21 SUBMITTING TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE FEAR OF GOD.
22 WIVES, SUBMIT TO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS, AS TO THE LORD.
23 FOR THE HUSBAND IS HEAD OF THE WIFE, AS ALSO CHRIST IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH; AND HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY.
24 Therefore, just as THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT TO CHRIST, so LET THE WIVES BE TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS IN EVERYTHING.
25 HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, just as CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH and GAVE Himself FOR HER,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT HER TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
28 SO HUSBANDS OUGHT TO LOVE THEIR OWN WIVES AS THEIR OWN BODIES; he who loves his wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless LET EACH ONE OF YOU IN PARTICULAR SO LOVE HIS OWN WIFE AS HIMSELF, AND LET THE WIFE SEE THAT SHE RESPECTS HER HUSBAND."
Ephesians 5:21-33 (NKJV)
• Married Life
- The initial stage of marriage could be challenging for some, because they are trying to get to know each other.
- You might not know each other fully in courtship, no matter how long the courtship is. Until you started living together, under the same roof, Then you begin to see those things that were not known to you about the person you have married.
- Marriage is for those who are mature; emotionally and spiritually. Physical or biological age might not be, because some at thirty or more still behave immaturely. Although biological age could be a plus, because of the experience of life, in stabilizing the marriage.
- If after you have married, you still want to go to your parents, and receive instructions on what to do in your home, either as a husband or a wife. It suggests that you are not mature enough for marriage, regardless of your age.
- Know that Marriage is a responsibility, either as a man or woman, and if you are not ready to take any responsibility, then do not bother to Marry (1 Corinthians 7:33,34).
- A man has the responsibility to provide, whilst the woman has the responsibility to take care of the husband and children.
- If you do not know how to prepare food, or you do not normally do it while you were with your Parents; you would have to learn to do it when you marry.
- No Man would like to marry and still be going to eateries or restaurants for dinner or Eating like a bachelor. Except you want to break your home!
- Support the vision of your husband. If you want to get the attention of your husband, be interested in his vision, or whatever he does for living.
- Encourage your husband in his works. - Your interest should not be only on the money you wanted him to provide. Be interested in how he makes the money, and the challenges he might be having in the work.
- Encourage him to build a house or buy, It is for your benefits and that of your children.
- Also, encourage your husband to work for God. Some men usually evade working in the house of God, hiding under the pretence of busy-ness of their secular works.
- Encourage him to do God's Will, like paying of tithes, Giving to the work of God and His Ministers.
- Cultivate the habit of praying together. Have a family altar in your home, where you talk to God about every issue on your family, and other acquaintances that you might want to pray for.
- Support your husband to spend wisely. Do not push him to spend on things that are not relevant. Do not be frivolous (Proverbs 12:11).
- Do not live above your size. Do not push him into borrowing, that is, buying things that are big for your present earnings—things you cannot afford.
- Live your size per time! Someone said, life is in phases and men are in sizes. Eat your size, put your children in the school you can afford. Do not compete or compare yourself with others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
- If you are newly married, develop the habit of planning things together.
- While in courtship, you have to plan some things together about your married life. Know the number of children you would like to have—the number you have the capacity to train.
- Having many children could make you be under the responsibility of training children for the rest of your lifetime—even till old age.
- If this is not properly planned with the help of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you, it could slow you down in the fulfilment of whatever assignment God has for you. Family planning is not a Sin!
• You need wisdom to handle your in-laws. Especially if you had delay in child bearings.
- Meddling, imposition, an unwelcome interference, or addition, or burden, from the in-laws; could lead to rifts or disagreements in a marriage, If the couple involved did not understand each other very well.
- This and similar things should be some of the things to thrash out or discuss in courtship, and reach a compromise, or an agreement, before marriage.
• It is my prayer that you will not miss it in marriage in Jesus' name.
- If you are sick in your body, As you read this, I release healing power of God on you, in Jesus' name.
- You are healed and the Affliction will never rise again in Jesus' name.
Peace!
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!