New Believer's Bible Sample - Flipbook - Page 40
OFF & RUNNING
page A42
• Work as if you are working for the Lord see Colossians 3:22-24, page 1149
• Create a spiritual hunger in those around you see Titus 2:9-10, page 1173
Marriage
How many times have you heard the cliché, “They have a marriage made in
Heaven”? This statement implies that some marriages are destined to be good,
while others are destined to be bad. Such thinking assumes that marriage has
a life of its own, and the only way to find out if you are to have a “good” one or
a “bad” one is to give it a shot. What most people don’t seem to understand,
though, is that marriage is like a mirror. It reflects what it sees. If a marriage is
strong, it is because the husband and wife have put a lot of hard work into it. If
a marriage is weak, it is because the husband or wife or both have neglected it.
God never intended for anyone to have a weak marriage. His design for marriage
is lifelong, fulfilling companionship. For a couple’s marriage to thrive within his
design, the couple must obey God and his Word and lay aside this world’s distorted and perverse concept of marriage. The Bible contains truths that will not
only help keep a couple together but will also keep their marriage strong. In fact,
the lessons the Bible gives on marriage should serve as the foundation of every
Christian couple’s relationship. Whether you are married or single, the following
verses will give you a godly perspective on marriage relationships.
• God created marriage see Genesis 2:18-25, page 5
• The boundaries of marriage are to be honored and enjoyed see Proverbs 5:15-20,
page 583
• Marriage is for companionship see Proverbs 18:22, page 595
• There is an intimacy in marriage that can be found nowhere else see Song of
Songs 4:1–5:1, page 619
• Children benefit when their parents have a godly marriage see Malachi 2:15,
page 886
• Divorce is not part of God’s plan see Mark 10:2-12, page 944
• Marriage is not for everyone see 1 Corinthians 7:1-40, page 1096
• A Christian should not leave a non-Christian spouse see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16,
page 1097
• God’s guidelines for husbands and wives see Ephesians 5:21-33, page 1136
• Keeping your marriage strong see Hebrews 13:4, page 1190
Parenting
God’s plan is to build, strengthen, and protect families. Satan’s plan is to
undermine, weaken, and destroy them. Make no mistake: Satan has declared
war on our families. Tragically, many of us have been willing accomplices.
