BUILT DIFFERENT — BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE

Nobody stays married because they had a great wedding. A wedding is an event, but a marriage is a construction project

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Great marriages aren’t found. They’re built. Built on the Word of God.

 

3 TOOLS TO BUILD A BETTER MARRIAGE

1- IF YOU THINK SOMETHING GOOD, SAY IT

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up..."

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

oikodomē = “to build a house.”

Say what you’re thinking. Don’t assume they know.

Declarations of your lips will determine the direction of your life.

Life and death is in the power of tongue.

Build something beautiful with your words.

2- IF YOU THINK SOMETHING FUN, DO IT

"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth... may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love."

Proverbs 5:18–19 (NIV)

Every marriage is under construction. Nobody accidentally builds a great marriage.

They’re built on ten thousand intentional moments:

One thoughtful decision

One shared laugh

One date night

One prayer

One kiss

One brick at a time

3- IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BE IT

Your spouse is not your enemy, they’re your teammate. 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood..."

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

What if you stopped waiting for your spouse to change, and you decided to become the spouse you’re praying they’d become?

If you want encouragement, be encouraging.

If you want honor, be honorable.

If you want grace, be gracious.

Don’t forgive because they deserve it. Forgive because Jesus forgave you.

"Bear with each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

If you want to be pursued, be the pursuer.

Love doesn’t stand around waiting for the other person to make the first move. Love goes first.

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Marriage has always pointed to Christ and the Church. That’s why the greatest thing you can do for your marriage is become more like Jesus.

Read Your Bible / Pray Everyday

Make a Decision