Sermons and Biblical Studies

A close friend just gave me a mug with “Get Over It” inscribed on the side. My wife gave me a sign for my counseling office years ago that read, “Get over it.” So what is the it? The it we must get over in marriage is anger. Release anger. Unresolved anger destroys marriage. We … Continue reading “56 GET OVER IT”

Often couples are initially attracted to one another by the unique personality of the other person. As time passes, however, the very uniqueness that attracted them now become an irritant that threatens to divide and create strife. Our personalities are often the sandpaper that God uses to smooth our mates’ rough edges. We have observed … Continue reading “55 THANK GOD FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR MATE’S PERSONALITY”

We reap what we sow. As we sow blessings into the marriages of others, our marriages grow deeper and more intimate. We have discovered this in our own marriage. Every time we lead a marriage seminar with a group of couples and singles looking toward marriage, our marriage grows and we learn more about God … Continue reading “54 SOW BLESSING INTO OTHER MARRIAGES”

Too often we only pray together when there’s a crisis or deep need. We wait until we can go no further without God, and then we throw ourselves onto His mercy, hoping for relief from our dilemma instead of restoration to Him in relationship. We want our problems solved by Him more than we desire … Continue reading “53 PRAY TOGETHER OFTEN”

Prayer is the language of spiritual intimacy. In prayer, we open our hearts to God and each other. Self-defense is abandoned and vulnerability is embraced when couples pray together. When couples pray together they come into agreement, often in areas which previously divided them and created conflict between them. How is such agreement and unity … Continue reading “52 PRAY TOGETHER TO HEAR FROM GOD”

Praying for your spouse is the most effective action you can take to help your mate grow spiritually and relationally. So, how do we pray for a spouse? Agreement. Pray for your mate’s needs. Keep a prayer list. Regularly pray through that needs list that your spouse has. Intercession. Pray with your spouse. Agree in … Continue reading “51 PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE”

Some wives believe that their husband’s job is the source for their family. Some husband’s have made their wives their source of income to make ends meet. When we look to each other as our source, we will always come up short. No person can ever be our source for provision, all of our needs … Continue reading “50 PRAISE GOD AS YOUR SOURCE”

What’s at the center of your marriage? The love you share? Your children? Money, homes and possessions? Your hopes, dreams and aspirations? What? Covenant marriage puts Jesus in the center. Without God at the center, your marriage will never become “one flesh.” God keeps you together even when you don’t “feel in love.” God’s Spirit … Continue reading “49 MAKE MARRIAGE A THREE-FOLD CORD—THE TWO OF YOU AND
GOD”

One of the most common prayers that spiritually immature mates pray concerning their spouses is, “God change my mate.” The prayer of a spiritually mature husband or wife is, “God change me!” You cannot change your spouse. All your cajoling, nagging, criticisms and manipulations will not change your spouse. Besides, what you want changed may … Continue reading “48 GOD CHANGES; YOU ENCOURAGE”

We were driving with a team to lead a marriage seminar in another state. As the team prayed about the seminar, God spoke to our hearts. God revealed, “Couples cannot receive all I have for them in their marriages as long as the past keeps them in bondage.” As we continued in prayer, the enemy’s … Continue reading “47 BREAK PAST CURSES”