Maybe Some of it was my Fault

Chapter 1 : One Flesh, are you sure?

Chapter 2: But Won’t That Hurt?

Chapter 3: Before Starting Over, Try This.

Chapter 4: A Man Shouldn’t Be Alone

Chapter 5: Count to Ten Before You Speak

Making Marriage Work by Joyce Meyer

Maybe Some of It Was My Fault

Jude 1:24

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁴Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]–

When two people spend quality time together, they begin to see life the same way. But when two people stand back to back facing opposite directions, they have little chance of sharing a common viewpoint. Spending time with each other can makes such a difference in a relationship.

Fighting over unneeded issues causing everyone including the kids grief. MOst of the time the issue is not really a big deal we just want to get our own way. Prayer can help spare us from all that anger and resentment. When some woman reads in the bible that we need to submit or adapt to our husbands, their pride puffs up no way! Over my dead body! If we don’t we will have a dead relationship. We also see in the bible that our husband is supposed to listen to us. 1 Peter 3:7. Many woman who stay home with children all day long for their quality adult time with their husband.

Just me and you together

Spending time together increases the understanding of each other’s viewpoint and needs. The Bible says that a quarrelsome, nagging wife annoys like constant dripping on a rainy day. (Proverbs 19:13) Joyce’s issue was her husband loved to golf and spent a lot of time doing it. he even invited her to come, but she was so bull-headed to do it and just threw fits to try to get him to stay home. Him being home with her caused Joyce to feel secure. Finally one afternoon she went to the driving rang to find him. She was mad, but by the mercy of God, she was given the grace to swallow her pride. Her and the kids went to the driving range and she told him I give up teach me to golf.

Surrender means to “Give up”

Sometimes we need to realize certain things about our spouse we are not going to able to change.  If Joyce hadn’t “gave up” I would rather say give in; she wouldn’t have enjoyed that special time with her husband.  Try on your spouses “shoes” see how they feel, you may just have fun! With God it is possible to break loose from our old nature and become a new creation.

Having a terrific marriage is possible. It is simple a matter of surrender and letting god lead us to the pleasant plan He has in mine for us. We cannot have our own way and God’s way, too.

Dying to Self

Do you feel like you have done everything a good Christian was supposed to do? But things don’t seem to be going your way.

James 1:26-27

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

All those efforts are worthless without the right heart and His Holy Spirit in us. God didn’t say He would do it all for us. We have to use self-control concerning the things we say. NO matter how we think; we do have control over our tongue. Joyce was shown by God a scenario we all do. If our Pastor showed up in the middle of the night we would exercise perfect self-control in his presence. When we are around people want to impress, or that we don’t want to think badly of us, it is amazing how well we can behave.

Verse 27 of James 1 is saying that our worship and faith in Christ are to have some outward expression that others can see.  It’s called good works, but these works must be done with a right motive. MAke sure you know the difference between works of flesh and good works.

So if you want your religion to be real, you must have three outward expressions of your faith.

• you must bridle your mouth
• you must help hurting people
• you must live a holy life

If you focus on these three things, you will bless yourself, your spouse, your family and your friends. Simply obey God’s principles, and God will bless you.

Next Chapter:  Chapter 6 Part 2