As I continue to review our journey on Saturday, my summary today is in regards to the divine source of marriage. Del Tackett is president of the FOTF Institute, and Senior VP of FOTF. He teaches The Truth Project, a very strong Christian worldview bible study which is amazing.
I love Del's style of teaching, and he worked directly out of the concepts from The Truth Project lesson on social order and the family. He speaks to the idea that the family is all part of God's social order and design, and mirrors that of the Trinity. He states that marriage is just as concrete with God's creation as the sun, moon, stars, etc. Marriage is God's divine mark on the universe, and it was not a random act.
Do you notice how, during creation, God says, "It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good." Then he has, what Del calls, the divine pause. He then states, "It is NOT good..." Does that mean that what he created was a mistake? Not what he intended? Not perfect? Not good? No! He pauses, and then states a significant point. "It is NOT good for man to be alone." Exclamation mark, by God, on the importance of marriage and relationships. Nothing is random with God. He is a God of order. He knew what he was doing and wanted us to know the same. This shouldn't be minimized or overlooked.
But, God doesn't stop there. God provides us with blueprints for our marriage. Think of an atom for a moment. The neutrons and protons live in harmony in the nucleus while the electrons continue to move about in the electron cloud. Do they need a blueprint to work correctly? No, they obey the order in which they were created by God. They don't question, they don't stray, they obey. But, we as people go astray. But we are not left alone. Ephesians 5 provides us with the information we need to follow God's plan for our marriage. The husband needs respect like the woman needs love. Love and respect each other as Christ intended. Finally, don't overlook 1 Peter 3:7...a caution for us all. If you feel like your prayers aren't being heard, take a look at your relationship with your spouse...
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
Del goes on to say how nothing makes him tremble in his boots to think of God not hearing his prayers. Amen to that!
Once last point. Del speaks to submission very eloquently. I challenge you to think on this. Just as Jesus submits to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) so a wife is to submit to her husband. The world has put a horrible, negative spin on this term, and I believe it to be, in its intended form, a term to ensure protection under her husband, the spiritual leader of the family. It doesn't mean you're a doormat, or a slave, or one who has no say, but it is the husband's role to lead the family and a wife's role to come under his authority. I believe this is naturally in place when the roles of the marriage are done in accordance with God's will. A point of contention for some, but I will willingly submit daily to my husband's role as leader of the family, when it is concordance with God's design. Nothing makes me feel more loved, protected, and secure than knowing my husband is guarding our marriage and family with God's help.
Do you see God's design in your marriage? Is his thumbprint firmly inprinted in your daily interactions? Are you following his blueprint to ensure a healthy and happy relationship? You can't do it without God's help. Call on him today to experience true agape love from him, because only with God's assistance can you pass it on to others, especially your precious spouse.
I love Del's style of teaching, and he worked directly out of the concepts from The Truth Project lesson on social order and the family. He speaks to the idea that the family is all part of God's social order and design, and mirrors that of the Trinity. He states that marriage is just as concrete with God's creation as the sun, moon, stars, etc. Marriage is God's divine mark on the universe, and it was not a random act.
Do you notice how, during creation, God says, "It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good." Then he has, what Del calls, the divine pause. He then states, "It is NOT good..." Does that mean that what he created was a mistake? Not what he intended? Not perfect? Not good? No! He pauses, and then states a significant point. "It is NOT good for man to be alone." Exclamation mark, by God, on the importance of marriage and relationships. Nothing is random with God. He is a God of order. He knew what he was doing and wanted us to know the same. This shouldn't be minimized or overlooked.
But, God doesn't stop there. God provides us with blueprints for our marriage. Think of an atom for a moment. The neutrons and protons live in harmony in the nucleus while the electrons continue to move about in the electron cloud. Do they need a blueprint to work correctly? No, they obey the order in which they were created by God. They don't question, they don't stray, they obey. But, we as people go astray. But we are not left alone. Ephesians 5 provides us with the information we need to follow God's plan for our marriage. The husband needs respect like the woman needs love. Love and respect each other as Christ intended. Finally, don't overlook 1 Peter 3:7...a caution for us all. If you feel like your prayers aren't being heard, take a look at your relationship with your spouse...
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
Del goes on to say how nothing makes him tremble in his boots to think of God not hearing his prayers. Amen to that!
Once last point. Del speaks to submission very eloquently. I challenge you to think on this. Just as Jesus submits to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) so a wife is to submit to her husband. The world has put a horrible, negative spin on this term, and I believe it to be, in its intended form, a term to ensure protection under her husband, the spiritual leader of the family. It doesn't mean you're a doormat, or a slave, or one who has no say, but it is the husband's role to lead the family and a wife's role to come under his authority. I believe this is naturally in place when the roles of the marriage are done in accordance with God's will. A point of contention for some, but I will willingly submit daily to my husband's role as leader of the family, when it is concordance with God's design. Nothing makes me feel more loved, protected, and secure than knowing my husband is guarding our marriage and family with God's help.
Do you see God's design in your marriage? Is his thumbprint firmly inprinted in your daily interactions? Are you following his blueprint to ensure a healthy and happy relationship? You can't do it without God's help. Call on him today to experience true agape love from him, because only with God's assistance can you pass it on to others, especially your precious spouse.
Thank you for the prayers and thoughts this morning. Still have 3 sickies battling high fevers. Chicken noodle soup is on the menu.
Blessings,
~Mrs.Cuddles