I write a monthly devotional for our deacons at FBC Moreland. Next month is Valentine's Day and our deacons host a churchwide Valentine's Dinner every February. People are thinking about marriage this month. Many marriages are struggling. As a deacon, you'll want to minister to couple's marriages in your church. Ministering to marriages isn't just for deacons - if you have an opportunity to encourage a couple struggling, God wants to use you. Here's my February devotion:
One of the saddest things I sometimes witness is a family get divorced. Children go from living with mom and dad to only mom. Divorce is not God’s will (Mark 10:9) and leaves a devastating impact on children, grandchildren, even churches.
As a deacon, you minister to marriages. Every marriage experiences problems. When people have problems in their marriage, many times they don’t know whom to listen to, what to do, and what resources are available. Here are several “warning signs” a couple could be having marital problems:
What to do and say if a man is experiencing marital problems.
One of the saddest things I sometimes witness is a family get divorced. Children go from living with mom and dad to only mom. Divorce is not God’s will (Mark 10:9) and leaves a devastating impact on children, grandchildren, even churches.
As a deacon, you minister to marriages. Every marriage experiences problems. When people have problems in their marriage, many times they don’t know whom to listen to, what to do, and what resources are available. Here are several “warning signs” a couple could be having marital problems:
- Someone’s using the “D” word too casually. If a man is asking questions or talking about divorce (even sarcastically) he could be considering it.
- A man no longer attends church with his wife and kids.
- A man is working all the time, he’s never home.
- A man can’t keep a steady job. Financial problems is the number one reason listed for divorce, higher than adultery (which is number two).
- Unforgiveness. If a man is complaining about what his wife did three years ago – that’s a sign he hasn’t forgiven her. Bitterness and resentment destroy marriages.
What to do and say if a man is experiencing marital problems.
- Stop and pray for the man and his wife. God hears our prayers and strengthens marriages.
- Share what Jesus had to say about marriage and divorce (Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-11; Luke 16:18).
- Offer to meet with him regularly or refer him to a free marriage counselor. I recommend people to the Faith Biblical Counseling Center at Faith Bible Church in Sharpsburg. The director, David Birch, has spoken a couple of times at FBCM and the center is ACBC trained. www.faithbiblechurch.us
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