Good morning, friends. This isn't a writing, per se but just a sharing of notes that may bless you. They are 'prayer sheets' compiled from my prayer journal and a recent sermon. One page is for the wife, one for the husband--with much, obviously, duplicated on each. Families are always under the enemy's attack, aren't they? Our prayers are a powerful weapon sure to give us victory.
May these bless you...and I will be writing soon. I've been immersed in a class for certification as a 'homeschool teacher.' (Should have had this course ten years ago!) I did write this morning on gardening but am not ready to post...vacation is coming, writing time should be increased! Blessings!
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FOR WIVES
Marriage is:
· A union created by God
· A mission field, a university of instruction on unity
· Treasure to be valued, honored and protected
· Forum for learning to love—to truly build a relationship
· Intended to produce Godly children (perhaps natural & spiritual for those who are beyond child-bearing ages—and each partner is a child of God anyway)
· Intended to produce the image of Christ’s relationship with the church.
· Not intended to fulfill my personal purposes of companionship, pleasure & fulfillment; though those outcomes will result IF my focus is on God’s purposes
Prayer is a necessity:
· Seek scriptures for one another. Wrestle for each other. Colossians 4:12
· Seek to see God’s work and His glory revealed to children. Build a legacy. Psalm 90:16,17
· Triumph is in mercy. Hide in Jesus. James 2:13
· Be confident in God! Hebrews 10:35
Duties of wives- 4 commands for wives - Ephesians 5:22-33
· Submit to husband as to Christ v.22
o Submission is not slavery but rather loving cooperation with your husband by recognizing his divinely appointed leadership responsibility.
· Recognize headship of husband v.23
o Just as the body needs a head…and the head a body, so does a marriage union.
· Be subject to own husband v.24
· Reverence (and respect) husband v.33
o Love (caretaking, giving time/attention) comes naturally to women…respect is more difficult but commanded (and needed).
o Respect his: burdens, worries, needs, convictions, perspectives, fears, sacrifices, relationship with God—and God’s work in your husband
· Qualifications to the command “submit in everything” 5:24-33
o Her God and her soul must come first (Matt. 22:37, 38; Luke 14:26, 27; I Cor.. 7:10-16)
Specific Admonitions
· Encourage spouse to develop his potential…to become the man God wants him to be.
· Be uniquely suited to spouse; trust God to fit you together as you obey Him.
· Speak his language of love not your own…know how he feels loved.
· Confess your shortcomings…seek God’s grace to obey His ways in relationships. Recognize that strengths/weaknesses are God’s tools for transforming each of you.
· Serve sacrificially. Trust God to meet your needs rather than demand consideration.
· Submit to God’s timing in your needs, in your husband’s growth.
· Move Over! Your husband’s job is to lead, not yours.
· Follow! Be his partner.
FOR HUSBANDS
Marriage is:
· A union created by God
· A mission field, a university of instruction on unity
· Treasure to be valued, honored and protected
· Forum for learning to love—to truly build a relationship
· Intended to produce Godly children (perhaps natural & spiritual for those who are beyond child-bearing ages—and each partner is a child of God anyway)
· Intended to produce the image of Christ’s relationship with the church.
· Not intended to fulfill my personal purposes of companionship, pleasure & fulfillment—though those outcomes will result IF my focus is on God’s purposes
Prayer is a necessity:
· Seek scriptures for one another. Wrestle for each other. Colossians 4:12
· Seek to see God’s work and His glory revealed to children. Build a legacy. Psalm 90:16,17
· Triumph is in mercy. Hide in Jesus. James 2:13
· Be confident in God! Hebrews 10:35
Duties of husbands – 8 commands vs.19 - Ephesians 5:22-33
· Be head of wife v.23
o Think biblically in the home…with regard to finances, loving – everything. Wives are created to be a ‘help-fit’—wives are fitted to help their husbands.
· Love wife as Christ loved the church v.25
o Consciously put the wife first…die to ‘self.’
· Love wife as own body v.28,33
o Just as you care for your body’s needs, care for your wife’s needs.
· Nourish (bring up, care for, protect) v.29; 6;4; I Peter 3:6,7
o Treat wives as ‘fine china’ not melamac or disposable plates.
· Cherish (to foster or warm in one’s bosom)
o Encourage. Embrace…physically affectionate.
· Be joined as one flesh vs.30-31
o Woman was taken from the flesh of man…and given back to become One. Marriage is to create a One-ness of mind & heart…of plans & purposes.
· Leave Parents for your wife v.31
o Emotionally join to your wife…the daily habits & ways of doing things in the parental home may not be ‘what works’ in your marriage.
· Cleave to your wife (Matthew 19:9)
o Build up your wife; build your home with your wife.
Specific Admonitions
· Encourage spouse to develop her potential…to become the woman God wants her to be.
· Be uniquely suited to spouse; trust God to fit you together as you obey Him.
· Speak her language of love not your own…know how she feels loved.
· Confess your shortcomings…seek God’s grace to obey His ways in relationships. Recognize that strengths/weaknesses are God’s tools for transforming each of you.
· Serve sacrificially. Trust God to meet your needs rather than demand consideration.
· Submit to God’s timing in your needs, in your spouse’s growth.
· LEAD with sacrificial love!
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