Tag: True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ‘ Ephesians 4:26-31(NLT)

‘Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.’ Proverbs 15:4(NLT)

‘The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord .’ Proverbs 18:21-22(NLT)

‘We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ‘ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5(NLT)

Now that you understand God’s fundamental plan for marriage and you have the top five marriage “must-haves,” all that is left are a few words of wisdom. These are some of the most common issues we have experienced in our own marriage and in the hundreds of couples that we have worked with.

First, are you a reactor or a processor? A reactor is quick to speak and will often spew lava (harsh words), but then almost instantly feels better. The processor will sit back and want to process what is being shared before speaking. Here is the problem with both: a reactor is looking for a reaction and will push a processor way past processing to the point where the processor will snap and lash out. On the other hand, a processor will often “self-process” an issue, and out of fear of confrontation never come back to the reactor for resolution.

So while the reactor is advancing, the processor is retreating. This is a vicious cycle. The reactor needs to “one-time” share their issue and then allow the processor time and space to process. But then the processor has to initiate the follow up conversation to seek resolution.

Second is God’s order. What does that mean? Simply that there is a clear hierarchy in God’s order for family. We have had numerous couples tell us that their reason for doing something was because of their children. Of course we are called to guide, protect, and love our kids, but they are third in God’s order. To be a good mother or father, you have to first be a good husband or wife.

Marriage is a picture of Jesus loving us, His bride, and marriage does not work without the fruits of the Spirit. We are modeling Jesus to our children through our marriage. So to be a good mother or father, you have to first be a good husband or wife. But in order to be a good husband or wife, you have to first be a good son or daughter to our Heavenly Father.

Making sure your relationship with Jesus is on point is the best thing you can do for your spouse and your kids. Get some spiritual healing individually at events like Basecamp for men or Changed for women. (www.truenorth.live/basecamp or www.changedokc.com) These are life-changing weekends that will first make you a better son or daughter to our Heavenly Father, so that you will become a better spouse and a better parent.

Lastly, find some good counseling. These days, with video counseling and tele-conferencing, you can counsel with anyone around the world. Feel free to reach out to True North for recommendations or suggestions on how to identify a good Christian counselor.

Now take some time and ask God: “What do You want me to focus on first? What point in this devotion is my first step? What is my next step?”

About the Author-

We want to thank Trey Dixon, the Executive Director of True North Ministries for writing this plan. Trey has been married for 20+ years and is also a licensed pastoral counselor who has worked with countless couples to help restore broken and struggling marriages. 

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.’ Hebrews 6:10-12(NLT)

‘For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ‘ Galatians 5:13-14(NLT)

‘And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.’ Romans 12:1-2(NLT)

‘Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.’ John 12:25-26(NLT)

The last habit or ingredient to a thriving marriage is serving. Whether it is serving at your local church, a ministry that you’re passionate about or maybe a neighbor in need, serving others is crucial.

Now let me also recognize that there is a time and season for everything. If you are trying to recover from an affair, a porn addiction, gambling, alcohol or drug addiction, then maybe serving is your next season. When the pain and shock of hidden sins or betrayal first comes to light, you might actually need to step back from serving to seek some intense counseling and healing. But not forever!

Serving others helps us take our eyes off of ourselves and focus on others and their needs. This is so important because if you never take your eyes off yourself, all you will do is focus on yourself and become selfish and self-seeking. When a marriage is struggling, plenty of selfishness and self-seeking is already occurring. Serving is a great way to refocus and take our eyes off ourselves and onto those who need help. What you often find is that your troubles aren’t as bad as you thought and you actually have a lot to be thankful for.

Serving also brings you and your spouse to a unified front. No matter of all the other issues you might disagree on, at least on this issue you can agree, and that is a great start. So start the conversation with your spouse, and ask God: “Where would you like us to serve? What is a need we can fill?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.’ Hebrews 4:12-13(NLT)

‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.’ 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NLT)

‘Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.’ Psalms 119:105(NLT)

‘How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.’ Psalms 119:9(NLT)

Today we will be looking at the fourth habit of a healthy and thriving marriage: reading together. Clearly reading God’s word needs to be a priority, but also books on marriage, parenting, finances, time management, etc. Whatever you need a little help in, read and learn together.

This is especially true with God’s word. Be honest with your spouse and tell them if you’re struggling with patience, with pride, with fear, with lust, etc. Then look up scripture together; read it, discuss it, and then pray together about it.

If your finances are a wreck, then get a copy of Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey and read it together. Reading and learning together begins to align your thoughts and spirits and helps to close divides that are present. It also gives an avenue for intentional quality time, which is often lacking in struggling marriages.

Amy and I love to take road trips, either together or with our children. We often read a book or article while driving. Let me clarify, she reads out loud, and I drive. Let’s all be safe!

One of the greatest tools of this century has been the internet, smart phones and apps. More than likely, that is exactly what you are reading right now—the Bible app on YouVersion. Now you can read plans together or with friends. So let’s say you and your spouse are both reading this plan but one of you reads in the morning and the other at lunch, now you can both come together at night and discuss it. It’s perfect!

Take a few moments and ask God and yourself: “Have I been faithful to reading the Bible? What should my spouse and I be reading right now?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25(NLT)

‘For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”’ Matthew 18:20(NLT)

‘Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ‘ Colossians 3:16(NLT)

‘Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.’ Ephesians 4:11-13(NLT)

‘All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper ), and to prayer.’ Acts of the Apostles 2:42(NLT)

By now you should understand that it is not good to be alone. You should also know that you were created for relationship and to learn how to love. Yesterday, we learned that prayer and community are vital to a healthy and thriving marriage.

Today we will be discussing the third element of a healthy marriage:going to church together. If you have children, then attending church as a family is critical. Attending church as a family does several things for a marriage. First, it helps root out selfishness. I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to hit SNOOZE and just sleep in. Or how many times I would rather try to justify it by saying “we are having a family day,” instead of doing what is right.

Second, by going to church together, we are part of a church family, where we develop deep friendships that are rooted in Christ. It also allows us to worship as a family and as a couple. Tithing also roots out selfishness. My wife and I often discuss the message, which brings our hearts closer to each other as we are simultaneously growing closer to God. There are are a myriad of reasons why attending church as a family or couple is beneficial. 

If you don’t have a good church to call home, go find one. Even if you have to drive a little bit or get up a little earlier, it is worth the investment. Remember yesterday how we discussed the importance of community. Finding and building community with people you go to church with is, hands down, the easiest way to accomplish it. 

Take a few moments and ask God: “Has church truly been a priority to me and my spouse/family?” If you’re not plugged into a local church, ask God for guidance in choosing one.

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. ‘ 1 Corinthians 1:10(NLT)

‘This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:5-7(NLT)

‘Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.’ Galatians 6:1-3(NLT)

Yesterday we discovered the power and impact that praying regularly has on your marriage. Today we will be looking at the impact of Godly community. I specifically said “Godly” community because a lot of us have friends from work, friends from college, etc., that may be there for us but are not necessarily “Godly.”

What I am talking about are close relationships that you meet with, as a couple, regularly. This can be a Sunday school group, a Life Group, Community Group, etc. Whatever word or label you or your church calls it is irrelevant. What matters is that you have other couples that you are open, honest, and transparent with.

These are people who you can honestly share with about the struggles in your life. Whether it is your marriage, finances, kids, money, etc., these are people who will not judge you but will pray for you and with you. They will also give you biblical advice, not their opinion(s). Let’s be honest, this is not always easy to find, but it is worth the effort to obtain it. Remember our reading on Day 1: God created us for love and relationship. Even Jesus did life with others.

Another big reason for needing biblical community is accountability. We all need others from time to time to call us out and hold our feet to the fire. People who can lovingly tell you when you are wrong, people you trust enough to listen to. That way, when we are struggling in our marriage, we have trusted friends who will be there and help guide us back to Jesus.

Take a step and either join a group or even start a group. Take a risk, trust God and be transparent. Your transparency will encourage others to open up as well!

Take a moment and ask God: “Do I have the friends that you would like me to have? Have I been intentional about seeking out true biblical community?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘“But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you. May you watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have said you would put your name. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.’ 2 Chronicles 6:18-21(NLT)

‘Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. ‘ 2 Chronicles 7:12-14(NLT)

‘Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.’ Ephesians 6:18(NLT)

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord . “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”’ Jeremiah 29:11-14(NLT)

Now that you have a better understanding of God’s design for marriage, let us look at how we can begin to improve it. The five key points that we will explore during the next five days came from a combination of my wife’s and my personal experience, and observation from dozens of other couples that we have mentored and counseled.

One day my wife, Amy, asked, “I wonder why some of the couples we work with flourish and some of them plateau?” From that question we began to examine our own story of recovery and the recovery of dozens of other couples. What we found was pretty amazing and, frankly, pretty simple.

Each of the couples that were thriving had these five traits in common: Prayer, Community, Church, Reading, and Serving. We are going to cover each one individually over the next five days. Without question, the first one is the most important: PRAYER!

Getting an exact number for the official divorce rate is difficult, but we know it is somewhere between 35% to 46%. Unfortunately, we also know that being a Christian and going to church is not the ultimate fix. There are dozens of factors that affect divorce rates: age, income, race, careers, family influence, etc. Yet none of these have a significant impact as it pertains to decreasing the divorce rate.

With all of the measurable indicators, only PRAYER made a significant difference in the divorce rate. If there is a “silver bullet” for marriage it is simply this: pray together regularly. Couples who report praying together regularly had a less than 2% divorce rate! That’s right, praying together regularly gives you a 98% chance of making it. I will gladly take those odds.

Take a moment and ask God: “Have I taken prayer seriously? Am I even praying with my spouse? If not, why?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ‘ 2 Corinthians 6:14(NLT)

‘For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’ Ephesians 5:23-33(NLT)

‘Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord , the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty, ” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”’ Malachi 2:15-16(NLT)

Hopefully you are beginning to see that marriage has a much higher calling and a deeper purpose than to make you happy. It is actually God’s design to often make you uncomfortable in marriage which, in turn, leads you to trust and rely on Him even more. Realize that if God ever made two people to “complete each other” perfectly… then we would never need God. We would only need our spouse, and they would quickly become our god.

Understanding that God gave us marriage and our spouse, not to complete us, but to help us grow is a huge shift. So do yourself a favor and throw out the old Jerry Maguire movie if you still have it lying around. Think of marriage like this, “Marriage is” as John & Stasi Eldredge state in their marriage book LOVE & WAR, “a divine conspiracy.”

You most likely entered marriage with selfish motives. Almost all of us do. Let me prove it. Over the years I have had numerous couples answer this simple question: “Tell me why you got married.” Standard responses: “He/She makes me laugh, I can be myself around them, they make me want to be a better person,” or even “they make me want to be closer to God.”

All of the responses, even the last one, are rooted in selfishness. It is all rooted in how this person makes me feel. Even if your spouse makes you want to be closer to God, it is still about what they are doing for you. You may be thinking, “But those are some good things.” They are, and that is exactly why God uses them in this way. His divine conspiracy is to get you into marriage so He can then start working in you and out of you what He wants.

This does not mean God cannot accomplish things in you outside of marriage, but let’s be honest, no other relationship is as intimate, as exposing, as constant, or as risky as marriage is. 

Take a few moments and ask God: “Why did I get married? What were my expectations of marriage? Have I been looking for my spouse to complete me?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.’ Genesis 2:18-25(NLT)

‘So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.’ Galatians 5:16-26(NLT)

‘The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord .’ Proverbs 18:22(NLT)

‘In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.’ 1 Peter 3:7(NLT)

Yesterday we discussed Genesis 2:18, that it is not good to be alone. There is a second truth in the scripture also: “I will make him a helper fit for him.” So the real question is this: what do we need help for or from?

We need help to be more like Jesus. Then why do we need a spouse? Why isn’t Jesus all we need? Jesus is all we need for salvation and for spiritual healing, but part of God’s divine plan was to use a spouse to refine us. Consider this truth: “God is always wanting to work something in us and out of us.” He is always wanting to work in humility by working out pride. God is always wanting to work in patience and perseverance by working out selfish ambitions and a controlling spirit. 

For God to work in the “fruits of the Spirit,” he has to work out the “fruits of the flesh.” Your spouse is often how God will choose to accomplish this.

That’s right, marriage was designed by God to provide an environment where He could work in you and through you, often more than any other way. Prove it you say? Okay. Think of one single example where a couple loves each other and is impacting the lives of others around them for good … and I promise you, you will find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, etc.

Please notice that I caveated my previous statement with “a couple who loves each other and is impacting others.” Unfortunately we all know at least one couple who is married but miserable. They aren’t walking in love and they aren’t impacting others for good. You want more for your marriage than to just “stick-it-out.” Besides, God created you and marriage for so much more.

So your husband leaves his dirty socks lying around, or maybe your wife’s car looks like she’s been living out of it. Instead of anger, frustration, and bitterness, let’s focus on patience, grace and mercy.

Now, I also realize that many of the issues you may be facing are much more grave than dirty socks. Infidelity, abuse, betrayal, or deceit in your marriage may just be scratching the surface. Please hear me, there is HOPE! My wife and I are living proof of what God can do in a marriage when you allow Him to work in you and through you.

Take a few moments and ask God, “What are you trying to work in me and out of me through my spouse?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage

‘Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.’ Genesis 2:18-25(NLT)

‘Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.’ 1 John 4:7-12(NLT)

‘Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.”’ Matthew 19:3-9(NLT)

Congratulations! The simple fact that you have some sort of desire to improve your marriage is a great thing. Whether your marriage is just okay or if your marriage is holding on by a thread, this plan, along with God’s Word, can help.

First things first, what was marriage created to be and what is its purpose? If we don’t start here, everything else is useless. So from the very beginning, in Genesis 2:18, God states, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” This verse gives us two really important truths about ourselves and marriage.  

First: It is not good to be alone. Why? Because we were made for relationship. We were made by a loving God, a loving Father who desperately seeks to have a relationship with us. God also gave us a deep longing and capacity for love.  

Do you want to know the meaning of life? Do you want to know why you were created? It’s this: to learn how to love! Because God is love! We were created to love God and to share the love of Christ with a dead and lost world. To share love, we have to first know how to receive and experience love. So God created marriage.

Marriage allows us to experience things like love, companionship, friendship, and fulfillment. Marriage allows us to have children, which ushers in all kinds of new ways to experience and express love. Hopefully you are beginning to see why it isn’t good to be alone and why marriage is so close to the heart of God.

We will look at the second main point found in Genesis 2 tomorrow. So for today, take a few moments and ask God: “Have I been viewing my marriage correctly? Have I viewed it as a training ground to learn to love and be loved, or have I expected other things from my spouse and marriage?”

from True North: LIVE Free In Marriage