God's Successful Marriage

  He Is Risen: The Victory That Changed Everything “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.” — Matthew 28:6 “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” — Luke 24:5–6 The Empty Tomb There was a stone, there was a sealed tomb and there was a body laid inside. And then… there was nothing. The grave could not hold Him, what was meant to be final… was not. What looked like defeat… was victory. Jesus Christ—crucified, buried, and on the third day—risen. Not imagined. Not symbolic. Not a story shaped by time. But truth that split history in two. What God Has Done “But God raised Him up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. ” — Acts 2:24 It was not possible because death had no authority over Him and sin had no claim on Him. The grave had no power to keep Him. What no man could overcome… God has overcome. Why This Matters “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ...

There comes a point in marriage when we have to move beyond asking, “What am I getting out of this?” and begin asking, “What has God called me to give within this?” That shift changes everything. Many couples enter marriage with good intentions, but over time, expectations can quietly replace purpose. We begin measuring our spouse by how well they meet our needs, rather than seeing them as someone God has entrusted to our care. Marriage was never meant to be sustained by feelings alone. It was designed with purpose—God’s purpose. And when we begin to see marriage not just as a relationship, but as a ministry, our perspective begins to realign. A Calling, Not Just a Commitment Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” That is not casual language. That is calling language. To love your spouse is not simply a preference—it is an assignment. It is a daily decision to serve, to sacrifice, and to act in a way that ref...

Remembering Love: A Reflection on Series One God’s Successful Marriage When we began this series, the goal was simple: to remind ourselves what marriage was meant to be. Many couples enter marriage with good intentions, sincere promises, and genuine love for one another. But as the years pass, the pressures of work, responsibilities, and everyday life can slowly crowd out the habits that once strengthened the relationship. Series One was written as a reminder. Not a list of complicated strategies, but a return to the foundational attitudes and practices that help marriages remain strong over time. Rather than reteaching every lesson, this closing reflection simply walks back through the path we traveled together. 1. What A Godly Marriage Is Really About We began with the foundation: understanding what marriage is meant to reflect. A godly marriage is more than companionship or shared responsibilities. Scripture presents marriage as a covenant designed to reflect Christ’s lo...

  Early in marriage, encouragement comes naturally. Newly married couples often speak admiration freely. Compliments come easily. Gratitude is expressed often. There is excitement in discovering the good qualities in the person you married. But over time, something subtle happens in many marriages. Life becomes busy. Responsibilities increase. Children arrive. Work schedules tighten. Bills need to be paid. Stress has a way of crowding the margins of daily life. Slowly, encouragement begins to fade from everyday conversation. It usually isn’t replaced with hostility. Instead, it is often replaced with silence. Yet Scripture reminds us that words carry tremendous power , especially within marriage. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (KJV) The Bible repeatedly teaches that our words shape the environment around us. Nowhere is that more evident than within the home. Your spouse hears your voice more than ...

  Marriage has a way of becoming busy. Careers grow, children arrive, responsibilities increase, and financial priorities shift. The early days of dating — when couples seemed to naturally carve out time for one another — can slowly be replaced by schedules, obligations, and fatigue. What once felt effortless can begin to feel like another item on a long list of things to manage. Many couples assume the solution is more money, more time, or fewer responsibilities. Yet after thirty years of marriage, we have learned something different: intentional attention matters far more than financial ability . Some of the strongest moments in our marriage did not happen during seasons of abundance. They happened during lean years — young marriage, military life, tight budgets, and long work weeks. Yet we discovered something that has remained true through every stage of life: dating your spouse is not about spending money; it is about choosing pursuit. Scripture repeatedly warns about small ne...

  There is a kind of laughter that fills a room. And there is a kind of laughter that fills a marriage. One entertains. The other heals. The Bible speaks more about joy than we sometimes realize. And not just surface-level happiness — but a deep, settled, soul-rooted joy that comes from God Himself. “A cheerful heart is good medicine…” — Proverbs 17:22 “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10 “Rejoice always.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Joy is not optional in the Christian life. It is commanded. And that means it belongs in marriage too. Young Couples Need to Hear This There will be seasons when money is tight. Seasons when pride gets loud. Seasons when exhaustion steals patience. We’ve walked through Marine Corps years. Financial stress. Near-divorce tension. Health battles. In those seasons, you don’t survive because everything is romantic. You survive because you remember you’re on the same team. Sometimes that looks like prayer. Sometimes that looks lik...