This is truly a message for the times in which we live.
Marriages are failing at a rate of over 50%.
It's time for Christians to apply God's Word
to our marriages and relationships.
God Bless,
Lindy Hopkins, Pastor
SEVEN STEPS TO PURITY IN MARRIAGE AND ALL RELATIONSHIPS
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in
vain.
Seven things to strengthen marriage:
1. Take responsibility for our own behavior.
Luke 6:41 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's
eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (42) How can
you say to your brother, 'Brother, Let me take the speck out of your
eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You
hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see
clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Don't be hypocritical. Ask yourself, "What could I improve?"
2. Don't return sin for sin, hurt for hurt.
Luke 6:27 But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you. (28) Bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you.
(vs. 31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.
(READ ALL OF LUKE 6, especially from vs. 27)
Bless those who curse and despitefully use you.
I Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with
your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as
heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will
hinder your prayers. (Pastor states that if 'men don't treat their
wives right, their prayers won't be answered.')
I Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (9) Do not
repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because
to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
vs. 10, 11, 12
For:
"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from
evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are
attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those
who do evil."
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.
In doing so, we de-escalate. Better to solve the problems.
3. Admit our faults.
I John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness. (God gives grace to the humble.)
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is
powerful and effective.
Read Ephesians 5. Note: Submissive, but husbands, love your wives as
Christ loves the Church. A reciprocal submission. If the husband is
not in submission to Christ, it is almost impossible for the wife to
submit. (Pastor states "If you're not following Christ, she won't
follow you.")
Continuing in text of Psalm 127:
vs. 2 In vain you rise up early and stay up late, toiling for food to
eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves.
4. Forgive
Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the Lord, "and
like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"
Matthew 6:14,15 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Practice forgiveness, by never bringing it up again.
Luke 6:28 "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat
you."
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he
removed our transgressions from us.
5. Speak the truth in love.
Not retrieving old hurt - apply the Word of God to our marriages.
Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all
things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Covenant with God. God loves covenants. Covenants bring us back in
fellowship with God. Precepts of the Old Testament apply still today.
They still work.
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. A house divided against
itself cannot stand. Focus on your mate. Job covenanted not to 'look'
astray.
Our goal is loving, kind marriages.
6. Learn to Pray for each other.
Pray the Prayer of Faith found in James 5:13-16: Is any one of you in
trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of
praise. (14) Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of
the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the
Lord. (15) And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
well: the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be
forgiven. (16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is
powerful and effective.
Have an "accountability" partner. In confidence, prayer and love pray
for one another and you will be healed.
We are the Family of God! We are Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Beware of "sharing" gossip - Be very specific. Can you keep it in
confidence? Be honest.
7. Seek righteous fellowship.
Bad company corrupts good behavior.
I Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good
character. (34) Come back to your senses as you ought to and stop
sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God - I say this to
your shame. (I Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing this to shame you,
but to warn you, as my dear children.)
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the
wicked or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
(2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he
meditates day and night.
Put on the armor of God, pray it daily and keep your focus on God.
Ephesians 6:11
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Proverbs 31 is about the Virtuous Woman. Ladies, turn your hearts to
home.
Pray a blessing on your children every day.
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