Love and Respect

Today I want to offer you some practical principles for a stronger marriage that Ashley and I shared at a marriage retreat recently.

Love and Respect

"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

(Ephesians 5:33)

While teaching at the couples' marriage retreat in Sherman, TX, Ashley and I shared the following. I hope it helps and encourages you and your marriage.

Practical tips for stronger marriages:

Principle 1: Priorities
Jesus first, then family, then work, ministry, recreation, etc. Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:33: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Principle 2: Commitment
It is good to be reminded that we made a covenant with God to love our spouse and a covenant with one another. We made promises for better for worse, rich or poor, sickness or good health, etc. There will be some "worse" moments—hopefully not many, but you did not marry a perfect person, and neither did he or she. Like the song "Still the One" by Orleans puts it:

We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never wanna see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear.

You're still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that's my better half
We're still having fun and you're still the one

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new
You're still the one that I love to touch
Still the one and I can't get enough
We're still having fun and you're still the one.
Principle 3: Sacrifice
Selfishness is the primary factor in failed marriages. One of the prayers I pray every day is that I would put Ashley's needs above my own. Again, that is not possible if a person does not have Christ living in them by His Holy Spirit. When we are Spirit-filled, we get the fruit of the Spirit; when we are self-filled, we get the works of the flesh.
Principle 4: Have Fun
Life will have so many challenges, setbacks, hard times, but we should enjoy our days far more than endure them. Fun should be a planned priority.
Principle 5: Spiritual Dynamics & Disciplines
These are vitally important: prayer, worship, and communication. PRAY TO GOD, TALK TO EACH OTHER. Ashley and I pray together in the mornings and evenings.

How aligned is your marriage? ...not how the secular, worldly culture thinks, but what God's Word, the Bible, clearly teaches?

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Podcast of the Week

Conversing with Next-Gen Leaders, Pt. 2

Pastor Danny concludes his conversation with Pastor Gary Hendrickson and Christina Cavazos, fellow staff members at GHBC. Gary is pastor of the young adult ministry, and Christina serves as both Gary's admin and the church's community outreach director. They finish discussing how they approach ministering to different generations, what is unique about the current generation of young people, and other related topics. Be sure to check out Part 1 of this conversation if you haven't already!

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