BUILDING A LIFETIME MARRIAGE.

BUILDING A LIFETIME MARRIAGE.

A LECTURE DELIVERED BY MOTHER CELESTIAL A. A ADEWALE (JP) AT THE CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST, YEMETU PARISH, IBADAN ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR WOMEN’S PROGRAMME, AS PART OF THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY AND ADULT HARVEST CELEBRATION

ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2013.

Marriage is a divine institution and a process by which two non-biologically related people who love each other make their relationship public, official and permanent. It is a union designed by God to tackle the problem of loneliness and backed by a sacred vow in the presence of God and man kind.

‘I call upon this person…’

FOUNDATION: Everything in life both living and non-living has its source i.e. origin. Whoever forgets its source will dry off. Christ is the foundation.

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone,

I will make him a help meet. (Genesis 2:18)

If you buy an electronic gadgets today, there will be a manual attached; this is to guide you on how best to enjoy it if followed properly, otherwise, you may lose the equipment.

God saw the incompleteness of man, hence the need for a help meet. Then, it is wrong for any man to say I can stay without a woman. Likewise, a woman is to be a help meet in WHATEVER form she finds herself.

Furthermore, the Lord God said in Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave

unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.

How many of our men hearkened to this instruction?

ADVICE: Let us stay within the instruction of God about marriage and enjoy a blissful marital life.

The following are the tips to help a marriage last a lifetime:

1. BUILD ON CHRIST

• Allow God’s word to guide you
• Understand that God originated marriage. Therefore, it must not be put asunder.
• Refer every marital problem to Him (God).

Prayer is the only weapon we have as Christians to fight the agents of darkness. Do not wait till problem come, learn to pray when you have no problem or trouble.

NOTE: The family that prays together stays together. (Proverb 14:1, Ephesians 5:16)

2. LOVE

With love, you can do anything to sustain your marriage. During courtship, the type of love that existed between the two lovers cannot be over emphasized. Let us call that kind of love agape love. It is this type of love that graduated to the call of both parent in wedlock. It is advised that this type of love be kept alive THROUGHOUT your relationship.

Look at the love that existed between Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29:20). It made him serve 14 years instead of 7 years.

The book of Songs of Solomon chapter 8 verses 7 says;

Many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it…

Love never fails, therefore let us be patient in love. Proverbs 10:12

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. Ephesians 5:28-29

3. COMMUNICATION

This gives room for transparency and it gives strength to a relationship, thus eradicating doubt.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

4. BE FOCUSED

Focus means a thing of interest which one strive to achieve. If your focus in your marriage is to make you, so shall it be and if otherwise, you shall reap it. As you set your mind on things that interest you, then it is very evident for you to strive and get them all in spite of the obstacles and challenges of life liable to come across your way.

To achieve this, don’t be a copy cast, try and be yourself. Don’t give room for third party, live a life of contentment, do not copy the standard of your friends but try and make God’s standard on marriage your watchword.

NOTE: Third party people are marriage destroyers. Therefore, BEWARE of them.

5. SEX

It has been observed that the nature of the African culture has worsened the effect of sex in marriage. Several houses have torn apart as a result of this. Paul said in 1^st Corinthians 7:2-5

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband.

Sex is not only for procreation as most women believe but serves as an avenue for intimacy and a tonic that nurtures every relationship.

Our husbands should not see their wives as horses to ride and latter drop; but they (husbands) should try and give room for romance to be able to enjoy sex especially where age is not on our side or when menopause set in. This is vital in any union.

NATURE OF WORK

The job (work) each other does must be supported for a stable home. Most homes have fallen apart because they refuse to understand the nature of their work.

Do not marry the physical being alone but also all that will make each other function in your chosen career. This will allow peace to reign supreme and portray your home as God’s given and for others to emulate.

In-laws from both sides are very important and relevant in your home. Do not exercise the attitude that will send them parking.

DOMINEERING ATTITUDE

Experience has shown that men have the tendency of being domineering. It is also true that wives are to submit themselves unto their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22) yet the Bible challenges both (husbands and wives) to submit themselves to one another. (1 Corinthians 7:3-4)

It is clear that there is no ideal wife or husband neither is there a perfect home BUT we must be determined to make success of our marriages.

NOTE: If you fail in your marriage, then regard failure in your entire life and very liable to miss HEAVEN.

HYGIENE

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Both parties are advised to keep hygiene live in their home. Most women have lost their divine husband due to uncleanness on the pretence that my husband should understand. No man is happy to live with a dirty woman.

CONCLUSION

Obedience they say is better than sacrifice. Let us sacrifice everything in regards to our deliberations today to build a lasting relationship.

Thank God for the grace we all are enjoying in Celestial Church of Christ, worldwide. It was due to Pa S. B. J Oshoffa’s obedience. 50 years is a journey that worth celebrating. May God keep us all under HIS grace to celebrate more years on earth.

Thank you.

Long live women forum,

Long live Celestial Church of Christ, Yemetu Parish,

Long live Celestial Church of Christ, worldwide.

AMEN.