HERE COMES THE BRIDE!!

Today I am excited as I become a mother in law to an awesome young lady about 5 p.m. today. Weddings are an exciting time. Much anticipation, many prayers, lots of hopes and dreams for the future. I thought what better subject area on the day of my son's wedding than to write about the marriage vows and marriage in a Christian's life.

Marriage is not just a beautiful bride and wonderful wedding but it is about life together, dying to self, learning to live with another person, and commitment. It is not just the lovey dovey mushy stuff although that is very nice and all couples should work on keeping the 'love fire'  of passion alive and burning brightly. When you get married it is not just about you. You learn to give and take.  You learn patience. You learn to forgive and forget. You learn you do not always have to get the last word. You learn to not be selfish. You learn to listen with your ears and your heart. You learn respect. You learn to help each other.

The honeymoon does not have to end. Staying in God's word as a couple and as an individual is vitally important for within it's pages is much wisdom on living together and being Christlike. The husband needs to take seriously about being the spiritual head of the household and nurture his wife with the word of God. Many couples  recite their vows and the clergyman reads a few Bible verses speaking about lifelong commitment. Those vows taken before God and man need to be taken  seriously. God should not be left at the altar of the wedding ceremony but should be the center of the marriage.

1 Corinthians 13 which is known as the 'love chapter' is often read in weddings. I will excerpt a few key verses now. Verses 4 thru 7 say "Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not self seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  In Ephesians 5:22-33 are found the verses husbands and wives need to read about their responsibilities as a Christian spouse. Take some time and read these few verses. Matthew 19:4-6 says "Haven't you read at the beginning God made them male and female and for this reason He said "A man shall leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together let no man separate."

As my son and my new 'daughter' start their journey through life together I am excited about how God will work in their marriage and in their lives.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the beauty of marriage. Not everyone will get married but for those who do let us remember to keep Christ alive in the marriage. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to enjoy an appropriate song:
http://youtu.be/aZbhrO4IEtI