The Split-Level Marriage

Very often, marriages are classified as "Split-Level Marriages". Of course you're going to say: what on earth is a split-level marriage.
Split-level marriages are those marriages that just exist on an agreement and not a commitment.. Kind of like: "you take the high road and I'll take the low road" agreement.
These marriages function basically with two individuals going in separate directions. The husband and wife take their own vacations and schedule events only around themselves and not with each other! Sad isn't it. What's even sadder, it's against God's principles of marriage.
It is diametrically opposed to the vowels of marriage and is the number one cause of divorce. I'm sure most people aren't aware of that statistic. It's true.
It is impossible for a marriage to function in those type scenarios, not to mention that it actually nullifies the marriage vowels you took. .Don't be deceived, you don't really have a marriage under those conditions. You just have a bed partner!

Let's see what the Holy scriptures tell us. In the book of Amos, chapter 3, verse 3 reads: Can two walk together except they be agreed. It is a law, a principle, and a commandment of God. Sorry, there's no way around it. You are destined for failure and ultimately divorce. If there are children involved, it is even more devastating, because you have destroyed the foundational upbringing of those siblings. Shame on you!

When Jesus prayed for his disciples in the book of St. John 17:21 He says: That they all may be one;. . .doesn't that strike your senses? The Bible speaks a lot about being one!
Split-level marriages just don't work! Besides, anything you split becomes two. Get the point? No longer two, but one. . .Matthew 19: 6. You see, you've got it backwards!

What is the message for your marriage? Come together as one, it will revolutionize your marriage and your life.. . . . .then you really will have a Blessed day!

Marriage of the Heart

In today's segment, we are talking about motives. Yes, motives! Our intent and motives have everything to do with the structure of our marriages. Listen at what the Bible says:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it. . . says Jeremiah 18:9; so if the holy scriptures gives us this account of the reality of one's heart, it is imperative that we take a closer look at our real motives concerning our marriages.

When we enter into the bond of Holy Matrimony with motives that are not true and sincere, we jeopardize the welfare of the other party. Marring for money, pregnancies, to get out of the house, sex , and many others is not a good enough reason to take this life-long journey!

Although thousands of marriages exist just on those afore mentioned reasons alone, the results can be damaging and more important, irreversible! If your reason for marriage is not of the heart, you are actually deceiving the other individual. Further, in that same chapter of Jeremiah, tells us that it is the Lord who searches the heart and gives every person according to his/her ways. Jeremiah 17:10. That's gotta make you stop and think!

Nevertheless, with the right motives and intents, we enter into our marital relationships with the understanding that marriage is not a Philosophy, as some theologians would like for you to believe. It is the foundational way of life that God has ordained and set forth in His word for the man and woman who from the heart has committed themselves to each other in a life-time relationship, called marriage, and whether you accept it or not, it is God's way!

What's the message today? . . . .are you willing to take the chance of telling God he's wrong? . . . or will you take heed to the scriptures. It's really your choice. Motives of the heart, and self examination tells the real story. Is your marriage of the heart? Ask yourself! The Lord already knows!

God loves you! This is your day . . . Be Blessed!

Death, Burial, and Ressurection

Well, if you're thinking , what in the world does death, burial, and Resurrection have to do with marriage; or perhaps you might be saying: religion is alright, but how does this play a role in to the problems I face day to day in my marriage. Simply this! Contrary to what you may think, Marriage is a spiritual thing! Even from the beginning of time, marriage was designed actually to mirror the church. Don't be shocked, it's true.

The death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ was designed to re-instate mankind to his/her rightful place in God; this is called: "the church". Marriage as well, is a testimony to humanity to bring back to it's conciseness ( brotherhood).

Allow me explain: In the book of Genesis, chapter 11, the bible says that man wanted to build a tower to heaven, and at that time they all had only one language. The key word is One!., so the Lord said: let us go and confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech: Genesis 11:7. Thus is the beginning of the various languages of the world. And the Lord scattered them over the face of the earth: Genesis 11:8. You see God never intended for us to really be a separate people. Now we see the different nationalities and cultures of this world. Nevertheless we are still all God's children.

So where does marriage fit into this puzzle? Through the word of God, we are taught that even though we are different in race, color, creed, and nationality, we are all of one body. (There's that word again, One!). In marriage, it's "no more twain (or two) but one!

Now here's the breakdown, death is symbolic to a man or woman dying to themselves to take on a partner,the burial is releasing of the ties of parents and lifestyle to take on another lifestyle called marriage. The resurrection is the outward confession ( the marriage ceremony) to the world and the declaration that you are the new person ( now Mr. & Mrs.) .Seems a bit complicated?, well it's not. In fact, unless this process takes place in our marriages from the beginning, we loose the ability to even deal with life's day to day events.,

So here's the message: make up in your mind that you want a loving , caring, productive, and prosperous marriage. . . .a real marriage. . .in fact a marriage God's Way! It'll change your thinking!

Always be Blessed!

Together we Stand

Today's segment deals with facing life's challenges as one. Over and over again, the Bible speaks of oneness. In the book of II John chapter 5, verse 7; reads: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Interesting eh; and in our marriages the same union exist.. . .the husband, the wife, and the Spirit within you both. . . and these three are one! Wow. . .that's amazing!

I have just given you a key to one of the most powerful entities on the face of planet earth. " The Agreement of One". Sounds like and oxy-moron doesn't it? It's not! This is the empowerment that makes your marriage work. Three elements combined into One! Now you know the mystery of how God has set up the church. Surprised? I was too! .

The only real successful effective marriages in this world are those marriages that contains these three elements. It is a principle of the Holy Bible and God's requirement for our marriages to be effective.

Of course one will ask, why is it important for our marriage to be effective? We just want to live our lives happily together and not bother anyone else. Well, it doesn't quite work that way.

Your marriage and your individual lives both have purpose. That purpose is to impact another life, and if you will, another marriage. That's right we're all in this thing together!

In Matthews 5:16 says: Let your light so shine before men (that's so important) that they may see your good works, ( what works?) TOGETHER WE STAND!. . .and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Get the idea? . . .your stand together is the testimony that the World needs to see. Some things need to be seen as well as heard. In fact it alone is a message from God! The proof is in the pudding. . . . .Now. . .Your marriage should never be the same after today! I decree it , I believe it, and I call it done by faith in Jesus' name. . .Amen!

Why all this. . .because, together we stand!

You Are Blessed!

Don't Let "the Jones" get you down!

In today's segment, the expression, "don't let the Jones get you down" is an instruction for marriages that struggle with pier pressure.
Yes, unfortunately, too many marriages suffer needlessly because of the pressures of societies life styles. If the "Jones" have a four bedroom house, you think that you should have one or else they'll think we're poor, even if you can afford it.

Many of our marital problems have stemmed from just looking at the wrong things. Our decisions regarding the welfare of our marriages sometimes distort our happiness. After all, our original plan is to be happy, and I might add, happy with the choices we have made is important.

The Bible teaches us in the book of Romans 14:22. . . happy is he that condemeth not himself in that thing which he allows. What we are saying here is, God has given every man/woman the ability to choose what's right and what's wrong. It's called our conscience. It is our responsibility in the marriage union to allow our inner ability to do the right thing.; and Keeping up with "The Jones" is not the way!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having "a little". In fact the scriptures when referring to righteousness, tells us that: . . . a little that a righteous man has is greater than all the riches of the wicked. . .Psalms 37:16.
Is is however important that as we build our lives and marriages so that we do not loose sight on what's really important. Remember, the decisions we make, also dictate the consequences we face! Am I saying that you should live poor and beggarly, absolutely not! However, I am saying that you should NEVER base your life and marriage decisions on what another person has., just for impression sake. Now that's foolish! Think about it. If Rome wasn't built in a day, why is it so important that you have everything today!

These are the things that destroy our marriages. What's the message here? Simply this.; God has given us the ability to labour for the things that we need and want. He has even given us the power to gain wealth. . says Deuteronomy 8:18. . . and it is up to us how we use that power!

Better to start small and end up big, than to try and "keep up with the Jones". So, don't let the Jones get you down!. . . .Get the idea? You should.....after all, your marriage depends on it!

STAY BLESSED!