Monday, April 15, 2013

COINCIDENCE

Joelene and Me Teaching "NEW WIFE"
Part of bringing security to your wife, guys, is laying down your life for her.

In fact, when you say to her: 'I am going to be here in the morning and every morning,' those are powerful words of care in her ears.

I'd suggest you go home and say those exact 12 words to her.

Philippians chapter 2 more than suggests that when you make decisions, make them as if she's more important than you.  That's what Jesus did when He humbled Himself, laid down His life and died for you.  He put your thing ahead of His thing.  Even though respect was owed Him and attention was due Him - still, He made Himself nothing.  He emptied Himself.

He didn't have to.  Nobody forced Him.  He made a decision out of love to place Himself under - to submit - to subordinate His will to you and me.

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He put our forgiveness ahead of His glory.  He put our greatest need ahead of what He rightfully deserved.  He submitted Himself to us even though He didn't have to.

He opted for relationships over demanding His own way.  He opted for relationship over what He rightfully deserved.  Even He couldn't have it both ways - and friend, neither can you.

Because when it comes to your family - your children - your home - your wife - your husband - if those parts of your life are going to be everything God calls them to be - if they're going to honor Him and communicate His love and grace to a neighborhood and a city that needs Him so desperately, God has made it clear ... part of you will have to die ... part of you will have to submit ... part of you will have to surrender.  You can't have it both ways.

                            'That can't be
                   coincidence.' 

Because you've tried having it both ways and what you ended up with wasn't a life partner - what you ended up with wasn't a marriage - what you ended up with wasn't a family.  What you ended up with was a contract - what you ended up with was a relationship where you got what you wanted about 50% of the time and you kept score to make sure, but you weren't satisfied because there was something missing.

It's only when we say, "I'll surrender my rights" that we get the most amazing thing imaginable in our homes and families and marriages - and that's about the only way you can get it.

Here's the deal:  The divorce rate is hovering around 50%.  But if you do marriage according to the Bible, the success rate is somewhere around 100%.

That can't be coincidence.

And be blessed.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

you have no idea how important that is to me I am a wife in tears reading your post.thank you and God bless you.