Guys, here are some simple but great verses that both challenged and encouraged me today and might even you as well ...if you want. I purposely wanted to keep my own blah, blah commentary out pretty much (you certainly don't need me preachin' at cha..), but I would encourage you to meditate upon these verses within their own context in the Bible.
"Love is (or you could of course say, "Jesus is" or "_______[<-inject your name here] is".. just to see how you are doing..) patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance" (1 Cor. 13:4-8, injected emphasis mine).
"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1Jn. 4:8).
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.." (Eph. 5:25-26).
"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7).
"Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding" (Prov. 14:33).
"The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge" (Prov. 15:14).
"Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly.." (Prov. 16:19).
"For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth" (2 Cor. 12:6).
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sam. 15:23).
"Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise" (Prov. 20:1).
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit" (Prov. 29:23).
"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character'" (1 Cor. 15:33).
"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22).
"Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19).
Let's face it, if we (any of us husbands and wives..) aren't strong, unified, and prayerful in Christ's love ..together, our marriages certainly won't be a good witness for a watching wayward world. How can they even last?
You know that it's the couple that prays together in Christ—that's continues on in applying His teachings, committed and actively apart of a thriving Bible teaching church—that generally stays together and makes an impact on this lost world.
