WISDOM FOR MARITAL FULFILLMENT - PT1

A Wise woman defined marriage as a lifelong commitment to an imperfect person of the opposite sex

Marriage is a perfect institution--because it was ordained by God.  

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every PERFECT gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

So surely marriage is one of the good and perfect gifts from God.

However because of the imperfection of the practitioners, we need to lean on God’s Wisdom to guide the way. And God’s word is God’s Wisdom.

2Timothy 3:15  

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise…

Luke 11:49 

Therefore also SAID the wisdom of God…

God’s Word says:

As he thinketh…so he is (Prov. 23:7)

So in spite of the imperfections of the partners involved in marriage, one can still enjoy their marriage if they maintain the right perspectives/mindset

#1. Marriage is Honourable

Hebrews 13:4 

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled…

God says marriage is honourable. A dictionary definition of honour is “high respect or great esteem”.

That means you become a man or woman of high respect and great esteem, when you enter into marriage. So no matter the experiences of men, know that marriage (I.e. the marital institution) is honourable. Meanwhile, your expectations is what sets the pace for your experiences. The word says:

“For surely there is an end, and thine expectation shall not be cut off” - Proverbs 23:18

So expect divine honour in marriage.

#2. Your Spouse is Inherently Good

 Proverbs 18:22  

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

I paraphrase as follows: whoso findeth a wife or is located by a husband, findeth a good thing…

So both the man and woman are good things. Though he/she may have flaws, God’s Word says she’s a good thing. Whatever shortcomings that may show-up from time to time, notwithstanding, God’s word which is truth says, she’s a good thing.

Jesus said: Sanctify them through thy truth, thy Word is truth.. John 17:17

So we accept the truth (which is God’s perspective) over any other thing.

Now if you want to see wrong come out in anyone (man or woman) you will see it; based on what you say and do to them. So the wisdom of God is always to try and call out the good inside your spouse and close your eyes to their shortcomings (because everybody has shortcomings). Focus on their strength--amplify their strengths--not their weaknesses/shortcomings.

In the area of their shortcomings, treat them as though they were perfect and over time, they will begin to line up.

Here’s the reason.  It is how God Himself does it. Bible says, He “…Calleth those things that be not as though they were”. Rom 4:17

Any positive thing you want to see in your spouse, go ahead and start calling it forth as if it was so. Don’t wait to see them change.  Treat them so, and God will step in to effect the change. God calls things that are not as though they are. He does not wait to see them become. He calls it forth.

There’s a very interesting account of a man who admired pointed nose. It is said that though the wife did not have such a nose, from time to time, he would say to his wife, “this your pointed nose”. And over time, the wife began to develop pointed nose. Because faith calls things that are not as though they were.

And Mark 11:23 says, …you shall have whatsoever you say. So if you keep addressing your spouse or relating with them based on their present attitudes or conduct, then that’s what remains. But if you hope to see a change, then effect that change by acting in line with the change you hope to see. This applies to both our words and actions.

Husband treat your wife like a queen--even if she doesn’t look or behave like one. And Wife treat your husband like a King, even if he doesn’t seem like he deserves it. And then what you’re calling out in them will soon manifest.

#3. Your spouse is your companion

Malachi 2:14 

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth…yet is she thy COMPANION, and the wife of thy covenant. 

Your spouse according to scripture is your companion in the journey of life. That means she’s your friend; Marriage becomes enjoyable when this understanding is in view. Your wife or husband is your best friend in the journey of life. God said: it is not good for man to be alone--Genesis 2:18

You have someone who’s more than just a sex mate. He or she is someone you can talk to freely without any sense of insecurity (you feel totally comfortable to share your innermost thoughts with). Someone God has given you to share your life with. Someone you feel totally safe with. Your companion is someone who can both laugh with you and cry with you (they share in your joy and your griefs). With this understanding, husband and wife are able to enjoy each other’s company. If you have this kind of relationship with your spouse, it’s a sign that you’re in a healthy marriage. If not, you can work at it patiently, as you develop the right perspectives.

Secondly He went on to say in Ecclesiastes “…Woe to him that is alone…” (Ecc 4:10)

So He gave you a companion to keep you company and to preserve your life from woe’s. So marriage provides you with a kind of divine security.

What kind of Security?

1st Security against defilement or falling into sexual temptations (as you have a holy sexual union with one partner for life),

1Corinthians 7:2-5:

[2] Nevertheless, TO AVOID FORNICATION, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 

[3]  Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

[4]  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 

[5]  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency [I.e. lack of self-control). 

2nd Security against wrong decisions: “Two” God said, “are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

Bible said “in multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 24:6). So at least you have your spouse as your closest counsellor in making decisions. And that’s safer than you alone making decisions.

3rd Security in terms of a support in challenging times

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10:

[9]  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 

[10]  FOR IF THEY FALL, THE ONE WILL LIFT UP HIS FELLOW: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 

You have a support to lean on in times of challenge. Your spouse is a support /reinforcement sent from God to help you up when you fall and to keep standing in all seasons of life, as depicted in the above scripture.

#4. Marriage is a Covenant

Malachi 2:14 

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth…yet is she thy companion, and the WIFE OF THY COVENANT. 

Marriage is a covenant and God is the principal witness of this covenant. Not only that, it is a covenant not meant to be broken:

Malachi 2:15-16  

[15] And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 

[16]  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that HE HATETH PUTTING AWAY: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. 

God said He hates one putting away his wife (or husband for that matter). He sees divorce as treachery.

1Corinthians 7:10-11  

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 

[11]  …let not the husband put away his wife. 

That means you enter that marriage with a mindset of a lifelong commitment to your spouse. So that no matter the issue, you are not tempted to resort to divorce. Make up your mind to make the marriage work.

 We will look at other details about the covenant of marriage in another episode.

 But Goodnews is that your marriage will work in the name of Jesus.

#5. Have a Picture of Marital Bliss

A wise man said: “your mental picture is what defines your actual future”. That is scriptural because the word says: As he thinketh, so is he.

Psalm 128:3-5:

[3] Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

[4]  Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. 

[5]  The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 

[6]  Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel. 

A picture of marital bliss/fulfillment such as the one above will set the pace for same. 

Your wife as a fruitful (peaceful, beautiful, flourishing) vine by the sides of your house and your children like olive plants round about your table.

And it continues by saying, you will see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

So don’t expect to see evil in your home. Expect to see good all the days of your family life. Expect that both you husband and wife will live long to see your children’s children. As the word says:

“For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.- Genesis 13:15 

So all that you can see from scripture about marriage/family life is all that you will possess/experience. 

Let me show you another picture of marital bliss from the Word:

Ecclesiastes 9:9: 

LIVE JOYFULLY with the WIFE whom thou lovest All The Days Of The Life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

If the Word says, to Live Joyfully with your wife/husband, then you can live joyfully. Not only for some of the time of your marriage, but it says: all the days of your life. So programme yourself to enjoy your marriage all your days on this earth. It says there that a joyful marriage, is your portion (reward) for all your labour which you take under the sun.  

“...for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun…”

Proverbs 5:18-19  

[18] Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 

[19]  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 

So look to the Word daily where your joy springs from:

Jeremiah 15:16:  

THY WORDS were found, and I did eat them; and THY WORD was unto me the JOY and REJOICING of mine heart:

Therefore, as you look to the word daily, you will find joy in your marriage;

Psalm 119:165  

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

As you keep looking to the Word, you will not find any cause for offence in your marital/family life.  You will rise above offence. You’ll enjoy great peace in your home (overlooking anything that can offend).

In the name of Jesus, It’s now your turn for a most fulfilling marital experience.

LETS PRAY:

If you would like to be saved, please say this prayer:

 

Jesus Save my soul; and wash my sins with your precious blood.

Thank you Jesus for saving me.

Amen.

Congratulations! if you said that prayer. The Word of God says you are now a new creature and old things are passed away. All things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In other-words, God will never call your past life (sins/faults) to remembrance. They are totally forgotten. Check this:

 

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)

 

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 8:12 ) 

 

We encourage you to get into a Bible Believing Church near you, where you can grow in the Lord (1^st Peter 2:2 and 2^nd Samuel 7:10) . And keep following us on our social media platforms listed below:

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Remain ever blessed.

Jesus is Lord!

 

WONDERS OF DIVINE FAVOUR (PT2)

God’s favour is what adds flavour to life;

Psalm 30:5 

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

What is Favour

It is the aura of God around a person that makes them an attraction among men thereby distinguishing them in life.

 

Genesis_27:27  

And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Psalm 45:8 

All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

Psalm 45:12  And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy FAVOUR. 

There’s a smell that comes upon you that makes good things to follow you. It’s called the smell of favour.  That smell is on you from now in Jesus name.

ü Favour is God with a person

When you have God with you, favour must follow you.

Genesis 39:2,3,4,6: 

[2] And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man…;

[3]  And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 

[4]  And Joseph found grace in his sight…

[6] And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. 

The Lord was with him, so he was well favoured. May God be with you now and always in Jesus name.

 Steps into God’s Favour

#1. New Birth

I.e. you must be born again

Ephesians 1:6 

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

 New birth makes you a beloved Child of God.

And as his beloved, you have won His favour

Just like any father will favour his own children over others; so do your heavenly father

Also by new birth you have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus

 2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

And the Word says:

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; WITH FAVOUR wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)

New birth in Christ Jesus opens you up to a world of God’s favour - favour that will make ordinary men to envy you.

 

#2.  Good Understanding

Proverb 13:15 

Good understanding giveth favour…

A good understanding of whatever it is you do, secures both favour with God and with men;

A good understanding in any direction/field secures favour in that direction

For instance, a Lawyer with good understanding of the field of law, will be winning all the cases and getting more and more recommendations. A building contractor with good understanding in the field will be winning more and more contracts. A teacher with Good understanding will win the hearts of all his students, their parents and his/her employer for that matter. A marketer with good understanding will be attracting more deals/sales for his organization

Consider the man Joseph in scripture For instance:

By his unique understanding of the times and seasons, he took over the reign of Egypt

Genesis 41:39-40 

[39] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 

[40] Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 

Therefore go for more understanding and favour will flow in your direction

Goodnews is: you’re soon taking over in that field;

#3. Serving the Lord

Psalm 102:13  Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to FAVOUR her, yea, the set time, is come. 

Psa 102:14  For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 

Psa 102:15  So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 

Psalm 35:27 

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

As long as you favour God’s kingdom agenda on the earth, you enter God’s agenda to be Favoured

#4. Sowing Seeds of Favour

Pro_11:27  He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour…

When you go out of your way to seek the welfare of others, you attract God’s favour towards you

For instance God’s favour did not allow Dorcas (a.k.a Tabitha) to be buried when she died (until she was brought back to life)

Why because while she was alive, she was a blessing to so many people (like widows):

Act 9:36-39

 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 

[37]  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 

[39]  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 

May you become a candidate for God’s favour today.

#5. Living a Life of Praise

Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

E. g. Herodias Daughter won the favour of the king by her dance

Mar 6:21  And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 

Mar 6:22  And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 

Mark 6:23  And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 

And God is the king of kings.  

When your praise touches God, He’s compelled to release His favour….(that is “blank cheque” dimension of favour is secured through high praise…where you can demand anything and God will do it for you)

 

LETS PRAY:

If you would like to be saved, please say this prayer:

 

Jesus Save my soul; and wash my sins with your precious blood.

Thank you Jesus for saving me.

Amen.

Congratulations! if you said that prayer. The Word of God says you are now a new creature and old things are passed away. All things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In other-words, God will never call your past life (sins/faults) to remembrance. They are totally forgotten. Check this:

 

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)

 

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 8:12 ) 

 

If you have said this prayer, you can go ahead and click THIS LINK and sign up to be on our mailing list and/or any of our other outreach platforms where we can reach out to you from time to time for your spiritual growth and continues breakthroughs. Please remember to fill-in your prayer request as you complete the form. We will be praying along with you. We also encourage you to get into a Bible Believing Church near you, in case you're not in one already, where you can grow in the Lord (1^st Peter 2:2 and 2^nd Samuel 7:10) . And keep following us on our social media platforms (Facebook:@josephmasiam, YouTube@josephmasiam or @ElshadaiBroadcastingNetwork).

 

 

Remain ever blessed.

Jesus is Lord!