FOR COUPLES WHO ARGUE

Are you arguing with you spouse? Here's some scriptures to meditate on:

(Prov 15:1) A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

(Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

(James 1:19) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

(1 Cor 13:4-8) Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; {5} does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; {6} does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; {7} bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. {8} Love never fails...

This quote is humorous only because it so close to the truth. "My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't!"

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MARRIAGE?

Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. (Proverbs 5:18)

FOUNDATION - You need to have a good foundation for your house to stand upon (Mat. 7:24-27). What are you as a couple building your relationship on? Money? Career? Material things? If Jesus is the Lord of your lives then no matter the storms of life, your house will stand because He is the Rock! (1 Cor. 10:4) Any other foundation is sand and won't hold up when the testings of life come. Be like Joshua who said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24:15) Then when difficulties come it will only strengthen your marriage instead of sink it. Pray together. Read the Word together. Attend church together. Serve the Lord together. A three-fold cord cannot be easily broken . . . you, your spouse, and Jesus! (Eccl. 412).

CULTIVATION - A good marriage is where both in the relationship strive to out-serve each other. You'll be thinking about that person and wanting to bless them. It's like cultivating a garden. When you give it water and sunshine and a lot of attention you will see the wonderful results. When you neglect a garden you'll get a pitiful harvest. Are you nurturing your mate? Are you spoiling him or her? Are there problems due to inattention and neglect? It's time to do what Jesus said and that's to be a servant of all! (Mark 9:35)

COMMUNICATION - Most couples need help in this area. It's so important. It'll make or break you. It is essential to a strong and vibrant marriage. How necessary it is to spend time with each other and to communicate, share your heart, as well as transfer important information. It takes a lot of time and work. You'll need to put other priorities aside until this one is in place. It will keep you on the same page and progressing on a united front. If you don't communicate, you'll argue a lot and have a lot of tension and hurt feelings. That can all be avoided! God has communicated through His Son and through His Word and look at the benefits we have received! When we take time to communicate we create such a beautiful atmosphere of unity. (Psa 133:1) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

May the Lord strengthen our marriages through His Word and His apage love (1 Cor. 13) so we can enjoy marriage the way God intended!

Louie