Tuesday, 4th June 2024
Bible Reading: Proverbs 11:14
Memory Verse: Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. Proverbs 11:14 (MSG)
Reasons why people marry wrong include:
1. Leaving God outside of your decision: What is God saying concerning your marriage? Leaving God outside the equation of marriage will surely spell doom because God is the author of the first institution called marriage.
2. Lack or inadequate personal conviction: Yes, your father-in-the-Lord might have prophesied his/her name, but are you sufficiently convinced? Your spiritual parents will not always be there when the challenges of life rock the boat of your marriage. Only your personal conviction will do.
3. Lack of adequate knowledge and counsel: In a multitude of counsel, there is safety. People go to the University for 4-7 years to prepare for a course, but same people don’t want to go through pre-marital counselling sessions to prepare for a marriage destined to last for an entire life time.
4. Lack of Self-Understanding: Some individuals may not fully understand themselves leading them to choose a partner who doesn’t align with their true values and needs.
5. Rushed Decision-Making without adequate background check: Quick decisions without sufficient reflection or understanding of the other person can result in choosing a spouse who may not be the best long-term fit. What are the peculiarities (assets and liabilities) of the family you are about to marry into? You will eventually inherit both.
6. External Pressures: Societal or family expectations can push people into marriages with individuals who may not be compatible or suitable for a lifelong commitment.
MARRIAGE QUOTES
A. Have a good and godly marriage that shows the world Christ’s love through how you sacrificially love and serve one another — John Stange.
B. Marriage is over in an hour, and yet it takes a lifetime to be really married — E. Stanley Jones.
C. No matter how many rules we make for ourselves, rules don’t create godly relationships. Only leaning on our faithful Father and longing to please Him with everything we do will set the stage for a beautiful romance! — Eric Ludy
D. Staying married is not mainly about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant. “Till death do us part” or “As long as we both shall live” is a sacred covenant promise—the same kind Jesus made with His bride when He died for her.” — John Piper.
E. To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless — G.K. Chesterton.
Prophetic Decree: Altars speaking woe against your marriage shall catch fire, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for the institution called marriage.
2. My marriage shall be heaven on earth in Jesus name.
3. Altars of frustration erected against my marriage, catch fire, in Jesus name.
4. Power for marital breakthrough, fall upon my life, in Jesus name.
5. Mercy of God, correct my faulty marriage, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 4-6