Marriage …
Marriage is Important
We look at the Importance of Marriage primarily from the perspective of Scripture.
God’s Creation
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NKJV)
Right from the start God made men and women equal, in “the image of God” but with complimentary differences as men and women.
On the creation of man God placed him in the garden and gave him His vision for life in the world that He, God had created. God then saw that something was incomplete and said “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). God had seen that it was not good for the first man, and for most of us, to be left by himself.
God then created/crafted woman out of the rib of that first man ( Genesis 2:21-22). Then, God presented and entrusted this remarkable gift to the man.
What we know as marriage had been instituted by God. A man and a woman becoming one new entity and, as we are told later being “one flesh”. That entity of one man and one woman being the fundamental human relationship in God’s created world. This human relationship being the basis for family — a relationship that is there ahead of the parent-child relationship.
Genesis 2:24 tells
Prayer for marriages of those in the media ~ November
The concentration of media ownership in Australia is one of the highest in the world and its power and influence can be used for either good or evil. The media must be held accountable for the part they play in the decline of values observed in society today. Many in the media remain aloof to the issue, claiming to reflect rather than to influence society.
- Please pray for truth and integrity of their work and creativity in every branch of media.
- Please pray against the use of obscene advertising to attract. Please pray that the ABC and other media outlets would give unbiased coverage in all areas.
- Pray that the government, within the constrains of the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press maintain a closer scrutiny of media violence, being aware of the potential effect of this on society and that the public would be more vigilant
Joy, The Joy of Marriage
During Marriage Week there is a great opportunity to strengthen or rebuild a strong marriage culture within the church and beyond in the community. We can add “fuel” to rekindle a vibrant marriage culture in a society that no longer understands what marriage is, much less what it is for.
During Marriage Week honour, celebrate and teach God’s design and purpose for marriage. This year the theme is “The Joy of Marriage” which could be a theme to preach on or use in group settings if you are led that way.
Some have a mixed understanding of the meaning of “joy” often equating it to happiness.
What’s the Difference? The words “joy” and “happiness” are often interchanged when describing emotions, but they are very different. Websters Dictionary (1828) starts their definition of happiness:
“The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in
