Let's start with the devotional part of our meeting. Judy has a great message about your relationship with God. Talk to Him all of the time; call out to Him; sing to Him and praise Him every day. Please don't ignore Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 11:1, 6 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
James 2:19 - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble.
Matthew 7:7-11 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 25:41-45 - Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Julie is the main speaker today and Tom gave input on a few things. They are a very funny couple. The sheet they passed out says, "Bless the Mess of Marriage" so let's touch on each point.
M - money...get out of debt! maturity...grow up and don't share too much with your friends or family; it's not nice to speak badly of your spouse. Turn to Heavenly Father if something is bothering you.
E - expectations...don't expect the moon because you will disappointed when you get a rock. It's the little things that matter anyway.
S - sin...strive not to sin.
S - selfishness and/or self-centered...focus on the good.
B - be present, be accepting and be patient.
L - love...God is love; put Christ first.
E - encourage...talk to each other and/or leave notes.
S - I'm using the word intimacy so that I don't offend anybody
S - sacred
Tom and Julie usually take a weekend every year to assess their marriage and bring to the table issues they have struggled with and plans and visions for their future. It has been a very important foundational communication that has kept their marriage going strong and in unity. The assessment questions are listed below. What questions do you need to be asking yourself and your spouse? What are the great unspoken of your marriage?
1. Do my actions show you that apart from Jesus Christ, I have no higher love?
2. How well are we serving together?
3. How well am I encouraging your spiritual growth?
4. How well am I maximizing the time we have together?
5. How is our prayer life together?
6. How well am I supporting you to grow in your gifts/skills?
7. Are we disciplining our children well together? How convinced are you that parenting is truly a partnership?
8. How well am I caring for your friends?
9. How is our physical expression of love?
10. What can I do to love you better?
You don't have to agree with any of the information given today but feel free to use what you works for you.
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