April

NO MARRIAGE LIFE GROUP MEETING THIS MONTH!

We look forward to seeing everyone next month. 

Everlasting Love

You know you are experiencing an example of Christ when your marriage relationship reflects the everlasting relationship and friendship that Christ promises us. Not because all things are perfect, but because you learn to trust one another and work through the various obstacles life deals you. 

He promises to love us in spite of our faults and failures. He promises to be trustworthy and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He does not abandon us in our time of need, on the contrary, He is there to see us through to the other side and rejoice as we discovery victory. Isn't that what our relationships are supposed to reflect? 

You know there is a divine love present beyond your own ability when troubles arise, trials hit and failures are in your face and the one who vowed to love you does not turn away, but instead turns toward you, comforts you and covers you with grace.   

Far to often in our life time we learn that relationships don't last, whether it be from examples of failed marriages, friendships or family relations. Yet this is not the guide God desire for us to follow nor the example we ought to give. He provides us with a guide which gives us hope that we have a true everlasting love, relationship and friendship, which will not fail us. This is to be the model of our marriage relationship, friendships and family relations. 

I praise God as my everlasting love and thank him for the blessed marriage and lifelong friend he has given me!

Redemptive Behavior

This month's message was all about reflecting the redemptive behavior of our Savior! 

Here are a few of the points Jimmy Evan's made in his teaching, Our Secret Paradise, session 2:

1. Preparation is important to a marriage relationship, but we cannot inoculate our marriages from hurt or problems completely. 

2. We have a calling to reflect the redemptive behavior of our Savior in our relationships. Not operating in the "Hide & be condemned" a "Tit for Tat" or "Revenge" attitudes. 

3. We should deal with the hurt and frustration while it is still today, that we do not let the sun go down on our anger and give the devil a foothold. Deal with truth in love. 

4. Confess to God & one another our wrong behavior, seeking the guidance of His Holy Spirit, forgiveness of our sins and begin the healing by taking responsibility for our wrong doing, repent. (Do not so deceive yourselves by hiding from the truth, pretending or avoiding the issue) 

5. Be careful when you think the problem lies mostly in the faults of others, because you may very well be a part of the problem. 

6. Abuse is not the same thing as relational endurance through hurtful times and struggles. Abuse is intentional behavior to harm another or oneself and that is an area which needs extra help, some times at a safe distance. 

The hope is in reflecting the proper image. 

We are created in the image of God through Christ as our Savior!

 

We do not have to remain condemned. 

We do not have to react to attacks. 

We do not have to retaliate for justice.

We do not have to refuse to serve the needs of others.

We do not have to revisit past failures.

We can repent and renew our strength in the Lord and reflect His redemptive behavior!