles and be an ear for them in times that they struggle.  I pray also for all of the marriages out there, that you will keep Christ as the center of your marriage.

A Friend Indeed

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.  Proverbs 17:17 (NKJV) 

Tuesday was a ‘Thank you, Jesus’ day.  This was not in the sense that everything went well.  It was more of a ‘why anything can’t go right’ kind of day.  My wife and I were at each other, and my daughter was having an emotional meltdown.  I was thrown off schedule at work handling situations, and the stress of the day took all the energy out of me.  So why would I thank God for a day like that?  It reminded me of an inspirational quote that I read the other day.  It says, “In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.” (John Churton Collins)  It was then that I thought of God and who He intentionally puts in our lives.  My wife who is such a blessing to me and my youngest daughter who I love dearly are the reasons I can move forward.  In the end, my wife and I began working things out together as we took on the greater challenge of our daughter’s issues.  My daughter told me how much she loved me, and hugged me to prove (Ok, I had to coax her, but she did it with a grin nonetheless).  It reminded me how to better deal with adversity because God mixed in all the right ingredients.  Thus, "Thank you, Jesus!" 

God puts us in adversity so we understand His presence in our lives.  How many of us truly learn how to embrace adversity?  More times than not, we are moaning and groaning from the struggle and difficulties that arise from it.  It’s been a long time since I had to fall on my knees beaten and broken to pray because as each adversity came, I fell sooner than the last.  Each time, there was someone God put in my life to teach me something or show me a different perspective.  It happens so often, most might think it is coincidental.  However, it's not.  It's intentional.  Those of us attune to God’s will know He plans it exactly so that we may gain wisdom for His glory and find true allies who are future brothers and sisters in Christ.  Additionally, you may be that ally God intentionally put in another's life to help them in their faith journey. 

Adversity is a reminder that we are reliant on an awesome and all-powerful God.  A woman reached out to me the other day to talk about how her husband said they were unequally yoked and what she should do.  I told her to talk with him, and have him discuss it with his pastor.  I knew the husband did not need her to change.  Instead, it was for him to be a godly man that she would indeed be submissive to.  I could say that because of the trials and adversity my wife and I have faced.  A friend loves at all times.  That is what God asks of us to all who we touch for if we do, we are protecting the brand of Christ.  Are you a true friend to God and others?  Do you embrace adversity as cursed struggle or blessed opportunity to learn God’s plan?  My prayer is that we are thankful for our adversity so that we may find a friend not only in God but also other brethren.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Power of the Word

Psalm 119:9-12 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes.” (NASB)

Hello,

I have been reading a new book this past week, and the author was talking about how we have gotten away from a true love of God’s Word in this country. We see that despite His word drive song writing or be the foundation for various programs – we don’t take the time to truly be in the Word – and when we do, how much do we truly let it drive our decisions through the day? God’s Word is the source of power – let’s not live 2 steps away from the source, when we can get right in it and letting it shape our daily path and choices.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill