More Than Conquerors Life Center
  • Home
  • About Us
    • More Than Conquerors
    • Pastor Leroy Freeman
    • First Lady Patricia
    • Evangelist Mercy Selver
    • Christine March
  • Ministries
    • Men
    • Women
    • Food Distribution
    • PraiseDancers
    • Prayer Pillow Ministry
    • Prison Ministry >
      • Kairos-OCI-71
      • Kairos-OCI-69
      • Kairos-OCI-59
      • Kairos-OCI-57
      • KAIROS Pictures
      • Prayer Chain
      • More Prison Testimonies
    • Our Health >
      • Benefits of Wheatgrass
      • Vita-Mix
  • Resources
    • Food For Thought >
      • Bible Daily
      • Christian-Partime-Fulltime
      • Adversity
      • PAIN
      • Motivation
      • FROG It
      • Performance
    • Articles >
      • Perfect Father
      • Marriage Keys
      • Revelation Quiz
      • My Fear Of Death
      • Facts We All Must Face
      • Lure Of Sin
      • Progression Of Sin
      • Getting Answers To Prayer
      • Don't Beat The Donkey
      • Soul Sleep
    • Newsletters (Archives) >
      • Thanks Living
      • Sowing and Reaping
      • Fruit of The Spirit
      • The Battle Is Lord
      • Five-Crowns-Of-Reward
    • CD's
    • Books
    • eBooks
  • Donate Now
    • Food Pantry
    • MTCLC Support
  • Photos
    • LandDedication2017
    • Outreach2017
    • Christmas2016
    • Beach-Baptism2
    • Thanksgiving2015
    • Gallery1
    • Gallery2
    • Gallery3
    • Facebook Sermon Posts
    • Beach Baptism
    • Humanitarian Award
    • Anniversary
    • Thanksgiving 2014
    • Unity Celebration
  • Contact Us
    • Contact
    • Upcoming Events

Keys To A Better Marriage

PictureHoly Matrimony
  Marriage - the institution by which men and   women are legally joined together and form a
family.
  Wedding - outward ceremony showing a sign of inward commitment. It is  an act of cleaving to one another. In other words, the search is over, your  decision on a mate has been made.

  Marriage is God's idea. God gave it to us in the beginning (Gen. 2:18-24). There  was marriage before there was the church. God placed tremendous value  on marriage. "And God saw  everything that He had made, and behold it was VERY GOOD" (Gen. 2:31).   
    
   Marriage, which is honorable in all (Heb. 13:4),  was designed for mankind's help, happiness, and continuance of the human  race. "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing" (Prov. 18:22). Jesus put His stamp of approval  on marriage by attending one, and performing His first miracle there (John 2:1-11).

  The symbol of marriage was used by Paul to show a powerful display of  Christ's sacrificial love for His bride, the church.
"Husbands love your  wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. ...and  the wife see that she reverence her husband" (Eph. 5:25-33).

  A good Christian marriage is a powerful force against evil. When a  couple is on one accord, touching and agreeing together in unity, it's an  awesome prayer force (I Pet. 3:7). The devil knows this, therefore  he's always trying to  kill, steal, and destroy the marriage union by  misunderstandings and outside influences, which leads to separation, and then  divorce (Col. 3:19).

    Marriage is a partnership. It  should no longer  be "I"   but "WE."  It  involves the blending of two different personalities - many times "opposites." Due to our  imperfections, there will be problem areas. Through God's help, we  must learn to deal with each problem area and overcome it or the marriage  will not last.

  The divorce rate in these last days is an alarming statistic,  especially among Christians. On this sea of matrimony, I'm glad that neither  Sis. Freeman or I jumped ship. There have been trying times, but God saw us  through. Through His power, we've seen our relationship grow, mature, and get  better and better. Thank you Lord!!! We've learned some things over  the years, and it's our prayer that they may help, bless, and encourage you  in your marriage.

♦ Walking With the Lord
  The Lord must be FIRST in the  marriage. Let His Word, praise, adoration, and the upbuilding of His kingdom  be the center of all activities. It's from Him that all blessings flow (Psm. 84:11).  Strive to maintain a Spirit-filled life (Eph. 5:18,19). Let there be family altar time. Beholding one praying and reading the Bible  has a powerful, lasting effect (Josh. 1:8). 

  In the home, let there be a continuous flow of good Christian music, books, pictures, and videos that testify to the glory and power of God. This  will help to edify you daily and build you up in the Lord (Col. 3:12-21).

♦ Outside Influences
  Be on the lookout for undesirable  influences and protect yourselves from them. Don't let in-laws drive a wedge  between you with constant interference. Don't pick friends that will pick you  apart. Don't talk to everybody about your marriage problems. All counsel is  not good counsel (Psm. 1:1).

  In these last days, there is much sexual immorality (premarital or  fornication; extramarital or adultery) being advertised and glorified through  all types of media - television, Internet, magazines, radio, and night clubs. Even with all the deadly, infectious, sexually transmitted diseases many are  still hopping from one defiled bed to another (Heb. 13:4).  We must not allow these negative outside influences to invade and ruin our  marriages.

♦ Physical Love
  In God's eyes, marriage is the only  legal grounds for sexual love (I Cor. 7:9). There  is nothing dirty about sex. God invented it. It's a beautiful thing when it's  with your mate. Strive to achieve mutual satisfaction.

  A husband who is abusive (verbal or physical) can't expect his wife to be sweet, lovable, and responsive when it comes to
physical love. A wife who  constantly nags and belittles her husband can't expect him to be totally fulfilled in the relationship.

♦ Tolerance
  We can't change anyone, but God  can. Therefore, in the midst of marital struggles, pour out your heart to  God. Let Him do the changing. In the meantime, use the irritating  qualities of your mate as stepping stones to a higher walk with the Lord. God has ways of causing the devil's bombs to  backfire. 

  Pharaoh's persecution and pressure tactic against the children of Israel backfired - "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied  and grew" (Exod. 1:12). Therefore, use every test and  pressure as development tools for growth and maturity. God will come through  for you (Eph. 3:20).

  Remember, most people are not strongly self motivated, so be  sympathetic and don't expect more than your mate is capable of (Rom. 12:9-11).  Focus on your mates possibilities. By FAITH see him or her changed, loving,  productive, caring, considerate, and on fire for God (Matt. 20:21).  Many have surrendered to divorce and yet with their new mate, they've  encountered a whole new set of problems, sometimes even worse.

♦ Finances

  
Work toward financial freedom.  Strive to mark every bill off as "paid in full" (Rom. 13:8).  Don't try to keep up with those around you. Develop a lifestyle that meets  your own needs. Make goals and plans together for the future. Be always  mindful of Jesus (possibly) coming today, while still preparing for tomorrow (Matt. 25:13).

♦ Goodness
  Love is the most powerful force on  the earth. I received Christ when I recognized His love for me (John 3:16).  "Therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee" (Jer. 31:3).  Strong love will crush the hardest heart (I Pet. 3:1,4).

  Therefore, be a sweetheart or a sugar daddy to your mate. Make them  feel important, and let it be crystal clear that you really care. Value their  opinion and prove it by asking, listening, and considering their input. Pick  out a favorable quality in your mate and verbalize that you notice it. Appreciation is powerful. Striving to make your mate happy is never a mistake.     
(I Cor. 7:33,34)

  It is not always the big things that stirs the heart. Even if you  can't do a cruise, let there be quiet and little fun times alone together. Go  out often for little simple meals. Then there's the little thought gifts that  always bring a big smile, a hug, and a sweet kiss. Keep the romance fire  burning (SoS. 2:4). Remember: Isaac was found  sporting (sharing a romantic moment) with Rebecca (Gen. 26:8).

  Enjoy life together, let there be recreational time, and have fun in  each other's company. Patricia and I didn't get too far  with the tennis  rackets, but we have played many hours of competitive games of Scrabble. God  ordained the family for our pleasure (Ecc. 9:9). 
                                                                ♦ Negative Marital  Traits ♦
   
Selfishness, anger, violence,  nagging, whining, complaining, dominating, shouting, trading insults, jealousy.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
Proverbs 18:21
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil  with good." Romans 12:21   
    
                                                             ♦ Positive Marital  Traits ♦  
    
Loving, caring, forgiving,  tolerant, patient, understanding, supportive, warm, communicative.

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32   
    
  
Marriage  will sometimes encounter it all - "sickness and health, richer or poorer, better or worse." Regardless of your situation, keep on striving and believing God to make your marriage a great success. With God's help, "All Things are  Possible."
    

                                                             
May God Richly Bless Your Marriage!

Picture
Picture
Home
About Us
Ministries
Resources
Donate
Photos
Contact Us
Picture
Click To Join Us

We invite you to COME and EXPERIENCE the Love, the Presence, the Power, and the Glory of Jesus our Lord!

Copyright 2013    |    P.O. Box 221076    |    561-329-0173    |    Email: leroyfreeman@mtcm.com
✕