6. Get Rest – Psalm 127: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain…. In vain you rise up early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves. Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth… The Lord wants to bless your home and your family, and chronic exhaustion is not part of that plan. Perhaps it would help if we brought a little discipline into our bedtime. Many of us could turn off the television, Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or web-surfing a half-hour earlier. A little more sleep would mean a healthier environment in the home.
7. Pray Together – Matthew 18:19: I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. In 1946, Father Patrick Peyton coined this phrase during a radio program on the Mutual Broadcasting System: “The family that prays together stays together.” It’s still true.
8. Build Fences – 2 Corinthians 11:3: I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. The context here has to do with the fidelity of the Corinthian church to the Lord Jesus Christ, but the analogy Paul used was marriage—and in doing so, he told us something about the danger of being led astray by unhealthy relationships. Do not be drawn into conversations of a personal nature with a member of the opposite sex who isn’t your husband or wife. Do not tell a member of the opposite sex anything you would not or have not told your spouse. Do not pursue an online conversation with a member of the opposite sex on any kind of social media. Do not have any contact with an old boyfriend or girlfriend. Build fences around the exclusivity of your marital relationship.
9. Get Help – Proverbs 13:10: Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. If your marriage needs a little help, get it. Seek good counseling.
10. Remember that Your Spouse is (Almost) Always Right – Romans 12:10: Honor one another above yourselves. Marriage works best when the partners are less selfish, more selfless, and when they understand that it’s not about making themselves happy but about making the other happy.
PS – For my complete messages on this subject, check out the sermon tab at www.donelson.org.