Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘couples’
Marriage And Friendship
This week Tammy and I are speaking at two different couples’ retreats. It is wonderful just to be together and a privilege to invest in others truth that has been invested in us. Marriage is one of God’s greatest classrooms. In it He teaches us so much about ourselves, about Himself, and about one another. Recently as I read through the Song of Solomon a particular phrase captured my attention. The bride said of her groom, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16). Of course we know this is a beautiful picture of our heavenly bridegroom, the Lover of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves us with an everlasting love and He…
Read MoreFamily Worship
Did you know that the first time the word “worship” is used in the Bible is in the context of the home? On top of Mount Moriah Abraham taught Isaac what it truly meant to worship God (Genesis 22:1-18). I promise you this was not a lesson that young man forgot! The first “worship leaders” should be parents. The first demonstrations of worship should be as dad and mom lead their children to pray, read God’s Word, and praise the Lord. Such an emphasis would plant the seed of revival in hearts and homes of this generation. Many years ago Thomas Boston was burdened over the cold spiritual state of his church. It was not only cold, but practically empty.…
Read More7 Specific Prayers for the One You Love
Tammy and I are on our way to speak at a marriage retreat for the next couple of days. This week is, of course, a special time for sweethearts and I am truly grateful for mine. At Valentine’s day we often think more about the romantic aspects of love. Yet God’s love is the same at all seasons and it is much more than romance. It is reality. The greatest thing you can do for those you love is pray. Your words to God will accomplish much more than your words to them. There is an intimacy in intercession that brings God into every aspect of the relationship. Prayers recorded in Scripture provide a pattern for prayer. These Spirit inspired…
Read MoreHappy Homes
One of the most wonderful gifts that my parents gave to me growing up was a happy home. Yes, they had rules. No, we did not get to do whatever we wanted to do. But there was never the sense that we were “missing out.” After all of these years it is the joy of the Lord that I witnessed in my parent’s lives that has stayed with me. Many years ago Pastor Sexton preached a message titled “Living on the Sunny Side of Life.” One statement that he made seems especially appropriate today: “Don’t just live on the right side – live on the bright side.” Christ has designed it so that we can have both! One of the…
Read MoreFor Married Couples: Dealing with Difficult Days
Marriage is fun. But not all the time. Newlyweds rarely think of this when they say, “for better or for worse.” Every young couple need this understanding and preferably before they get married! Pastor Sexton has taught our young families that marriage is much more than the wedding. And so it is. Troubles come. Difficulties arise. Arguments (“discussions!”) happen. The question is: how do we respond on tough days? I have the privilege of teaching a class each Sunday of young married couples. It is such a joy to invest in the lives of couples what others have invested in us. We are all working through the tests of life and growing in our understanding of the Lord’s way for…
Read MoreAquila and Priscilla: A Biblical Marriage
God’s design is for families to serve Christ together in a New Testament church. As we find our place in the Lord’s work, every member of the family is blessed and the local church is strengthened. Aquila and Priscilla demonstrate what a married couple should be in a New Testament church. We are first introduced to this family during Paul’s ministry in Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). It is clear that Aquila was not a pastor. Tentmakers by trade, this husband and wife lived for Christ in one of the most worldly cities of the Roman empire. As they were faithful to the Lord Jesus, God gave them the opportunity to be a blessing to others. God used this couple to encourage…
Read MoreMarried Couples Serving God Together
My wife and I just returned from our annual couples’ retreat. We had the joy of spending some extra time with my favorite couple: my dad and mom. Their example has been wonderful instruction. One of the great joys of my life has been to see my father and mother serve the Lord together. There are few gifts parents can give their children that are as great in value as the example of joyfully serving Christ as a couple. My pastor and his wife recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. Their marriage testifies to the power of following the biblical pattern for a husband and wife – giving ourselves first to God and then to one another. In relation to…
Read MoreFor Married Couples
Marriage is a joy, but it takes work to have a truly Christian home. The “oneness” which Jesus intended between a husband and wife must be guarded every day. I am very grateful that Tammy and I had the privilege of growing up in godly homes. Both of our parents modeled Calvary love. We were blessed to have good examples. Fifteen years ago we were married. (Friday the 13th of June to be exact! Not just bad things happen on that day.) Watching a good marriage and working to have a good marriage are two different things. Very quickly we learned that it would take both of us yielding to Christ and submitting to one another’s needs to have a…
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