The Roman Rules of Marriage

The Roman Rules of Marriage

 

"[Let your] love be sincere-a real thing" (Romans 12:9, AMP)

February is the month we celebrate love, marriage, and sweethearts. But love is more than frilly Valentine's cards, heart-shaped candy, and bouquets of roses or balloons.  Sometimes love is commitment to hard work.

If you are married, here are some questions for reflection: Do I love my husband well?  Do I adore the man God has given to me? Am I admiring him as a child of God? Am I appreciating him for who he is today instead of what he could be if he lived up to my expectations? Am I giving my heart freely or do I make him feel as though he constantly has to earn my love?

Paul gives us some good advice on how to love one another in Romans 12:9-18.  

• Love must be sincere.  
• Cling to what is good. 
• Be devoted to one another.  
• Honor one another above yourself.  
• Never be lacking in zeal.  
• Be joyful in hope.  
• Be patient in affliction.  
• Be faithful in prayer.  
• Share with God's people who are in need.  
• Practice hospitality.  
• Bless those who persecute you.  
• Rejoice with those who rejoice.  
• Mourn with those who mourn.  
• Live in harmony with one another. 
• Do not be proud.  
• Do not be conceited.
• Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  
• Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  
• If it is possible, a far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Now take a look at that list. It is easy to think that Paul is talking about our friends or fellow Christians. But if these are the guidelines for loving our friends, how much more are they guidelines for loving our very own husbands? As Ann Landers once said, "Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is a loyalty through good and bad. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses."

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day as you celebrate your marriage. And if you're not married, celebrate the love you share with friends, family, and your heavenly Bridegroom - Jesus Christ.
Dear God of Love, I pray that I will love others well today. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can overflow Your love to those around me. I know that loving others is Your most important command. Help me to keep that foremost in my mind and in my actions this day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Go back up to the Roman Rules above. Write them out . Carry this list in your pocket and glance at them often today. Check up on yourself several times throughout the day to see how you're doing!

If you're brave enough, ask a friend to give you honest feedback on what you do well and what needs improvement.

Words Can Captivate Your Man

Words Can Captivate Your Man    

(In honor of Valentine's Day, i will focus this piece on marriage.)

By Precious Werner Ahiakwo

"A good wife is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds" (Proverbs 31:10, The Message).

Now, I want you to use your imagination. I want you to imagine your husband sitting at his desk or at a quiet place at work. Imagine him lost in thought about how blessed he is to have you as his wife. He holds your framed picture in his hand and moisture begins to pool in his eyes. He is captivated.

All the riches in the world are not to be compared with the jewel I have in this woman, he muses. What did I ever do to deserve her? God has given me such a gift. All our married life, she has done nothing but love me, bring out the best in me, and look out for my best interest.  All the guys at the office are envious of our relationship. I see the way their eyes soften when she comes by just to tell me hello, grabs my hand when we're at office functions, or pecks me on the cheek for no apparent reason. I notice that her loving words to me are in stark contrast to some of the cutting remarks of other wives...and so do my friends. I look around at the accomplishments of my life, but having this woman as my wife is my greatest. Oh sure, there are many women out there in the world who are accomplishing great feats, but my wife...well, she surpasses them all.

What a picture! That's the woman I want to be, don't you? And amazingly my words can be the determining factor as to whether this scenario is possible or not. Did you know that there are words your husband longs to hear? Did you know that there are words we should never say? Let me give you a few from a lovely book, The Power of a Woman's Words.

Words to Never Say to Your Husband  

1.      I told you so.   

2.      You just don't think.  

3.      It's your fault.  

4.      What's wrong with you? 

5.      I can't do anything to please you.

6.      All you care about is yourself.  

7.      You never listen to me.  

8.      I don't know why I put up with you.  

9.      What do you want now?  

10.  How many times do I have to tell you?

 

Words Your Husband Longs to Hear 

 

1. I've been thinking about you all day.
2. What can I do for you today?  
3. How can I pray for you today? 
4. The best part of my day is when you come home.
5. You are one of God's most precious gifts to me.  
6. You are so wonderful. 
7. You look so handsome today.  
8. I don't feel complete without you.  
9. I will always love you.  
10. I trust your decisions. 

Today, be aware of the words you say to your husband. Do they build him up or tear him down? Do they make him glad he came home, or wish he hadn't?
Dear Lord, please keep watch over my lips today. Help me use my words to speak life to those I come in contact with today. Help me use my words to build up and not tear down. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Why not pick out 1 or 2 phrases from the list of words your husband longs to hear and try them out with your husband today. You might be surprised just how much his eyes light up! When you love your husband well, God says "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"

 
February is the month of love and a wonderful time to contemplate our marriages. Do you want to become the woman of your husband's dreams? The woman who makes him sorry to leave in the morning and eager to come home at night? Of course ‘’Yes”! You can make it happen today.