Bishop Sutton and I wrote this book “New Life in Your Marriage In 31 Days” because it works for us. It is our personal testimony of a successful marriage for 44 years. It has been our experience that marriage is an institution and ordinance that was established by the true and living God. We also believe that the true reflection of marriage is encompassed in the love that Christ had for the church; in that he gave his life as a ransom for it. With that in mind, please enter this discovery of marriage with the understanding that the guidebook for a successful union is the Bible. We wrote this book because we are Christians and attribute our successful marriage to the word of God. In the word of God is the answer to all of our problems. The first marriage took place in the Garden of Eden. When sin entered into that marriage it was no longer a marriage of the Holy Spirit or a Holy Matrimony. That marriage became a marriage of the flesh. We must be born again in order to enjoy what God has put together. Even when we are Christians living as a married couple, it can be difficult for both individuals because both individuals have different backgrounds, personalities and are brought up or raised in different cultures. However, if we choose to live a married life the way that God originally planned for us according to the Bible, it is the only way our marriages will survive. I have included scriptures to the point out what the Bible says about marriage. I have also included scripture of God’s purpose and plan for marriage. We found that people get married for various reasons. Some marry because they feel that they are in love. They think that they want to live with each other for the rest of their life. Some get married for convenience. Others get married because they’ve had a child before marriage and think that they getting married for the sake of that child. Some say they got married because they love one another
I would like to briefly discuss three (3) types of Love: Eros - Love that means physical or sensual love. Philia- means affection or fondness for another as in friendship – a limited kind of love. Agape – Means God’s perfect and unconditional love. It is the kind of love that God expresses to man. Agape love never fails. The scripture states that “Tongues, knowledge, and other gifts will vanish away when Jesus comes.” But the agape love is the perfect love that will last forever. It is important that people get married for the right reason. God ordained marriage when He performed the first wedding in Eden. God instituted marriage to guard our purity and happiness, to provide for social needs, and to elevate physical, mental, and moral well-being. Marriage vows are the most solemn and binding vow that human beings can commit to. When we go into marriage we should be clear on what are we expecting from our marriage. Are we expecting for someone to keep us happy all the time and for the rest of our life? Or, will we be confident in who we are in order for us to grow together and create a lifelong relationship that will last forever. If you expect for him or her to make you happy for the rest of your life you are in for a rude awakening. I am here to let you know that that thought is an unrealistic one. Disappointment is created in our marriage when we expect this. Real happiness only comes from God. It is vital that we have a relationship with Him. We need to know a lot about the person we are marrying. It is not that person that you are marrying to keep you happy. You must be confident and secure in your own skin. Your spouse should not have to focus on keeping you happy all your life. You must feel good about yourself then, you can help fix the broken situations in your marriage. Jesus is the only person that will always understand you. Your husband/wife cannot do what Jesus can do. Divorce will not only end the marriage, but if children are involved they lose also. God is the solution to any problem. It is important to keep in mind that divorce creates greater problems. In this book we have outlined very important scriptures that cover every phase of life that most people experience in marriage. This 31day journey has been carefully designed for the repair, enhancement, enrichment and edification of a Godly marriage. We have list scriptures for a myriad of concerns that you may encounter in your marriage. Although it may not be the blueprint for marriage it will surely help you become successful if you constantly practice the principles.
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