LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

DEMONSTRATE ANGER APPROPRIATELY

ANGER IS A GOD-GIVEN, God-created emotion that the Lord himself demonstrated on many occasions throughout human history, as He did with Moses, “So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses” (4:14).

Unfortunately, there is a big difference between God and us.

While God is perfect in every way—including in how He experiences and demonstrates His anger—we are prone to experiencing and expressing our anger in inappropriate, sinful says.

Too often, our anger is not a righteous anger like God’s is.

God becomes angry at unrighteousness; we usually become angry when we don’t get our own way or we feel slighted in some way.

If we want to have successful, satisfying marriages, if we want to be the kind of parents who teach their children to express themselves correctly, then we need to learn to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate expressions of our anger, and we need to learn to express our anger appropriately.

Because many adults don’t know how to properly handle their own anger, they respond in hurtful ways when their spouse or their children express anger inappropriately.

So what may have begun as a child sinning devolves into two children sinning, one an adult child and the other an adolescent.

NOTE:  This article was taken from a book called, “Family Life Marriage Bible by Dennis & Barbara Rainey

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post to help you make your marriage a success.

SATURDAY – QUESTION & ANSWER

 Question #1.  What should you do when a friend of your spouse who is of the opposite sex has made very inappropriate comments to your spouse.  They don’t know that I know about those comments.  My spouse would fear to loose that person as a friend and would fear they may not think they are “cool.”  This is causing me to question everything concerning my spouse and especially what is associated with this particular friend.  This now comes across to my spouse as being “jealous” or “overprotective.”  My spouse now says that they are unhappy with our marriage.  I am trying to act godly and not get physical with this friend…but what else can I do?  I have prayed to God to remove evil and destructive people from around my wife for the glorification and protection of our marriage and also asked that He bless those people as well.  I have prayed that God show my spouse that the devil is working through that person to destroy our marriage.  I feel that I have been a great spouse (no lies, no cheating, no abuse, supportive, caring, loving).  What is one to do?

Answer #1.  You should be direct with your spouse and tell them the information that you have concerning the inappropriate comments.  You must let your spouse know that you do not agree with them being spoken to like that.  There is something wrong with this friend who is talking like that behind your back to your spouse.  Tell your spouse to sever contacting that person.  If the friend inquires why there hasn’t been any contact, your spouse needs to tell them you do not agree with their comments.  Your spouse must tell them your wishes must be respected and your marriage honored.  If your spouse refuses, give the Holy Spirit time to convict them.  Don’t argue with them, but let your spouse know that your marriage is being violated by this intruder.  Make sure that it is a good time to have this discussion.  Remember that God is with you because he esteems your marriage.

WEAK HUSBANDS AND DOMINANT WIVES

No one would have dreamed Brad and Sue had marriage problems.

From the outside, their relationship looked perfect.

He was outgoing and handsome with a gentle, personable manner.

She was fun-loving and family-oriented, faithful to God and Brad.

Everyone loved being around them because they were so easy to get along with, but no  one noticed their deteriorating marriage.

Sue had first been attracted to Brad because of his sweet, gentle nature–but before long it began to irritate her.

People were drawn to his kindness, so they went to him with their problems.

He was a great listener but lacked the character and convictions to provide any solid answers.

He was a people-pleaser.

He wouldn’t lead.

That lack of leadership was the root of a problem that grew between Brad and Sue.

She appreciated his good qualities but found herself losing more and more respect for him.

She took her frustration out on him by complaining.

She nagged him about the things he wasn’t doing.

She needled him about his lack of leadership.

Brad resented her remarks and attitude and resisted making the changes she wanted to see.

Brad was partly at fault.

He was falling short of God’s call for men to lead their wives in a righteous, sacrificial manner.

But Sue was as much of the problem as Brad.

From the start of their relationship, it was her dominant personality that enabled him to be passive.

Rather than keeping her naturally aggressive and opinionated personality in check, she exploited Brad’s personality.

She used it to dominate him.

At one point, he had seemed to enjoy her strong personality and opinions, but now he resented them.

Sue was confused.

Brad was frustrated.

Neither was happy.

The problem was that Sue wanted to control Brad.

As Dr. Marlin Howe once wrote, “I have never yet met a woman who respected a man she could control.  So from her innermost soul swells a basic need to disrespect her husband, to find fault with him.”

Along the same lines, a man will struggle to love a woman who controls him.

When this happens, the man tends to ignore her or seek significance elsewhere.

Both spouses end up pushing each other away.

The solution is for the man and woman to return to the roles God has designed for us in marriage: a husband leading with Christ-like love and a sacrificial spirit.

The woman dependent on his leadership and supporting him as his helpmate and companion.

Let Brad and Sue’s story be a warning.

They had the best of intentions but ended up miserable.

What about you?

Are you fulfilling the role God desires you to play in your marriage?

NOTE:  This article was given by Lisa Banks but written by Jimmy and Karen Evans from “Marriage Today”.

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post to help your marriage be a success.

IS YOUR LOVE TANK FULL

LOVE and CONNECTION is a very important need in your spouse’s life.

Prov.19:22 “What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar”.

This proverb was put in the bible for a reason and if we are determined to be the best God wants us to be, let’s observe it.

This is speaking volumes as to the true desire why your spouse picked you.

He went into this marriage believing that your love for him would never fail.

If you have ever ran out of gas when you are in a hurry, you know how maddening that can be.

I have so many stories of how my husband would run out of gas when we were dating.

I won’t bore you with the stories of how his dad would have to pick us up because I know you have stories of your own.  Lol!!

So let’s get to the nitty gritty!

After you are married for a while, you don’t even care if your “love tank” is dry.

You are now busy with work, kids, hobbies and house duties or your favorite TV program.

CASE AND POINT:  I like to do this illustration in my marriage classes.  I have a woman on stage bouncing a balloon in the air.  That balloon represents her husband.  Then I throw in another balloon to bounce with the other one and that one represents her job or career.  She is still smiling.  Then I throw in another balloon that represents a child.  Now she is really struggling to keep all three within her grasp and keep them all in the air.  By the time I throw in the second child, the balloon that represents her husband is now on the ground and her concentration is on the new balloon I just gave her.  She is now flustered and almost all the balloons are on the floor.

The purpose of this demonstration is for each of us to see what we are doing unconsciously to our spouse.

Women have this idea that the more kids you have, it makes you more of a family and your husband will never leave you.

Then in your frustration with responsibilities and finances you start treating him whatever way you desire.

After all, they are his children also and he should understand.

That might be why God put Proverbs 19:22 in the bible.

It’s a wake up call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WAKE UP!

 I don’t like it when you make me yell.  Lol!!

Studies show that babies die if they are never touched.

That proves the validity of the Proverbs scripture.

Try to spend a minimum of 14 hours a week (2 hrs. a day) with undivided attention.

It could be anything!  Even going for a walk or watching a movie together.

This is how you fill your spouses “love tank”.

These actions make big deposits into your spouses “love tank”.

• Affection and physical touch.  “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death…” ( Song of Solomon 8:6)

• Intimate conversation with words of affirmation and quality time. “…Have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1Pet.3:8)

• Companionship with recreational activities and gift giving.  “…She is your companion, and the wife of your covenant.”  (Malachi 2:14)

• Total sexual fulfillment.  “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.  Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” Prov.5:18-19

Don’t gamble with your marriage.

Do you really want to live with someone who has an empty “love tank”?

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post that will help your marriage succeed

YOUR SPOUSE IS IMPORTANT

One of the most important needs in your spouse’s life is to feel important and significant!

Lack of significance is a primary source of emotional pain.

The definition of importance is greatness of worth and influence; significant; needed; special.

Eph.2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”

Do you have hindrances that keep you from being yourself?

We all have certain people that we feel comfortable being around.

Those people put us in our comfort zone and we can act whatever way we want and feel we will be accepted and appreciated.

CASE AND POINT:  My husband and I don’t go to all the church activities like picnics, parties, etc.  As soon as we walk in, things go a little quiet and we feel that everyone becomes uncomfortable.  I want to tell them not to be uncomfortable because we spill food, trip, call people by the wrong names and burp!

Your spouse will avoid people and situations when there is the risk of failure or rejection just like you would.

That means that your spouse needs your love and encouragement.

Misery will enter your spouse’s life if they feel they have no value, purpose or significance.

God is the one who placed in your spouse a hunger for significance and to be important.

The Holy Spirit is here to fulfill the hunger to be important but God also gave you to your spouse to do that also.

Gods word says that He created a wife for Adam to meet his need for companionship and understanding.

You are his “Helpmeet”!

You are his companion, his cheerleader, and his friendly friend!

And DON’T FORGET IT!!

I didn’t say it!

God said it in Genesis and Malachi 2.

Get out those “pom poms” the game is on!

When Adam fell, it robbed our spouse of their self-worth and he is now on a continual search for significance.

If your spouse’s parents were not lovable or protective of them, your spouses need for significance may be of the utmost importance.

Your spouse will need time to change along with your encouragement, God’s word, and the power of the Holy Ghost.

Christ died for us and exchanged His life for our life.

That is how important you and your spouse are to Him.

He wants you to represent Him to your spouse.

It is your divine appointment!

Don’t miss out on your purpose and significance in life.

It is of the utmost importance!

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post to help your marriage to succeed.

NO MARRIAGE WORKS WITHOUT FLEXIBILITY

Your marriage cannot survive without flexibility because it does not allow your spouse to have freedom of expression.

Flexibility is a MUST for every marriage.

In the world, the United States has the highest divorce rate and the women file for divorce twice as much as the men.

One of the reasons is that many women are STUBBORN and demand their own way.

The word “stubborn” appears 28 times in the bible and the word “stiff-necked” about 19 times.   Stiff-necked also means stubborn.

Until stubbornness is overcome, your marital relationship will suffer.

“…stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD… “  1SAM.15:23

In God’s eyes, a stubborn wife is as guilty as anyone who worships Satan.

If you are being narrow minded, you are having YOUR own way without regard to your spouse’s ideas or feelings.

Wives, be careful to make sure you are obeying your husband, whether he is right and spiritual or not.

Divorce is an epidemic and STUBBORNNESS is an issue of the heart.

Jer.17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.”

The bible warns that being inflexible to your spouse is folly.

Do you see your IDEAS from their perspective?

Can you listen to your spouses remedies to solve problems in a new and  different way?

Do you ever let your spouse know that you appreciate and understand their VIEWPOINT?

How can you arrive at an agreement or judgment if you have an inflexible perspective.

Is your thinking, attitude and perspective RIGID?

You are leaving your spouse with a feeling of rejection when you say, “I am right and you are wrong.”

The stress you experience in your life is due to inflexibility and your inability to accept change.

When you are flexible you will experience many twists and turns, ups and downs, and uncertainties.

CASE AND POINT:  When my husband and I were asked to be missionaries in England during the early 80’s it was spiritually dead.  We gave up our house, business, furniture along with friends and family to be in the will of God.  Anything and everything we owned had to fit into four suitcases.  As we sat on the plane headed for Manchester, I turned to my husband and asked him what his plan was for building a church in England.  I had given up all my Tupperware and expensive pots and pans we had received as marriage gifts so I was expecting a divine plan to come out of his mouth.  Lol!!  This was his response, “I don’t have a plan.  We will get there and see what happens.”  At that moment I spiritually matured about 40 years.  My spiritual hair turned gray.  I realized I had to be flexible and trust in God.  It worked.  It was definitely one of the highlights of my spiritual life.  I thank God everyday that my husband was sensitive to the Holy Spirit and flexible enough to give up his life to go.

To be flexible, there must be a willingness to take RISKS.

Life is not about survival but about enjoyment in the Holy Ghost.

Your spouse’s different opinion does not make them the ENEMY.

A different opinion is a source of wisdom, knowledge, understanding and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Flexibility is the GIFT that keeps on giving.

Your marriage is worth it.

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post to give help to make your marriage successful

SECURING OUR MARITAL BUNGEE CORD

There are human NEEDS that your spouse cannot live without.

One of the needs that we cannot live without is security.

The definition for security is FREEDOM from fear, anxiety, danger and doubt.

Security ASSURES safety, protection against attacks, and certainty with trust.

Prov. 31:11 “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.  She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

This man in proverbs doesn’t fear of his wife betraying his secrets.

Does your husband ASK for your advise and confidence on important matters?

Does he have complete trust in you?

There is no other JOY a wife can experience that counts more than to be trusted.

When you are trusted, it brings inspiration to work hard for your husband and family.

Marriage THRIVES where there is honor and respect.

Are you held in high honor as this Hebrew wife?

In Gen.24:14,  Eliezer PRAYED to God as he was looking for a wife for Abraham’s son.  Eliezer told God to let it be the woman who offers to water his camels.

That meant that to water his camels would take over 200 gallons of water.

Can you imagine offering to carry 200 gallons of water to water camels of a total stranger?

That was no small TASK.

It took a servants heart like Rebekah’s to complete a task this hard.

Rebekah was beautiful but there was a lot more to her than just a beautiful FACE.

If she could make such sacrifices of herself to a total stranger than what service will she bring to a man she is committed to through marriage.

When we are feeling INSECURE we look for someone to make us feel secure.

The natural place for us to look for that security is in our spouse.

Have you ever looked to your spouse for security and been very DISAPPOINTED?

Disappointment leads to anger.

Only God can give us that COMPLETE feeling of security when we are grounded in a secure relationship with Him.

Deut.33:12 “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”

CASE AND POINT:  Years ago I heard on the news about someone who went bungee jumping.  They were having a great time till one of them jumped and realized that they forgot to tie the other end of the cord onto something secure.  They were concentrating on making the one end of the cord very secure on the person jumping.

In order for something to be secure, it needs to be tied to something that is immovable.

Psa.16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

God is the only one who can take you from insecurity to security and blessings.

As a spouse, we need the Holy Spirit in our marriage to bring that security that our spouse desperately needs in their life.

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post to help your marriage be a success.

HELP YOUR MATE FULFILL HIS/HER PURPOSE

Before you try to discover how you can love and serve God fully in your life and in your marriage, you must understand a few key truths.

Without them, you would be like an old-time miner descending into a gold or silver mine to search for precious metals with no hard hat, pick, or flashlight.

First, God is intricately and ingeniously involved in creation.  

He knows the grains of sand in the ocean (Gen.22:17), the names of all the stars (Ps.147:4), the number of hairs on your head, and the very instant every little sparrow dies (Matt.10:29,30).

If he knows the tiny details from the bottom of the ocean to the ends of the universe, then we can correctly assume that He knows everything that is going on in our lives as well.

Second, God is sovereign.

He is fully in charge.

He has a divine design for each life.

God’s overall plan, clearly, is to redeem humanity to Himself.

Incredibly, He has chosen to use men and women like you and like us to execute His plan of influencing eternity.

Third, you are God’s workmanship, and He created you to be part of fulfilling His plans for humanity (Eph.2:10).  

God has woven a plan in every person’s heart that is revealed over time.

He wants us to help each other discover these passions and to have a vision for our lives.

Discuss with your spouse what he or she is  passionate about.

What’s his vision?

What would she do if she knew she couldn’t fail?

You can be a human crowbar that dislodges dreams, goals and unexpressed desires from inside your spouse’s heart.

As you discuss together the greatness of God and the unspeakable privilege of being chosen by Him, you’ll quickly discover what a privilege it is to have a part in serving Him and His kingdom.

He does have a plan for each person.

NOTE:  This article  is from the “Family Life Marriage Bible by Dennis & Barbara Rainey.

NOTE:  Every day there is a new post to inspire your marriage to be successful.

SATURDAY – QUESTION & ANSWER  

Question #1.  I don’t know what to do about something that is bothering me.  I don’t want to say anything to my husband.  My husband is a friendly, people person.  There is one sister in church that I feel he is to friendly with and she is very friendly back.  I’ve prayed and asked God to help me with this and also to open my husbands eyes to what I see.  Even though I love my husband and trust him, I don’t trust the devil.

Answer #2.  GOOD  FOR YOU!!  You need to protect God’s investment!  Find a special time when you both are very happy and content.  Usually after sex.  Let him know that you have some concerns.  Tell him what you have observed.  Let him know that you trust him, but it doesn’t “set right” with you.  If he gets mad and says that you are just being jealous, don’t say anything.  Wait till he is done talking and do not argue.  Tell him how you would appreciate him to handle it.  He should not converse with her unless you are standing right next to him.  Let him know that he can walk away as she will be left with only you to talk to.  He is not to initiate any conversation with her, but if she talks to him, he can politely answer and it should be limited to no more than two sentences. If it sounds ridiculous to him, tell him it is an investment in his marriage.  Then reciprocate by asking him what you can do for him in return.  It could be FUN!!  If he says, “no”, you might ask him which woman he is more concerned with.  Then leave it alone and pray for conviction.  He will not be able to enjoy any more conversations with her.

I know you feel like you do not want to say anything.  The problem with that is you do not want her to start having feelings for him.  People call it being friendly and that is what it may be but it can easily turn to “foreplay.”  The devil goes to church and turns what is good into what is evil.   My prayers are with you.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE

1.  Try to understand your mate:  

“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established” (Prov.24:3).

2.  Be reasonable in your expectations of each other:  

“Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another” (Rom.12:10).

3.  Do not criticize each other publicly:  

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Rom.14:13).

4.  Be comrades in a common cause:  

“They twain shall be one” (Matt.19:5).

5.  Talk it over:  

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord,.  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Col.3:18,19).

6.  Keep up the love pattern:  

“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the  floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.” (S.of S.8:7).

“Husbands love your wives” (Eph.5:25).

“Teach the young women…to love their husbands” (Titus 2:4).

7.  Treat your partner with courtesy:

“Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph.4:32).

8.  Be loyal to each other:

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom.13:10).

9.  Practice the golden rule of wedded love!

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matt.7:12).

10.  Take Christ into your home:  

“If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with Me” (Rev.3:20).

NOTE:  This article was taken from plymouthbrethren.org.  The article was titled “Emotional Factors In Christian Marriage” submitted by H. E. Kay, M.D. on 4/2/28.

NOTE:  Daily there is a new post to inspire you to have a successful marriage.