Marriage = Commitment

Here's a new sermon series that my pastor Brother Wayne Spivey has started preaching on. I want to share with you his encouraging words and guidance regarding marriage. This particular sermon series in titled, "What to do when you discover your marriage isn't perfect." Here are his notes on the first sermon titled Commitment. I added my own thoughts to this as well in purple.

There are four commitments that we (as a married individual) must make to help strengthen our relationship.

1. Commitment to GOD (Romans 12:1 states: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.")

*We will all be married to Christ in Heaven ONE DAY! That is, if you have a relationship with Him.

2. Commitment to SPIRITUAL MATURITY (Romans 12:2 says: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will.")

* Sometimes I think this is hard. I think that there is a belief among some Christians that we do not have to work at our relationship with God. If we go to Church for Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day that we have done enough. However, God designed us to have a relationship with HIM.

* We must GROW together in the WORD of God! Spending time together in devotion, going to Church, and getting involved doing God's will is important.

3. Commitment to the MAINTENANCE of Marriage (Romans 12:9 states: " Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.")

*Nurture your relationship

* Work on patience

*Do nothing with your relationship and it will destroy

4. Commitment to the MIRACLE of Marriage (Romans 12: 18-19 says: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.")

*Let God take care of wrath.

If we focus on our relationship with God, I believe God will show us how to nurture our relationship with our spouse.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to stay focus on You and Your will for my life. Show me and Guide me to help nurture my relationship with my spouse. In your Son name, Amen.