{"id":12222,"date":"2023-04-28T11:46:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T15:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awarningministry.com\/?p=12222"},"modified":"2023-04-28T12:22:51","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T16:22:51","slug":"hear-the-voice-of-the-bridegroom-concerning-holy-matrimony-by-bill-roberta-taylor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awarningministry.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/28\/hear-the-voice-of-the-bridegroom-concerning-holy-matrimony-by-bill-roberta-taylor\/","title":{"rendered":"Hear the Voice of the Bridegroom Concerning Holy Matrimony by Bill &#038; Roberta Taylor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#soundBiteMarriage\">Marriage Under Threat: Hear the Voice of the Bridegroom Concerning Holy Matrimony (successful-marriage.blogspot.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> \u00a0FAMILY 1028 &#8211; 04282023 &#8211; Sound Bite Marriage &#8211; COMPARING MARRIAGE AND SALVATION &#8211; THE NATURAL USE OF WOMEN &#8230; and led in the destruction of the American justice system: &#8211; Masculine Christianity &#8211; Woman\u2019s Sin Can Destroy a Great Nation &#8211; Feminism, Godly WomanhoodGod expects a man to love his wife as Christ loves His church: Ephesians 5:25-28   &#8230; and led in the destruction of the American justice system: &#8211; Masculine Christianity &#8211; Woman\u2019s Sin Can Destroy a Great Nation &#8211; Feminism, Godly WomanhoodGod expects a man to love his wife as Christ loves His church: Ephesians 5:25-28 <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/conta.cc\/3NmSbnA\" target=\"_blank\"><br>https:\/\/conta.cc\/3NmSbnA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-table\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><th><\/th><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hear the Voice of the Bridegroom Concerning Holy Matrimony<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Feel free to use this material in any way that supports His cause!&nbsp; We\u2019ve put books about marriage on our Amazon author page:   <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Bill-and-Roberta-Taylor\/e\/B09DTMSHT8\/\">https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Bill-and-Roberta-Taylor\/e\/B09DTMSHT8\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-amazon-kindle wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-amazon\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bill and Roberta Taylor\" type=\"text\/html\" width=\"3840\" height=\"550\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen style=\"max-width:100%\" src=\"https:\/\/read.amazon.com\/kp\/card?preview=inline&#038;linkCode=kpd&#038;ref_=k4w_oembed_0cFVauDr4pjZ83&#038;asin=B09DTMSHT8&#038;tag=kpembed-20\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Pastors Teaching God-Ordained Holy Matrimony<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Christians must be taught how to bring about God-honoring marriages that give both parties a taste of the joys of Heaven as God intended.&nbsp; Marriage is simple \u2013 as shown on page 17, the Bible describes marriage in&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#oneVerse\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one verse<\/a>.&nbsp; You can explain both marriage and salvation in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#oneMinuteMarriage\">one minute<\/a>, see page 39.&nbsp; You can show how a joyful marriage operates in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#onlyPraise\">two words<\/a>, see page 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible tells us what to believe and what to do.&nbsp; God created marriage to bring men and women joy in this life (Gal. 5:22-23, Eph. 5:9), to show lost people the blessings of ordering our lives as&nbsp;<em>He<\/em>&nbsp;commands (Du. 4:6-8, Du. 30:9-10, 16), and so His servants could raise children to serve Him (Mal. 2:15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Romans 7:4 uses the word \u201cmarried\u201d to describe the tie between a born-again Christian and Christ.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Holy<\/em>&nbsp;Matrimony is your most&nbsp;<em>powerful<\/em>&nbsp;testimony.&nbsp; We Christians show Christ to unbelievers (2 Cor. 5:20).&nbsp; The way Christian husbands nourish and cherish their wives shows the lost how Christ blesses His people.&nbsp; When lost people see that Christian marriages are no better than theirs, when we can\u2019t handle this life any better than they can, we damage the picture of Christ\u2019s care for us.&nbsp; Why should they hear what we say about the life to come?&nbsp; Christian divorce and unhappy Christian marriages&nbsp;<em>wreck<\/em>&nbsp;our testimony and dishonor Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>HEAR THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>2 Cor. 11:2 teaches that the church is the bride of Christ.&nbsp; John the Baptist\u2019s message to Jews was like a pastor\u2019s message to a church.&nbsp; When John heard that Jesus\u2019 disciples were baptizing and that \u201call men come to him (Jn. 3:26),\u201d John could have been jealous, but he humbly explained his God-given role:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom&#8217;s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.&nbsp;<sup>30<\/sup>He must increase, but I must decrease.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John&nbsp;3:28-30<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>God sent John&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;the Christ.&nbsp; The church is the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom in the \u201cmarriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9).\u201d&nbsp; John couldn\u2019t preach our Gospel of Jesus\u2019 death, burial, and resurrection because it hadn\u2019t happened yet; his Gospel of Repentance proclaimed the Messiah.&nbsp; If Jews had accepted Christ as Messiah, they\u2019d have been married to Him as Christians are today (Ro. 7:4).&nbsp; As the friend of the Bridegroom, John heard \u201cthe bridegroom&#8217;s voice (Jn. 3:29)\u201d which filled him with joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Abraham and Moses were friends of God (Ex. 33:11, 2 Chr. 20:7, Is. 41:8), pastors are called by God to be friends of the Bridegroom.&nbsp; As Christ\u2019s friend, you&nbsp;<em>rejoice<\/em>&nbsp;as Christ speaks to you and to your people through your messages, Bible reading, and prayer.&nbsp; Christ must increase in us as we crucify the flesh in our lives (Eph. 4:22, Col. 3:9).&nbsp; Growth in Christ from hearing the Bridegroom continues the \u201cgood work\u201d that begins when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and continues \u201cuntil the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is how we \u201cDraw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you (Jam. 4:8).\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>We<\/em>&nbsp;make the first move in asking&nbsp;<em>Him<\/em>&nbsp;to increase so that&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;can decrease.&nbsp; Increasing Him helps us enjoy the Fruit of the Spirit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,&nbsp;<sup>23<\/sup>Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.&nbsp;<sup>24<\/sup>And they that are Christ&#8217;s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Galatians&nbsp;5:22-24<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Christ increases in us as we crucify the flesh.&nbsp; All our relationships: marriage, church, and work, improve as we grow in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>In all thy ways acknowledge him, and&nbsp;he shall direct thy paths<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;3:5-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trusting God\u2019s leadership instead of trusting our own is another way to have Him increase as we decrease.&nbsp; A pastor hears the Bridegroom teach about marriage and passes it on! &nbsp;The material in this book is from&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com<\/a>.&nbsp; Feel free to use it in any way that serves His cause. &nbsp;4\/28\/2023<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contents<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571911\">Pastors Teaching God-Ordained Holy Matrimony. 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571912\">Hear the Voice of the Bridegroom.. 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571913\">Welcome, my brothers in Christ! \u2013 short version. 5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571914\">Holy Matrimony until death is Vital to Society. 5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571915\">Marriage is Simple \u2013 the Bible Explains Marriage in One Verse. 6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571916\">So What should you Teach?. 8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571917\">What About Men?. 9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571918\">Husband and Wife need Perfect Hearts. 11<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571919\">Let\u2019s Sum it up in a Few Words. 12<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571920\">Welcome, my brothers and sisters in Christ \u2013 a longer message. 13<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571921\">Review of God\u2019s Simple Plan of Salvation. 13<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571922\">Slain Before the Foundation of the World. 14<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571923\">Love Drives the Christian Walk. 15<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571924\">Holy Matrimony until death is Vital to Society. 16<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571925\">Marriage is Simple \u2013 the Bible Explains Marriage in One Verse. 17<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571926\">So What should you Teach?. 24<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571927\">What About Men?. 26<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571928\">Husband and Wife need Perfect Hearts. 29<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571929\">Let\u2019s Sum it up in a Few Words. 30<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571930\">God Explained what happened to Women after the fall 31<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571931\">The Foundation of Your Life: Is God Really Good?&nbsp; Christians say God is Good; Do They Believe It?. 31<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571932\">Think About Eve\u2019s Life in the Garden. 32<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571933\">What do Women Desire from Husbands?. 34<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571934\">Emotions Scare Men. 35<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571935\">Men Don\u2019t Know Why Wives Can\u2019t Give Comfort 36<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571936\">Marriage in Two Words. 37<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571937\">Thou Shalt Love the Lord Thy God. 38<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571938\">Explaining Marriage in One Minute. 39<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571939\">The Love of God. 42<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571940\">God Demonstrates His Love Through Women. 42<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571941\">God tells us how to Build Joyful Marriages. 45<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571942\">Why God Made Men and Women Think So Differently. 45<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571943\">Discussion Points. 45<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571944\">What Women Need from Husbands. 49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571945\">Subject Yourselves One to Another 1 Peter 5:5. 50<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571946\">A Wife is a Mirror, She\u2019s not a Light 50<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571947\">Your Open Heart 50<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571948\">When I asked for a date, she said, I\u2019m looking for a husband, I want to get married. 51<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571949\">On our 2<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;date, she said she wanted to be a virgin on her wedding night. 51<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571950\">She Showed Respect for me. 51<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571951\">She asked, Don\u2019t Fuss at Me. 52<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571952\">She belonged to God so she could let God give her to me. 52<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571953\">She Chose to Serve God by serving me. 53<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571954\">A wife is what her husband makes her 54<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571955\">Sound Bite Marriage. 54<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571956\">Comparing Marriage and Salvation. 55<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571957\">Head Knowledge and Heart Knowledge \u2013 Logic and Emotion. 60<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571958\">Obedience Requires Logic. 60<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571959\">Logic is How We Use Facts to reach Conclusions. 61<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571960\">We Live on Facts and Emotions. 61<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571961\">Fact-Based Marriage. 62<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571962\">She Asked me \u201cWhy?\u201d. 62<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571963\">How Would I Rule Her?. 63<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571964\">I Gave her More Facts On Purpose. 63<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571965\">Logic \u2013 Finding Facts and Drawing Conclusions. 64<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_Toc133571966\">Christianity is a Logical Faith. 64<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two versions of this initial message.&nbsp; The first is 30 minutes; the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#longerVersion\">longer version<\/a>&nbsp;is about 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Welcome<\/a>, my brothers in Christ! \u2013 short version<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>God gave us both salvation&nbsp;<em>and marriage<\/em>.&nbsp; If we try to get to Heaven our own way, we go to Hell when we die.&nbsp; If we try to do marriage our own way, we can make life Hell on earth.&nbsp; Our marriages show lost people how God cares for His people.&nbsp; Our churches can\u2019t grow without being built on solid marriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Romans 7:4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn1\">[1]<\/a>&nbsp;uses the word \u201cmarried\u201d to describe the tie between a born-again Christian and Christ. &nbsp;<em>Holy<\/em>&nbsp;Matrimony is your most&nbsp;<em>powerful<\/em>&nbsp;testimony.&nbsp; We Christians show Christ to unbelievers (2 Cor. 5:20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn2\">[2]<\/a>).&nbsp; The way Christian husbands nourish and cherish their wives shows the lost how Christ blesses His people.&nbsp; When lost people see that Christian marriages are no better than theirs, when we can\u2019t handle this life any better than they can, we damage the picture of Christ\u2019s care for us.&nbsp; Why should they hear what we say about the life to come?&nbsp; Christian divorce and unhappy Christian marriages&nbsp;<em>wreck<\/em>&nbsp;our testimony and dishonor Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Christians pour the grace of salvation into marriages, lost people see us passing God\u2019s love, forgiveness, and grace back and forth.&nbsp; They\u2019ll see that we\u2019re&nbsp;<em>much<\/em>&nbsp;better off in this life than they are.&nbsp; God has given&nbsp;<em>us<\/em>&nbsp;the privilege and honor of telling everyone how to get God\u2019s grace for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no joy for a man this side of Heaven like having a woman&nbsp;<em>like<\/em>&nbsp;belonging to him.&nbsp; As her God-ordained leader, he must&nbsp;<em>convince<\/em>&nbsp;her that he loves her and that he\u2019s glad to belong to her and glad to care for her.&nbsp; This shows her Christ\u2019s love for her and for him.&nbsp; Seeing Christ\u2019s love&nbsp;<em>in action<\/em>&nbsp;draws the lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a Christian wife doesn\u2019t like belonging to her husband, why should the lost want to belong to Christ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;14:1<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Emotion is the&nbsp;<em>cement<\/em>&nbsp;God gave every woman to build her house and hold her family together.&nbsp; Women build the house of God.&nbsp; When a couple visits a church, if the wife sees that the women are nervous or not appreciated, she won\u2019t want to return.&nbsp; If they\u2019re loved and led&nbsp;<em>gently<\/em>, she\u2019ll want her husband to learn how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage is simpler than we think.&nbsp; God gave us&nbsp;<em>one Bible verse<\/em>&nbsp;which tells us how to build a marriage that gives both parties a taste of the joys of Heaven, right here on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>HOLY MATRIMONY<\/a>&nbsp;UNTIL DEATH IS VITAL TO SOCIETY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every&nbsp;<em>stable<\/em>&nbsp;culture helps men and women build safe homes where children can grow up to be productive adults.&nbsp; We have arranged marriages where husband and wife meet for the first time on their wedding day.&nbsp; In some places the bride\u2019s family pays a dowry to set the new couple up in a new home.&nbsp; In some cultures the husband\u2019s family pays a bride price to reimburse her family for the cost of raising and educating her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every culture&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;raise most kids to be productive adults.&nbsp; If that doesn\u2019t happen, society collapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s purpose in bringing men and women together is for His servants to raise children to give Him more servants.&nbsp; When marriages fall apart, God doesn\u2019t have to do anything to make society suffer.&nbsp; In his book \u201cSex and Culture\u201d Dr. Unwin wrote \u201cThe sexual behavior of women before marriage is the decisive factor in cultural success. &nbsp;Men are mainly motivated by sex. &nbsp;If they can get it without marriage, they contribute less to society.\u201d<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn3\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[3]<\/a>&nbsp; He\u2019s certainly right about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,&nbsp;that I may go in unto her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;29:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jacob worked&nbsp;<em>7 years<\/em>&nbsp;to marry Rachel because he&nbsp;<em>wanted<\/em>&nbsp;her.&nbsp; Caring for a wife is a lot of work.&nbsp; Raising children is a lot of work.&nbsp; A man will marry if he wants a woman badly enough.&nbsp; If he can have her without marriage, marrying would bring him a lot of trouble without giving him anything he doesn\u2019t have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God expects older women to teach younger women about men (Titus 2:3-5<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn4\">[4]<\/a>).&nbsp; God led my wife to explain that a husband\u2019s&nbsp;<em>goal<\/em>&nbsp;is 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner&nbsp;<em>and bed<\/em>.&nbsp; God doesn\u2019t often give him that much strength, but that\u2019s a man\u2019s&nbsp;<em>plan<\/em>.&nbsp; 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deu. 21:14, 22:9 and Eze. 22:10-11 say that a man \u201chas humbled\u201d a woman by taking her, that\u2019s&nbsp;<em>part<\/em>&nbsp;of the cost of a man in her life.&nbsp; When they hear 5 times, a girl who hasn\u2019t even dated understands that doing&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>&nbsp;will wipe out her independence and make her belong&nbsp;<em>totally<\/em>&nbsp;to her husband.&nbsp; They get upset until my wife reminds them that a woman wants her husband to open his heart to her in open talk&nbsp;<em>at least<\/em>&nbsp;that often.&nbsp; Girls&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;that having a man open his heart makes him belong to her.&nbsp; Giving his life for her life is OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening her body makes a wife belong to her husband.&nbsp; Opening his heart makes him belong to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>MARRIAGE IS SIMPLE \u2013 THE BIBLE EXPLAINS MARRIAGE IN&nbsp;<\/a>ONE VERSE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah&#8217;s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother&#8217;s death.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;24:67<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Isaac supplied the tent.&nbsp; A man\u2019s proposal to a woman that doesn\u2019t include food, clothing, and shelter&nbsp;<em>isn\u2019t biblical<\/em>.&nbsp; If a man can\u2019t pay for her, all he can do is play with her.&nbsp; That never ends well for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; She became his wife, not his girlfriend \u2013 they had both made public marriage vows before he took her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Isaac loved Rebekah&nbsp;<em>and then<\/em>&nbsp;he was comforted.&nbsp; God gave every wife the ability to comfort her husband, but comforting him is emotionally exhausting.&nbsp; Being&nbsp;<em>convinced and reminded<\/em>&nbsp;that he loves her renews her emotional energy so she can&nbsp;<em>keep<\/em>&nbsp;comforting him, but this requires a lot of daily detailed praise and appreciation as taught in the Song of Solomon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>80-90% of how a marriage works out depends on how a man treats his wife after they marry, but 80% of that depends on how high she&nbsp;<em>and he<\/em>&nbsp;set her value by protecting her virtue&nbsp;<em>before&nbsp;<\/em>they marry (Pr. 31:10<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn5\">[5]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Isaac Loved Rebekah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Older women must teach younger women how to love their husbands because men are very much alike \u2013 what comforts one man will make just about any man feel loved, and it\u2019s simple enough that the Bible explains it in one verse (Song 8:2-3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn6\">[6]<\/a>).&nbsp; There is no simple formula for making a wife feel loved because women are so very different from each other, but the Bible describes the&nbsp;<em>result<\/em>.&nbsp; As Naomi told her daughters goodbye when sending them back to their families to find husbands, she prayed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The LORD grant you that ye may find&nbsp;rest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, each of you in the house of her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth&nbsp;1:9<\/strong><strong>a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women aren\u2019t strong enough to hunt or farm without modern machinery.&nbsp; In a muscle-powered society with no welfare system, wives depend on husbands for food.&nbsp; Naomi wanted her daughters to have food, clothing, and shelter, of course, but she&nbsp;<em>also<\/em>&nbsp;wanted them to find comfort, rest, contentment, and security in&nbsp;<em>knowing<\/em>&nbsp;that their husbands valued and appreciated them as taught in the Song of Solomon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watching any couple shows whether she\u2019s resting in her husband.&nbsp; Many women experience this instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For as he thinketh in his heart,&nbsp;so is he<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>:&nbsp;Eat and drink<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, saith he to thee; but&nbsp;his heart is not with thee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;23:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can&nbsp;<em>say<\/em>&nbsp;he loves a woman and provide for her without giving his heart.&nbsp; God has the same problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;15:8<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Naomi wanted each daughter to find a husband who poured his heart into nourishing and cherishing her.&nbsp; God isn\u2019t the only one who appreciates a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn7\">[7]<\/a>) \u2013 wives also appreciate cheerful giving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women share their hearts all the time in helping other women bear the burdens of husbands, children, and guiding houses (1 Tim. 5:14<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn8\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[8]<\/a>).&nbsp; They must be taught that it\u2019s as frightening for a man to open his heart as for a woman to open her body.&nbsp; A man\u2019s emotions are as powerful as a woman\u2019s.&nbsp; Japanese say \u201cOne hair of a woman&#8217;s head pulls more strongly than ten yoke of oxen\u201d and Chinese say that a man in love rides a wild horse.&nbsp; Many men are&nbsp;<em>afraid<\/em>&nbsp;to open their hearts for fear of being hurt or vexed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that&nbsp;his soul was vexed unto death<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Judges&nbsp;16:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emotions scare a man.&nbsp; Although he may&nbsp;<em>declare<\/em>&nbsp;his love, he may not admit his love to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t be like the Apostle Peter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter saw Jesus weep and grieve over the cities of Israel (Mt. 11:23, 23:37, Lk. 10:15, 13:34).&nbsp; Peter did not want the sorrow of loving people and seeing them fall away (Jn. 11:35) so he hid his emotions from himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John 21:15-19 tells how Jesus asked&nbsp;<em>three times<\/em>&nbsp;whether Peter loved him.&nbsp; Peter finally admitted to&nbsp;<em>filios<\/em>, brotherly love.&nbsp; Did Jesus&#8217; questions make Peter love Him?&nbsp; No, Peter loved Jesus \u2013 he wept bitterly when he betrayed Jesus (Mt. 26:75<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn9\">[9]<\/a>) \u2013 but knowing how love can lead to sorrow, he didn&#8217;t want to&nbsp;<em>feel<\/em>&nbsp;his love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a man won\u2019t admit to himself that he loves his wife, he can\u2019t convince her he loves her.&nbsp; She\u2019ll worry that he\u2019ll run off with someone else and won\u2019t be able to comfort him as he expects.&nbsp; Opening herself makes her more sensitive to his feelings about her.&nbsp; If he values her skills, feelings, thoughts, and everything else about her, feeling loved more strongly makes her happy.&nbsp; She won\u2019t mind being humbled and will be glad to see his delight in her.&nbsp; If she isn\u2019t secure in his valuing her, she won\u2019t want to feel his negative feelings more strongly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A woman has a thousand thousand ways to deflect her husband\u2019s desire, but the fault is often his.&nbsp; She can\u2019t make him any happier than he makes her.&nbsp; A man finds happiness in marriage by&nbsp;<em>convincing<\/em>&nbsp;his wife that he loves her and that he\u2019s&nbsp;<em>truly<\/em>&nbsp;happy to care for her.&nbsp; Words are cheap; love requires&nbsp;<em>action<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but&nbsp;in deed and in truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;John&nbsp;3:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Serving your wife as Jesus commands (Mk. 9:35<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn10\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[10]<\/a>, 10:42-45<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn11\">[11]<\/a>) shows love. &nbsp;That makes her happy which makes him happy.&nbsp; The Song of Songs&nbsp;<em>starts<\/em>&nbsp;with the wife praising her husband for being physical with her:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;1:2<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I am my beloved&#8217;s, and his desire is toward me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;7:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Women are made for men (Gen. 2:18<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn12\">[12]<\/a>, 1 Cor. 11:8-9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn13\">[13]<\/a>), so a wife generally cares more about pleasing her husband than he cares about pleasing her.&nbsp; The Bible warns 5 times (Pr. 19:13b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn14\">[14]<\/a>, 21:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn15\">[15]<\/a>, 19<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn16\">[16]<\/a>, 25:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn17\">[17]<\/a>, 27:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn18\">[18]<\/a>) that an unhappy wife is a hardship; some say, \u201cIf mamma ain\u2019t happy, ain\u2019t nobody happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit&nbsp;drieth the bones<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;17:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men,&nbsp;<em>don\u2019t<\/em>&nbsp;dry your wife\u2019s bones.&nbsp; Can you assume that she&nbsp;<em>wants<\/em>&nbsp;to please you?&nbsp; She can\u2019t please you if she doesn\u2019t know what you want.&nbsp; The only way she can be confident of pleasing you is for you to open your heart often enough and in enough detail for her to learn your ways and your wants&nbsp;<em>in detail<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a woman can\u2019t please her husband no matter how she tries, we often see&nbsp;<em>death<\/em>&nbsp;in her eyes, even in photos.&nbsp; Men, if you want to be happy in marriage,&nbsp;<em>be happy with your wife<\/em>.&nbsp; That makes her happy.&nbsp; There is no joy this side of Heaven that compares with having your wife be&nbsp;<em>glad<\/em>&nbsp;to belong to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Isaac Loved Rebekah and then He was Comforted<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rebekah was able to comfort Isaac&nbsp;<em>after<\/em>&nbsp;he convinced her that he loved her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am my beloved&#8217;s, and his desire is&nbsp;toward me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;7:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His physical desire seems strange to her, so the wife asks her mother for advice about her husband:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would&nbsp;instruct me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her mother tells her to welcome her husband into her body&nbsp;<em>whenever he wants her<\/em>.&nbsp; Giving herself when she\u2019d rather do something else is what submission&nbsp;<em>means<\/em>.&nbsp; She has far more sexual capacity than he; she can drain off all of his sexual energy.&nbsp; That makes it hard for other women to get his attention.&nbsp; If she sends him off to work loaded, on the other hand, he&#8217;ll be tempted by other women (Pr. 6:28<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn19\">[19]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can&#8217;t praise his wife in such detail without paying close attention to her.&nbsp; Marriages are based on communication; a woman communicates heart-to-heart, a man communicates belly-to-belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How many marriages would fail if husband and wife never, not ever, criticized each other and constantly looked for things to appreciate instead?&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>That<\/em>&nbsp;is the essence of the Song.&nbsp; Jesus premised us rest:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;11:28-30<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>A bride takes on the yoke of pleasing her husband.&nbsp; He must live with her according to knowledge&nbsp;<em>of her<\/em>&nbsp;(1 Pe. 3:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn20\">[20]<\/a>).&nbsp; He gets this knowledge by hours and hours of daily open-hearted talk.&nbsp; This opens his heart to her, makes his yoke easy and his burden light, and convinces her that he belongs to her as taught in the Song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SO&nbsp;<\/a>WHAT SHOULD YOU TEACH?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A pastor must be \u201capt to teach (1 Tim. 3:2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn21\">[21]<\/a>, 2 Tim. 2:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn22\">[22]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; Older women must teach younger women, but many older women say they don\u2019t know what to say.&nbsp; Teach your wives to teach about 5 times and about a wife\u2019s&nbsp;<em>need<\/em>&nbsp;for her husband to open his heart often enough to belong to her.&nbsp; A woman must know her needs so she can test a man to see if he\u2019ll overcome his fears enough to belong to her.&nbsp; Women must quote this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;of her husband doth&nbsp;safely trust in her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;31:11a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can trust his heart to a virtuous woman.&nbsp; If she replies \u201cYes, sir\u201d as the spirit moves her, he\u2019ll be confident that she\u2019ll respect him in spite of his mistakes.&nbsp; If she gives herself whenever he wants her, he\u2019ll be convinced that she belongs to him.&nbsp; God made men possessive.&nbsp; Being his helps him trust her and also makes him want to take care of her as men take care of whatever they value \u2013 car, fishing pole, tools, wife\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I first asked my future wife for a date, she said, \u201cBefore you spend money on me, you should know that I\u2019m looking for a husband.&nbsp; I\u2019m not looking for fun; I want to get married.&nbsp; I\u2019m not saying you have to agree to marry me before we go out, but I want you to agree that the purpose of being together is to decide whether you and I should get married.&nbsp; God made me to be a treasure for&nbsp;<em>some man<\/em>.&nbsp; If you aren\u2019t that man, fine, we can part friends, but&nbsp;<em>I\u2019m not a toy<\/em>.&nbsp; I don\u2019t want a man to play with me; I want a man to stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting marriage on the table was part of guarding her heart.&nbsp; When a woman lets herself fall in love with a man who won\u2019t marry her, she\u2019s crusin\u2019 for a brusin\u2019, she\u2019s in for a world of hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every man knows&nbsp;<em>in his heart<\/em>&nbsp;that a woman can give him the joys of Heaven, that\u2019s why men pursue women.&nbsp; I liked her, and she tells me she plans to be God\u2019s treasure for her husband!&nbsp; She had&nbsp;<em>no idea<\/em>&nbsp;what being my treasure would mean, but I knew&nbsp;<em>exactly<\/em>&nbsp;what it would be like to have her be God\u2019s treasure for me.&nbsp; If she meant&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>, I\u2019d be a fool not to marry her, so I said, \u201cSure.\u201d&nbsp; We married 5 months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teach that a virtuous wife \u201copeneth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness (Pr. 31:26<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn23\">[23]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; A man who\u2019s emotionally involved with a woman can be hurt&nbsp;<em>terribly<\/em>&nbsp;by her words even if he won\u2019t admit it.&nbsp; Why would she do&nbsp;<em>anything<\/em>&nbsp;that will make it harder for him to admit to himself that he loves her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remind women to keep themselves \u201cpure and unspotted (Jas. 1:27).\u201d&nbsp; When women commit fornication or leave their homes for work, there\u2019s less reason for men to be sexually pure or to work hard to provide for their families. &nbsp;Their incentive is weakened.&nbsp; Nothing straightens a man like having a woman lean on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A wife who wants her husband to convince her that he loves her should strive to make it easy for him to love her by belonging to him and by watching her tongue, but he must appreciate, value, and&nbsp;<em>act<\/em>&nbsp;on her talk.&nbsp; God gave us an example of woman-type talk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;27:19<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Pilate\u2019s wife expected him to pay attention&nbsp;<em>to her dream<\/em>.&nbsp; He should have paid attention to her feelings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>WHAT ABOUT MEN?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve talked about what you need to teach your wives to teach other women; here\u2019s what you need to teach men.&nbsp; Women are made for men (1 Cor. 11:8-9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn24\">[24]<\/a>) and a wife wants to please her husband (1 Cor. 7:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn25\">[25]<\/a>).&nbsp; Around 90% of the success in a marriage is based on how a man treats his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God gave your wife sensitive emotions so that she wants you to be pleased with her and so that she can tell whether you\u2019re pleased or not.&nbsp; Her emotions make her a mirror; she\u2019s not a light.&nbsp; Give her anger, criticism, unhappiness, she\u2019ll be tempted to use her power to vex your soul to death (Jud. 16:16<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn26\">[26]<\/a>), multiply your unhappiness, and give&nbsp;<em>all<\/em>&nbsp;your unhappiness back to you.&nbsp; If you give her praise, appreciation, honor, and love, she\u2019ll multiply the happiness you give her and fill your house with the light of your joy in her.&nbsp; Men and their sons reap what they sow to the woman guiding the house,&nbsp;<em>very quickly<\/em>.&nbsp; A man&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;teach his sons to honor and appreciate their mother&nbsp;<em>and sisters<\/em>.&nbsp; If a meal turns into a kitchen disaster, for example, they&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;appreciate it, help clean up, and eat it, if only for the sake of the&nbsp;<em>effort<\/em>&nbsp;she put into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the book of Proverbs is a father\u2019s advice to his son.&nbsp; Chapters 2 and 5 warn men about non-virtuous women.&nbsp; Chapter 31 is King Lemuel\u2019s words, \u201cthe wisdom&nbsp;<em>his mother<\/em>&nbsp;taught him (Pr. 31:1).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proverbs 31 wasn\u2019t written to women, it was written to men.&nbsp; It tells a man what to expect of a virtuous woman.&nbsp; It\u2019s easy to see if a woman is like that while courting.&nbsp; Mrs. Lemuel gave one command to men:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and&nbsp;he praiseth her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp; [saying]&nbsp;&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;31:28-29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mrs. Lemuel taught that her son should praise his wife and teach his children to follow his example of praising her and appreciating her.&nbsp; Praise is partly to encourage his wife and partly to teach her children to respect her. &nbsp;She can teach daughters how to be treasures for their future husbands instead of being toys.&nbsp; She can teach sons how to be blessed by their future wives as Mrs. Lemuel taught her son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teach that&nbsp;<em>nowhere<\/em>&nbsp;in the Bible does a man criticize his wife.&nbsp; Not once.&nbsp; Really?&nbsp; What about this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.&nbsp; But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Job&nbsp;2:9<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>He said she spoke \u201cas a foolish woman.\u201d&nbsp; That meant she wasn\u2019t usually foolish, it was halfway a compliment.&nbsp; He criticized what she&nbsp;<em>did<\/em>; he didn\u2019t criticize&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>.&nbsp; Every wife knows the difference.&nbsp; Ever hear \u201clove the sinner, hate the sin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But&nbsp;speaking the truth in love<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians&nbsp;4:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is that&nbsp;speaketh like the piercings of a sword<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: but the tongue of the wise is health.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro. 12:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I want my words to be health to my wife so she\u2019ll want to hear what I tell her.&nbsp; I say, \u201cThat didn\u2019t work as well as&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;planned.&nbsp; What went wrong?&nbsp; Let\u2019s learn to do better next time.\u201d&nbsp; I say \u201cwe\u201d because my wife tries to please me by doing everything the way I want it done.&nbsp; That involves me in&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>&nbsp;she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Today\u2019s young people want Sound Bites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can teach salvation in two words: \u201cOnly believe.\u201d&nbsp; Marriage is two words: \u201cOnly praise.\u201d&nbsp; What if husband and wife&nbsp;<em>never<\/em>&nbsp;criticized and looked&nbsp;<em>every day<\/em>&nbsp;for things to praise and appreciate as taught in the Song?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Only praise.&nbsp; If a woman\u2019s personality irritates him and makes it hard for him to keep his temper, should he marry her?&nbsp; We teach kids not to hurl angry words by age 2 or 3.&nbsp; Are you adult or child?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When something goes wrong,&nbsp;<em>take responsibility<\/em>&nbsp;instead of blaming your wife as Adam blamed Eve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Open his heart.&nbsp; If he doesn\u2019t trust her enough to open his heart, should he marry her?&nbsp; One of the rewards of opening his heart is that she will learn about him and figure out ways to please him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Listen to her advice.&nbsp; God made her to help him (Gen. 2:18, 20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn27\">[27]<\/a>); if he won\u2019t listen to her and take her thoughts into account, she will be&nbsp;<em>very<\/em>&nbsp;unhappy and he will make more mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible tells us&nbsp;<em>twice<\/em>&nbsp;that God values multiple sources of advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro.&nbsp;11:14<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;15:22<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of knowledge sharing are great.&nbsp; Giving men wives is one of the ways God wants us to edify one another (1 Thess. 5:11<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn28\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[28]<\/a>) and provoke one another to good works (Heb. 10:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn29\">[29]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>HUSBAND AND WIFE NEED PERFECT HEARTS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation and marriage are alike.&nbsp; Salvation means that you die to your former sinful life to be born again into marriage to Christ (Ro. 7:4<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn30\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[30]<\/a>).&nbsp; You then belong to Christ and serve Him out of love for Him.&nbsp; The only way husband and wife can become one as God expects is for each of them to die to their former individual lives in favor of their new family.&nbsp; They then belong to each other&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;belong to God and serve each other out of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>David\u2019s heart was perfect with the Lord his God.&nbsp; He sinned, but he never worshipped anyone or anything else.&nbsp; All Israel came with&nbsp;<em>one perfect heart<\/em>&nbsp;to make David king (1 Chron. 12:38<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn31\">[31]<\/a>).&nbsp; Husband and wife must enter Holy Matrimony with one perfect heart.&nbsp; Christians must be careful not to value anyone or anything more than we value God or spouse.&nbsp; Couples must keep their hearts perfect with each other all their days by&nbsp;<em>never<\/em>&nbsp;paying attention to anyone else as man or woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unmarried love is different from married love.&nbsp; The Bible tells men how to talk outside marriage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters,&nbsp;with all purity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Timothy&nbsp;5:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men have to be careful not to let talk slide toward the emotional and physical connections God saves for marriage.&nbsp; Women must stop talking to a man who\u2019s heading toward violating her emotional or physical purity.&nbsp; It\u2019s OK for men and women to talk as long as they talk as persons and not as men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A person-to-person conversation can stray toward man-woman.&nbsp; This is&nbsp;<em>wrong<\/em>&nbsp;if either party is married.&nbsp; If they\u2019re single, the woman must decide whether they could marry and insist that he agree that the goal of being together is to decide whether they will marry.&nbsp; If he won\u2019t agree, she should cut him off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is&nbsp;<em>no<\/em>&nbsp;God-honoring reason for&nbsp;<em>man-woman talk<\/em>&nbsp;between people who are neither married to each other nor considering marriage.&nbsp; Men and women can converse&nbsp;<em>as<\/em>&nbsp;<em>people<\/em>&nbsp;by avoiding man-woman thoughts or emotions.&nbsp; Your spouse is the&nbsp;<em>only<\/em>&nbsp;person&nbsp;<em>in the world<\/em>&nbsp;whose gender should matter to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Man-woman talk is&nbsp;<em>dangerous<\/em>&nbsp;at work.&nbsp; You must please the boss to keep a job.&nbsp; It\u2019s common for a woman to please a man boss or a man to please a woman boss just a&nbsp;<em>little<\/em>&nbsp;<em>too much<\/em>.&nbsp; This can lead to adultery or divorce, but it&nbsp;<em>starts<\/em>&nbsp;with talk that does not meet God\u2019s standards of purity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God warns that men shouldn\u2019t get physical with women outside marriage even if they don\u2019t have sex:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is&nbsp;good for a man not to touch a woman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>Nevertheless, to&nbsp;avoid fornication<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;7:1-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Greek word translated \u201ctouch\u201d includes arousing passion or starting a fire.&nbsp; Would a man take his mother\u2019s arm in a slippery place to keep her from falling or help his sister put on her coat?&nbsp; Of course.&nbsp; Would he try to get his mother or sister sexually aroused?&nbsp; Of course not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anything or anyone a Christian loves or follows more than God is an idol and God calls it spiritual adultery.&nbsp; If a husband lets his love for&nbsp;<em>anything<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 job, hobby, sports, hunting \u2013 be stronger than his love for his wife,&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;thinks he\u2019s committing emotional adultery.&nbsp; There has to be a&nbsp;<em>balance<\/em>&nbsp;between job, family, and other matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>LET\u2019S SUM IT UP IN A FEW WORDS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s rules are simple.&nbsp; Salvation is two words, \u201conly believe.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Getting<\/em>&nbsp;married is 4 words, \u201cNo sex until marriage.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Staying<\/em>&nbsp;married is \u201conly praise.\u201d&nbsp; We must praise our spouses as much as God expects us to praise Him; that keeps us focused on what God has given so that we don\u2019t worry about what He hasn\u2019t given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man should be able to look his wife in the eye and say from the bottom of his heart, \u201cFor God so loved man that He gave him woman.&nbsp; For God so loved me that He gave me you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When God looks on you, He sees the purity and perfection of His son, our Lord and Savior.&nbsp; We\u2019re commanded to follow God (Eph. 5:1-2<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn32\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[32]<\/a>), so when you look on your spouse, you are&nbsp;<em>commanded<\/em>&nbsp;to see the purity and perfection of His son, your spouse\u2019s Lord and Savior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God expects bride and groom to enter Holy Matrimony with one perfect heart.&nbsp; Keep your hearts perfect with the Lord your God and with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God gave us one plan for both salvation and marriage, and He gave us one love-based way to relate to Him, to our spouses, and to our fellow church members.&nbsp; We praise God in the same way we praise our spouses; we give ourselves to our spouses in the same way we give ourselves to God.&nbsp; When lost people see Christian couples sharing God\u2019s love and God\u2019s forgiveness, they\u2019ll want some for themselves.&nbsp; Showing and spreading the love of God is how&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;turn the world upside down (Acts 17:1-6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn33\">[33]<\/a>).&nbsp; It really is that simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Welcome<\/a>, my brothers and sisters in Christ \u2013 a longer message<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>God gave us both salvation and marriage.&nbsp; If we try to get to Heaven in our own way, we go to Hell when we die.&nbsp; If we try to do marriage our own way, we can make life Hell on earth.&nbsp; Our marriages show lost people how God cares for His people.&nbsp; Our churches can\u2019t grow without being built on solid marriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Romans 7:4 uses the word \u201cmarried\u201d to describe the tie between a born-again Christian and Christ.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Holy<\/em>&nbsp;Matrimony is your most&nbsp;<em>powerful<\/em>&nbsp;testimony.&nbsp; We Christians show Christ to unbelievers (2 Cor. 5:20<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn34\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[34]<\/a>).&nbsp; The way Christian husbands nourish and cherish their wives shows the lost how Christ blesses His people.&nbsp; When lost people see that Christian marriages are no better than theirs, when we can\u2019t handle this life any better than they can, we damage the picture of Christ\u2019s care for us.&nbsp; Why should they hear what we say about the life to come?&nbsp; Christian divorce and unhappy Christian marriages&nbsp;<em>wreck<\/em>&nbsp;our testimony and dishonor Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Christians pour the grace of salvation into marriages, lost people see us passing God\u2019s love, forgiveness, and grace back and forth.&nbsp; They\u2019ll see that we\u2019re&nbsp;<em>much<\/em>&nbsp;better off in this life than they are.&nbsp; God has given&nbsp;<em>us<\/em>&nbsp;the privilege and honor of telling everyone how to get God\u2019s grace for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no joy for a man this side of Heaven like having a woman&nbsp;<em>like<\/em>&nbsp;belonging to him.&nbsp; As her God-ordained leader, he must&nbsp;<em>convince<\/em>&nbsp;her that he loves her and that he\u2019s glad to belong to her and glad to care for her.&nbsp; This shows her Christ\u2019s love for her and for him.&nbsp; Seeing Christ\u2019s love&nbsp;<em>in action<\/em>&nbsp;draws the lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a Christian wife doesn\u2019t like belonging to her husband, why should the lost want to belong to Christ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;14:1<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Emotion is the&nbsp;<em>cement<\/em>&nbsp;God gave every woman to build her house and hold her family together.&nbsp; Women build the house of God.&nbsp; When a couple visits a church, if the wife sees that the women are nervous or not appreciated, she won\u2019t want to return.&nbsp; If they\u2019re loved and led&nbsp;<em>gently<\/em>, she\u2019ll want her husband to learn how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage is simpler than we think.&nbsp; God gave us&nbsp;<em>one Bible verse<\/em>&nbsp;which tells us how to build a marriage that gives both parties a taste of the joys of Heaven, right here on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>REVIEW OF GOD\u2019S SIMPLE PLAN OF SALVATION<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God knew that we would have trouble with His plan of salvation.&nbsp; He knew that we could never handle two plans, one for marriage and one for salvation, so He made one plan work for both.&nbsp; He knew we would have a hard time relating properly to Him.&nbsp; We couldn\u2019t handle two ways to relate, one for relating to God and another for relating to our spouses, so He gave us just one way to relate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation and marriage use the same plan.&nbsp; We relate to God and to other Christians in the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We serve the Lord God Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth, who sent His only Son Jesus to be born of the Virgin Mary.&nbsp; Jesus was equal to God the Father, but He took on the form of a servant and was born in the likeness of a man (Phil. 2:6-8<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn35\">[35]<\/a>).&nbsp; He was called \u201cEmmanuel,\u201d which means \u201cGod with us (Mt. 1:23<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn36\">[36]<\/a>).\u201d &nbsp;In dying on the cross as a man, Jesus obeyed God His Father unto death.&nbsp; In dying as God, He took on Himself the richly-deserved punishment for all of my sins, your sins, and all the sins of everyone past, present, and future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The blood He shed in dying on the cross washes away our sins, but&nbsp;<em>only<\/em>&nbsp;if we humble ourselves, admit that we cannot overcome our sins without His help, and call on Him to save us and take us to Heaven when we die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My mother taught me the reality of my sins in punishing me for disobeying her.&nbsp; She gave me the Good News that Jesus died to take the punishment for my sins.&nbsp; She taught me that His blood would wash me clean of my sins&nbsp;<em>if<\/em>&nbsp;I would believe Him and ask Him to do that.&nbsp; She taught that Jesus rose from the dead to show His power over death so that I would know that he would take me to heaven to be with Him when I die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She taught me about Adam\u2019s sin and God\u2019s promise that one of Eve\u2019s children would conquer Satan (Gen. 3:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn37\">[37]<\/a>).&nbsp; I didn\u2019t realize that Jesus loved me&nbsp;<em>far<\/em>&nbsp;more than \u201cjust\u201d being willing to take on the evil of all my sins and lose His fellowship with His Father (Ps. 22:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn38\">[38]<\/a>, Mt. 27:46<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn39\">[39]<\/a>, Mk. 15:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn40\">[40]<\/a>).&nbsp; I thought that when Adam soiled himself by his sin and our perfect God could no longer have fellowship with polluted Adam, Jesus agreed that He would become sin for us so that we could be washed clean and spend eternity with God in Heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Years later, I understood that Jesus&nbsp;<em>knew<\/em>&nbsp;Adam would sin&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;He said \u201clet there be light\u201d to start creating the world.&nbsp; Rev. 13:8 speaks of \u201cthe Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.\u201d&nbsp; Jesus knew He would have to die&nbsp;<em>before He created Adam<\/em>, yet He loved all of us enough and wanted us enough to create us&nbsp;<em>anyway<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God knew it would be hard for us to understand Jesus loving us enough to die for us even before He created Adam.&nbsp; To remind us and to help us understand love, God created mothers who willingly&nbsp;<em>risk death<\/em>&nbsp;to give their babies life.&nbsp; Before modern medicine, a woman had roughly 98.5% chance of surviving a pregnancy.&nbsp; Without birth control, married women had so many pregnancies that 1 woman in 8 died in childbirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Every<\/em>&nbsp;<em>girl<\/em>&nbsp;knew someone who had died in childbirth (Ge. 35:18<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn41\">[41]<\/a>, 1 Sam. 4:20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn42\">[42]<\/a>).&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Every<\/em>&nbsp;<em>girl<\/em>&nbsp;knew that&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;would walk the valley of the shadow of death for each child, yet women wanted to marry and bear children (Ge.30:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn43\">[43]<\/a>, Lk. 1:25<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn44\">[44]<\/a>)&nbsp;<em>anyway<\/em>.&nbsp; Women want children badly enough to risk death; Jesus wanted the pleasure and glory of creating us so badly (Rev. 4:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn45\">[45]<\/a>) that He chose&nbsp;<em>certain<\/em>&nbsp;death&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;creating everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was born before antibiotics could fight infections.&nbsp; My mother risked her life to give me life and did it again and again for my two brothers.&nbsp; Being glad to give her life is a woman\u2019s part of Ge. 5:1-2 \u201cin the likeness of God made he him,\u201d and \u201che [that is, God] called&nbsp;<em>their<\/em>&nbsp;name Adam\u201d to include Eve in the likeness of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone gave you a birthday gift, would you hand over money to pay for it?&nbsp; That would refuse the gift.&nbsp; Trying to get to Heaven by being good, being religious, going to church, tithing, doing good deeds, is not only impossible (Ro. 3:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn46\">[46]<\/a>), trying to earn your way into Heaven blocks you from accepting Jesus\u2019 free offer of salvation (Gal. 5:4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn47\">[47]<\/a>).&nbsp; You\u2019re trying to&nbsp;<em>pay<\/em>&nbsp;for a free gift whose price is&nbsp;<em>far<\/em>&nbsp;more than you can&nbsp;<em>ever<\/em>&nbsp;pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What did you do to&nbsp;<em>earn<\/em>&nbsp;your mother\u2019s risking her life to give you life and then pouring her life into keeping you alive and teaching you how to behave as an adult?&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; She risked her life before she knew anything about you.&nbsp; She risked her life freely based on the emotional drives God put into her and looked forward eagerly to your birth as she felt God forming you within her womb (Is. 49:5<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn48\">[48]<\/a>).&nbsp; Have you thanked her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God ordained both salvation and marriage.&nbsp; If we try to do salvation our own way, if we try to get to heaven on our own strength, we go to Hell when we die.&nbsp; If we try to do marriage our own way, we can make life Hell on earth, but if we do it God\u2019s way, we can give each other a taste of Heaven, right here on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus told Nicodemus, \u201cYe must be born again (John 3:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn49\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[49]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; You must&nbsp;<em>die<\/em>&nbsp;to your former life of sin in order to be born again into the family of Christ (Acts 17:30<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn50\">[50]<\/a>, 20:21<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn51\">[51]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are&nbsp;become dead<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;to the law by the body of Christ; that&nbsp;ye should be married to another<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans&nbsp;7:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note the phrase \u201cmarried to another.\u201d&nbsp; Jesus required you to&nbsp;<em>die<\/em>&nbsp;to your former life and be born again into&nbsp;<em>marriage<\/em>&nbsp;with Him so you can bring forth fruit to God.&nbsp; Revelation 19:9 speaks of \u201cthe marriage supper of the Lamb\u201d where His bride, the church, is united in marriage with Jesus in Heaven forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God uses the word \u201cmarriage\u201d to describe the relationship between God and His people because we become one with God through calling on His name to be saved, and husband and wife become \u201cone flesh\u201d when they enter into Holy Matrimony.&nbsp; The command \u201clove the Lord&nbsp;thy God\u201d appears&nbsp;<em>14 times<\/em>!&nbsp; Once we accept Christ\u2019s offer of salvation, He becomes \u201cour God\u201d and we\u2019re commanded to love Him.&nbsp; Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>LOVE DRIVES THE CHRISTIAN WALK<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;time Jesus meet with His disciples after His resurrection, He told them to start the church:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.&nbsp;<sup>22<\/sup>And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John&nbsp;20:21-22<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus sent them as God had sent Him and gave them the Holy Ghost.&nbsp; That&nbsp;<em>should<\/em>&nbsp;have been enough, but John 21 tells us that Peter went fishing instead of starting the church.&nbsp; Jesus went after Peter&nbsp;<em>again<\/em>.&nbsp; Having created Peter, Jesus knew that men are afraid to admit their feelings for fear of being hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus&nbsp;<em>wept<\/em>&nbsp;(Jn. 11:35) at Lazarus&#8217; tomb.&nbsp; Peter saw Him mourn for Jerusalem (Mt. 23:37<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn52\">[52]<\/a>, Lk. 13:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn53\">[53]<\/a>) and Capernaum (Mt. 11:23<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn54\">[54]<\/a>, Lk. 10:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn55\">[55]<\/a>).&nbsp; Peter knew that if he obeyed Jesus as Jesus had obeyed God, he would be hurt when people he loved refused the gospel.&nbsp; He wanted no part of Jesus\u2019 sorrow or grief (Is. 53:3-4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn56\">[56]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter was right.&nbsp; I&nbsp;<em>sorrowed<\/em>&nbsp;when my friend who was best man at my wedding&nbsp;<em>would not<\/em>&nbsp;ask Jesus to save him.&nbsp; I urged him again after a bad heart attack.&nbsp; He finally said, \u201cI get it.&nbsp; God lets me&nbsp;<em>choose<\/em>&nbsp;to go to Hell if I want to.\u201d&nbsp; His 2nd attack killed him a week later, 35 years&nbsp;<em>to the day<\/em>&nbsp;after my wedding.&nbsp; I think he\u2019s in Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus&nbsp;<em>pushed<\/em>&nbsp;Peter to admit that Peter loved Him.&nbsp; That didn&#8217;t&nbsp;<em>make<\/em>&nbsp;Peter love Jesus \u2013 he already did \u2013 but Peter wouldn\u2019t recognize or admit his love for Jesus until Jesus pushed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once he admitted&nbsp;<em>to himself<\/em>&nbsp;that he loved Jesus, Peter&nbsp;<em>had<\/em>&nbsp;to spread the word \u2013 it\u2019s our&nbsp;<em>love<\/em>&nbsp;of Christ that makes us serve Him (2 Cor. 5:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn57\">[57]<\/a>)!&nbsp; That\u2019s why Jesus wants us to&nbsp;<em>know and accept<\/em>&nbsp;His love for us and ours for Him \u2013 we can\u2019t do His work without loving Him and we won\u2019t even&nbsp;<em>want<\/em>&nbsp;to do His work unless we love Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter\u2019s love was weak in John 21, but even weak love made him willing to serve by spreading the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For if there be&nbsp;first<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;8:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter was willing to plant and water in his Pentecost sermon (1 Cor. 3:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn58\">[58]<\/a>).&nbsp; God accepted what little Peter had and gave increase to the church of about 3,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, a man must&nbsp;<em>admit<\/em>&nbsp;to himself that he loves his wife and he must&nbsp;<em>convince<\/em>&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;that he loves her.&nbsp; If he doesn&#8217;t do that, telling lost people that God loves them won&#8217;t work because lost people will see that his wife doesn\u2019t think he loves her.&nbsp; If he&nbsp;<em>does<\/em>&nbsp;love her, he will be driven to serve her and to care for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can anyone believe what we tell them about God\u2019s Love for them if they see that we don\u2019t love each other or that we don\u2019t love them?&nbsp; When lost people see husband and wife forgiving one another and passing God&#8217;s love and grace back and forth between them, however, they want God\u2019s love for themselves.&nbsp; God gave us the privilege and the honor of telling them how to get it.&nbsp; Do all of your people know how to tell them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone\u2019s love is strong enough that to want to serve Him but they don\u2019t know how to serve Him, just have them help you!&nbsp; God will give them more to do as they grow as Peter did.&nbsp; As with Peter, Jesus has begun a good work in your church members and He will perform it until the day He returns (Phi. 1:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn59\">[59]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you taught your people that they must admit&nbsp;<em>to themselves<\/em>&nbsp;that they love God&nbsp;<em>in their hearts<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This people draweth nigh unto me&nbsp;with their mouth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and honoureth me&nbsp;with their lips<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>; but their heart is far from me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;15:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lip service doesn\u2019t spread the Gospel.&nbsp; God expects us to love Him with all our hearts.&nbsp; So do our wives!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>HOLY MATRIMONY<\/a>&nbsp;UNTIL DEATH IS VITAL TO SOCIETY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every&nbsp;<em>stable<\/em>&nbsp;culture helps men and women build safe homes where children can grow up to be productive adults.&nbsp; We have arranged marriages where husband and wife meet for the first time on their wedding day.&nbsp; In some places the bride\u2019s family pays a dowry to set the new couple up in a new home.&nbsp; In some cultures the husband\u2019s family pays a bride price to reimburse her family for the cost of raising and educating her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every culture&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;raise most kids to be productive adults.&nbsp; If that doesn\u2019t happen, society collapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My illustrations are drawn from the American dating culture which may or may not apply to your culture.&nbsp; There\u2019s no point in my visiting you to talk about marriage.&nbsp; God\u2019s principles of marriage are the same everywhere; details are very different.&nbsp; You must adapt God\u2019s principles to your people\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most American women act like it\u2019s OK to have sex without marriage, and many men are&nbsp;<em>glad<\/em>&nbsp;to do it.&nbsp; If a woman doesn&#8217;t insist that a man grow up, get a job, and marry her before having sex, there&#8217;s no reason for him to grow up, get a job, or to commit himself to taking care of her.&nbsp; Why did God ordain marriage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.&nbsp;<sup>14<\/sup>Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.&nbsp;<sup>15<\/sup>And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one?&nbsp;That he might seek a godly seed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Malachi&nbsp;2:13-15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God wasn\u2019t receiving their offerings or blessing their society.&nbsp; Why not?&nbsp; Because men were divorcing their wives.&nbsp; God\u2019s purpose in bringing men and women together is for His servants to raise children so He has more servants.&nbsp; When marriages fall apart, God doesn\u2019t have to do anything to make society suffer.&nbsp; In his book \u201cSex and Culture\u201d Dr. Unwin wrote in&nbsp;<em>1914<\/em>, \u201cThe sexual behavior of women before marriage is the decisive factor in cultural success. &nbsp;Men are mainly motivated by sex. &nbsp;If they can get it without marriage, they contribute less to society.\u201d&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn60\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[60]<\/a>&nbsp; He\u2019s certainly right about that.&nbsp; Jacob work 7 years to marry Rachel because he&nbsp;<em>wanted<\/em>&nbsp;her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,&nbsp;that I may go in unto her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;29:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Caring for a wife is a lot of work.&nbsp; Raising children is a lot of work.&nbsp; A man will marry if he wants a woman badly enough.&nbsp; If he can have her without marriage, however, marrying would bring him a lot of trouble without giving him anything he doesn\u2019t have.&nbsp; The American welfare system pays an unmarried woman more money for each fatherless child, but stops all her benefits if she gets married.&nbsp; You may have read of fatherless mobs rioting in America, killing many and causing billions of dollars worth of damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sexual passion within marriage makes men work to improve their homes to make their wives happy, mothers find it hard to invest their lives in their children without a husband\u2019s help.&nbsp; Dr. Unwin has studied more than eighty former civilizations; all societies which became sexually permissive collapsed.<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn61\">[61]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Older women are commanded to teach younger women about men (Titus 2:3-5<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn62\">[62]<\/a>).&nbsp; God led my wife to explain that a husband\u2019s goal is 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner and bed.&nbsp; God doesn\u2019t often give him that much strength, but that\u2019s a man\u2019s marriage&nbsp;<em>plan<\/em>.&nbsp; 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deu. 21:14, 22:9 and Eze. 22:10-11 say that a man \u201chas humbled\u201d a woman by taking her, that\u2019s&nbsp;<em>part<\/em>&nbsp;of the cost of a man in her life.&nbsp; When they hear 5 times, a girl who hasn\u2019t even dated understands that doing&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>&nbsp;will wipe out her independence and make her belong&nbsp;<em>totally<\/em>&nbsp;to her husband.&nbsp; They get upset until my wife reminds them that a woman wants her husband to open his heart to her in open talk&nbsp;<em>at least<\/em>&nbsp;that often.&nbsp; Girls&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;that having a man open his heart makes him belong to her.&nbsp; Giving his life for her life is OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a>Opening her body makes a wife belong to her husband.&nbsp; Opening his heart makes him belong to his wife.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>MARRIAGE IS SIMPLE \u2013 THE BIBLE EXPLAINS MARRIAGE IN&nbsp;<\/a>ONE VERSE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah&#8217;s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother&#8217;s death.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;24:67<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Isaac supplied the tent.&nbsp; A man\u2019s proposal to a woman that doesn\u2019t include food, clothing, and shelter&nbsp;<em>isn\u2019t biblical<\/em>.&nbsp; If a man can\u2019t pay for her, all he can do is play with her.&nbsp; That never ends well for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; She became his wife, not his girlfriend \u2013 they had both made public marriage vows before he took her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Isaac loved Rebekah&nbsp;<em>and then<\/em>&nbsp;he was comforted.&nbsp; God gave every wife the ability to comfort her husband, but comforting him emotionally exhausting.&nbsp; Being&nbsp;<em>convinced<\/em>&nbsp;that he loves her renews her emotional energy so she can&nbsp;<em>keep<\/em>&nbsp;comforting him, but this requires a lot of daily detailed praise and appreciation as taught in the Song of Solomon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>80-90% of how a marriage works out depends on how a man treats his wife after they marry, but 80% of that depends on how high she and he set her value by protecting her virtue&nbsp;<em>before&nbsp;<\/em>they marry (Pr. 31:10<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn63\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[63]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Isaac Supplied the Tent<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most women delight in a man\u2019s attention.&nbsp; A woman can easily become emotionally involved with a man who says he loves her.&nbsp; Playing boy-girl games when you aren&#8217;t ready for marriage is like playing with matches and gasoline when you don\u2019t want to start a fire.&nbsp; People aren\u2019t toys.&nbsp; Playing with each other before you&#8217;re mature enough to think of a permanent marriage can lead to serious emotional damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are only three ways it can turn out, all of them are bad:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1)&nbsp;&nbsp; You can break up.&nbsp; This hurts, but shows you can survive breaking up.&nbsp; This prepares you for divorce later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2)&nbsp;&nbsp; You can marry before you&#8217;re mature enough or have enough income.&nbsp; Mature adults have troubles with the duties and responsibilities of marriage, and marriage is far harder on younger people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3)&nbsp;&nbsp; You can get involved physically without commitment to each other, which adds to the emotional damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s OK to date to learn about the opposite sex before you\u2019re ready to marry, but there\u2019s a very important rule about dating:&nbsp;<em>Never ever<\/em>&nbsp;date the same person twice in a row.&nbsp; If a couple starts to \u201cgo steady\u201d before they\u2019re mature enough and financially well off enough to marry, their emotions can easily become aroused.&nbsp; Those emotions&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;be reserved for marriage.&nbsp; They\u2019re committing emotional fornication.&nbsp; Emotional fornication often leads to physical fornication, which damages their ability to form loving marriages later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The teen years and early twenties are a time for striving to learn what you must know to join the ranks of productive, responsible adults; it&#8217;s not a time to wish you were already grown up.&nbsp; Isaac was 40 years old (Gen. 5:20) and had enough money to support Rebecca when he married her.&nbsp; That is a husband\u2019s&nbsp;<em>duty<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus spoke of His servants being obliged to do their duty to Him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke&nbsp;17:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When God gives a woman to a man to be his wife, God expects him to fulfill his God-given duty to nourish her and cherish her (Eph 5:29) as long as they both shall live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Isaac Supplied the Tent, then He Took Rebekah<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may&nbsp;go in unto her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;29:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man will marry if he wants a woman badly enough and marriage is the only way he can have her.&nbsp; Marriage is wonderful enough to be worth the burden and responsibilities of marriage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Let thy fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.&nbsp; Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe: let her breasts satisfy thee at all times, and be thou ravished always with her love.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro<\/strong><strong>.&nbsp;5:18<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Blessing her husband\u2019s fountain whenever he\u2019s ravished with her love is part of the marriage burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:&nbsp;<sup>19<\/sup>The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;30:18-19<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;19:5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I am my beloved&#8217;s, and his desire is toward me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;7:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>But if they cannot contain, let them marry:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;7:9a<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Some wedding vows say \u201cto have and to hold.\u201d&nbsp; The man marries to have her; she marries him so he\u2019ll hold her.&nbsp; Naomi gave Ruth the best advice on&nbsp;<em>getting<\/em>&nbsp;marriage you\u2019ll ever hear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then said she,&nbsp;Sit still, my daughter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth&nbsp;3:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boaz wasn\u2019t thinking of marriage, but when Ruth brought it up, he thought it was such a&nbsp;<em>good<\/em>&nbsp;idea he ran out the very next morning and married her.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; Because he&nbsp;<em>wanted<\/em>&nbsp;her.&nbsp; What if a woman gives a man rest outside marriage?&nbsp; Her value falls (Pr. 31:10).&nbsp; What would marriage give him that he doesn\u2019t have?&nbsp; If she gives herself to him without marriage, how can he trust her not to give herself to someone else?&nbsp; A woman shouldn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>play<\/em>&nbsp;hard to get, she should&nbsp;<em>be<\/em>&nbsp;hard to get.&nbsp; It\u2019s him giving his life for her life or not at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>He Took Her to Wife<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should&nbsp;abstain from fornication<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: That every one of you should know how to&nbsp;possess his vessel in sanctification and honour<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and&nbsp;defraud his brother in any matter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Thessalonians&nbsp;4:3-8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some say that this refers to a man possessing his own body, but \u201cvessel\u201d in \u201cas unto the weaker vessel (1 Pe. 3:7)\u201d is something that receives.&nbsp; In marriage, the man\u2019s body gives and the woman\u2019s body receives.&nbsp; Jesus said that a man and wife were \u201cno more twain, but one flesh.\u201d&nbsp; There\u2019s only one body in a Christian marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man sanctifies a woman, that is, sets her apart from all other women, by entering into Holy Matrimony with her&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;taking her.&nbsp; How often do we hear of a man persuading a woman to fulfill his lusts by claiming to love her?&nbsp; Without the sanctification of marriage, taking a woman is sinful lust which God calls \u201cfraud.\u201d&nbsp; This despises God and God will avenge this by denying the man most of the joy which God intended for marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We know from news about dates gone wrong that being defrauded by being taken outside marriage can harm a woman badly and make her bitter.&nbsp; God gives a man the desire of his heart when he takes a woman through lying to her, but defrauding her and taking advantage of her brings leanness into his soul (Psalm 106:15).&nbsp; Fraud followed by bitterness isn\u2019t a good foundation for marriage.&nbsp; The situation can\u2019t improve unless the man takes responsibility for defrauding her and confesses his sin to her and to their parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible uses \u201ctook to wife (Gen. 26:34, 1 Ki. 16:31, 1 Chr. 7:15)\u201d to indicate that the man married the woman&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;taking her.&nbsp; The Bible warns&nbsp;<em>four times<\/em>&nbsp;that opening herself to a man humbles a woman (Deu. 21:14, 22:29, Eze. 22:10-11).&nbsp; The chemicals a man injects into her body make her brain produce hormones that affect her thinking.&nbsp; She becomes much more relaxed.&nbsp; She\u2019ll lose her sense of independence and feel a desire to cling to him and to belong to him.&nbsp; This makes her feel vulnerable and dependent.&nbsp; This can be very frightening even if he\u2019s made her feel secure, appreciated, and valued by marrying her before taking her and by opening his heart to her enough that she\u2019s confident that he belongs to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a man takes a woman outside marriage, she knows he failed to protect her from his passions as Adam failed to protect Eve from the serpent.&nbsp; It is very difficult for a woman to follow a man whom she can\u2019t trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Isaac Loved Rebekah<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Older women are told to teach younger women how to love their husbands (Titus 2:4) because men are very much alike \u2013 what comforts one man will make pretty much any man feel loved, and it\u2019s simple enough that the Bible explains it in one verse.&nbsp; There is no simple formula for making a wife feel loved because women are so very different from each other, but the Bible describes the result.&nbsp; As Naomi told her daughters goodbye when sending them back to their families to find husbands, she prayed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The LORD grant you that ye may find&nbsp;rest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, each of you in the house of her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth&nbsp;1:9<\/strong><strong>a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women aren\u2019t strong enough to hunt or farm without modern machinery.&nbsp; In a muscle-powered society with no welfare system, wives depend on husbands for food.&nbsp; Naomi wanted her daughters to have food, clothing, and shelter, of course, but she also wanted them to find comfort, rest, contentment, and security in&nbsp;<em>knowing<\/em>&nbsp;that their husbands valued and appreciated by them as taught in the Song of Solomon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watching any couple shows whether she\u2019s resting in her husband.&nbsp; Many women experience this instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For as he thinketh in his heart,&nbsp;so is he<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>:&nbsp;Eat and drink<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, saith he to thee; but&nbsp;his heart is not with thee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;23:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can&nbsp;<em>say<\/em>&nbsp;he loves a woman and provide for her without giving his heart.&nbsp; God has the same problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;15:8<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Naomi wanted each daughter to find a husband who poured his heart into nourishing and cherishing her.&nbsp; God isn\u2019t the only one who appreciates a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn64\">[64]<\/a>) \u2013 wives also appreciate cheerful giving.&nbsp; What was Delilah\u2019s complaint against Samson?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine&nbsp;heart is not with me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Judges&nbsp;16:15a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The woman in the Song is confident that her husband has opened his heart enough to belong to her:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My beloved&nbsp;is mine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. &nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;2:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am my beloved&#8217;s, and my beloved&nbsp;is mine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: he feedeth among the lilies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;6:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Delilah was upset that Samson wouldn\u2019t open his heart to her and wouldn\u2019t belong to her.&nbsp; He&nbsp;<em>said<\/em>&nbsp;he loved her, she gave herself to him, but she could see that he wasn\u2019t hers.&nbsp; What good was he to her (Song 2:16<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn65\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[65]<\/a>)?&nbsp; Why not get some cash by selling him to the Philistines?&nbsp; She knew that what\u2019s in a man\u2019s heart defines him.&nbsp; It\u2019s the sports hero and the cheerleader, a story that happens over and over again in colleges and high schools.&nbsp; What she did wasn\u2019t nice, but who betrayed whom first?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women share their hearts all the time in helping other women bear the burdens of husbands, children, and guiding houses (1 Tim. 5:14<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn66\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[66]<\/a>).&nbsp; They must be taught that it\u2019s as frightening for a man to open his heart as for a woman to open her body.&nbsp; A man\u2019s emotions are as powerful as a woman\u2019s.&nbsp; Japanese say \u201cOne hair of a woman&#8217;s head pulls more strongly than ten yoke of oxen\u201d and Chinese say that a man in love rides a wild horse.&nbsp; Many men are&nbsp;<em>afraid<\/em>&nbsp;to open their hearts for fear of being hurt or vexed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that&nbsp;his soul was vexed unto death<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Judges&nbsp;16:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emotions scare a man.&nbsp; Although he may declare his love to her, he may not admit his love to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having created Peter, Jesus knew how Peter felt.&nbsp; Peter saw Jesus weep and grieve over the cities of Israel (Mt. 11:23<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn67\">[67]<\/a>, 23:37<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn68\">[68]<\/a>, Lk. 10:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn69\">[69]<\/a>, 13:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn70\">[70]<\/a>).&nbsp; Peter did not want the sorrow of loving people and seeing them fall away so he hid his emotions from himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John 21:15-19 tells how Jesus asked three times whether Peter loved him.&nbsp; Peter finally admitted to&nbsp;<em>filios<\/em>, brotherly love.&nbsp; Did Jesus&#8217; questions make Peter love Him?&nbsp; No, Peter already loved Jesus \u2013 he wept bitterly when he betrayed Jesus (Mt. 26:75<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn71\">[71]<\/a>) \u2013 but he didn&#8217;t want to&nbsp;<em>feel<\/em>&nbsp;love, knowing how love can lead to sorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a man won\u2019t admit to himself that he loves his wife enough to be hurt by her, he can\u2019t convince her he loves her and she won\u2019t be able to comfort him as he expects.&nbsp; Opening herself to him makes her more sensitive to his feelings about her.&nbsp; If he values her skills, feelings, thoughts, and everything else about her, feeling loved more strongly makes her happy.&nbsp; She won\u2019t mind being humbled and will be glad to see his delight in her.&nbsp; If she doesn\u2019t think he\u2019s pleased with her, she won\u2019t want to be more sensitive to his feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A woman has a thousand thousand ways to deflect her husband\u2019s desire, but the fault is often his.&nbsp; She can\u2019t make him any happier than he makes her.&nbsp; A man finds happiness in marriage by&nbsp;<em>convincing<\/em>&nbsp;his wife that he loves her and that he\u2019s&nbsp;<em>truly<\/em>&nbsp;happy to care for her.&nbsp; Words are cheap; love requires&nbsp;<em>action<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but&nbsp;in deed and in truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;John&nbsp;3:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Serving your wife as Jesus commands (Mk. 9:35<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn72\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[72]<\/a>, 10:42-45<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn73\">[73]<\/a>) shows love.&nbsp; That makes her happy which makes him happy.&nbsp; The Song of Songs&nbsp;<em>starts<\/em>&nbsp;with the wife praising her husband for getting physical with her:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;1:2<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I am my beloved&#8217;s, and his desire is toward me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;7:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>She likes getting physical because he&nbsp;<em>appreciates<\/em>&nbsp;her.&nbsp; Husbands and wives want to please each other:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I would have you without carefulness.&nbsp; He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world,&nbsp;how he may please his wife<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp; There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.&nbsp; The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world,&nbsp;how she may please her husband<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;7:32-34 *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.&nbsp;<sup>9<\/sup>Neither was the man created for the woman; but&nbsp;the woman for the man<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;11:8-9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women are made for men (Gen. 2:18<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn74\">[74]<\/a>), so a wife generally cares more about pleasing her husband than he cares about pleasing her.&nbsp; The Book of Proverbs warns 5 times (Pr. 19:13 b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn75\">[75]<\/a>, 21:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn76\">[76]<\/a>, 19<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn77\">[77]<\/a>, 25:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn78\">[78]<\/a>, 27:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn79\">[79]<\/a>) that an unhappy wife is a hardship; some say, \u201cIf mamma ain\u2019t happy, ain\u2019t nobody happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit&nbsp;drieth the bones<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;17:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men,&nbsp;<em>don\u2019t<\/em>&nbsp;dry your wife\u2019s bones.&nbsp; Can you give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she wants to please you?&nbsp; She can\u2019t please you if she doesn\u2019t know what you want.&nbsp; The only way she can be confident of pleasing you is for you to open your heart often enough for her to learn your ways&nbsp;<em>in detail<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a woman finds she can\u2019t please her husband no matter how she tries, we often see death in her eyes, even in photos.&nbsp; Men, if you want to be happy in marriage,&nbsp;<em>be happy with your wife<\/em>.&nbsp; That makes her happy.&nbsp; There is no joy this side of Heaven that compares with having your wife be&nbsp;<em>glad<\/em>&nbsp;to belong to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Isaac Loved Rebekah and&nbsp;<\/a>then He was Comforted<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rebekah was able to comfort Isaac&nbsp;<em>after<\/em>&nbsp;he convinced her that he loved her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I am my beloved&#8217;s, and his desire is toward me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;7:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>His physical desire seems strange to her, so the wife asks her mother for advice about her husband:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would&nbsp;instruct me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song&nbsp;of&nbsp;Solomon&nbsp;8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her mother tells her to welcome her husband into her body&nbsp;<em>whenever he wants her<\/em>.&nbsp; Giving herself when she\u2019d rather do something else is what submission&nbsp;<em>means<\/em>.&nbsp; She has far more sexual capacity than he; she is able to drain off all of his sexual energy.&nbsp; That makes it hard for other women to get his attention.&nbsp; If she sends him off to work loaded, on the other hand, he&#8217;ll be tempted by other women (Pr. 6:28<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn80\">[80]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can&#8217;t praise his wife in such detail without paying close attention to her.&nbsp; Marriages are based on communication; a woman communicates heart-to-heart, a man communicates belly-to-belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How many marriages would fail if husband and wife never, not ever, criticized each other and constantly looked for things to appreciate instead?&nbsp; That is the essence of the Song.&nbsp; Jesus promised us rest:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;11:28-30<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>A bride takes on the yoke of pleasing her husband.&nbsp; He must live with her according to knowledge&nbsp;<em>of her<\/em>&nbsp;(1 Pe. 3:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn81\">[81]<\/a>).&nbsp; He gets this knowledge by hours and hours of daily open-hearted talk.&nbsp; This opens his heart to her, makes his yoke easy and his burden light, and convinces her that he belongs to her as taught in the Song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Courtship shows whether he trusts her (Pr. 31:11<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn82\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[82]<\/a>) enough to&nbsp;<em>truly<\/em>&nbsp;open his heart and he finds out whether she respects him and honors him (Eph. 5:33<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn83\">[83]<\/a>, 1 Pe. 3:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn84\">[84]<\/a>) in spite of his mistakes.&nbsp; Marriage prospers when a man&nbsp;<em>treats<\/em>&nbsp;his wife as his precious gift from God and she&nbsp;<em>acts<\/em>&nbsp;like his precious gift from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t be like Peter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We talked about Jesus having to&nbsp;<em>work<\/em>&nbsp;to get Peter to admit that Peter loved Jesus.&nbsp; This is a common problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;15:8<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>My mother did not believe that my father loved her.&nbsp; He said he did with his mouth, he honored her with his lips, but he didn\u2019t convince&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>.&nbsp; My mother played hymns for church and taught all three sons how to play the piano.&nbsp; Her people skills were strong enough that her missionary letters got our family to 300% support. &nbsp;My dad never let her know he appreciated her gifts even though her gifts were very useful to his ministry.&nbsp; He didn\u2019t spend the time he should have invested in opening his heart and making sure she felt loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We were missionaries to Japan, and the Japanese language is extremely difficult.&nbsp; My dad was grateful to Japanese colleagues who helped him arrange tickets and travel schedules.&nbsp; This would have been nearly impossible for either him or for my mother because of the language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was right to appreciate their help, but he never told my mother he appreciated her efforts to \u201cguide our house\u201d in a strange culture when her Japanese wasn\u2019t good enough to have women friends who could help her with all the strange foods.&nbsp; Not feeling appreciated by the man she loved dried my mother\u2019s bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My mother never understood why my wife, whose gifts were so similar to hers, was loved and appreciated while her gifts were not valued. &nbsp;Even though she was convinced that her wedding vows had been said to God as well as to my dad (Mal. 2:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn85\">[85]<\/a>), she was coming to the conclusion that she would have to leave my dad.&nbsp; The&nbsp;<em>pain<\/em>&nbsp;of not being loved rotted her bones and was more than she could bear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of leaving her when she was diagnosed with cancer, my dad took early retirement and nursed her for the rest of her life. &nbsp;The pain of feeling unloved for all those decades had gone so deep that it took years of dad cleaning up her messes when chemotherapy made her throw up before she felt loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When she died at 62, mom was convinced that he cared deeply about her.&nbsp; Her mother lived to 95. &nbsp;Given the choice of living 30 more years feeling unloved or dying in confidence she was valued, she\u2019d have chosen early death.&nbsp; For my mother, the&nbsp;<em>certainly<\/em>&nbsp;of being loved and appreciated was more precious than life itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus pushing Peter didn\u2019t make Peter love Jesus, he already did, but he hadn\u2019t admitted it to himself.&nbsp; My dad did love my mother, but he hadn\u2019t realized it.&nbsp; She was the axle on which the wheel of his life turned, and when she was gone, he started to die.&nbsp; It&nbsp;<em>really isn\u2019t good<\/em>&nbsp;for a man to be alone, that\u2019s why God generally arranges that men die before their wives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So men, if you want to receive the joys you expected to receive from Holy Matrimony, you must convince your wife that she\u2019s loved, valued, and appreciated.&nbsp; That\u2019s hard to do, but appreciation is vital:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,&nbsp;do all in the name of the Lord Jesus<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>,&nbsp;giving thanks to God and the Father by him<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Colossians&nbsp;3:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything you do with your wife&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.&nbsp; You must give thanks to God for giving you salvation, for giving marriage in general, and for giving you your wife in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with&nbsp;joyfulness<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and with&nbsp;gladness of heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, for the&nbsp;abundance of all things<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>;&nbsp;<sup>48<\/sup>Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in&nbsp;want of all things<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have&nbsp;destroyed thee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;28:47-48<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moses&nbsp;<em>warned<\/em>&nbsp;the Jews to give thanks for&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>&nbsp;God gave.&nbsp; They weren\u2019t thankful so He took&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>&nbsp;away.&nbsp; They were in want of \u201call things.\u201d&nbsp; We often take His gifts for granted.&nbsp; \u201cWe never miss the water \u2018til the well runs dry.\u201d&nbsp; Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude!&nbsp; If you don\u2019t convince your wife that you\u2019re grateful for her and to her, she\u2019ll be unhappy.&nbsp; You\u2019ll lose most of the blessing God intended her to give you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many men complain that women are too emotional and too talkative.&nbsp; If it weren\u2019t for the emotional mating drive God put into women, they wouldn\u2019t want to get together with men at all.&nbsp; Would you want to be married to you?&nbsp; Would you want to do all the things she does to keep your family working smoothly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Timothy&nbsp;5:14<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Women are driven to talk about caring for husbands, children, and homes.&nbsp; This is a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women complain that men are too possessive.&nbsp; God made men possessive so men would take care of women.&nbsp; If a wife encourages her husband\u2019s possessiveness, he\u2019ll be more inclined to take care of her and their children as God desires.&nbsp; If she belongs to him, her happiness belongs to him too.&nbsp; He\u2019ll find that spending money on the house makes her happy, and making her happy makes him far happier than anything he can do for himself.&nbsp; Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 2 that everything he did was vanity and chasing after wind. &nbsp;This was because he did it for himself: \u201cI gat&nbsp;<em>me<\/em>, I builded&nbsp;<em>me<\/em>\u2026.\u201d&nbsp; If a man dedicates his work and his life to nourishing and cherishing his wife, children, and church, his work won\u2019t be vain.&nbsp; God gives one source of joy:Live joyfully<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for&nbsp;that is thy portion in this life<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and in thy labor which thou takest under the sun.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ecclesiastes&nbsp;9:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man\u2019s life consists of his work and his wife, that\u2019s his portion, that\u2019s all there is.&nbsp; A wife, like life, is a gift of God.&nbsp; She can\u2019t make him any happier than he makes her.&nbsp; How happy does he want to be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whoso findeth a wife findeth a&nbsp;good thing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and&nbsp;obtaineth favor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;of the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;18:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>a prudent wife is from the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;19:14b<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Complaining about God\u2019s gifts instead of being grateful cost the Jews God\u2019s blessing.&nbsp; Complaining instead of thanking and praising makes your spouse unhappy and costs you the blessing God intended for marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are&nbsp;<em>truly<\/em>&nbsp;grateful to God for giving you life, salvation, and marriage, if you&nbsp;<em>truly<\/em>&nbsp;believe that God is good, you will see that the way He made men and women was designed to bless both of you.&nbsp; If you can\u2019t see how something about your spouse blesses you, that\u2019s&nbsp;<em>your<\/em>&nbsp;problem, not God\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women particularly appreciate appreciation.&nbsp; The Song of Solomon shows how to do it \u2013 notice small things about your wife and appreciate them&nbsp;<em>in detail<\/em>.&nbsp; When my wife\u2019s hairbrush gets full of hair, I spend 30 seconds with a comb to clean it so it works again.&nbsp; It saves her a bit of time, but what\u2019s more important, it shows her that I pay attention to her things.&nbsp; Long hair is a lot of work, so I help her brush it up before she goes to bed and help her brush it down when she gets up.&nbsp; That\u2019s a Biblical command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians&nbsp;2:4<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Women are generally smaller than men and weaker than men.&nbsp; My wife expects me to protect her.&nbsp; Seeing me pay attention to small things gives her confidence that I\u2019m looking out for her safety and her welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SO&nbsp;<\/a>WHAT SHOULD YOU TEACH?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A pastor must be \u201capt to teach (1 Tim. 3:2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn86\">[86]<\/a>, 2 Tim. 2:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn87\">[87]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; Older women must teach younger women, but many older women say they don\u2019t know what to say.&nbsp; Teach your wives to teach about 5 times and about a wife\u2019s&nbsp;<em>need<\/em>&nbsp;for her husband to open his heart often enough to belong to her.&nbsp; A woman must know her needs so she can test a man to see if he\u2019ll overcome his fears enough to belong to her.&nbsp; Women must quote this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;of her husband doth&nbsp;safely trust in her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;31:11a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can trust his heart to a virtuous woman.&nbsp; If she replies \u201cYes, sir\u201d as the spirit moves her, he\u2019ll be confident that she\u2019ll respect him in spite of his mistakes.&nbsp; If she gives herself whenever he wants her, he\u2019ll be convinced that she belongs to him.&nbsp; God made men possessive.&nbsp; Being his helps him trust her and also makes him want to take care of her as men take care of whatever they value \u2013 car, fishing pole, tools, wife\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I first asked my future wife for a date, she said, \u201cBefore you spend money on me, you should know that I\u2019m looking for a husband.&nbsp; I\u2019m not looking for fun; I want to get married.&nbsp; I\u2019m not saying you have to agree to marry me before we go out, but I want you to agree that the purpose of being together is to decide whether you and I should get married.&nbsp; God made me to be a treasure for&nbsp;<em>some man<\/em>.&nbsp; If you aren\u2019t that man, fine, we can part friends, but&nbsp;<em>I\u2019m not a toy<\/em>.&nbsp; I don\u2019t want a man to play with me; I want a man to stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting marriage on the table was part of guarding her heart.&nbsp; When a woman lets herself fall in love with a man who won\u2019t marry her, she\u2019s crusin\u2019 for a brusin\u2019, she\u2019s in for a world of hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When she spoke of my spending money on her, she signaled that she expected me to support her.&nbsp; In the past, a woman wouldn\u2019t give herself to a man without marriage and she wouldn\u2019t marry unless he\u2019d grown up enough to have a job.&nbsp; Many modern girls live with men without marriage and even pay \u201ctheir share\u201d of the rent.&nbsp; She was letting me know that&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;wasn\u2019t going to do&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every man knows&nbsp;<em>in his heart<\/em>&nbsp;that a woman can give him the joys of Heaven, that\u2019s why men pursue women.&nbsp; I liked her, and she tells me she plans to be God\u2019s treasure for her husband!&nbsp; She had no idea what being my treasure would mean, but I knew&nbsp;<em>exactly<\/em>&nbsp;what it would be like to have her be God\u2019s treasure for me. &nbsp;If she meant&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>, I\u2019d be a fool not to marry her, so I said, \u201cSure.\u201d&nbsp; We married 5 months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She didn\u2019t tell me until years later, but she had been planning to marry her college boyfriend even though he\u2019d never said anything about marriage.&nbsp; Something drove her to ask God if she should marry him, and God told her firmly \u201cNo.\u201d&nbsp; It was very difficult, but she broke up with him.&nbsp; She had failed to guard her heart.Keep thy heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;4:23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She fell in love with him&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;she asked God if he would be a good husband for her.&nbsp; A woman should never, ever, let herself fall in love with a man until&nbsp;<em>after<\/em>&nbsp;he has married her.&nbsp; In her sorrow, she told God, \u201cYou didn\u2019t like the man I chose, so you&nbsp;<em>find<\/em>&nbsp;me a husband.\u201d&nbsp; We talked for an hour or so the day we met.&nbsp; When she had to leave, I told her I was going to date her.&nbsp; I didn\u2019t ask her, I told her.&nbsp; The wheels turned behind her eyes for 15 or 20 seconds, she gulped, and said \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During that time, she felt God saying, \u201cWho\u2019s going to choose, you or Me?\u201d&nbsp; I was not&nbsp;<em>at all<\/em>&nbsp;what she would have chosen, but with God telling her He wanted to give her to me, she was OK with it.&nbsp; That\u2019s why she got marriage on the table before our first date.&nbsp; She trusted God, but in her woman\u2019s heart, she wanted to be sure I was OK with the idea of marrying her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My wife tells young ladies that if a man won\u2019t agree to marry if she decides that she wants to be&nbsp;<em>his<\/em>&nbsp;treasure, there\u2019s something&nbsp;<em>wrong<\/em>&nbsp;with him and she should have nothing to do with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also asked that I never fuss at her.&nbsp; \u201cI want to love you very much,\u201d she said.&nbsp; \u201cThe more I love you, the more disapproval hurts me.&nbsp; I won\u2019t be able to love you as much as I want to love you if you hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That made sense \u2013 the Bible speaks of women as \u201ctender and delicate.\u201d&nbsp; I don\u2019t want to keep her from loving me, so I watch what I say.&nbsp; God said the same thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro. 12:18<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I need this too.&nbsp; A man can be hurt as badly by a woman he loves as a woman can be hurt by a man.&nbsp; We\u2019ve tried always to be&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;our tongues are health to each other.&nbsp; She tries to speak so that the 10-foot area near her is the best place in all the world for me to be, that\u2019s why I like hanging around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teach that a virtuous wife \u201copeneth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness (Pr. 31:26).\u201d&nbsp; A man who\u2019s emotionally involved with a woman can be hurt terribly by her words even if he won\u2019t admit it.&nbsp; Why would she do anything that will make it harder for him to admit to himself that he loves her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remind women to keep themselves \u201cpure and unspotted (Jas. 1:27<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn88\">[88]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; When women commit fornication or leave their homes for the workforce, there is no reason why men need to be sexually pure and work hard to provide for their families. &nbsp;Their incentive is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A wife who wants her husband to convince her that he loves her should strive to make it easy for him to love her by belonging to him and by watching her tongue, but he must appreciate, value, and&nbsp;<em>act<\/em>&nbsp;on her talk.&nbsp; God gave us an example of woman-type talk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;27:19<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Pilate\u2019s wife expected him to pay attention&nbsp;<em>to her dream<\/em>.&nbsp; He should have relied on her feelings.&nbsp; On the other hand, a wife must let her husband punish their children when necessary no matter how she feels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;19:18<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.&nbsp; Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and&nbsp;shalt deliver his soul from hell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;23:13-14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women expect men to protect them, but they need to know that a man can\u2019t protect her unless she obeys.&nbsp; Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cRomeo and Juliet\u201d shows that a man can\u2019t protect his family without cooperation or incarceration.&nbsp; Juliet\u2019s father tried to keep her away from Romeo and appointed the family nurse to keep her at home.&nbsp; Juliet fooled the nurse, snuck off, and got together with Romeo.&nbsp; It didn\u2019t turn out well \u2013 they died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter Pan told Wendy to stay in the clearing.&nbsp; Captain Hook kidnapped her when she disobeyed and went walking in the woods.&nbsp; Peter had to risk his life in a sword fight to get her back.&nbsp; If he\u2019d known he wouldn\u2019t get Wendy\u2019s cooperation, should he have used incarceration by locking her in the house?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fathers aren\u2019t infallible.&nbsp; Jacob let his daughter Dina go out to \u201csee the daughters of the land;\u201d Shechem raped her (Gen. 34).&nbsp; David told his daughter Tamar to go see Amnon and didn\u2019t make Amnon marry Tamar after Amnon raped her (II Samuel 13).&nbsp; Did David or Jacob ask their wives\u2019 advice before doing these things?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT ABOUT MEN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve talked about what you need to teach your wives to teach other women; here\u2019s what you need to teach men.&nbsp; Women are made for men (1 Cor. 11:8-9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn89\">[89]<\/a>) and a wife wants to please her husband (1 Cor. 7:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn90\">[90]<\/a>).&nbsp; Around 90% of the success in a marriage is based on how a man treats his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God gave your wife sensitive emotions so that she wants you to be pleased with her (1 Cor. 7:34) and so that she\u2019ll know whether you\u2019re pleased or not.&nbsp; Her emotions make her a mirror; she\u2019s not a light.&nbsp; Give her anger, criticism, unhappiness, she\u2019ll be tempted to use her power to vex your soul to death (Jud. 16:16<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn91\">[91]<\/a>), multiply your unhappiness, and give&nbsp;<em>all<\/em>&nbsp;your unhappiness back to you.&nbsp; If you give her praise, appreciation, honor, and love, she\u2019ll multiply the happiness you give her and fill your house with the light of your joy in her.&nbsp; Men and their sons reap what they sow to the woman guiding the house,&nbsp;<em>very quickly<\/em>.&nbsp; A man&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;teach his sons to honor and appreciate their mother&nbsp;<em>and sisters<\/em>.&nbsp; If a meal turns into a kitchen disaster, for example, they&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;appreciate it, help clean up, and eat it, if only for the sake of the&nbsp;<em>effort<\/em>&nbsp;she put into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the book of Proverbs is a father\u2019s advice to his son.&nbsp; Chapters 2 and 5 warn men about non-virtuous women.&nbsp; Chapter 31 is King Lemuel\u2019s words, \u201cthe wisdom&nbsp;<em>his mother<\/em>&nbsp;taught him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proverbs 31 wasn\u2019t written to women, it was written to men.&nbsp; It tells a man what to expect of a virtuous woman.&nbsp; It\u2019s easy to see if a woman is like that while courting.&nbsp; Mrs. Lemuel gave one command to men:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and&nbsp;he praiseth her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp; [saying]&nbsp;&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;31:28-29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mrs. Lemuel taught that her son should praise his wife and teach his children to follow his example of praising her and appreciating her.&nbsp; This teaches them the \u201cattitude of gratitude\u201d which will bless them all their lives.&nbsp; Praise is partly to encourage his wife and partly to teach her children to respect her.&nbsp; If her daughters respect her, she can teach them how to be treasures for their future husbands instead of being toys.&nbsp; If her sons respect her, she can teach them how to be blessed by their future wives as Mrs. Lemuel taught her son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teach that&nbsp;<em>nowhere<\/em>&nbsp;in the Bible does a man criticize his wife.&nbsp; Not once.&nbsp; Really?&nbsp; What about this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.&nbsp; But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Job&nbsp;2:9<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Job\u2019s wife lost her seven sons who were her only hope of being fed after her husband died \u2013 no pensions.&nbsp; Her husband lost his money and was speaking of dying \u2013 she\u2019d had a tough week.&nbsp; He said she spoke \u201clike a foolish woman.\u201d&nbsp; That implied she wasn\u2019t usually foolish, it was halfway a compliment.&nbsp; He criticized what she&nbsp;<em>did<\/em>; he didn\u2019t criticize&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>.&nbsp; Every wife knows the difference.&nbsp; Ever hear \u201clove the sinner, hate the sin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But&nbsp;speaking the truth in love<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians&nbsp;4:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is that&nbsp;speaketh like the piercings of a sword<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: but the tongue of the wise is health.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro. 12:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I want my words to be health to my wife so she\u2019ll want to hear what I tell her.&nbsp; I say, \u201cThat didn\u2019t work as well as&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;planned.&nbsp; What went wrong?&nbsp; Let\u2019s learn to do better next time.\u201d&nbsp; I say \u201cwe\u201d because my wife tries to please me by doing everything the way I want it done.&nbsp; That involves me in&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>&nbsp;she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men, criticizing wives is unbiblical, period, end of story.&nbsp; 1 Samuel 25 tells how Abigail criticized her husband Nabal to David.&nbsp; In 1 Samuel 25:34, David thanked her for talking him out of murdering Nabal.&nbsp; When Nabal died, David married Abigail&nbsp;<em>immediately<\/em>.&nbsp; God gives 2 rules for wives criticizing husbands: 1) Only to prevent murder or some other serious sin 2) Criticize him so sweetly that any man who hears you criticize your husband will want to marry you.&nbsp; If you can\u2019t do it in the Bible manner,&nbsp;<em>don\u2019t<\/em>&nbsp;criticize your husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Today\u2019s Young People like Short Sound Bites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re in a sound-bite generation \u2013 kids want everything to be&nbsp;<em>short<\/em>.&nbsp; You can teach salvation in two words: \u201cOnly believe.\u201d&nbsp; You can teach marriage in two words: \u201cOnly praise.\u201d&nbsp; What if husband and wife never criticized and looked&nbsp;<em>every day<\/em>&nbsp;for things to praise and appreciate as taught in the Song?&nbsp; Would that work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was making a doctor\u2019s appointment for my wife.&nbsp; The young lady figured out that I treasured my wife and asked how long we\u2019d been married.&nbsp; When I told her 51 years, she wanted to know how we did it.&nbsp; I gave her the 2 words \u2013 \u201cOnly praise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her eyes bugged out.&nbsp; \u201cThat\u2019s&nbsp;<em>hard<\/em>!\u201d she complained.&nbsp; \u201cWhat do I do if I\u2019m&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;<em>upset<\/em>&nbsp;at him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre you an adult, or are you a child?\u201d I asked.&nbsp; \u201cWe teach little kids not to lose their temper, not to throw angry words at each other by the time they\u2019re 2, age 3&nbsp;<em>at the latest<\/em>.&nbsp; If you aren\u2019t grown up enough to keep your temper, are you mature enough to marry?\u201d&nbsp; The Bible agrees that we must control our feelings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro.&nbsp;25:28<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Teach the men:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Only praise.&nbsp; If a woman\u2019s personality irritates him and makes it hard for him to keep his temper, should he marry her?&nbsp; We teach kids not to hurl angry words by age 2 or 3.&nbsp; Are you adult or child?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When something goes wrong,&nbsp;<em>take responsibility<\/em>&nbsp;instead of blaming your wife as Adam blamed Eve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Open his heart.&nbsp; If he doesn\u2019t trust her enough to open his heart, should he marry her?&nbsp; One of the rewards of opening his heart is that she will learn about him and figure out ways to please him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Listen to her advice.&nbsp; God made her to help him (Gen. 2:18, 20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn92\">[92]<\/a>); if he won\u2019t listen to her and take her thoughts into account, she will be&nbsp;<em>very<\/em>&nbsp;unhappy and he will make more mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible tells us&nbsp;<em>twice<\/em>&nbsp;that God values multiple sources of advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Pro.&nbsp;11:14<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;15:22<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>A wife often knows things her husband doesn\u2019t, particularly about children.&nbsp; It\u2019s foolish for a man to ignore his wife\u2019s knowledge and counsel when making decisions.&nbsp; Even if her ideas aren\u2019t practical, her thoughts may stimulate his thoughts and help make better decisions.&nbsp; In our decades of deciding, it\u2019s been rare that the first idea from either of us stands the test of the other\u2019s knowledge.&nbsp; It can take hours of discussion to get all the facts, but the decision is usually obvious once everyone\u2019s concerns are understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of knowledge sharing are great.&nbsp; That\u2019s one of the ways God wants us to edify one another (1 Thess. 5:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn93\">[93]<\/a>) and provoke one another to good works (Heb. 10:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn94\">[94]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hardest part about parenting is persuading children that your ways are right.&nbsp; They may obey while living with you, but when they leave, they\u2019ll do what they think is right.&nbsp; Unless you convince them that your ways are best before they leave home, they\u2019ll do something else, to your sorrow, and a wife\u2019s input helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>God planned that husband and wife should be each other\u2019s main source of contentment so they don\u2019t need to spend money on toys.&nbsp; If they meet each other\u2019s needs, they\u2019ll have fewer financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnly praise\u201d means keeping emotion out of disagreements and sticking to facts.&nbsp; Money is the very best place for fact-based discussion.&nbsp; I grew up in Japan where heating oil cost $1 per quart; I kept my apartment in Boston, Mass. at 50 F, that\u2019s 10C.&nbsp; Before we married, my wife lived in a YWCA in a room over the main boiler.&nbsp; Her room was between 70 and 80 all winter, that\u2019s 26C.&nbsp; We had a lot of expenses when we bought a house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I listed monthly income and expenses when we got the November heating bill.&nbsp; I showed what we got after taxes.&nbsp; I showed all our expenses including mortgage, cars, phone, etc.&nbsp; I explained that the winter heating bills for December through February would be at double or triple the November bill.&nbsp; We\u2019d barely make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I reminded her that she wanted to buy a freezer.&nbsp; She didn\u2019t want to pay interest, so we had to save the up to buy it.&nbsp; \u201cIf you set the thermostat at 50,\u201d I told her, \u201cwe can afford to buy your freezer this spring.&nbsp; If, however, we set it at 70, we won\u2019t be able to save the money until fall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She knew that a dollar spent on heat was a dollar we couldn\u2019t spend on her freezer.&nbsp; She wore very heavy quilted men\u2019s underwear, drank a lot of hot tea, and we set our thermostat at \u201cway cool.\u201d&nbsp; We bought the freezer; it served us 30 years.&nbsp; We found a way to give her a choice as God gives us free will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3 years later, we scraped together airfare so I could take her with me on a business trip.&nbsp; She found a crystal vase she really wanted.&nbsp; We\u2019d been eating in cheaper restaurants than my colleagues so I could pay for her food and mine from my daily meal allowance.&nbsp; This was before computers.&nbsp; It wasn\u2019t worth the effort to add up all the meal receipts, so the company gave us a fixed sum for each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She knew that paying her air fare had left us in a bad position, but she wanted the vase.&nbsp; \u201cIf you buy groceries so we can eat in our room,\u201d I told her, \u201cwe can save enough out of my meal allowance for your vase.\u201d&nbsp; We ate a lot of tuna and the bread sometimes went stale, but we bought the vase.&nbsp; She still has it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnly praise\u201d means keeping emotion out of discussions and sticking to facts.&nbsp; There is no topic better suited to fact-based discussion than money.&nbsp; You know what you\u2019ve spent, you know what came in.&nbsp; What\u2019s more, you know most of the coming bills and most of what you expect to come in.&nbsp; Facts take a lot of the sting out of talking about money.&nbsp; Everybody has spread sheets; there\u2019s no excuse not to have factual discussions.&nbsp; Once all the facts are on the table, the answer is usually obvious \u2013 \u201cNo, you can\u2019t have it&nbsp;<em>yet<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gifts and Talents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible tells of a Master who gave His servants money to invest while He was away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;25:15<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When He came back, He wanted to know what His servants had done with what He gave.&nbsp; Two of them had done well and were rewarded.&nbsp; One did nothing with the gift and was punished.&nbsp; God\u2019s gifts such as preaching, teaching, or music are His gifts to you.&nbsp; What you do with them are your gifts back to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gifts are always conditional.&nbsp; You\u2019ve heard a parent say, \u201cYou left your toy in the rain; you can\u2019t play with it for a week.\u201d&nbsp; The child abused the gift and lost the blessing.&nbsp; Second only to salvation, a wife is the greatest gift a man can receive from God.&nbsp; That makes her husband accountable&nbsp;<em>to God<\/em>&nbsp;for learning about her skills and helping her develop them.&nbsp; If you don\u2019t, you\u2019ll lose your part of God\u2019s reward for using her gifts for Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly after we married, I found that my wife had a fine singing voice.&nbsp; This was a surprise \u2013 I had paid attention to other matters while we were courting.&nbsp; One reason we were short of money after buying a house was that I had bought her a piano so she could practice singing.&nbsp; She had to do the work of developing her God-given singing gift, but I had to make it possible, encourage her, and make sure she had time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man is accountable to God for helping his wife use&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;gifts to glorify Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HUSBAND AND WIFE NEED PERFECT HEARTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation and marriage are alike.&nbsp; Salvation means that you die to your former sinful life to be born again into a relationship to Christ.&nbsp; You then belong to Christ and serve Him out of love for Him.&nbsp; The only way husband and wife can become one as God expects is for each of them to die to their former individual lives in favor of their new family.&nbsp; They then belong to each other&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;belong to God and serve each other out of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>David\u2019s heart was perfect with the Lord his God.&nbsp; He sinned, but he never worshipped anyone or anything else.&nbsp; All Israel came with one perfect heart to make David king (1 Chron. 12:38<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn95\">[95]<\/a>).&nbsp; Husband and wife must enter into Holy Matrimony with one perfect heart.&nbsp; Couples must keep their hearts perfect with each other all their days by never paying attention to anyone else as a man or woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unmarried love is different from married love.&nbsp; The Bible tells men how to talk outside marriage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters,&nbsp;with all purity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Timothy&nbsp;5:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men have to be careful not to let talk slide toward the emotional and physical connections God reserves for marriage.&nbsp; Women must stop talking to a man who\u2019s heading toward violating her emotional or physical purity.&nbsp; It\u2019s OK for men and women to talk as long as they talk as persons and not as men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A person-to-person conversation can stray toward man-woman.&nbsp; This is&nbsp;<em>wrong<\/em>&nbsp;if either party is married.&nbsp; If they\u2019re single, the woman must decide whether they might marry and insist that he agree that the goal of being together is to decide whether they will marry.&nbsp; If he won\u2019t agree, she should cut him off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is&nbsp;<em>no<\/em>&nbsp;God-honoring reason for&nbsp;<em>man-woman talk<\/em>&nbsp;between people who are neither married to each other nor considering marriage.&nbsp; Men and women can converse&nbsp;<em>as<\/em>&nbsp;<em>people<\/em>&nbsp;by avoiding man-woman thoughts or emotions.&nbsp; Your spouse is the&nbsp;<em>only<\/em>&nbsp;person&nbsp;<em>in the world<\/em>&nbsp;whose gender should matter to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Man-woman talk is&nbsp;<em>dangerous<\/em>&nbsp;in work situations.&nbsp; You must please the boss to keep a job.&nbsp; It\u2019s common for a woman to please a man boss or a man to please a woman boss just a&nbsp;<em>little<\/em>&nbsp;<em>too much<\/em>.&nbsp; This can lead to adultery or divorce, but it&nbsp;<em>starts<\/em>&nbsp;with talk that does not meet God\u2019s standards of purity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God warns that men shouldn\u2019t get physical with women outside marriage even if they don\u2019t have sex:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is&nbsp;good for a man not to touch a woman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>Nevertheless, to&nbsp;avoid fornication<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;7:1-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Greek word translated \u201ctouch\u201d includes arousing passion or starting a fire.&nbsp; Would a man take his mother\u2019s arm in a slippery place to keep her from falling or help his sister put on her coat?&nbsp; Of course.&nbsp; Would he try to get his mother or sister sexually aroused?&nbsp; Of course not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anything or anyone which a Christian loves or follows more than God is an idol and God thinks of this as idolatry, or spiritual adultery.&nbsp; If a husband allows his love for&nbsp;<em>anything<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 job, hobby, sports, hunting \u2013 to be stronger than his love for his wife,&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;thinks he\u2019s committing emotional adultery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>LET\u2019S SUM IT UP IN A FEW WORDS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s rules are simple.&nbsp; Salvation is two words, \u201conly believe.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Getting<\/em>&nbsp;married is 4 words, \u201cNo sex until marriage.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Staying<\/em>&nbsp;married is \u201conly praise.\u201d&nbsp; We must praise our spouses as much as God expects us to praise Him; that keeps us focused on what God has given so that we don\u2019t worry about what He hasn\u2019t given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man should be able to look his wife in the eye and say from the bottom of his heart, \u201cFor God so loved man that He gave him woman.&nbsp; For God so loved me that He gave me you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When God looks on you, He sees the purity and perfection of His son, your Lord and Savior.&nbsp; We are commanded to follow God (Eph. 5:1-2<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn96\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[96]<\/a>), so when you look on your spouse, you are&nbsp;<em>commanded<\/em>&nbsp;to see the purity and perfection of His son, your spouse\u2019s Lord and Savior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God expects bride and groom to enter Holy Matrimony with one perfect heart.&nbsp; Keep your hearts perfect with the Lord your God, and with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God gave us one plan for both salvation and marriage, and He gave us one love-based way to relate to Him, to our spouses, and to our fellow church members.&nbsp; We praise God in the same way we praise our spouses; we give ourselves to our spouses in the same way we give ourselves to God.&nbsp; When lost people see Christian couples sharing God\u2019s love and God\u2019s forgiveness, they\u2019ll want some for themselves.&nbsp; Showing and spreading the love of God is how&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;turn the world upside down (Acts 17:1-6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn97\">[97]<\/a>).&nbsp; It really is that simple.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">God Explained what happened to Women after the fall<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>God made both salvation and marriage.&nbsp; If we try to go to Heaven in our own way, we go to Hell when we die.&nbsp; If we try to do marriage our own way, we can make life Hell on earth, but if we do it God\u2019s way, we can give each other a taste of Heaven, right here on earth.&nbsp; When lost people see Christian couples sharing God\u2019s love, forgiveness, and grace, they\u2019ll want some for themselves, and&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;can tell them how to ask God for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our marriages are our most powerful testimony about the goodness of God.&nbsp; When lost people see that our marriages are no better than theirs, they know we can\u2019t handle this life any better than they do.&nbsp; Why should they care what we say about the next life?&nbsp; Difficult Christian marriages and Christian divorce&nbsp;<em>wreck<\/em>&nbsp;our testimony and dishonor Christ.&nbsp; Pastors must teach how to build marriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s simple to keep a man happy.&nbsp; My wife teaches that a husband expects to have his wife 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner,&nbsp;<em>and bed<\/em>.&nbsp; He seldom has that much strength, but that\u2019s his&nbsp;<em>plan<\/em>&nbsp;(Ge. 29:21<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn98\">[98]<\/a>).&nbsp; \u201cSimple\u201d may not be &#8220;easy.&#8221;&nbsp; It&#8217;s simple to walk from Cairo to Cape Town &#8211; put one foot in front of the other, repeat until you get there &#8211; but not easy.&nbsp; Marriage is a lifetime journey, not&nbsp;<em>just<\/em>&nbsp;a stroll across a continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no joy this side of Heaven for a man like having a woman&nbsp;<em>enjoy<\/em>&nbsp;belonging to him or for a woman like having a man&nbsp;<em>delight<\/em>&nbsp;in nourishing, cherishing, and appreciating her.&nbsp;&nbsp; That\u2019s what God expects of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR LIFE: IS GOD REALLY GOOD?&nbsp; CHRISTIANS SAY GOD IS GOOD; DO THEY BELIEVE IT?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your&nbsp;<em>entire life<\/em>&nbsp;is based on your belief in God.&nbsp; Are you&nbsp;<em>convinced<\/em>&nbsp;that following God\u2019s rules blesses you and leads you to something perfect?&nbsp; Or will His rules block your freedom to find happiness in your own way?&nbsp; People&nbsp;<em>say<\/em>&nbsp;that God is good, they praise Him, but do they really believe that He is good?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but&nbsp;their heart is far from me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;15:8<\/strong><em>&nbsp;see also&nbsp;<\/em><strong>Mark&nbsp;7:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn99\"><strong>[99]<\/strong><\/a>, Isaiah 29:13<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn100\"><strong>[100]<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Delilah asked Samson, \u201cHow canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is&nbsp;not with me&nbsp;(Jud. 16:15)?&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#samsonTemptation\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Same thing<\/a>!<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn101\">[101]<\/a>&nbsp; How many men honor their wives with their lips without opening their hearts to them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Head knowledge is what we&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;(2 Tim. 3:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn102\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[102]<\/a>); heart knowledge is what we&nbsp;<em>feel<\/em>&nbsp;or what we&nbsp;<em>are<\/em>&nbsp;(Pr. 23:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn103\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[103]<\/a>).&nbsp; Christians&nbsp;<em>say<\/em>&nbsp;God is good, but the way they act shows that their head knowledge hasn\u2019t made it down to their hearts.&nbsp; God\u2019s creation \u201cwas very good (Ge. 1:31).\u201d&nbsp; Gen. 2 and 3 expand on the creation of mankind.&nbsp; The only thing that was not good was the man being alone (Ge. 2:18<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn104\">[104]<\/a>).&nbsp; Forming Eve&nbsp;<em>completed<\/em>&nbsp;God\u2019s&nbsp;<em>very good<\/em>&nbsp;creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men complain about women instead of thanking God for marriage.&nbsp; Men say wives are too emotional and talk too much.&nbsp; The Bible says that a wife is a favor from God (Pr. 18:22<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn105\">[105]<\/a>) and that God gives good and perfect gifts (Jas. 1:17<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn106\">[106]<\/a>).&nbsp; A wife is a good and perfect gift from God&nbsp;<em>to her husband<\/em>.&nbsp; Do you&nbsp;<em>believe<\/em>&nbsp;that?&nbsp; If a man can\u2019t see that the way God made his wife blesses him, that\u2019s&nbsp;<em>his<\/em>&nbsp;problem, not God\u2019s.&nbsp; Pray for wisdom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Christians who&nbsp;<em>truly<\/em>&nbsp;believe that God is good&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;that God made men and women to give each other great joy.&nbsp; Others&nbsp;<em>say<\/em>&nbsp;God is good with their lips.&nbsp; They don\u2019t believe it in their hearts so they complain about differences between men and women instead of being grateful for the differences that make marriage work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bride and groom want their marriage to overflow with joy.&nbsp; God is party to their marriage vows (Mal. 2:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn107\">[107]<\/a>),&nbsp;<em>He<\/em>&nbsp;wants Christian marriages to be so wonderful that we shine a bright light to the lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Few Christian marriages work out as well as God planned.&nbsp; Given that all parties want it to be good, when a marriage isn\u2019t good,&nbsp;<em>something went wrong<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>something must change<\/em>.&nbsp; It\u2019s&nbsp;<em>insane<\/em>&nbsp;to keep doing the same things you\u2019re doing and expect marriage to get better.&nbsp; The&nbsp;<em>man<\/em>&nbsp;is the leader, so fixing it is&nbsp;<em>on him<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man may have head knowledge about pregnancy, but deep in his heart, a man doesn&#8217;t believe he has anything to do with making babies.&nbsp; A baby belongs to the mother, of course &#8211; she had it last &#8211; but what has&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;baby to do with&nbsp;<em>him<\/em>?&nbsp; Remember the old saying: \u201cThe time my father got me, his mind was&nbsp;<em>not on me<\/em>.\u201d&nbsp; What was&nbsp;<em>your<\/em>&nbsp;father thinking when&nbsp;<em>you<\/em>&nbsp;happened?&nbsp; Was he thinking at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Men have head knowledge that&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#fallFault\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adam caused the fall<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn108\">[108]<\/a>&nbsp;but instead of accepting responsibility for leading, men follow Adam and blame their wives when things go wrong.&nbsp; Instead of serving wives as Jesus commanded (Mk. 9:35<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn109\">[109]<\/a>, 10:42-45<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn110\">[110]<\/a>), many husbands command without discussion.&nbsp; Moses&nbsp;<em>warned<\/em>&nbsp;that the Jews would lose&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>&nbsp;unless they loved God with&nbsp;<em>grateful hearts<\/em>&nbsp;and gave thanks for&nbsp;<em>everything<\/em>&nbsp;He gave them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with&nbsp;joyfulness<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and with&nbsp;gladness of heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, for the&nbsp;abundance of all things<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>;&nbsp;<sup>48<\/sup>Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in&nbsp;want of all things<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have&nbsp;destroyed thee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;28:47-48<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Jews didn\u2019t thank God so He took the blessings away.&nbsp; A wife can\u2019t comfort her husband and bless him as God planned unless&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;fees appreciated and loved&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#loveTheLordThyGod\">as much as he loves God<\/a>, page 38.&nbsp; Your wife can\u2019t bless you&nbsp;<em>fully<\/em>&nbsp;unless you love her with&nbsp;<em>everything you have<\/em>.&nbsp; God&nbsp;<em>told<\/em>&nbsp;us about women to make marriage easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>THINK ABOUT EVE\u2019S LIFE IN THE GARDEN<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>She didn\u2019t need a house &#8211; it never rained (Ge. 2:6<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn111\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[111]<\/a>).&nbsp; They were naked; she didn\u2019t need clothes (Ge. 2:25<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn112\">[112]<\/a>).&nbsp; She could always find fruit to eat (Ge. 3:2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn113\">[113]<\/a>).&nbsp; After the fall, God explained what would happen to women:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Unto the woman he [God] said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;3:16<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Greatly Multiply thy Sorrow Through Sensitive Emotions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most women have more sensitive emotions than men.&nbsp; Being sensitive helps women learn how to please husbands, but God multiplies sorrow to women because their feelings are easily hurt.&nbsp; The Bible says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Every wise woman buildeth her house:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;14:1a<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>A woman\u2019s emotions are the cement that builds her house.&nbsp; There\u2019s no&nbsp;<em>logical<\/em>&nbsp;reason for a wife to pour her life into serving her family and building her house, women do this on emotion.&nbsp; Men, would you like to be married to you?&nbsp; Could you do what your wife does in your home?&nbsp; Think: how can women do what they do?&nbsp; Women build homes and churches through love and emotion, but they can\u2019t build home or church unless they\u2019re free to&nbsp;<em>express<\/em>&nbsp;their emotions and are appreciated when they do<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God punished Eve by giving women a strong emotional desire to please men (1 Cor. 7:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn114\">[114]<\/a>).&nbsp; Husbands rule though praise: women do more of what\u2019s praised if they aren\u2019t criticized.&nbsp; If all they get is criticism, they\u2019ll do more of what\u2019s criticized the most.&nbsp; God put strong emotions in women&nbsp;<em>on purpose,<\/em>&nbsp;it was&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;an accident:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>a prudent wife is from the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;19:14b<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPrudence\u201d means thinking ahead; the way a woman\u2019s mind works, that is, her prudence, is of the Lord.&nbsp; God made women think the way they do&nbsp;<em>on purpose.<\/em>&nbsp; The mixture of logic and emotion God gives a woman makes her want to serve her family and build her home while&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#demonstratesLove\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">showing us how God\u2019s love works<\/a>, page 42.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><a>There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the&nbsp;tongue of the wise is health.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;12:18<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Be wise.&nbsp; Keep your words to your wife healthful&nbsp;<em>for her<\/em>.&nbsp; Just before our wedding, my wife asked that I never fuss at her.&nbsp; \u201cI want to love you very much,\u201d she said.&nbsp; \u201cThe more I love you, the more criticism hurts.&nbsp; I won\u2019t be able to love you as much as I want to love you if you hurt me.\u201d&nbsp; That made sense \u2013 the Bible speaks of women as \u201ctender and delicate.\u201d&nbsp; I don\u2019t want to make it hard for her to love me, so I watch what I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>Thy Desire shall be to thy Husband<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A woman&nbsp;<em>desires<\/em>&nbsp;to belong to a man whom she can please by making him happy with her mating instinct toward him (Song 1:2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn115\">[115]<\/a>, 8:2-3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn116\">[116]<\/a>,) just as a man desires to have a woman belong to him (Song 7:10).&nbsp; Men should treat their wives as precious, undeserved gifts from God who made women&nbsp;<em>want<\/em>&nbsp;to hang around with men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">He Shall Rule Over Thee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Belonging to a man and following him&nbsp;<em>should<\/em>&nbsp;bring a wife joy (Ecc. 9:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn117\">[117]<\/a>, Song 8:2-3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn118\">[118]<\/a>).&nbsp; She can\u2019t make him&nbsp;<em>any<\/em>&nbsp;happier than he makes her.&nbsp; How happy does he want to be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve heard my wife\u2019s simple \u201c5 times\u201d rule for keeping husbands happy.&nbsp; There&#8217;s no simple way for a man to keep his wife happy because women differ much more from each other than men do.&nbsp; Men and women have the same need for belonging, but they express it differently.&nbsp; Men know what they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You want your wife to open her body to you.&nbsp; She wants you to open your heart to her.&nbsp; You want to put yourself into her body.&nbsp; She wants to put herself, that is, her words, her thoughts, her feelings, into your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You leave your seed inside her body where it affects her mood and can give her a baby.&nbsp; She wants to leave her essence, her being, in your heart where it affects your thinking about her, how you treat her, and how you relate to everyone else.&nbsp; People can&nbsp;<em>see<\/em>&nbsp;if you belong to each other by looking at you or hearing you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Husband and wife should be \u201cone flesh\u201d as Adam and Eve were before God separated Eve from Adam\u2019s body (Mk. 10:8<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn119\">[119]<\/a>).&nbsp; A woman at work tried to attract me.&nbsp; \u201cI was angry when you didn\u2019t even notice,\u201d she told me.&nbsp; \u201cThen I realized, \u2018Oh, he belongs to his wife\u2019 and went after someone else.\u201d&nbsp; I\u2019m always careful to have women in my office meet Roberta so they\u2019ll know that I\u2019m hers.&nbsp; Another woman read some of our material.&nbsp; \u201cI was angry how much you knew about me,\u201d she said.&nbsp; \u201cThen I realized you\u2019re clueless,&nbsp;<em>your wife<\/em>&nbsp;told you how women think.\u201d&nbsp; I had to&nbsp;<em>understand<\/em>&nbsp;what my wife said&nbsp;<em>in my heart<\/em>&nbsp;so I could write about it.&nbsp; You need hours and days of back-and-forth talk or you can\u2019t be one as Jesus expects (Mt. 19:5-6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn120\">[120]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A wife wants her husband to open his heart to her as often as he takes her&nbsp;<em>and more<\/em>.&nbsp; That\u2019s how he gets knowledge of her as God expects (1 Pe. 3:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn121\">[121]<\/a>).&nbsp; If he opens his heart as sincerely, as deeply, as patiently, as often, and as gladly as he expects her to open herself to him, she\u2019ll know he belongs to her.&nbsp; Belonging to each other as taught in the Song (2:16<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn122\">[122]<\/a>, 6:3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn123\">[123]<\/a>) gives them both a taste of the joys of Heaven, right here on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women open their hearts to each other all the time and don\u2019t understand how scary it is for a man.&nbsp; 1 Cor. 11:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn124\">[124]<\/a>&nbsp;says that women are made for men.&nbsp; Men aren\u2019t taught how scary it is for women to belong to men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT DO WOMEN DESIRE FROM HUSBANDS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread (Ge. 3:19<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn125\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[125]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; God gave no way for Eve to eat.&nbsp; As Naomi told her daughters goodbye when sending them back to their families to find husbands, she prayed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The LORD grant you that ye may find&nbsp;rest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, each of you in the house of her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth&nbsp;1:9<\/strong><strong>a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women aren\u2019t strong enough to hunt or farm without machinery.&nbsp; In a muscle-powered society with no welfare system, wives depend on husbands for food.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Knowing<\/em>&nbsp;that her relationship to her husband is strong is&nbsp;<em>important<\/em>&nbsp;to a wife \u2013 she and her children could starve if he leaves her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A friend told me how his dog growled when a puppy tried to eat from his dish.&nbsp; \u201cKids are OK,\u201d he said, \u201cif they don\u2019t eat from my dish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I told my wife, she said, \u201cNo!&nbsp; I want to eat off your plate and our children to eat off your plate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People see her eat off my plate.&nbsp; Women have said, \u201cI wish my husband would let me eat off his plate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Father her Children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pr. 30:16 states that an empty womb is never satisfied.&nbsp; A woman desires children.&nbsp; Having been given children, she desires that their father&nbsp;<em>want<\/em>&nbsp;to stick with her and enjoy helping her raise them (Eph. 6:4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn126\">[126]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Naomi wanted Ruth and Orpha to have food, clothing, and shelter, of course, but she&nbsp;<em>also<\/em>&nbsp;wanted them to find comfort, rest, contentment, and security in constant reminders that their husbands valued and appreciated them as taught in the Song.&nbsp; A woman desires that her husband&nbsp;<em>like<\/em>&nbsp;feeding, clothing, and housing her and her children and that he&nbsp;<em>like<\/em>&nbsp;opening his heart to her and praising her (Pr. 31:31<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn127\">[127]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watching any couple shows whether she\u2019s&nbsp;<em>resting<\/em>&nbsp;in her husband.&nbsp; Many women get this instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For as he thinketh in his heart,&nbsp;so is he<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>:&nbsp;Eat and drink<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, saith he to thee; but&nbsp;his heart is not with thee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;23:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man can&nbsp;<em>say<\/em>&nbsp;he loves a woman and feed her without giving his heart.&nbsp; God has the same problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is&nbsp;far from me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;15:8<\/strong><em>&nbsp;see also&nbsp;<\/em><strong>Isaiah&nbsp;29:13<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn128\"><strong>[128]<\/strong><\/a>, Mark 7:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn129\"><strong>[129]<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Naomi wanted each daughter to find a husband who poured his heart into nourishing and cherishing.&nbsp; God isn\u2019t the only one who appreciates a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn130\">[130]<\/a>) \u2013 wives appreciate cheerful giving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>Take my yoke upon you, and&nbsp;learn of me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.&nbsp;<sup>30<\/sup>For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;11:28-30<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your wife took on the yoke of pleasing you when you took her to wife.&nbsp; Do you make it easy for her to learn of you?&nbsp; That\u2019s a major reason she wants you to open your heart \u2013 learning of you lightens her yoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">She Wants to Learn of You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our church had a split; we needed new leadership.&nbsp; I was pondering my qualifications for church office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Timothy&nbsp;3:12<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWife,\u201d I asked, \u201cdo I qualify, I don\u2019t rule you, I hardly ever tell you what to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes,\u201d she said, \u201cyou rule me utterly.&nbsp; Your ways aren\u2019t natural to me, but we\u2019ve talked enough that I know how you want things done.&nbsp; Just about everything I do, I know how you want it done and I do it your way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She served me out of love as Christ died for sinners out of love.&nbsp; Learning of me so she had confidence that I\u2019d be pleased made my yoke easier and my burden lighter as learning what Christ expects of us makes His yoke easy and His burden light.&nbsp; I\u2019d talked with her enough that she could follow me but not enough to realize how my ways ruled her.&nbsp; It hadn\u2019t occurred to me that there was any other way than my way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We found cases where my way was a&nbsp;<em>lot<\/em>&nbsp;harder and the difference wasn\u2019t worth her extra work.&nbsp; Changing back to her ways lightened my yoke as she learned more of me.&nbsp; She\u2019d always accepted my rule, but because I didn\u2019t realize how much I was ruling her, my yoke wasn\u2019t as light as it should have been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>EMOTIONS SCARE MEN<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Women share their hearts all the time in helping other women bear the burdens of husbands, children, and guiding houses (1 Tim. 5:14<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn131\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[131]<\/a>).&nbsp; They must be taught that it\u2019s as frightening for a man to open his heart as for a woman to open her body.&nbsp; A man\u2019s emotions are as powerful as a woman\u2019s.&nbsp; Japanese say \u201cOne hair of a woman&#8217;s head pulls more strongly than ten yoke of oxen\u201d and Chinese say that a man in love rides a wild horse.&nbsp; Many men are&nbsp;<em>afraid<\/em>&nbsp;to open their hearts for fear of being hurt or vexed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that&nbsp;his soul was vexed unto death<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Judges&nbsp;16:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emotions scare men. &nbsp;He may&nbsp;<em>declare<\/em>&nbsp;his love, but may not admit his love to himself.&nbsp; God says he can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;of her husband doth&nbsp;safely trust in her<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;31:11a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John 21:15-17 tells us that after His disciples&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">went fishing instead of starting the church<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn132\">[132]<\/a>, Jesus asked Peter, \u201cDo you love me?\u201d&nbsp;<em>three times<\/em>.&nbsp; Having created Peter, Jesus knew Peter wouldn\u2019t want to&nbsp;<em>admit<\/em>&nbsp;his love because Peter had seen Jesus\u2019 sorrow when the Jews refused Him and went to Hell (Mt. 23:37<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn133\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[133]<\/a>).&nbsp; Jesus didn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>make<\/em>&nbsp;Peter love Jesus \u2013 he already did \u2013 but admitting it&nbsp;<em>to himself<\/em>&nbsp;made him willing to spread the gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For if there be&nbsp;first<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;8:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a man isn\u2019t willing to&nbsp;<em>admit<\/em>&nbsp;his love for his wife to himself, he can\u2019t convince&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>.&nbsp; Being&nbsp;<em>willing<\/em>&nbsp;to love her and&nbsp;<em>willing<\/em>&nbsp;to learn how to nourish her will make her happy in finding rest in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ge. 24:67 \u201cIsaac brought her into his mother Sarah\u2019s tent\u2026\u201d&nbsp; A woman desires a place to live and much else.&nbsp; Few men understand their wives&nbsp;<em>many<\/em>&nbsp;needs; few women have the words to explain.&nbsp; Discuss these Bible verses&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#discussionPoints\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">about a woman\u2019s many needs<\/a>&nbsp;on page 45 to see what she thinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women see the Bible differently from men; her view helps open the mind of God.&nbsp; My wife saw David and Goliath as a story in human relations!&nbsp; She saw David\u2019s older brother criticize him for coming to the battle&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;asking why.&nbsp; He didn\u2019t know David\u2019s father had sent him.&nbsp; He\u2019d seen Samuel anoint David to be King and trashed him anyway!&nbsp; He trashed his future king!&nbsp; How dumb can you get?&nbsp; I hadn\u2019t seen that. &nbsp;She helped me see Ruth as a romance story: poverty-stricken widow goes to a strange land to find God, works hard, shows virtue, marries a rich man, and is in Jesus\u2019 line.&nbsp; Her&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ruthsRules\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6 rules for finding rest in marriage<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn134\">[134]<\/a>&nbsp;still work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>MEN DON\u2019T KNOW WHY WIVES CAN\u2019T GIVE COMFORT<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Few men know that the Bible says&nbsp;<em>four times<\/em>&nbsp;De. 21:14, 22:9 and Ez. 22:10-11 that a man \u201chas humbled\u201d a woman by taking her.&nbsp; We now know that opening herself triggers hormones that change her brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God wants children to have fathers.&nbsp; God arranged that a woman&nbsp;<em>wants<\/em>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<em>cling<\/em>&nbsp;to the man who takes her.&nbsp; Humbling herself by clinging to her husband and serving him gladly helps her children have a father.&nbsp; The hormones of being humbled make her more sensitive to how he feels about her.&nbsp; If he\u2019s pleased with her, feeling&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>&nbsp;more strongly comforts her as she sees how much he delights in her.&nbsp; If she has doubts about his love or feels criticized, being more sensitive to negative feelings will make her not to want to give him his 5 times.&nbsp; A woman has a thousand ways to avoid her husband\u2019s desire, but it\u2019s generally because she doubts his love for her.&nbsp; She won\u2019t want to feel dependent on a man who refuses to belong to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening herself to her husband takes a great deal of emotional energy, and opening his heart to his wife takes a lot of emotional energy.&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#marriageArch\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marriage Arch<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn135\">[135]<\/a>&nbsp;shows how to recharge each other\u2019s emotional batteries.&nbsp; A man wants his wife to yearn to receive his seed; she wants him to yearn to receive her speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seed and Speech are a Man\u2019s and Woman\u2019s Form of Communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Women communicate heart to heart; men communicate belly to belly.&nbsp; It\u2019s a&nbsp;<em>sacrifice<\/em>&nbsp;for a man to talk as much as his wife desires.&nbsp; She thinks he wants to&nbsp;<em>do<\/em>&nbsp;the same old thing over and over.&nbsp; He thinks that she wants to talk about the same old thing over and over, but God expects a man to open his heart to his wife enough to know her needs and take them into account:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, ye husbands,&nbsp;dwell with them according to knowledge<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life;&nbsp;that your prayers be not hindered<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Peter&nbsp;3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a man fails to honor his wife by listening to her enough to know how best to nourish and cherish her, his prayers bounce off the ceiling.&nbsp; This can take a lot of talk.&nbsp; Just before our wedding, my fianc\u00e9 told me she was&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;looking forward to being married.&nbsp; I was too.&nbsp; I thought we were on the same page, but she went on.&nbsp; \u201cI like talking to you.&nbsp; Once we\u2019re married, we can talk more in a day than we can talk in a week of dating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We weren\u2019t on the same page.&nbsp; We weren\u2019t in the same chapter.&nbsp; We were in totally different volumes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s more talk than a man can&nbsp;<em>imagine<\/em>, she was expecting hours per day!&nbsp; We\u2019d talked&nbsp;<em>a lot&nbsp;<\/em>while dating because we couldn\u2019t do anything else.&nbsp; I thought once we were married, it would be a done deal and we wouldn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>have<\/em>&nbsp;to talk about it any more.&nbsp; The Holy Spirit led her to tell me that talking to her&nbsp;<em>a lot more than I could imagine&nbsp;<\/em>was an important part of our marriage covenant from&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had no idea how vital this was.&nbsp; A woman can\u2019t follow or obey her husband unless she knows what he wants.&nbsp; She can\u2019t do what he wants unless he opens his heart to her so that she knows him well enough to&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;what he wants.&nbsp; Then she can be&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;he\u2019ll be happy with her, which makes her happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God made women so that they think very differently from men (Pr. 19:14b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn136\">[136]<\/a>).&nbsp; It takes hours and hours of talk before a man can understand what a woman is saying.&nbsp; If I hadn\u2019t promised to talk to her, I\u2019d probably have been too impatient to communicate with her enough for her to feel that I valued her mind.&nbsp; A happy wife makes her husband as happy as he made her, so making my wife feel appreciated benefits me greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening my heart was scary, but Pr. 31:11 says \u201cThe heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.\u201d&nbsp; God wanted me to know that it was OK to open myself to her.&nbsp; The Bible teaches women to call their husbands \u201cLord.\u201d&nbsp; It helped that she\u2019d call me \u201cSir\u201d as the spirit moved her.&nbsp; That gave me confidence that she respected me even when I made mistakes.&nbsp; That made it easier for me to open my heart and show my love for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to be happy in marriage,&nbsp;<em>be happy<\/em>&nbsp;enough to&nbsp;<em>convince<\/em>&nbsp;your wife that you\u2019re happy with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marriage in Two Words<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage can be&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#oneMinuteMarriage\">explained in one minute<\/a>, see page 39.&nbsp; This section explains marriage in two words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation is two words, \u201conly believe (Lk. 7:50<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn137\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[137]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; God\u2019s rule for a man and woman coming together is three words, \u201conly in marriage.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Staying<\/em>&nbsp;married is as simple as salvation, its two words, \u201conly praise.\u201d&nbsp; This can be difficult for people who weren\u2019t taught how to receive the love, joy, and peace which come from believing in Christ, but people can learn to be better at this as they grow in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Nowhere<\/em>&nbsp;in the Bible does a man criticize his wife.&nbsp; I want my words to be health to my wife so she\u2019ll want to hear me.&nbsp; I say, \u201cThat didn\u2019t work as well as&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;planned.&nbsp; What went wrong?&nbsp; Let\u2019s learn to do better next time.\u201d&nbsp; I say \u201cwe\u201d because she tries to do everything the way I want it done.&nbsp; That puts&nbsp;<em>me<\/em>&nbsp;in all she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you die, people will remember the&nbsp;<em>very last thing<\/em>&nbsp;you said.&nbsp; Any words which wouldn\u2019t please you as a last memory of you shouldn\u2019t be said.&nbsp; You can apologize, but you can\u2019t un-say&nbsp;<em>anything, not ever<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, \/ Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit \/ Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, \/ Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.\u201d \u2015 Omar Khayy\u00e1m<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I was making an appointment.&nbsp; The young lady saw that I treasured my wife and asked how long we\u2019d been married.&nbsp; When I told her 52 years, she wanted to know how we did it.&nbsp; I gave her \u201conly praise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her eyes bugged out.&nbsp; \u201cThat\u2019s&nbsp;<em>hard<\/em>!\u201d she complained.&nbsp; \u201cWhat do I do if I\u2019m&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;upset at him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre you an adult or a child?\u201d I asked.&nbsp; \u201cWe teach kids not to lose their temper, not to throw angry words at each other by the time they\u2019re 2, age 3&nbsp;<em>at the latest<\/em>.&nbsp; If you aren\u2019t grown up enough to keep your temper, are you grown up enough to marry?\u201d&nbsp; Following Christ leads you to grow in grace so that you can do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ&#8217;s sake hath forgiven you.&nbsp;<sup>1<\/sup>Be ye therefore&nbsp;followers of God<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, as dear children;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians&nbsp;4:32-5:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus expects us to follow after God.&nbsp; When God looks on your wife, He sees the purity and perfection of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because His blood has washed away her sins.&nbsp; To follow God, you must look on your wife as God sees her as she reflects the perfection and purity of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Christ is our example for how we treat each other.&nbsp; He answers prayers even before we ask.&nbsp; A husband should know his the wife\u2019s needs, and meet them, &#8220;before she asks.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;simple: Believe&nbsp;<em>in your heart<\/em>&nbsp;that God is good and that He made men and women so that we can work together to build joyful marriages.&nbsp; \u201cOnly praise,\u201d and follow God by seeing each other, treating each other, and talking about each other as perfect (Song 4:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn138\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[138]<\/a>).&nbsp; That\u2019s God\u2019s Simple Plan of Marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God expects His people to love Him.&nbsp; The New Testament uses the Greek word&nbsp;<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;to describe God\u2019s love for the world, to describe the love God expects Christians to have for each other, and to describe the love men should have for their wives.&nbsp; The Greek word&nbsp;<em>phile\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;describes brotherly love which is weaker than&nbsp;<em>agapa\u014d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eph. 5:25 commands \u201cHusbands, love (<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>) your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it\u201d but, like the command to love God, this goes beyond&nbsp;<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>.&nbsp; Christ gave His life for the church; a husband is expected to give his life day by day to nourish and cherish his wife in heart and mind.&nbsp; As with salvation, married love starts with feelings of attraction (<em>ludus,<\/em>&nbsp;<em>eros<\/em>), should deepen to a conscious decision to serve the other (<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>) before marriage, and should mature beyond&nbsp;<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The command \u201clove the Lord&nbsp;thy God\u201d appears&nbsp;<em>14 times<\/em>!&nbsp; You should read them all:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;6:5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;11:1<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,&nbsp;<sup>14<\/sup>That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;11:13-14<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;11:22<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;13:3<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;19:9<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;30:6<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;30:16<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy&nbsp;30:20<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Joshua&nbsp;22:5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Joshua&nbsp;23:11<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;22:37<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark&nbsp;12:30<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke&nbsp;10:27<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>These verses command us to offer God&nbsp;<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;and much more.&nbsp; Loving God with your soul is mentioned 8 times, mind 3 times, strength twice, might once, but heart&nbsp;<em>always<\/em>&nbsp;comes first!&nbsp; We\u2019re to decide in our minds to go beyond&nbsp;<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>&nbsp;and love God and our wives with&nbsp;<em>everything we have!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;4:23<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;25:28<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>We must be careful not to let our emotions go where they shouldn\u2019t.&nbsp; We guard our hearts to avoid involvement in anything that becomes more important than God or with someone who takes too much away from our spouse, but salvation starts as an emotional experience \u2013 \u201cWhat a friend (<em>phile\u014d<\/em>) we have in Jesus.\u201d&nbsp; It takes time for our reason to accept the joy of salvation (Job 7:17, 15:14, Ps. 8:4, 144:3, He. 2:6) so our mind (<em>agapa\u014d<\/em>) comes along with the rest of our being.&nbsp;&nbsp; Is your all on the altar of worship and of marriage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t&nbsp;<em>need<\/em>&nbsp;Greek or Hebrew to learn what God expects you to learn from His Word, but it helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>EXPLAINING MARRIAGE IN ONE MINUTE<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can explain both marriage and salvation in 30 seconds.&nbsp; Parents spend years getting kids into good colleges but not much time, talent, toil, or treasure teaching them how to have good marriages.&nbsp; These verses deserve a lot of study.&nbsp; We don\u2019t expect anyone to drive without being taught, how can we expect good marriages without teaching?&nbsp; This is a study exercise.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#versesRelating\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Look up the verses<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>think on them<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nobody deserves salvation; every person is a sinner who deserves to go to Hell (Rom. 3:23<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn139\">[139]<\/a>, 5:12<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn140\">[140]<\/a>, 6:23<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn141\">[141]<\/a>). &nbsp;If you accept salvation, God gives you the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23b).&nbsp; God doesn\u2019t see your sins, He sees the righteousness and purity of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Ps. 103:12<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn142\">[142]<\/a>, I Cor. 6:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn143\">[143]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accepting God\u2019s offer of grace means that He and His Son see you as perfect (Eph. 5:25-27<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn144\">[144]<\/a>, Rom. 8:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn145\">[145]<\/a>, 1 Ki. 8:61<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn146\">[146]<\/a>, 15:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn147\">[147]<\/a>, 2 Ki. 20:3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn148\">[148]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation makes us servants of Jesus Christ (Ps. 100:2<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn149\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[149]<\/a>, Rom. 1:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn150\">[150]<\/a>, Tit. 1:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn151\">[151]<\/a>).&nbsp; We belong&nbsp;<em>permanently<\/em>&nbsp;to Jesus (Jn. 10:29<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn152\">[152]<\/a>, 1 Cor. 6:19<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn153\">[153]<\/a>), serve Him out of love (2 Cor. 5:14-15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn154\">[154]<\/a>), and strive to walk in good works as Jesus taught (Eph. 2:10<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn155\">[155]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God expects us to serve Him by serving spouses, families, and churches (Rom. 12:10, Eph. 4:12, 5:21, 1 Pet. 5:5).&nbsp; Focus on God through Christ.&nbsp; What God does is perfect; serving Him by serving your spouse is a perfect calling (Mk. 9:35<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn156\">[156]<\/a>, 10:42-45<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn157\">[157]<\/a>).&nbsp; Focus your eyes on your perfect God,&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;on fallible people (Phil. 2:1-8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>That\u2019s God\u2019s Simple Plan of Marriage in a Half-Minute.&nbsp; If they\u2019re still listening, you can go on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eph. 4:31-32<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn158\">[158]<\/a>&nbsp;tells us to forgive each other as God forgives.&nbsp; God forgives&nbsp;<em>completely<\/em>; He forgets our sins (Ps. 103:10-12<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn159\">[159]<\/a>, Is. 43:25<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn160\">[160]<\/a>, Heb. 10:17<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn161\">[161]<\/a>).&nbsp; When God washes away our sins (Heb. 9:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn162\">[162]<\/a>, 10:19-22<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn163\">[163]<\/a>), what\u2019s left is&nbsp;<em>perfect<\/em>&nbsp;and without condemnation (Rom. 8:1<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn164\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[164]<\/a>, 15:13<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn165\">[165]<\/a>).&nbsp; Eph. 5:1&nbsp;<em>commands<\/em>, \u201cBe ye therefore followers of God.\u201d&nbsp; God sees us as perfect, so we must follow God and see our spouses as perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s the key to marriage.&nbsp; Treat your spouse as perfect, praise your spouse as perfect, say your spouse is perfect for you, and thank God for putting you in a perfect marriage (Ps. 68:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn166\">[166]<\/a>).&nbsp; Marriage prospers if the husband&nbsp;<em>treats<\/em>&nbsp;his wife as God\u2019s perfect gift to him and she&nbsp;<em>acts<\/em>&nbsp;as God\u2019s perfect gift to him (Jas. 1:17<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn167\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[167]<\/a>).&nbsp; He\u2019s to love, nourish, cherish, honor, and sanctify her (Eph. 5:29<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn168\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[168]<\/a>, Song 4:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn169\">[169]<\/a>, 6:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn170\">[170]<\/a>) as perfect, she\u2019s to obey him and submit to him in reverence (Eph. 5:22, 33<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn171\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[171]<\/a>, Col. 3:18<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn172\">[172]<\/a>)&nbsp;<em>even though neither of them deserves the other!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>That\u2019s God\u2019s Simple Plan of Marriage in One Minute.&nbsp; If they\u2019re still listening, you can go on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We must love God with perfect hearts.&nbsp; \u201cLove the Lord&nbsp;thy God\u201d is in the Bible&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#loveTheLordThyGod\">14 times<\/a><\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;(Deu. 6:5, 11:1, 11:13, 11:22, 13:3, 19:9,30:6, 30:16, 30:20, Joshua 22:5, 23:11, Mt. 22:37, Mk. 12:30, Lk. 10:27)!&nbsp; 1 Kings 11:4 and 15:3 speak of David having a&nbsp;<em>perfect heart<\/em>&nbsp;with the Lord&nbsp;<em>his<\/em>&nbsp;God.&nbsp; David sinned, but he&nbsp;<em>never<\/em>&nbsp;turned from worshiping God to worshiping anything else.&nbsp; Faithfulness and repentance kept his heart perfect with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God expects us to keep our hearts perfect with Him and with each other.&nbsp; We must not let our hearts stray toward anyone else or anything else (Job 31:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn173\">[173]<\/a>, Song of Solomon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As David was perfectly confident in God and rested in what God gave him, we must learn to rest content in each other and in what God gives us (Ruth 1:9a<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn174\">[174]<\/a>, Mt. 11:28<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn175\">[175]<\/a>, Phi. 4:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn176\">[176]<\/a>, 1 Tim. 6:6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn177\">[177]<\/a>, Heb. 13:5<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn178\">[178]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Love God by loving your spouse; serve God by serving your spouse, praise God by praising your spouse is simple, but \u201csimple\u201d isn\u2019t \u201ceasy.\u201d&nbsp; It\u2019s simple to walk from Maine to California \u2013 put one foot in front of the other, repeat \u2018til you get there \u2013 but not easy.&nbsp; Marriage is a lifetime journey, not a stroll across a continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Groups of God\u2019s people in a local church should act with hearts as perfect as David\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a&nbsp;perfect heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of&nbsp;one heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;to make David king.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;I&nbsp;Chronicles&nbsp;12:38 *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The people agreed with one perfect heart that they wanted David as their king.&nbsp; God gave us one way to relate to Him, that is, with perfect hearts and&nbsp;<em>never<\/em>&nbsp;go after other gods.&nbsp; Husband and wife must both have perfect hearts with God.&nbsp; Both must have perfect hearts with each other and never go after anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As God graciously gives His salvation to those who earnestly seek Him (De. 4:29<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn179\">[179]<\/a>), He graciously gives the blessings of marriage to couples who seek Him and enter into Holy Matrimony with one perfect heart.&nbsp; \u201cHoly\u201d means \u201cset apart to the Lord for His purposes.\u201d&nbsp; Holy Matrimony belongs to God, not to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re not talking about gluten-free, no calorie&nbsp;<em>diet<\/em>&nbsp;matrimony as lost people do, we\u2019re taking the real deal, we\u2019re discussing Holy Matrimony which bride and groom should enter with one perfect heart.&nbsp; There is no vow in salvation; your marriage vows are the most solemn, binding vows any human can ever utter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we work out God\u2019s salvation in fear and trembling (Phi. 2:12b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn180\">[180]<\/a>), we work out God\u2019s gift of marriage as we mature, grow, and learn. &nbsp;David never lost his salvation, but his sins took away his joy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Restore unto me&nbsp;the joy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;of&nbsp;thy salvation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>; and uphold me with thy free spirit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;51:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation belonged to God and not to David.&nbsp; He knew that God would faithfully restore his joy in God\u2019s salvation once he restored his relationship with God through repentance and confession (1 Jn. 1:9<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn181\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[181]<\/a>).&nbsp; Be prepared to confess to one another and forgive one another to restore your joy in marriage (Jas. 5:16<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn182\">[182]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">THE LOVE OF GOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My parents convinced (2 Cor. 5:11a<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn183\">[183]<\/a>) me to accept Christ as my Savior when I was in 2<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;grade.&nbsp; I loved Jesus because He loved me enough (Ro. 5:8<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn184\">[184]<\/a>) to accept the punishment for my sins \u2013 taking the punishment for my brothers\u2019 sins was hard for me to think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rev. 13:8 speaks of \u201cthe Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.\u201d&nbsp; Jesus&nbsp;<em>knew<\/em>&nbsp;Adam would sin before He said \u201clet there be light\u201d to start creation.&nbsp; Jesus&nbsp;<em>knew<\/em>&nbsp;He would have to die&nbsp;<em>before He created<\/em>&nbsp;Adam, yet He loved all of us enough to create us&nbsp;<em>anyway<\/em>!&nbsp; What does His love say about the way He ordained marriage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah&nbsp;1:18<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Be logical.&nbsp; Jesus loved us enough to create us even though He knew He\u2019d have to die to save us from our sins.&nbsp; Would a God who loved us&nbsp;<em>that much<\/em>&nbsp;create men and women so that we couldn\u2019t build joyous marriages?&nbsp; Or did a God who loved us enough to die to save us design us so that men and women can find joy in working together to create safe spaces where their children can grow?&nbsp; Did God put&nbsp;<em>powerful<\/em>&nbsp;drives into men and women to draw us into marriages which will bless us&nbsp;<em>if<\/em>&nbsp;we follow His plan?&nbsp; Of course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;7:11<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;18:22<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>God gives good things&nbsp;<em>if we ask<\/em>.&nbsp; A wife is a good thing.&nbsp; We must follow the salvation instructions God put in His Word to go to Heaven.&nbsp; We must follow His instructions in His Word to have joy in marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS LOVE THROUGH WOMEN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s&nbsp;<em>hard<\/em>&nbsp;to understand how a Holy, perfect God can love wretched sinners like you and me (Ps. 8:4, Heb. 2:6).&nbsp; God knew that, so He gave us mothers to&nbsp;<em>show<\/em>&nbsp;every one of us how His love works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mom and Dad taught me what I needed to know to accept Christ as my Savior when I was in 2nd grade.&nbsp; I loved Jesus because He loved me enough (Ro. 5:8) to accept the punishment for my sins \u2013 taking the punishment for my brothers\u2019 sins was hard for me to think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was 14 when I saw the difference between how true Christians behave and how fake Christians behave.&nbsp; I then had to&nbsp;<em>choose<\/em>&nbsp;a side as Joshua and Elijah&nbsp;<em>chose<\/em>&nbsp;(Jos 24:15, 1 Ki. 18:21).&nbsp; I remember deciding that I&nbsp;<em>really did<\/em>&nbsp;love Jesus, so I&nbsp;<em>couldn\u2019t<\/em>&nbsp;be friends with some of the people in the school.&nbsp; Every Christian must decide whether to follow the crowd or to stand for Christ (Eze. 22:30).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rev. 13:8 speaks of \u201cthe Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.\u201d&nbsp; Jesus knew He would have to die&nbsp;<em>before He created Adam<\/em>, yet He loved all of us enough to create us&nbsp;<em>anyway<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to understand loving us enough to die for us&nbsp;<em>long<\/em>&nbsp;before we were even born so God shows us by having mothers want to&nbsp;<em>risk death<\/em>&nbsp;to give their children life.&nbsp; Before modern medicine, a woman had about a 98.5% chance of surviving a pregnancy.&nbsp; That sounds like death in childbirth was unlikely, but without birth control, women had so many pregnancies that 1 woman in 8 died in childbirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Every<\/em>&nbsp;<em>girl<\/em>&nbsp;knew someone who had died in childbirth.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Every girl<\/em>&nbsp;knew that&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;would walk the valley of the shadow of death for each child (Ge. 35:18<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn185\">[185]<\/a>, 1 Sam. 4:20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn186\">[186]<\/a>), yet women wanted to marry and bear children (Ge.30:1<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn187\">[187]<\/a>, Lk. 1:25<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn188\">[188]<\/a>)&nbsp;<em>anyway<\/em>.&nbsp; Women want children badly enough to risk death; Jesus wanted the pleasure and glory of creating us so badly (Rev. 4:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn189\">[189]<\/a>) that He chose&nbsp;<em>certain<\/em>&nbsp;death&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;creating everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus knew He would weep when people He loved wouldn\u2019t accept His offer of salvation (Is. 53:3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn190\">[190]<\/a>, Mt. 23:37<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn191\">[191]<\/a>, Lk. 13:34<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn192\">[192]<\/a>) and that He would have to die to save us from our sins, yet He created the world which led to my birth&nbsp;<em>anyway<\/em>.&nbsp; I was born before antibiotics could fight childbed infections.&nbsp; My mother gladly risked her life to give me life and did it again and again for my brothers.&nbsp; That\u2019s the woman\u2019s part of Ge. 5:1-2 \u201cin the likeness of God made he him,\u201d when \u201che [that is, God] called&nbsp;<em>their<\/em>&nbsp;name Adam\u201d to include Eve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let your mother know you appreciate her wanting&nbsp;<em>you<\/em>&nbsp;in spite of the peril and pain she\u2019d bear giving birth to you (Pr. 31:28-29<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn193\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[193]<\/a>) and thank your wife for wanting your children.&nbsp; Then thank Jesus for creating you in spite of knowing that He would have to&nbsp;<em>die<\/em>&nbsp;to take the punishment for&nbsp;<em>your<\/em>&nbsp;sins (Jn. 15:3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn194\">[194]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mother risked her life to give you life, shed her blood in&nbsp;<em>painful<\/em>&nbsp;labor to birth you, then&nbsp;<em>labored<\/em>&nbsp;to keep you alive; Jesus died to give you more abundant life (Jn. 10:10b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn195\">[195]<\/a>) followed by life eternal (Mt 25:46, Jn. 4:36, 12:25, 17:3).&nbsp; Thank them both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What did you do to&nbsp;<em>earn<\/em>&nbsp;Jesus\u2019 giving His life and His blood (He. 9:12, 9:22) to pay the penalty for your sins and my sins?&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; There is&nbsp;<em>nothing<\/em>&nbsp;we can do to earn salvation (Is. 64:6, Ro. 3:10), it is an undeserved gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9) He died to give us because He loves us (Ez. 33:11, Ro. 5:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone gave you a gift, would you hand over money to pay for it?&nbsp; That would refuse the gift.&nbsp; Trying to get to heaven by being good, being religious, going to church, tithing, doing good deeds, is not only impossible (Ro. 3:11), trying to earn your way into heaven blocks you from accepting Jesus\u2019 offer of salvation from your sins (Gal. 5:4).&nbsp; You\u2019re trying to pay for a freely-offered gift whose price is&nbsp;<em>far<\/em>&nbsp;more than you could&nbsp;<em>ever<\/em>&nbsp;pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What did you do to&nbsp;<em>earn<\/em>&nbsp;your mother\u2019s risking her life to give you life and then pouring her life into keeping you alive and teaching you how to behave as an adult?&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; She risked her life before she knew anything about you.&nbsp; She gave her life freely based on the emotional drives God put into her and looked forward eagerly to your birth as she felt God forming you within her womb (Is. 49:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We know that some mothers harm their children.&nbsp; Is that what God wanted?&nbsp; Of course not, this is because of the sin which came into the world when Adam refused to confess his sin and would not ask God to forgive him.&nbsp; God asked Adam, \u201cHast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat (Ge. 3:11)?\u201d&nbsp; We Christians know that God has promised to forgive our sins&nbsp;<em>if we confess<\/em>:If we confess our sins<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>1&nbsp;John&nbsp;1:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God doesn\u2019t change (Mal. 3:6).&nbsp; God would have forgiven Adam if he\u2019d confessed.&nbsp; Instead of admitting his sin, Adam blamed Eve for giving him the fruit and blamed God for giving him Eve!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me,&nbsp;she<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;gave me of the tree, and I did eat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;3:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God told Adam to&nbsp;<em>keep<\/em>&nbsp;the garden (Gen. 2:15), which meant to protect it.&nbsp; Gen. 3:6 says \u201cshe took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband&nbsp;with her; and he did eat.\u201d&nbsp; Note two&nbsp;<em>important<\/em>&nbsp;words \u201cwith her!\u201d&nbsp; \u201cAdam was not deceived (1 Ti. 2:14),\u201d so we know that he heard what the serpent said.&nbsp; People forget that Adam was there&nbsp;<em>with her the entire time<\/em>!&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Why<\/em>&nbsp;did he let the serpent deceive his wife?&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Why<\/em>&nbsp;didn\u2019t he protect his wife whom God had&nbsp;<em>trusted<\/em>&nbsp;to his care?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be realistic, men, blaming your wives when things go wrong won\u2019t help you any more than it helped Adam,&nbsp;<em>you are<\/em>&nbsp;the leader, so it\u2019s on&nbsp;<em>you<\/em>.&nbsp; God designed women\u2019s minds and hearts&nbsp;<em>carefully<\/em>&nbsp;so that for the most part, a mother\u2019s love for&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;children illustrates His love for us,&nbsp;<em>His<\/em>&nbsp;children.&nbsp; Adam\u2019s sin brought so much sin into the world that a few mothers fail to love their children as God planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve seen mothers reject children when men reject mothers after getting them pregnant without marriage.&nbsp; Women blame the father even though they wanted children and stopped taking birth control pills without telling him.&nbsp; Such mothers often reject a child who looks or acts enough like the father to remind her that the child\u2019s father sinned against her by taking her without marriage&nbsp;<em>even though she wanted his baby<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if the father stays with the woman, he may resent the child because in his mind, the mother got herself pregnant by stopping her pills without his agreement.&nbsp; The mother got a baby, but at what cost?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And he gave them their request; but sent&nbsp;leanness into their soul<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;106:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In several cases we know, the father accepted later children when he had&nbsp;<em>agreed<\/em>&nbsp;to be a father.&nbsp; His resentment of his oldest and his acceptance of his younger children are evident to anyone who knows the family even&nbsp;<em>years later<\/em>.&nbsp; What could we say when relatives asked why kids were treated differently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God loves fathers, mothers, and children in such cases, but the parents\u2019 violation of His holiness by breaking His rules about sex brings leanness into their souls.&nbsp; These situations are caused by the birth control pill.&nbsp; Before the pill, a man&nbsp;<em>knew<\/em>&nbsp;that if he came together with a woman, he\u2019d be a father within a year.&nbsp; Couples \u201cplay house\u201d instead and&nbsp;<em>pretend<\/em>&nbsp;that God doesn\u2019t care that they\u2019re breaking His laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a woman\u2019s on the pill, a man feels she&nbsp;<em>expects<\/em>&nbsp;to have sex, so why not with him?&nbsp; If she isn\u2019t on the pill, she can say \u201cNo, I\u2019ll get pregnant.&nbsp; Not unless we\u2019re married, and I won\u2019t marry you unless you grow up and get a job.\u201d&nbsp; That\u2019s taught in Ge. 24:67.&nbsp; If a man\u2019s offer to a woman doesn\u2019t include food, clothing, and shelter, it\u2019s&nbsp;<em>not Biblical<\/em>.&nbsp; If he can\u2019t pay for her, all he can do is play with her and discard her.&nbsp; God hates that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God made men possessive to help give children fathers.&nbsp; If a man has a strong emotional, financial, logical, and psychological connection to a woman, she chooses to belong to him, and encourages and establishes his possessiveness of her as taught in the Song of Solomon&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;she becomes pregnant, her children also belong to him.&nbsp; If she\u2019s not his, the kids are hers, and she can look after them herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God&#8217;s love and God&#8217;s salvation are undeserved gifts of God.&nbsp; Most mothers show how His love works.&nbsp; We should love Him because He first loved us (Ro. 5:8).&nbsp; His love should drive us to serve Him as He requires of us (2 Cor. 5:14).&nbsp; God never bullies us into obedience; He always lets us choose (Joshua 24:25) whether to obey His commands or not.&nbsp; He&nbsp;<em>yearns<\/em>&nbsp;for obedience (De. 5:29, 30:10), but He never forces us.&nbsp; The choice is ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you thanked your mother today for risking her life to give you life and then pouring her life into you?&nbsp; And thanked Jesus for dying to save you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Apostle Paul wrote that we work to spread the Gospel because our love for Christ \u201cconstraineth us,\u201d that is, makes us do it.&nbsp; We serve Him because our love for Him makes us want to please Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>For the love of Christ constraineth us;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;5:14a<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In the same way, our love for our spouses&nbsp;<em>should<\/em>&nbsp;constrain us to do whatever we can to please him or her.&nbsp; If lost people see married Christians working to please each other out of love, they\u2019ll often ask how we handle problems the other person causes.&nbsp; That gives us a chance to talk about God\u2019s love and God\u2019s forgiveness.&nbsp; God forgives us, so God expects us to forgive other people in the same way He forgave us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GOD TELLS US HOW TO BUILD JOYFUL MARRIAGES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A bridge built on wrong ideas about steel and concrete&nbsp;<em>will<\/em>&nbsp;<em>fall.<\/em>&nbsp; Like steel and concrete, women and men have different strengths and weaknesses.&nbsp; You can push hard on concrete, but it breaks if you pull on it.&nbsp; You can pull on steel, but pushing makes it bend.&nbsp; As steel and concrete become one in a reinforced slab which has the strengths of both, the forces God created to hold couples together form a one-flesh unit that stands strong against the pressures of life.&nbsp; When men and women use God\u2019s forces wrong, their union is weakened.&nbsp; A marriage based on wrong ideas about men and women&nbsp;<em>will<\/em>&nbsp;<em>suffer or fall<\/em>.&nbsp; Here are some facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A woman wants babies.&nbsp; It doesn\u2019t matter what she says, her basic nature comes out if she\u2019s happy with her husband.&nbsp; If women didn\u2019t want babies, there wouldn\u2019t be any babies given birth control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A man wants to throw a woman on his horse, ride off,&nbsp;<em>take<\/em>&nbsp;her, and&nbsp;<em>possess<\/em>&nbsp;her.&nbsp; He may try to hide his possessiveness, but his basic nature comes out in the end, particularly after they\u2019re married.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women are smaller than men and weaker than men.&nbsp; The Japanese character for \u201cman\u201d combines the characters for \u201cfield\u201d and \u201cstrength\u201d because a man provides strength in the field.&nbsp; Japanese \u201cstrength\u201d means to \u201cpress down and control, to get the upper hand.\u201d&nbsp; God made men strong enough to feed and defend them so women don\u2019t have to be as large or as strong.&nbsp; Women can stay home instead of going out hunting or farming.&nbsp; Using less food to feed muscles gives women more energy to make babies and take care of babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>WHY GOD MADE MEN AND WOMEN THINK SO DIFFERENTLY<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God made males and females think differently to help us be fruitful and multiply.&nbsp; Instead of trusting that a loving God He created us to bless each other, many complain that God made their spouses wrong.&nbsp; Women complain that men are too possessive, too controlling, and can\u2019t find anything in a refrigerator.&nbsp; Men complain that women are too emotional and talk too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Very few people can explain their thought processes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#thinkDifferent\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This short paper<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn196\">[196]<\/a>&nbsp;discusses the different ways male and female brains work to help couples talk about how they think.&nbsp; Understanding draws them closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>DISCUSSION POINTS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These Bible verses explain what women desire from their husbands.&nbsp; Discuss them with your wife.&nbsp; This will help you dwell according to knowledge of her as God commands (I Pe. 3:7).&nbsp; In drawing closer to God by discussing His Word, you\u2019ll draw closer to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Present<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 a woman expects him to treat her as a gift from God (Pr. 18:22, Ec. 9:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn197\">[197]<\/a>, I Col. 11:9, Ge. 2:18)<br><strong>Prayer<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to lead in prayer; prayer brings wisdom (I Thess. 5:17-18, Psalm 127:1, James 1:5)<br><strong>Provision<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to provide food, clothing, and shelter for her and for her children (I Tim 5:8)<br><strong>Protection<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects protection from his passions, her emotions, and from all external threats (Heb. 13:6)<br><strong>Procreation<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to appreciate her children as her finest gift to him (Ps 128:3)<br><strong>Paternity<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to be emotionally, financially, and logically involved in helping her raise her children (Gal. 4:1-2, Pr. 19:18, Pr. 23:13, Eph. 6:4, Heb. 12:7-9)<br><strong>Pleasure<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she desires physical pleasure from him (Song 1:2<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn198\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[198]<\/a>, 8:2-3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn199\">[199]<\/a>,, Gen. 18:22)&nbsp; She expects him to enjoy talking with her and to take pleasure in opening his heart to her (Jud. 16:15, Pr. 31:11, I Cor. 7:3)<br><strong>Praise<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she desires that he appreciate and praise (Pr. 18:22, Pr. 31:28-29) all of her efforts on behalf of her family and she expects him to praise her and appreciate her for helping him<br><strong>Partnership<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to share the responsibility of educating, cleaning, raising, and guiding her children (Gal 4:2, Ep 6:4).&nbsp; She expects him to draw on her help to advance his career (Mt. 27:19).<br><strong>Participation<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she wants to know everything he does, to be involved in all decisions, and to use her gifts to bless him (I Cor. 7:34).<br><strong>Patience<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to spend as much time as it takes to talk to her enough to know her (I Pe. 3:7)<br><strong>Peculiarity<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 he should know and rejoice in her unique, feminine peculiarities, to delight in how God made her different from all the other women in the world (Pr. 19:14b, 31:28-29, Song 6:9)<br><strong>Perception<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to understand and appreciate her gifts and to enjoy her unique way of thinking and expressing herself (Pr. 18:22, James 1:17)<br><strong>Pleased<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she cares&nbsp;<em>deeply<\/em>&nbsp;that he be pleased with her (I Cor. 7:34)<br><strong>Plan<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 he must explain where he\u2019s going clearly so that she can follow him in confidence that she\u2019ll please him (Pr. 29:18).&nbsp; She can\u2019t follow if she doesn\u2019t know where he\u2019s going; she can\u2019t obey if she doesn\u2019t understand<br><strong>Persuasion<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she wants him to persuade her (Ro. 14:5b, 14:23b, II Cor. 5:11, Phi. 1:9a) instead of commanding<br><strong>Part<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects to be a vital part of his life, to be the axle on which his wheel of his life turns, to be the tail on his kite, holding him steady as they soar together (I Cor. 11:3, 8-9, Mt. 19:6, Mark 10:8)<br><strong>Place<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects a place to live, a place in his life, and a place in his heart (Gen. 24:67, Ruth 4:12a)<br><strong>Peer<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she isn\u2019t his peer, she needs him to appreciate the ways she and he are different.&nbsp; The world says that men and women are the same; the Bible says they are not (Gen 1:27, Matt 19:4, Mark 10:6)<br><strong>Peace<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to rule her gently (De. 28:56a) so that her heart can find peaceful rest in belonging to him (Ruth 1:9)<br><strong>Potential<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to fulfil his potential, better himself throughout their married life, and help her better herself to fulfil&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;potential (II Tim. 2:15)<br><strong>Purity<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to value (Pr. 31:10) and guard her purity both before and after marriage (Heb. 13:4)<br><strong>Privacy<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to value her thoughts and to keep the secret thoughts of her heart to himself (Pr. 11:13, 20:19)<br><strong>Perfection<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to treat her as a perfect wife (Son 4:7, James 1:17, Pr. 31:28-29)<br><strong>Passion<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 his desire should be towards her and towards her alone (Song 7:10) and she expects to delight in it (Song 1:2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn200\">[200]<\/a>, 8:2-3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn201\">[201]<\/a>, Pr. 5:18-19)<br><strong>Possession<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013 she expects him to belong to her and she to him (Song 2:16, 6:3, 7:10).&nbsp; We know how a woman shows that she belongs to her husband.&nbsp; How does a man convince his wife that he belongs to her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man expects the \u201cthree warms,\u201d a warm heart, a warm bed, and warm meals (Ge. 29:21).<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Women Need from Husbands<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to build a successful bridge without a deep understanding of concrete and steel.&nbsp; It\u2019s hard to build a successful marriage without a deep understanding of the fundamental needs of men and women.&nbsp; Pastors must be \u201capt to teach (1 Tim. 3:2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn202\">[202]<\/a>, 2 Tim. 2:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn203\">[203]<\/a>)\u201d and it\u2019s important to teach marriage.&nbsp; You must teach men how to appreciate their wives and your wives must teach women how to explain their needs to men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage is&nbsp;<em>simple<\/em>: Believe&nbsp;<em>in your heart<\/em>&nbsp;that God is&nbsp;<em>so<\/em>&nbsp;good that He made men and women to work well together to build joyful marriages&nbsp;<em>if we do it His way<\/em>.&nbsp; \u201cOnly praise,\u201d and follow God by thinking, treating, and talking about each other as&nbsp;<em>perfect<\/em>&nbsp;(Song 4:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn204\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[204]<\/a>).&nbsp; That\u2019s God\u2019s Simple Plan of Marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible puts men in charge of families so making marriages better is the husband\u2019s&nbsp;<em>duty<\/em>.&nbsp; There\u2019s&nbsp;<em>no<\/em>&nbsp;disgrace in not understanding women.&nbsp; King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, was&nbsp;<em>bitterly<\/em>&nbsp;confused and frustrated in marriage.&nbsp; We have more of the Word of God than he had so we can do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solomon&nbsp;<em>owned<\/em>&nbsp;1,000 women (I Ki. 11:3<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn205\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[205]<\/a>).&nbsp; They were his&nbsp;<em>property<\/em>.&nbsp; There was no \u201cI\u2019m not in the mood\u201d or \u201cI have a headache.\u201d&nbsp; That&nbsp;<em>sounds<\/em>&nbsp;like a man\u2019s paradise, but how did it work for Solomon?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:&nbsp;which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ecclesiastes&nbsp;7:27-28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solomon&nbsp;<em>owned<\/em>&nbsp;a thousand women, yet his soul was empty.&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; He could command whatever he wished, but he couldn\u2019t make them like it.&nbsp; Having made women to be smaller and weaker than men, God protected women by making&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;that a wife\u2019s unhappiness spreads throughout the house&nbsp;<em>even if she tries to keep it to herself<\/em>.&nbsp; This gives men a reason to make their wives happy.&nbsp; They need to know how to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just before our wedding, my fianc\u00e9 told me why she was eager to marry.&nbsp; \u201cI like talking to you\u201d she said.&nbsp; Once we\u2019re married, we can talk more in a day than we can talk in a week of dating.\u201d&nbsp; Her reason for marrying was to&nbsp;<em>talk<\/em>&nbsp;to me.&nbsp; That was&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;why I wanted to marry her (Ge. 29:21<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn206\">[206]<\/a>).&nbsp; Did&nbsp;<em>you<\/em>&nbsp;marry to talk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Book of Esther tells how harems work.&nbsp; King Ahasuerus had an empire-wide beauty contest for a new queen.&nbsp; Esther pleased him and became queen.&nbsp; When Haman conspired to have all the Jews murdered, Esther\u2019s uncle Mordecai asked her to talk to her husband to try to stop the slaughter.&nbsp; Esther replied:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All the king&#8217;s servants, and the people of the king&#8217;s provinces, do know, that whosoever,&nbsp;whether man or women<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Esther&nbsp;4:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahasuerus \u201cloved Esther above all the women (Esther 2:17)\u201d but he ignored her for a month.&nbsp; How did she feel about&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>?&nbsp; What was he doing all that time?&nbsp; The king had guards; if a man wanted to come in without permission, the guards would stop him.&nbsp; Women can\u2019t move freely in the Middle East.&nbsp; The king\u2019s wives lived in the palace and were the only&nbsp;<em>women<\/em>&nbsp;who could get there easily, but it was forbidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wives&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;want to talk to their husbands.&nbsp; Suppose the king told them not to come.&nbsp; When a king\u2019s wife tried to come talk to him, would a guard get physical with her to keep her out?&nbsp; Not if he valued his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<em>only<\/em>&nbsp;way to keep a wife from trying to talk to him when he hadn\u2019t called her was to threaten her with&nbsp;<em>death!&nbsp; That<\/em>&nbsp;is how badly wives yearn to talk to husbands.&nbsp; Proverbs 17:22 teaches, \u201cA merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.\u201d&nbsp; Not being able to talk to her husband dries her bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a saying, \u201cIf a man loves a woman\u2019s soul, one woman is all he needs, but if he sees only her face or figure, all the women in the world won\u2019t satisfy him.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>That<\/em>&nbsp;was Solomon\u2019s mistake.&nbsp; Opening his heart enough to love a woman\u2019s soul takes so many hours and days of talk that a man can\u2019t belong to more than one at a time.&nbsp; The Bible warns 5 times that an unhappy woman is a hardship.&nbsp; Instead of having one woman enjoy belonging to him, he had 1,000 frustrated, unhappy women under his roof.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>No wonder<\/em>&nbsp;his soul was empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why did David want Bathsheba when he had so many wives?&nbsp; Because he hadn\u2019t taken the time to open his heart to any wife enough to love her&nbsp;<em>soul<\/em>.&nbsp; He wasn\u2019t satisfied, so he lusted after Bathsheba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SUBJECT YOURSELVES ONE TO ANOTHER 1 PETER 5:5<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The more a man takes his wife, the more she wants to talk.&nbsp; The more a man talks to her, the more he wants to take her.&nbsp; They must \u201cbe subject one to another (1 Pe. 5:5<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn207\">[207]<\/a>)\u201d to make it work.&nbsp; The Bible tells how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>Defraud ye not one the other<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;7:4-5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wife not having power of her body means she should always open herself to her husband to keep him from temptation.&nbsp; The man not having power of his body means that he must meet her needs by opening his heart to her.&nbsp; It\u2019s fraud if a man doesn\u2019t open his heart as his wife expected when she married.&nbsp; If he doesn\u2019t meet her emotional needs, she\u2019ll be tempted to seek emotional connections and talk elsewhere.&nbsp; This emotional infidelity often leads to physical infidelity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the problems of women having jobs is that you must please your boss to keep a job.&nbsp; I\u2019ve seen women pleasing men bosses and men pleasing women bosses just a&nbsp;<em>little too much<\/em>&nbsp;and end up destroying two families.&nbsp; Meeting the wife\u2019s emotional needs and the husband\u2019s physical needs helps avoid temptation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>A WIFE IS A MIRROR, SHE\u2019S NOT A LIGHT<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God made women to multiply what men give them and give it back.&nbsp; Consider babies.&nbsp; You give her one tiny cell.&nbsp; She gathers your life force unto herself, nourishes and multiplies your seed within her, and gives you a baby with&nbsp;<em>billions<\/em>&nbsp;of cells.&nbsp; Every cell of her baby has the mark of&nbsp;<em>your<\/em>&nbsp;DNA (Gen. 5:3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn208\">[208]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you give her joy, love, appreciation, praise, and sanctification (Song 6:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn209\">[209]<\/a>), she\u2019ll multiply what you give her and fill your home with love and light to the Glory of God.&nbsp; If you give her anger, criticism, or harshness, Satan will tempt her to multiply&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>&nbsp;and your house will fill with anger and pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>YOUR OPEN HEART<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Men know that a happy woman is heavenly and that an unhappy woman can give him a taste of the punishments of Hell.&nbsp; A man&#8217;s emotions are as powerful as a woman&#8217;s, but men engage their emotions more slowly.&nbsp; A man will&nbsp;<em>try<\/em>&nbsp;not to let himself love a woman unless he&#8217;s confident of making her happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Few women can explain their needs to men, and no man can figure it out.&nbsp; I was blessed that my wife had asked&nbsp;<em>God<\/em>&nbsp;to choose her husband.&nbsp; God couldn&#8217;t give her to me without teaching me about her.&nbsp; The Holy Spirit led her to ask that I treat her as a treasure&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;dating and led her to&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ToldMeBefore\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">explain herself to me<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn210\">[210]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What she said made me confident that I could meet her needs and take care of her.&nbsp; That made me feel safe opening my heart to her and made me very much want to marry her.&nbsp; We found that what she said works for many women so we wrote it down for our granddaughter.&nbsp; She used it and it worked for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>WHEN I ASKED FOR A DATE, SHE SAID, I\u2019M LOOKING FOR A HUSBAND, I WANT TO GET MARRIED.<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>God made me to be a treasure for my husband.&nbsp; If that\u2019s not you, we can part friends.&nbsp; I\u2019m not saying you have to agree to marry me before we go out at all, but I want you to agree that the&nbsp;<em>reason<\/em>&nbsp;to be together is to decide whether you and I will marry.&nbsp; I\u2019m not a toy.&nbsp; I don\u2019t want a man to&nbsp;<em>play<\/em>&nbsp;with me; I want a man to&nbsp;<em>stay<\/em>&nbsp;with me.&nbsp; If you aren\u2019t willing to&nbsp;<em>consider<\/em>&nbsp;marriage, don\u2019t waste my time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was attracted to her and I liked talking to her.&nbsp; I&nbsp;<em>knew<\/em>&nbsp;that God made&nbsp;<em>all<\/em>&nbsp;women to be treasures for their husbands.&nbsp; If she decided she wanted to be&nbsp;<em>my<\/em>&nbsp;treasure, I\u2019d be a fool not to marry her, so I said \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the way to the restaurant, I did something from Japanese culture which hurt her and upset her emotionally.&nbsp; Her father had recognized the value of her God-given emotions, but he&nbsp;<em>carefully<\/em>&nbsp;taught her to&nbsp;<em>think<\/em>&nbsp;about her feelings.&nbsp; He insisted that she&nbsp;<em>think<\/em>&nbsp;about what she felt before acting on an emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She could have walked back to her car and left, but she thought, \u201cThis guy\u2019s thinking of marrying me.&nbsp; He didn\u2019t offer to buy me food to make me upset.&nbsp; But I&nbsp;<em>am<\/em>&nbsp;upset.&nbsp; Must have been an accident.&nbsp; I\u2019ll ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I told her why, she liked it.&nbsp; Women she tells say, \u201cWhy\u2019d you marry him after&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>\u201d but decide I was a man to keep when told why.&nbsp; She asked and I answered as the Bible commands (Mt. 18:15).&nbsp; She thought, \u201cThis guy&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;strange, but if he\u2019ll&nbsp;<em>explain<\/em>, I can help him\u201d and she has.&nbsp; Many wives are afraid to ask because their husbands haven\u2019t learned to explain their thoughts.&nbsp; Explaining is&nbsp;<em>part<\/em>&nbsp;of opening your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was attracted to her enough to think of marrying her.&nbsp; If she\u2019d left, I\u2019d have been&nbsp;<em>badly<\/em>&nbsp;hurt and we would have been very unlikely to marry.&nbsp; Stopping and thinking about her feelings got her a husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>ON OUR 2<sup>ND<\/sup>&nbsp;DATE, SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO BE A VIRGIN ON HER WEDDING NIGHT.<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My friends and the culture were&nbsp;<em>very<\/em>&nbsp;casual about sex, but I knew that God forbids sex outside marriage so I agreed.&nbsp; She had asked God to protect her; now the Holy Spirit led her to ask me to protect her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We later learned that taking a woman without marriage damages her badly.&nbsp; The hormones of sex make her want to be his.&nbsp; This can be frightening, and it\u2019s worse if he hasn\u2019t committed himself to her.&nbsp; She\u2019ll think he\u2019s a thief for taking her when he shouldn\u2019t, and she\u2019ll try to wall off her feeling of belonging to him.&nbsp; If she let him have her without marriage, how can he trust her not to give herself to someone else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having her wall off her feelings and him not trusting her is a&nbsp;<em>bad<\/em>&nbsp;start.&nbsp; Men are always interested so men&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;control their desires (1 Th. 4:3-6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn211\">[211]<\/a>).&nbsp; Women are seldom interested and don\u2019t know how to handle such strong desires when they come.&nbsp; The man will say she wanted it at the time.&nbsp; So what?&nbsp; He\u2019s the leader; the sin is on&nbsp;<em>him<\/em>&nbsp;as it was on Adam.&nbsp; He must confess to God, to her, and to her parents to start healing (1 Jn. 1:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn212\">[212]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SHE SHOWED RESPECT FOR ME<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From early in our courtship, she\u2019d occasionally say \u201cYes, sir\u201d when I spoke to her.&nbsp; Not every time, but as the spirit moved her.&nbsp; I liked that a lot, but we had no idea how important it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Women should show respect for husbands (I Pe. 3:6<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn213\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[213]<\/a>) and reverence them (Eph. 5:33<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn214\">[214]<\/a>).&nbsp; Respecting you is difficult if you don\u2019t act respectable.&nbsp; Ladies should&nbsp;<em>wait<\/em>&nbsp;for a man they&nbsp;<em>want<\/em>&nbsp;to call \u201cSir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSir\u201d meant she\u2019d respect me in spite of my mistakes.&nbsp; We\u2019re told to confess our faults one to another (Jas. 5:16<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn215\">[215]<\/a>).&nbsp; Men don\u2019t like doing that and they&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;don\u2019t like telling wives things they\u2019re afraid will cost them respect.&nbsp; Many men ignore Pr. 31:11 which promises that a husband can trust his heart to his wife and won\u2019t open their hearts.&nbsp; Calling me \u201cSir\u201d helped me open my heart to her when I realized that God wanted me to belong to her; we\u2019re glad that she could honor me in that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SHE ASKED, DON\u2019T FUSS AT ME<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Weeks later, she asked that I never fuss at her.&nbsp; \u201cI want to love you very much,\u201d she said.&nbsp; \u201cThe more I love you, the more disapproval hurts me.&nbsp; I won\u2019t be able to love you as much as I want to love you if you hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That made sense \u2013 the Bible speaks of women as \u201ctender and delicate.\u201d&nbsp; I didn\u2019t want to keep her from loving me, so I watch what I say.&nbsp; We didn\u2019t know it then, but God said the same thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;12:18<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I need this too.&nbsp; A man can be hurt as badly by a woman he loves as a woman can be hurt by a man whom she loves.&nbsp; We\u2019ve tried always to be&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;our tongues are health to each other.&nbsp; She tries to speak so that the 10-foot area near her is the best place in all the world for me to be, that\u2019s why I like hanging around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SHE BELONGED TO GOD SO SHE COULD LET GOD GIVE HER TO ME<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When we came together on our wedding night, she was terrified because her hormones gave her a deep, frightening desire to belong to me and to serve me.&nbsp; Nobody had warned her of this, but she\u2019d prayed for years that God would work on her heart to prepare her for marriage; this feeing&nbsp;<em>had<\/em>&nbsp;to be from God.&nbsp; She clung to her faith that God was good and prayed, \u201cLord, You must want me to belong to him.&nbsp; That doesn\u2019t make sense, but if that\u2019s what You want, I\u2019ll do my best to submit to him and to belong to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When she chose to let God give her to me, her happiness became my happiness.&nbsp; Proverbs warns 5 times that an unhappy woman is a hardship (19:13b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn216\">[216]<\/a>, 21:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn217\">[217]<\/a>, 19<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn218\">[218]<\/a>, 25:24<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn219\">[219]<\/a>, 27:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn220\">[220]<\/a>), but the opposite is true, too.&nbsp; When she was happy, life was good.&nbsp; When she was happy with me, life was very good.&nbsp; When she was happy in being mine and&nbsp;<em>wanted<\/em>&nbsp;me to take her, I got the taste of the joys of Heaven that I\u2019d expected when she told me God had made her to be His treasure.&nbsp; I liked this, so wanted to learn how to make her happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had another reason to learn about her (1 Pe. 3:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn221\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[221]<\/a>).&nbsp; I\u2019d heard men complain about women, and they complained about the same things.&nbsp; When I told her, she told me her friends had said, \u201cHe may love you, but he won\u2019t like you once you\u2019re married\u201d and they named the same things my classmates didn\u2019t like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This disagreed with my theology.&nbsp; I was convinced that God was good and had told her \u201cFor God so loved me that He gave me you.\u201d&nbsp; She had told me she was a gift from God, and the Bible proved it (Pr. 18:22<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn222\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[222]<\/a>, 19:14b<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn223\">[223]<\/a>). &nbsp;I knew that God gives good and perfect gifts (Mt. 7:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn224\">[224]<\/a>, Jas. 1:17<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn225\">[225]<\/a>).&nbsp; Therefore, and this was an important insight, all men who dislike characteristics like emotion and talking which are common to women are&nbsp;<em>wrong<\/em>.&nbsp; Those are&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;defects; God made women that way&nbsp;<em>on purpose<\/em>&nbsp;to bless men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SHE CHOSE TO SERVE GOD BY SERVING ME<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>24 hours after our wedding, she said, \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about being married to you.\u201d&nbsp; I thought, \u201cWe\u2019re married, what\u2019s to talk about,\u201d but she&nbsp;<em>had<\/em>&nbsp;told me talking was important to her, so we talked.&nbsp; \u201cThe Bible says God wants me to belong to you, obey you, and submit to you,\u201d she said.&nbsp; I thought, \u201cNeat!&nbsp; We agree!\u201d but she wasn\u2019t done.&nbsp; \u201cI\u2019ll do my best to do that,\u201d she said, \u201cbut I\u2019m not doing it just for you.&nbsp; I\u2019m doing it for God because&nbsp;<em>He<\/em>&nbsp;told me to.&nbsp; I\u2019m serving God by serving you because&nbsp;<em>God<\/em>&nbsp;wants me to serve you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I thought about&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>&nbsp;for a long time and I still think about it.&nbsp; The next day, I told her, \u201cI\u2019m thinking about what you said.&nbsp; God wants me to lead you and take care of you.&nbsp; The Bible says that any man who desires to be first must be last of all and servant of all (Mk. 9:35<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn226\">[226]<\/a>, 10:42-45<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn227\">[227]<\/a>).&nbsp; If I\u2019m to lead you God\u2019s way, I must lead by serving you.&nbsp; You said it well \u2013 I\u2019ll serve God by serving you because&nbsp;<em>God<\/em>&nbsp;wants me to serve you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage, like salvation, is an undeserved gift of God.&nbsp; The only way to be saved is to die to your former life and be married to Christ (Ro. 7:4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn228\">[228]<\/a>).&nbsp; You don\u2019t&nbsp;<em>deserve<\/em>&nbsp;her submission, she doesn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>deserve<\/em>&nbsp;your giving your life to nourish her; those are undeserved gifts of God\u2019s grace.&nbsp; God expects married people to die to their individual lives and serve Him by serving each other, their children, and their church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus said that husband and wife are no more twain, but one flesh (Mt. 19:5-6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn229\">[229]<\/a>, Mk 10:8<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn230\">[230]<\/a>). &nbsp;Each must die to themselves in favor of their new family in order to become one.&nbsp; You must give your wife the same love and grace God gave in saving you (1 Pe. 4:10<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn231\">[231]<\/a>).&nbsp; As Christ chose to love you regardless of your failures and sins, you and your wife must&nbsp;<em>choose<\/em>&nbsp;to love and serve each other regardless of failure \u2018til death do you part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As God sees you as perfect, you must treat each other as perfect (II Co. 5:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn232\">[232]<\/a>) by the Grace of God.&nbsp; Watching your wife love you in spite of your failures increases your love for Christ and for her, and vice-versa.&nbsp; When lost people see you give God\u2019s grace to each other, they\u2019ll want God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation is about God giving \u2013 for God so loved that He gave.&nbsp; My wife so loved God that she let God give her to me. &nbsp;I so love God that I let God give me to her.&nbsp; Our love for each other comes from our love for God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just before our wedding, I wrote a letter, \u201cFor God so loved man that He gave him woman, for God so loved me that He gave me you.\u201d&nbsp; Could you say that to your wife?&nbsp; And live by it?&nbsp; &nbsp; It never occurred to me that she wouldn\u2019t belong to me. &nbsp;I know many wives who don\u2019t belong to their husbands, but it\u2019s often because he won\u2019t open his heart.&nbsp; Beg God to increase your trust in Christ and in your wife so you can be hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means involving her in all decisions and including your children as they get old enough.&nbsp; They can\u2019t follow you unless they know where you\u2019re going and they can\u2019t obey unless they understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>A WIFE IS WHAT HER HUSBAND MAKES HER<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve heard and preached that God expects a man to love his wife as Christ loves His church:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;&nbsp;<sup>26<\/sup>That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,&nbsp;<sup>27<\/sup>That he might present it to himself a&nbsp;glorious church<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and&nbsp;without blemish<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;<sup>28<\/sup>So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians&nbsp;5:25-28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus presents us to Himself a \u201cglorious church\u201d in verse 27.&nbsp; Every man&nbsp;<em>wants<\/em>&nbsp;to present to himself a \u201cglorious wife,\u201d and there\u2019s a simple way to do it \u2013&nbsp;<em>convince<\/em>&nbsp;her he\u2019s&nbsp;<em>convinced<\/em>&nbsp;that she&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;a glorious wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A woman heard that&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2013\/10\/why-johnny-lingo-paid-eight-cows-for.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Johnny Lingo had paid 8 cows for his wife<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn233\">[233]<\/a>&nbsp;when the going price was 3 or 4.&nbsp; When she went to his house to ask why, she could see that his wife&nbsp;<em>liked<\/em>&nbsp;belonging to him.&nbsp; Johnny explained that every wife knew what her husband had paid.&nbsp; His wife wasn\u2019t thought to be very attractive so he might have gotten her for 1 or 2, but he paid 8 cows \u201cBecause I wanted an 8-cow wife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A friend of mine paid 5 cows for his wife.&nbsp; I suggested that he brag to his wife about outsmarting her family to get a 10-cow wife for only 5, but she might have to&nbsp;<em>see<\/em>&nbsp;the cows in order to believe he meant it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Remember the 3 rules<\/strong>:&nbsp; God is good, only praise, and treat each other as perfect.&nbsp; Remember Johnny Lingo!&nbsp; A wife is what you make her.&nbsp; You make her a glorious wife by opening your heart to her so that she&nbsp;<em>knows<\/em>&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;<em>convinced<\/em>&nbsp;that she\u2019s a glorious wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sound Bite Marriage<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The Internet generation has limited attention span.&nbsp; Everything must be short:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Accepting salvation is two words: \u201conly believe (Ro. 10:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn234\">[234]<\/a>).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sexual morality, that is, when a man and woman may come together physically, is 50% more complicated than salvation, it\u2019s 3 words, \u201cOnly in marriage (1 Cor. 7:1-2<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn235\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[235]<\/a>).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Entering Holy Matrimony is three words, \u201cvowing, paying, taking\u201d (Gen. 24:67<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn236\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[236]<\/a>, Ru. 4:13a<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn237\">[237]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; These men made public marriage vows&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;taking the women.&nbsp; Isaac supplied the tent and Boaz had wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Staying married is two words, \u201conly praise.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Nowhere<\/em>&nbsp;in Scripture does a man criticize his wife.&nbsp; The Song shows a couple appreciating&nbsp;<em>every little detail<\/em>.&nbsp; We must rule our tongues (Pr. 25:28<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn238\">[238]<\/a>, Jas. 1:26<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn239\">[239]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Marriage is held together by \u201cseed and speech (1 Cor. 7:3-4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn240\">[240]<\/a>, 1 Pe. 3:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn241\">[241]<\/a>).\u201d&nbsp; A husband\u2019s&nbsp;<em>goal<\/em>&nbsp;is 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner&nbsp;<em>and bed<\/em>.&nbsp; God doesn\u2019t often give him that much strength, but that\u2019s a man\u2019s&nbsp;<em>plan<\/em>&nbsp;(Ge.29:21<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn242\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[242]<\/a>).&nbsp; She wants him to open his heart to her&nbsp;<em>at least<\/em>&nbsp;that often.&nbsp; He puts himself into her body.&nbsp; She puts herself, that is, her words, her thoughts, her feelings, her nature, into his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He leaves his seed inside her body where it affects her mood and can give her a baby.&nbsp; She leaves her essence, her being, in his heart where it affects his thinking about her, how he treats her, and how they relate to everyone else.&nbsp; People know whether a couple belongs to each other by looking at them or hearing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She wants to hear him thanking God for creating marriage and for giving her to him.&nbsp; He should tell her she\u2019s important to him and that he\u2019s becoming more and more involved with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He wants her to say, \u201cThat was wonderful, I like belonging to you.&nbsp; Let\u2019s do that again as soon as you can.\u201d&nbsp; This encourages him to stay awake and talk to her for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She wants him to say how much hearing her ideas and thoughts helps him make better decisions.&nbsp; She should point out that they could it more often if he was in better shape.&nbsp; Giving him a motive for exercise helps him live longer and shortens her time of being a widow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple is \u201cone flesh\u201d as Adam and Eve were before God separated Eve from Adam\u2019s body (Mk. 10:8<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn243\">[243]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">COMPARING MARRIAGE AND SALVATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This section also has many brief comparisons between marriage and salvation.&nbsp; Genesis 1 tells us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;1:3<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible teaches that God created everything including you, your spouse, and me.&nbsp; We also find \u201cand God said, \u2026 and it was so,\u201d&nbsp;<em>over and over<\/em>.&nbsp; The Bible teaches that if God said it\u2019s so, it is so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sanctify them through thy truth:&nbsp;thy word is truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John&nbsp;17:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s word is truth.&nbsp; God gave us His Word so that we\u2019d know what He expects us to believe concerning Him and what we\u2019re supposed to do.&nbsp; Some say, \u201cthe Bible is authoritative for faith and practice.\u201d&nbsp; God tells us what to believe and He tells us what to do.&nbsp; Let\u2019s consider what God says about what He\u2019s done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them&nbsp;that have pleasure therein<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp; The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;111:2, 10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s people should take pleasure in God\u2019s works.&nbsp; We should&nbsp;<em>enjoy<\/em>&nbsp;watching what He does for us and we should&nbsp;<em>enjoy<\/em>&nbsp;learning as much as we can about how He does His works.&nbsp; Having a proper awe and respect for God is the beginning of wisdom.&nbsp; If we have good understanding, we\u2019ll do what He commands, but it works the other way, too.&nbsp; If we do what God commands, we\u2019ll get a good understanding when we look back and see how obeying His commands blessed us.&nbsp; Let\u2019s look at how we\u2019re told to approach God\u2019s Word:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;107:43<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>God says that&nbsp;<em>if<\/em>&nbsp;you\u2019re wise,&nbsp;<em>if<\/em>&nbsp;you\u2019ll observe \u201cthese things,\u201d&nbsp;<em>then<\/em>&nbsp;you\u2019ll understand just how kind God is and how well He takes care of us.&nbsp; Psalm 107 says&nbsp;<em>three times<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;107:8, 15, 21<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If<\/em>&nbsp;you are wise, if you praise the Lord for His goodness,&nbsp;<em>then<\/em>&nbsp;you will understand His kindness to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s most wonderful work to the children of men, of course, is salvation.&nbsp; Salvation requires that we confess our sins, repent of our sins, ask Jesus to forgive our sins, and be born again.&nbsp; Being saved requires that we die to our former lives so that we can be married to Christ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that&nbsp;ye should be married to another<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans&nbsp;7:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to be born again into Christ, we must die to ourselves and be married to Christ.&nbsp; That is the first of God\u2019s wonderful works.&nbsp; Marriage is another of God\u2019s wonderful works.&nbsp; Jesus explained it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;19:6<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Dying to our former lives of sin makes us one with Christ.&nbsp; As with salvation; we must die to ourselves in order to be \u201cone flesh\u201d in marriage.&nbsp; God knew we\u2019d have trouble following His plan of salvation.&nbsp; We couldn\u2019t handle two plans so He made the same plan work for marriage&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;for salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we find people whose lives are being destroyed by sin, we give the gospel so that they can be saved and show the grace of God in their new walk with Christ.&nbsp; When we find marriages being destroyed by sin, we\u2019re supposed to \u201cgive an answer\u201d so that these marriages can show the grace of God to the lost.&nbsp; There are many short ways to explain marriage so that you can help your friends build their marriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation and marriage are both undeserved gifts of God\u2019s grace.&nbsp; Nobody deserves salvation; nobody deserves the blessings of marriage.&nbsp; A man is not worthy of his wife\u2019s submission, obedience, or her calling him \u201cLord,\u201d that\u2019s an undeserved gift of God\u2019s grace to him.&nbsp; A woman is not worthy of her husband\u2019s giving his life to nourish and cherish her, that\u2019s God\u2019s undeserved gift to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation and marriage both show the grace of God to the lost.&nbsp; We\u2019re required to \u201cgive an answer\u201d (I Pe. 3:15<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn244\">[244]<\/a>) when people ask why we live as we do.&nbsp; Our marriages are our greatest opportunity to show we\u2019re different from the lost.&nbsp; When the lost see a wife giving her husband undeserved grace or a husband giving his wife undeserved grace, they\u2019ll want God\u2019s grace for themselves, and&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;get to tell them how to find it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation is based on a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.&nbsp; Marriage is based on a personal relationship between husband and wife.&nbsp; If your relationship with Christ is messed up, you can\u2019t have a proper relationship with your spouse.&nbsp; If your relationship with Christ is based on true, saving faith, you can&nbsp;<em>choose<\/em>&nbsp;to base your relationship with your spouse on God\u2019s formula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians&nbsp;2:10<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; John 3:16-17<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn245\">[245]<\/a>&nbsp;gives all you must know to be saved.&nbsp; Genesis 24:67<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn246\">[246]<\/a>&nbsp;gives all you&nbsp;<em>must<\/em>&nbsp;know for a successful marriage, but teaching helps.&nbsp; We labor to prepare children for Good Colleges but don\u2019t teach godly marriage.&nbsp; Not teaching marriage is like giving them keys without training and expecting them to drive without getting hurt.&nbsp; As with salvation, \u201cdiscipleship\u201d is essential for successful marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation prepares us for the joys of living forever with Jesus and serving Him in Heaven.&nbsp; God planned marriage to give both husband and wife a foretaste of the joys of Heaven, right here on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Once saved, we become one with Christ.&nbsp; Once married, husband and wife should become one flesh (Mt. 19:5-6<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn247\">[247]<\/a>, Mk. 10:8<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn248\">[248]<\/a>).&nbsp; We can\u2019t be one in Christ without dying to our former life.&nbsp; Husband and wife can\u2019t become one in each other without dying to their former individual selves in favor of serving the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Saved people should glorify God in all that they do; glorifying God helps us become his ambassadors (II Cor. 5:20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn249\">[249]<\/a>).&nbsp; Married people should glorify God and glorify each other<em>&nbsp;together<\/em>&nbsp;in all that they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Some people give money to the church to pay God for favors.&nbsp; A \u201ccheerful giver\u201d gives to God out of love and not to get from Him.&nbsp; The Song of Solomon shows a husband and wife giving to each other out of love and not in hope of getting from the other.&nbsp; Works-based salvation is idolatry; works-based marriage is whoredom.&nbsp; Works-based \u201csalvation\u201d takes you to Hell; works-based marriage makes life Hell on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation supports marriage; knowing we belong to Christ (I Co. 6:19<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn250\">[250]<\/a>) makes it easier to belong to a spouse.&nbsp; If a woman belongs to Christ, it\u2019s easier to accept God giving her to her husband (Lk. 17:27<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn251\">[251]<\/a>).&nbsp; If a man knows that Christ gave His life for him, it\u2019s easier for him to give his life for his wife (Eph. 5:25<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn252\">[252]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Marriage supports salvation.&nbsp; As husband and wife appreciate and praise one another, and share God\u2019s grace by forgiving each other, their marriage reminds them both to praise and appreciate God (Ps. 100).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Rejoicing in the Lord reminds us to rejoice in marriage and vice versa (Phi 4:4<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn253\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[253]<\/a>).&nbsp; Ecc. 9:9 says, \u201cRejoice&nbsp;with&nbsp;the wife whom thou lovest\u2026\u201d&nbsp; Joy in marriage must be shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation is two words, \u201conly believe.\u201d&nbsp; Satan confuses people into thinking it\u2019s belief plus works or church so people miss salvation and go to Hell.&nbsp; Marriage is two words, \u201conly praise,\u201d but many people think they should change their spouses instead of letting the Holy Spirit bring change.&nbsp; When people usurp the Holy Spirit\u2019s role in their marriage, they usually miss the joys of marriage and may create Hell on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Salvation doesn\u2019t just take us to Heaven; we have duties to do for Christ in this life (2 Cor. 5:14<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn254\">[254]<\/a>).&nbsp; For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto&nbsp;good works, which God hath before&nbsp;ordained&nbsp;that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn255\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[255]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Marriage doesn\u2019t just give us companionship; we have duties to our spouses which God commands us to fulfill.&nbsp; Husbands must&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">show&nbsp;<em>agapao<\/em>&nbsp;to wives<\/a>&nbsp;(Eph. 5:25-26<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn256\">[256]<\/a>), wives must reverence husbands (Eph. 5:33<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn257\">[257]<\/a>).&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Agapao<\/em>&nbsp;and reverence are not products of emotion; they are acts of will which we&nbsp;<em>decide<\/em>&nbsp;to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When Jesus\u2019 blood washes away our sins, God sees us as perfect (I Cor. 6:11<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn258\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[258]<\/a>).&nbsp; Christians must follow after God (Eph. 5:1-2<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn259\">[259]<\/a>) and see each other as perfect.&nbsp; Marriage prospers when a man appreciates and honors his wife as God\u2019s good and perfect gift to him and she acts as God\u2019s good and perfect gift to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The only way a man can see his sinful wife as perfect is for him to see her through the grace God gave him in saving him.&nbsp; The only way a wife can see her sinful husband as perfect is for her to see him through the grace God gave her.&nbsp; When lost people see couples giving God\u2019s grace to each other, they want God\u2019s grace for themselves, and&nbsp;<em>we<\/em>&nbsp;tell them how to get it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>That\u2019s<\/em>&nbsp;how our lights shine before men (Mt. 5:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When we give the gospel, we may hear, \u201cGod can\u2019t save me, my sins are too great.\u201d&nbsp; When we give the plan of marriage, we may hear, \u201cGod can\u2019t save my marriage, it\u2019s too far gone.\u201d&nbsp; These thoughts are based on pride \u2013 how can&nbsp;<em>anyone<\/em>&nbsp;think their sin is more powerful than the God who created the universe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; People who reject God\u2019s Simple Plan of Salvation spend eternity in Hell.&nbsp; People who reject God\u2019s Simple Plan of Marriage can create their very own Hell right here on earth.&nbsp; Marriage can either give a foretaste of the joys of Heaven or it can give a foretaste of the punishment of the damned in Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Once we\u2019re saved, our love for Christ constrains us to serve Him (II Cor. 5:14<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn260\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[260]<\/a>, Eph. 2:10<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn261\">[261]<\/a>, Phi. 2:4<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn262\">[262]<\/a>).&nbsp; Once we\u2019re married, our love for each other should constrain us to&nbsp;<em>serve<\/em>&nbsp;each other.&nbsp; God&nbsp;<em>wants<\/em>&nbsp;us to serve our spouses;&nbsp;<em>we serve God by serving each other<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Jesus said, \u201cTake my yoke upon you, and&nbsp;learn of me;\u201d (Mt 11:29).&nbsp; A bride woman takes upon herself the yoke of pleasing her husband (Ge. 3:16<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn263\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[263]<\/a>).&nbsp; The only way to rest (Ruth. 1:9a<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn264\">[264]<\/a>) in being&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;she\u2019ll please him is to spend time talking to him and learning of him so she&nbsp;<em>knows<\/em>&nbsp;he\u2019ll be pleased with what she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Jesus said, \u201cfor I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.\u201d (Mt. 11:29)&nbsp; A man must be meek towards his wife; must lead her by serving her (Mk. 10:42-45<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn265\">[265]<\/a>, see also Mk. 9:35<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn266\">[266]<\/a>).&nbsp; He must talk to her a great deal in order to understand her needs well enough to lead her for her benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Jesus said, He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it&nbsp; (Mt. 10:39).&nbsp; When we accept salvation, we lose our former lives and gain a new life in Christ.&nbsp; When we marry, we lose our former individual selves and gain a new life as a one-flesh married couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; God\u2019s salvation covenant is forever; once saved, always saved (John 10:28<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn267\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[267]<\/a>).&nbsp; God\u2019s marriage covenant ends at death (Rom. 7:1-3<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn268\">[268]<\/a>, the book of Ruth).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re truly saved, if you relate to God as He desires, your marriage relationship works because you\u2019ll both serve God by serving each other.&nbsp; The relationship between husband and wife is based on their relationships to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;5:18<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Having been reconciled to God, we should be able to minister reconciliation to each other.&nbsp; If husband and wife each reconcile themselves to God and relate to God by honoring, praising, loving, and obeying Him, they\u2019ll relate properly to each other by honoring, praising, loving and appreciating each other.&nbsp; Their marriage prospers, and they show the grace of salvation to the lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that he died for all, that they which live should&nbsp;not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and rose again.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;5:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,&nbsp;that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;4:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As lost people see Christians giving God\u2019s grace to each other, they\u2019ll want God\u2019s grace for themselves.&nbsp; If either party messes up their relationship with God, on the other hand, their testimony is damaged and the marriage seldom works well even if they both have been taught how marriage&nbsp;<em>should<\/em>&nbsp;work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This book explores what God says about marriage so that you can help heal the broken marriages you\u2019ll encounter.&nbsp; God ordains marriage; a damaged marriage means that&nbsp;<em>someone<\/em>&nbsp;isn\u2019t following God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:&nbsp;<strong>Psalm&nbsp;127:1<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how hopeless the situation seems, God promises a way out, but&nbsp;<em>we have to ask:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation&nbsp;also make a way to escape<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, that ye may be able to bear it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;10:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If any of you lack wisdom,&nbsp;let him ask of God<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James&nbsp;1:5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Head Knowledge and Heart Knowledge \u2013 Logic and Emotion<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Head knowledge is what we&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;(2 Tim. 3:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn269\">[269]<\/a>); heart knowledge is what we&nbsp;<em>feel<\/em>&nbsp;or what we&nbsp;<em>are<\/em>&nbsp;(Pr. 23:7<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn270\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[270]<\/a>).&nbsp; \u201cEmotion\u201d describes feelings that come from our hearts.&nbsp; Feelings and emotions can\u2019t always be explained, but we should&nbsp;<em>try<\/em>&nbsp;to understand logical reasons for our feelings before acting on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLogic\u201d is facts in our heads.&nbsp; If a car has no gasoline, it\u2019s a&nbsp;<em>fact<\/em>&nbsp;that the car won\u2019t go.&nbsp; No matter how you&nbsp;<em>feel<\/em>&nbsp;about it, no matter how angry or frustrated you get, the car won\u2019t go unless you get some gasoline.&nbsp; There shouldn\u2019t be any emotion about a&nbsp;<em>fact<\/em>.&nbsp; The fact that a car needs gasoline shouldn\u2019t make you angry, or sad, or happy, it\u2019s just something you must&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;to use a car.&nbsp; God tells us to use&nbsp;<em>knowledge<\/em>&nbsp;to rule our feelings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;25:28<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When your car runs out of gasoline, your mind should know that getting angry won\u2019t help.&nbsp; We must rule our spirits so that we don\u2019t lose our temper or say angry words.&nbsp; Christianity is based on logic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Come now, and let us&nbsp;reason together<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, saith the LORD:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah&nbsp;1:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we&nbsp;persuade<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;men;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;5:11a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with Heaven and Hell in the balance, we&nbsp;<em>persuade<\/em>.&nbsp; God appeals to our minds&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;to our hearts.&nbsp; The Lord our God is a God of purpose and plan (Isaiah 14:26-27<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn271\">[271]<\/a>, 23:9, 43:13, 46:11, Jer. 4:28<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn272\">[272]<\/a>, Rom. 8:28<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn273\">[273]<\/a>), there is&nbsp;<em>logic<\/em>&nbsp;in all that He does.&nbsp; We\u2019re told to labor and reason&nbsp;<em>together with God<\/em>&nbsp;to find out His rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For we are&nbsp;labourers together with God<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>: ye are God&#8217;s husbandry, ye are God&#8217;s building.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;3:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What an honor!&nbsp; When we meet together, we labor&nbsp;<em>with God<\/em>.&nbsp; \u201cHusbandry<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn274\">[274]<\/a>\u201d is taking care of a farm.&nbsp; A church is God\u2019s farm where God grows us and builds us.&nbsp; Right now, we\u2019re growing and building marriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>O<\/a>BEDIENCE REQUIRES LOGIC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And God blessed them, and God said unto them,&nbsp;Be fruitful, and multiply<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and replenish the earth, and&nbsp;subdue it: and have dominion<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis&nbsp;1:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We need&nbsp;<em>knowledge<\/em>&nbsp;to build Godly marriages.&nbsp; We also need logic to understand how God created the earth so we can subdue it, take care of the earth, and work in gold, silver, stone, and brass like Bezaleel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And I have filled him with the&nbsp;spirit of God<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, in&nbsp;wisdom<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and in&nbsp;understanding<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and in&nbsp;knowledge<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>, and in all manner of&nbsp;workmanship<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>,&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Exodus&nbsp;31:3-5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Figuring out what to do needs: 1) the Holy Spirit, 2) wisdom, 3) understanding, 4) knowledge 5) practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>LOGIC IS HOW WE USE FACTS TO REACH CONCLUSIONS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the emotions God put into men and women to hold families together are very strong, the Bible says we should use wisdom and logic in guiding our relationships with other people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:&nbsp;<sup>12<\/sup>To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;&nbsp;<sup>13<\/sup>Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;&nbsp;<sup>14<\/sup>Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;&nbsp;<sup>15<\/sup>Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:&nbsp;<sup>16<\/sup>To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;&nbsp;<sup>17<\/sup>Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;2:11-17<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Logic, that is, collecting facts and drawing conclusions to deliver us from evil men and women is&nbsp;<em>part<\/em>&nbsp;of wisdom that starts with God.&nbsp; Wisdom&nbsp;<em>starts<\/em>&nbsp;in Bible reading, prayer, and studying the Works of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fear of the LORD is the&nbsp;beginning<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;9:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My wife and I had read the Bible for years.&nbsp; We were both sure&nbsp;<em>in our hearts<\/em>&nbsp;that God is good.&nbsp; I knew that all the strange things God put in women were for my good!&nbsp; When she asked God if she should marry her boyfriend, He told her \u201cNo,\u201d so she asked&nbsp;<em>God<\/em>&nbsp;to choose her husband \u2013 He knew the man better than she did (Je. 17:9<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn275\">[275]<\/a>).&nbsp; God led her to tell me&nbsp;<em>facts<\/em>&nbsp;about herself that logically convinced me I could make her happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>WE LIVE ON FACTS AND EMOTIONS<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our marriage runs on a mixture of fact and emotion. &nbsp;My wife&nbsp;<em>reasoned<\/em>&nbsp;years ago that it would be simpler to maintain the husband she had than to find another one.&nbsp; She\u2019s studied nutrition to help me stay healthy so I\u2019ll live longer.&nbsp; That\u2019s a logical&nbsp;<em>reason<\/em>&nbsp;to stay with her, but I\u2019ve also come to be&nbsp;<em>very much<\/em>&nbsp;in love with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reasoning&nbsp;<em>starts<\/em>&nbsp;with facts we know and works to conclusions as my wife&nbsp;<em>reasoned<\/em>&nbsp;that studying nutrition would keep me alive longer and shorten her time of widowhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our marriage didn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>start<\/em>&nbsp;with logic or reason.&nbsp; I was attracted to a woman in the pew in front of me.&nbsp; When she opened her book for the first hymn, I saw that her left hand was bare.&nbsp; She was unattached, so I looked&nbsp;<em>harder<\/em>.&nbsp; There was no logic&nbsp;<em>at all<\/em>.&nbsp; To this day, I can\u2019t say&nbsp;<em>why<\/em>&nbsp;I was attracted, only that I was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We talked after the service.&nbsp; When I gave her facts about Japan, she used what she knew about America to draw sensible conclusions about Japan from what I told her.&nbsp; After about 90 minutes, I had enough facts about her intelligence to decide that she was worth my time, so I&nbsp;<em>told<\/em>&nbsp;her I was going to date her.&nbsp; I didn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>ask<\/em>&nbsp;her, I&nbsp;<em>told<\/em>&nbsp;her.&nbsp; The wheels turned behind her eyes 20 or 30 seconds, she gulped, and said, \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s Biblical.&nbsp; Did Adam ask Eve if she wanted to be called \u201cwoman,\u201d or did he just name her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it was time for our first date, she said, \u201cBefore you spend money on me, you should know that I\u2019m looking for a husband.&nbsp; I want to get married.&nbsp; I\u2019m not saying you have to agree to marry me before we go out, but I want you to agree that the purpose of being together is to decide whether you and I should get married.&nbsp; God made me to be a treasure for&nbsp;<em>some man<\/em>.&nbsp; If you aren\u2019t that man, fine, we can part friends, but&nbsp;<em>I\u2019m not a toy<\/em>.&nbsp; I don\u2019t want a man to play with me; I want a man to stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting marriage on the table was part of guarding her heart.&nbsp; When a woman lets herself fall in love with a man who isn\u2019t ready to marry anyone, she\u2019s in for a world of hurt.&nbsp; It was Biblical for&nbsp;<em>her<\/em>&nbsp;to put marriage on the table \u2013 who mentioned marriage first, Boaz or Ruth?&nbsp; It didn&#8217;t occur to Boaz to marry Ruth, but when she gave him the idea (Ru. 3:9<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn276\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[276]<\/a>), he thought it was such a&nbsp;<em>good<\/em>&nbsp;idea that he rushed out the very next morning and married her.&nbsp; Why was he eager?&nbsp; The Bible doesn\u2019t say Ruth was beautiful, but Boaz had&nbsp;<em>facts<\/em>&nbsp;about her.&nbsp; He knew that a hard-working (Ru. 2:7<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn277\">[277]<\/a>), God-fearing (Ru. 2:11-12<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn278\">[278]<\/a>) woman who wasn\u2019t dating around (Ru. 3:10)&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;wanted to marry him would make a good wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every man knows&nbsp;<em>in his heart<\/em>&nbsp;that a woman can give him a taste of the joys of Heaven, that\u2019s why men look for women.&nbsp; I was attracted to her, I liked taking to her, and she told me she planned to be God\u2019s treasure for her husband! &nbsp;I didn\u2019t know she had&nbsp;<em>no idea<\/em>&nbsp;what being my treasure meant, God didn\u2019t tell her my plans to have her 20 times per day until later.&nbsp; I knew the joy I\u2019d get if she decided to be God\u2019s treasure for me.&nbsp; If she decided&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>, I\u2019d be a fool not to marry her, so I said, \u201cSure.\u201d&nbsp; When I had enough facts to conclude that she&nbsp;<em>wanted<\/em>&nbsp;to be&nbsp;<em>my<\/em>&nbsp;treasure and that I&nbsp;<em>could<\/em>&nbsp;make her happy, I married her as soon as we could get a dress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>FACT-BASED MARRIAGE<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like Boaz, out first talk gave me facts to support the&nbsp;<em>idea<\/em>&nbsp;of marrying her.&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>She<\/em>&nbsp;had facts when she agreed to date me when I commanded her.&nbsp; She\u2019d planned to marry her college boyfriend.&nbsp; He looked good.&nbsp; He attended church and led the youth group.&nbsp; Over time, she let herself fall in love with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Something<\/em>&nbsp;drove her to ask God if she should marry him. &nbsp;God told her \u201cNo\u201d and sent a friend of his family to tell her why she shouldn\u2019t. &nbsp;It was&nbsp;<em>hard<\/em>, but she stopped being with him.&nbsp; She hadn\u2019t guarded her heart; she had let her feelings become strong without having enough facts to be&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;he would be good for her.Keep thy heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs&nbsp;4:23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having been hurt, she told God, \u201cYou didn\u2019t like the man I chose,&nbsp;<em>You<\/em>&nbsp;find me a husband or make me content to be single.\u201d&nbsp; A woman should&nbsp;<em>never<\/em>&nbsp;let herself fall in love with a man until&nbsp;<em>after<\/em>&nbsp;he marries her.&nbsp; A woman should decide to marry based on&nbsp;<em>facts<\/em>&nbsp;about him and on how he treats her.&nbsp; She\u2019ll fall in love later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how badly she wanted to marry, God let her know that her husband would have something to do with Japan.&nbsp; Feeling a call to the ministry, she asked about being a missionary to Japan.&nbsp; The board told her that sending single women to Japan didn\u2019t work because of the culture.&nbsp; She had taken action based on the partial knowledge God gave her when she prayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we talked, she could see that her pastor, who had not liked her boyfriend, was glad to see me pursuing her.&nbsp; As she thought about what to say when I told her I was going to date her, she felt God say, \u201cAre you going to choose or am I?\u201d&nbsp; It was a&nbsp;<em>fact<\/em>&nbsp;that I met the description God had given in answer to her prayer.&nbsp; It took her 30 seconds to decide because I was not&nbsp;<em>at all<\/em>&nbsp;what&nbsp;<em>she<\/em>&nbsp;would have chosen, but she said \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>SHE ASKED ME \u201cWHY?\u201d<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the way to the restaurant for the first date, I did something from Japanese culture which hurt her feelings.&nbsp; Her father had recognized the value of her God-given emotions, but he&nbsp;<em>carefully<\/em>&nbsp;taught her to&nbsp;<em>think<\/em>&nbsp;about her feelings.&nbsp; He insisted that she&nbsp;<em>think<\/em>&nbsp;about what she felt&nbsp;<em>before<\/em>&nbsp;acting on an emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She could have walked back to her car and left, but she thought, \u201cThis guy\u2019s thinking of marrying me.&nbsp; He didn\u2019t offer to buy me food to make me upset.&nbsp; But I&nbsp;<em>am<\/em>&nbsp;upset.&nbsp; Must have been an accident.&nbsp; I\u2019ll ask him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I told her why, she&nbsp;<em>liked<\/em>&nbsp;it.&nbsp; Women she tells say, \u201cWhy\u2019d you marry him after&nbsp;<em>that<\/em>\u201d but decide I was a man to keep when told why.&nbsp; She asked and I answered as the Bible commands (Mt. 18:15<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn279\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[279]<\/a>).&nbsp; She thought, \u201cThis guy&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;strange, but if he\u2019ll&nbsp;<em>explain<\/em>, I can help him\u201d and she has.&nbsp; Many wives are afraid to ask because their husbands haven\u2019t learned to explain their thoughts.&nbsp; Explaining is&nbsp;<em>part<\/em>&nbsp;of opening your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was attracted to her enough to think of marrying.&nbsp; If she\u2019d left, I\u2019d have been&nbsp;<em>badly<\/em>&nbsp;hurt and we\u2019d have been unlikely to marry.&nbsp; Stopping, thinking about her feelings, and asking \u201cWhy?\u201d got her a husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>HOW WOULD I RULE<\/a>&nbsp;HER?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<em>facts<\/em>&nbsp;which God and I had given her by our 3<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;date were enough to go on dating, but she needed more facts before deciding whether to marry.&nbsp; She saw I&nbsp;<em>could<\/em>&nbsp;rule her when I commanded her to date me, but she wanted to know&nbsp;<em>how<\/em>&nbsp;I\u2019d rule.&nbsp; We were at my apartment with my roommate.&nbsp; She did something unacceptable.&nbsp; I told her not to do that.&nbsp; She said, \u201cYou can\u2019t do anything about it.\u201d&nbsp; She held up her little finger and touched the tip with her thumb.&nbsp; \u201cI\u2019ve got you right here!\u201d&nbsp; She was testing me and we both knew it.&nbsp; I picked her up, carried her to the shower, and let her know she was asking for a soaking.&nbsp; \u201cBut,\u201d she said, \u201cI don\u2019t have any other clothes.\u201d&nbsp; I told her it was summer; she\u2019d dry in a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said, \u201cI\u2019ll behave,\u201d and I let her out of the shower.&nbsp; I didn\u2019t yell; I didn\u2019t hit her.&nbsp; She&nbsp;<em>knew<\/em>&nbsp;I\u2019d rule&nbsp;<em>gently<\/em>&nbsp;so it would be&nbsp;<em>safe<\/em>&nbsp;to promise to obey me.&nbsp; She decided to follow me and started saying \u201cYes, sir\u201d as the spirit moved her.&nbsp; Resting in me changed her body language so much that at our first visit to her parents the next week, her mother thought, \u201cShe feels&nbsp;<em>safe<\/em>&nbsp;with him.&nbsp; I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll get married soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man should give his wife&nbsp;<em>rest, ease, and calm<\/em>&nbsp;in belonging to him.&nbsp; When she told Ruth and Orpah to go back to their parents to find husbands, Naomi prayed, \u201cThe LORD grant you that ye may find&nbsp;rest, each of you in the house of her husband (Ru. 1:9a).\u201d&nbsp; Naomi wanted food, clothing, and shelter for them, but she&nbsp;<em>also<\/em>&nbsp;wanted them to be&nbsp;<em>sure<\/em>&nbsp;their husbands valued and appreciated them enough to&nbsp;<em>like<\/em>&nbsp;caring for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>I&nbsp;<\/a>GAVE HER MORE FACTS ON PURPOSE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When I met her, I knew that engineers\u2019 marriages often fell apart.&nbsp; I also knew that my Japanese background wouldn\u2019t help.&nbsp; I took her to an office party so she could see that my colleagues weren\u2019t happy with me.&nbsp; We watched a Japanese film series that showed many striking aspects of Japanese culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I didn\u2019t know that she\u2019d had a lifetime of technical table talk because her dad was an engineer, and I didn\u2019t know that her mission-minded family had hosted many missionaries as she grew up.&nbsp; I was pleased to note that she was OK with my technical thought process and that the culture didn\u2019t turn her off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She saw me&nbsp;<em>trying<\/em>&nbsp;to be open about my background.&nbsp; This gave her confidence that I\u2019d open my heart to her, but the Holy Spirit had her put talk into our wedding vows.&nbsp; Just before our wedding, she told me she was&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;looking forward to being married.&nbsp; I like talking to you.&nbsp; Once we\u2019re married, we can talk more in a day than we can talk in a week of dating.\u201d&nbsp; I was surprised and put off by the idea of that much talk, but by that time I&nbsp;<em>very much<\/em>&nbsp;wanted to marry her and went ahead (1 Cor. 7:9<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn280\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[280]<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fundamental reason I decided to spend the rest of my life taking care of her was that I was convinced that God is good.&nbsp; I\u2019d seen the bride\u2019s father give her to the groom at several weddings so I knew that a wife is a gift from God (Pr. 18:22<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn281\">[281]<\/a>).&nbsp; I knew that God gives good gifts (Mt. 7:11<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn282\">[282]<\/a>, Jas. 1:17<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn283\">[283]<\/a>) so I knew she would be good for me if she decided to let God give her to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She\u2019d prayed to God to work on her heart to make her a wife and mother&nbsp;<em>He<\/em>&nbsp;wanted her to be.&nbsp; Belonging to me after we married was the most frightening experience of her life, but she trusted God and&nbsp;<em>decided<\/em>&nbsp;to be mine.&nbsp; It helped that I\u2019d written, \u201cFor God so loved man that He gave him woman.&nbsp; For God so loved me that He gave me you.\u201d&nbsp; She\u2019d&nbsp;<em>said<\/em>&nbsp;God made her to be a treasure.&nbsp; If I&nbsp;<em>treated<\/em>&nbsp;her that way, it would work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>LOGIC \u2013 FINDING FACTS AND DRAWING&nbsp;<\/a>CONCLUSIONS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having been taught to think about her feelings by her engineer father and learning how&nbsp;<em>painful<\/em>&nbsp;it could be let her feelings become strong without getting facts first, my wife used logic before emotion in marrying me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aristotle explained logic ~ 300 BC, about the time Euclid defined \u201cEuclidian geometry.\u201d&nbsp; When Rome conquered Greece 100 years later, they learned Logic and Geometry which let them build ~ 250,000 miles of roads, some of which are used today.&nbsp; The Apostles couldn\u2019t have spread the Gospel as fast as they did without Roman roads.&nbsp; Did God help the Romans build roads to help them serve Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logic and geometry are the foundation of our high-tech civilization.&nbsp; The Greeks didn\u2019t&nbsp;<em>discover<\/em>&nbsp;them \u2013 Hezekiah used logic and geometry to dig a tunnel to bring water into Jerusalem (2 Ki. 20:20<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn284\">[284]<\/a>) \u2013 but he didn\u2019t write down how he did it for our learning!&nbsp; The Greeks wrote it down so they get the credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Rome fell around 480 AD, logic and geometry were forgotten for centuries.&nbsp; It\u2019s not clear when they were found again, but they were needed for the Industrial Revolution which began in the early 1800s, ~ 250 years ago.&nbsp; We can\u2019t have automobiles, or electricity, or water systems, or paved roads, or computers or the Internet without understanding logic&nbsp;<em>throughout<\/em>&nbsp;<em>society<\/em>.&nbsp; How many well-trained, logical people are needed to maintain the Internet?&nbsp; To climb poles to fix wires to keep the lights on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logic is so important to our society that there\u2019s a free&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/test-prep\/lsat\/lsat-lessons\/logical-reasoning\/a\/logical-reasoning--article--getting-started\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online courses<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn285\">[285]<\/a>&nbsp;which explains how to use logic with facts to reach conclusions and gives a number of problems.&nbsp; There are other logic exercises in this&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/10EfwNuJ5CQ1ostJk7TVqQoy1HIqZBb5Y?usp=sharing\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online folder<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn286\">[286]<\/a>&nbsp;which can be printed and shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a>CHRISTIANITY IS A LOGICAL FAITH<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scripture has many verses to help you decide whether something you want to do&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/is-what-i-want-to-do-will-of-god_30.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">falls within the will of God<\/a>.<a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn287\">[287]<\/a>&nbsp; Whether your decisions come from logic or emotion, working through these questions will help you measure your decision against Biblical principles.&nbsp; This takes a lot of Bible reading and practice.&nbsp; The logic training in the links above will not only help with figuring out how to glorify God by what you do, it will make it easier for your people to learn how to manage the technology required by our civilization and get a good job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Cling<\/em>&nbsp;to these&nbsp;<em>facts<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God is good.&nbsp; The things about your spouse that irritate you the most are of God to bless you.&nbsp; Ask God to give you wisdom to see&nbsp;<em>how<\/em>&nbsp;your spouse blesses you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use logic to control you r emotions.&nbsp; When you\u2019re tempted to be upset, ask the other person why they did what they did (Mt. 18:15<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftn288\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">[288]<\/a>).&nbsp; What was the goal?&nbsp; What were they trying to accomplish?&nbsp; What did you know that showed that it wasn\u2019t a good idea?&nbsp; Should you have explained that earlier?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Salvation is logical.&nbsp; Scripture is logical.&nbsp; Learning about God works on our hearts so that we love Him.&nbsp; That leads us to obey Him so that He will be pleased us.&nbsp; That, of course, is how we relate to our spouses.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be&nbsp;married&nbsp;to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 7:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref2\">[2]<\/a>&nbsp;Now then we are&nbsp;ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ&#8217;s stead, be ye reconciled to God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref3\">[3]<\/a>&nbsp;Unwin, J. D. (1927). &#8220;Monogamy as a Condition of Social Energy,\u201d The Hibbert Journal, Vol. XXV, p. 662<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref4\">[4]<\/a>&nbsp;The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,&nbsp;obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Titus 2:3-5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref5\">[5]<\/a>&nbsp;Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 31:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref6\">[6]<\/a>&nbsp;I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song 8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref7\">[7]<\/a>&nbsp;Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 9:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref8\">[8]<\/a>&nbsp;I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Timothy 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref9\">[9]<\/a>&nbsp;And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 26:75<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref10\">[10]<\/a>&nbsp;And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 9:35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref11\">[11]<\/a>&nbsp;But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.&nbsp;<sup>43<\/sup>But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:&nbsp;<sup>44<\/sup>And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.&nbsp;<sup>45<\/sup>For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:42-45<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref12\">[12]<\/a>&nbsp;And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref13\">[13]<\/a>&nbsp;For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.&nbsp;<sup>9<\/sup>Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 11:8-9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref14\">[14]<\/a>&nbsp;the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 19:13b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref15\">[15]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 21:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref16\">[16]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 21:19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref17\">[17]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 25:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref18\">[18]<\/a>&nbsp;A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 27:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref19\">[19]<\/a>&nbsp;Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 6:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref20\">[20]<\/a>&nbsp;Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref21\">[21]<\/a>&nbsp;A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Timothy&nbsp;3:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref22\">[22]<\/a>&nbsp;And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Timothy 2:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref23\">[23]<\/a>&nbsp;She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the&nbsp;law of kindness.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 31:26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref24\">[24]<\/a>&nbsp;For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.&nbsp;<sup>9<\/sup>Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 11:8-9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref25\">[25]<\/a>&nbsp;There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians 7:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref26\">[26]<\/a>&nbsp;And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Judges 16:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref27\">[27]<\/a>&nbsp;And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.&nbsp;<sup>20<\/sup>And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:18, 20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref28\">[28]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Thessalonians 5:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref29\">[29]<\/a>&nbsp;And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Hebrews 10:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref30\">[30]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be&nbsp;married&nbsp;to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 7:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref31\">[31]<\/a>&nbsp;All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Chronicles 12:38<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref32\">[32]<\/a>&nbsp;Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:1-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref33\">[33]<\/a>&nbsp;Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Acts 17:1-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref34\">[34]<\/a>&nbsp;Now then we are&nbsp;ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ&#8217;s stead, be ye reconciled to God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref35\">[35]<\/a>Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:&nbsp;<sup>7<\/sup>But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:&nbsp;<sup>8<\/sup>And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians 2:6-8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref36\">[36]<\/a>&nbsp;Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 1:23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref37\">[37]<\/a>&nbsp;And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 3:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref38\">[38]<\/a>&nbsp;My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm 22:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref39\">[39]<\/a>&nbsp;And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 27:46<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref40\">[40]<\/a>&nbsp;And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 15:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref41\">[41]<\/a>&nbsp;And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 35:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref42\">[42]<\/a>&nbsp;And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Samuel 4:20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref43\">[43]<\/a>&nbsp;And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 30:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref44\">[44]<\/a>&nbsp;Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 1:25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref45\">[45]<\/a>&nbsp;Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Revelation 4:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref46\">[46]<\/a>&nbsp;There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 3:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref47\">[47]<\/a>&nbsp;Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Galatians 5:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref48\">[48]<\/a>&nbsp;And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 49:5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref49\">[49]<\/a>&nbsp;Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref50\">[50]<\/a>&nbsp;And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Acts 17:30<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref51\">[51]<\/a>&nbsp;Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Acts&nbsp;20:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref52\">[52]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 23:37<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref53\">[53]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 13:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref54\">[54]<\/a>&nbsp;And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 11:23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref55\">[55]<\/a>&nbsp;And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 10:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref56\">[56]<\/a>&nbsp;He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 53:3-4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref57\">[57]<\/a>&nbsp;For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref58\">[58]<\/a>&nbsp;I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 3:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref59\">[59]<\/a>&nbsp;Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians 1:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref60\">[60]<\/a>&nbsp;Unwin, J. D. (1927). &#8220;Monogamy as a Condition of Social Energy,\u201d The Hibbert Journal, Vol. XXV, p. 662<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Sexual Relations and Cultural Behavior, by J. D. Unwin (Frank M. Darrow 1969)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref62\">[62]<\/a>&nbsp;The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,&nbsp;obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Titus 2:3-5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref63\">[63]<\/a>&nbsp;Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 31:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref64\">[64]<\/a>&nbsp;Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 9:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref65\">[65]<\/a>&nbsp;My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 2:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref66\">[66]<\/a>&nbsp;I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Timothy 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref67\">[67]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 13:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref68\">[68]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 23:37<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref69\">[69]<\/a>&nbsp;And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 10:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref70\">[70]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 13:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref71\">[71]<\/a>&nbsp;And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and&nbsp;wept bitterly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 26:75<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref72\">[72]<\/a>&nbsp;And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 9:35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref73\">[73]<\/a>&nbsp;But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.&nbsp;<sup>43<\/sup>But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:&nbsp;<sup>44<\/sup>And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.&nbsp;<sup>45<\/sup>For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:42-45<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref74\">[74]<\/a>&nbsp;And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref75\">[75]<\/a>&nbsp;the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 19:13b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref76\">[76]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 21:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref77\">[77]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 21:19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref78\">[78]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 25:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref79\">[79]<\/a>&nbsp;A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 27:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref80\">[80]<\/a>&nbsp;Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 6:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref81\">[81]<\/a>&nbsp;Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref82\">[82]<\/a>&nbsp;The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 31:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref83\">[83]<\/a>&nbsp;Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:33<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref84\">[84]<\/a>&nbsp;Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref85\">[85]<\/a>&nbsp;Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Malachi 2:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref86\">[86]<\/a>&nbsp;A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Timothy 3:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref87\">[87]<\/a>&nbsp;And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Timothy 2:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref88\">[88]<\/a>&nbsp;Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 1:27<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref89\">[89]<\/a>&nbsp;For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.&nbsp;<sup>9<\/sup>Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 11:8-9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref90\">[90]<\/a>&nbsp;There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;7:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref91\">[91]<\/a>&nbsp;And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that&nbsp;his soul was vexed unto death;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Judges&nbsp;16:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref92\">[92]<\/a>&nbsp;And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.&nbsp;<sup>20<\/sup>And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:18, 20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref93\">[93]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Thessalonians 5:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref94\">[94]<\/a>&nbsp;And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Hebrews 10:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref95\">[95]<\/a>&nbsp;All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Chronicles 12:38<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref96\">[96]<\/a>&nbsp;Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:1-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref97\">[97]<\/a>&nbsp;Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Acts 17:1-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref98\">[98]<\/a>&nbsp;And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 29:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref99\">[99]<\/a>&nbsp;He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 7:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref100\">[100]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 29:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref101\">[101]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#samsonTemptation\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#samsonTemptation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref102\">[102]<\/a>&nbsp;Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Timothy 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref103\">[103]<\/a>&nbsp;For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 23:7a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref104\">[104]<\/a>&nbsp;And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref105\">[105]<\/a>&nbsp;Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 18:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref106\">[106]<\/a>&nbsp;Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 1:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref107\">[107]<\/a>&nbsp;Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Malachi 2:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref108\">[108]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#fallFault\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#fallFault<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref109\">[109]<\/a>&nbsp;And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 9:35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref110\">[110]<\/a>&nbsp;But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.&nbsp;<sup>43<\/sup>But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:&nbsp;<sup>44<\/sup>And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.&nbsp;<sup>45<\/sup>For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:42-45<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref111\">[111]<\/a>&nbsp;But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref112\">[112]<\/a>&nbsp;And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 2:25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref113\">[113]<\/a>&nbsp;And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 3:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref114\">[114]<\/a>&nbsp;There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Corinthians 7:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref115\">[115]<\/a>&nbsp;Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 1:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref116\">[116]<\/a>&nbsp;I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song 8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref117\">[117]<\/a>&nbsp;Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ecclesiastes 9:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref118\">[118]<\/a>&nbsp;I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song 8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref119\">[119]<\/a>&nbsp;And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref120\">[120]<\/a>And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 19:5-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref121\">[121]<\/a>&nbsp;Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref122\">[122]<\/a>&nbsp;My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 2:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref123\">[123]<\/a>&nbsp;I am my beloved&#8217;s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 6:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref124\">[124]<\/a>&nbsp;Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 11:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref125\">[125]<\/a>&nbsp;In Gen. 3:14, God cursed Satan \u201cabove all cattle, and above every beast of the field.\u201d&nbsp; In 3:17 God said, \u201ccursed is the ground for thy sake\u201d before telling Adam that he would eat by the sweat of his face.&nbsp; Although Satan, cattle, beasts, and the ground were cursed, Adam and Eve were not cursed.&nbsp; By placing Adam\u2019s struggle to find or grow food at the mercy of weather and much else which man can\u2019t control, God reminds us that&nbsp;<em>all<\/em>&nbsp;lives depend on God (Ecc. 5:9).&nbsp; Before men could pump water out of the ground, farmers needed rain to fill reservoirs or water their crops.&nbsp; Farmers&nbsp;<em>know<\/em>&nbsp;their dependence on God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref126\">[126]<\/a>And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 6:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref127\">[127]<\/a>&nbsp;Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 31:31<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref128\">[128]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 29:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref129\">[129]<\/a>&nbsp;He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 7:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref130\">[130]<\/a>&nbsp;Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 9:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref131\">[131]<\/a>&nbsp;I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Timothy 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref132\">[132]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref133\">[133]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 23:37<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref134\">[134]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ruthsRules\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ruthsRules<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref135\">[135]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#marriageArch\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#marriageArch<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref136\">[136]<\/a>&nbsp;a prudent wife is from the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 19:14b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref137\">[137]<\/a>&nbsp;And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 7:50<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref138\">[138]<\/a>&nbsp;Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 4:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref139\">[139]<\/a>&nbsp;For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 3:23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref140\">[140]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 5:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref141\">[141]<\/a>&nbsp;For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 6:23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref142\">[142]<\/a>&nbsp;As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm 103:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref143\">[143]<\/a>&nbsp;And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 6:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref144\">[144]<\/a>&nbsp;Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;&nbsp;<sup>26<\/sup>That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,&nbsp;<sup>27<\/sup>That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:25-27<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref145\">[145]<\/a>&nbsp;There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 8:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref146\">[146]<\/a>&nbsp;Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Kings 8:61<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref147\">[147]<\/a>&nbsp;But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa&#8217;s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Kings 15:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref148\">[148]<\/a>&nbsp;I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Kings 20:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref149\">[149]<\/a>&nbsp;Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm 100:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref150\">[150]<\/a>&nbsp;Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 1:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref151\">[151]<\/a>&nbsp;Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God&#8217;s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Titus 1:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref152\">[152]<\/a>&nbsp;My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father&#8217;s hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John 10:29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref153\">[153]<\/a>&nbsp;What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 6:19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref154\">[154]<\/a>&nbsp;For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:&nbsp;<sup>15<\/sup>And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;5:14-15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref155\">[155]<\/a>&nbsp;For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 2:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref156\">[156]<\/a>&nbsp;And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 9:35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref157\">[157]<\/a>&nbsp;But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.&nbsp;<sup>43<\/sup>But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:&nbsp;<sup>44<\/sup>And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.&nbsp;<sup>45<\/sup>For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:42-45<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref158\">[158]<\/a>&nbsp;Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:&nbsp;<sup>32<\/sup>And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ&#8217;s sake hath forgiven you.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 4:31-32<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref159\">[159]<\/a>&nbsp;He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.&nbsp;<sup>11<\/sup>For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.&nbsp;<sup>12<\/sup>As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm 103:10-12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref160\">[160]<\/a>&nbsp;I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 43:25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref161\">[161]<\/a>&nbsp;And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Hebrews 10:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref162\">[162]<\/a>&nbsp;How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Hebrews 9:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref163\">[163]<\/a>&nbsp;Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,&nbsp;<sup>20<\/sup>By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;&nbsp;<sup>21<\/sup>And having an high priest over the house of God;&nbsp;<sup>22<\/sup>Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Hebrews 10:19-22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref164\">[164]<\/a>&nbsp;There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 8:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref165\">[165]<\/a>&nbsp;Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 15:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref166\">[166]<\/a>&nbsp;God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Psalm 68:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref167\">[167]<\/a>&nbsp;Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 1:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref168\">[168]<\/a>&nbsp;For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref169\">[169]<\/a>&nbsp;Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 4:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref170\">[170]<\/a>&nbsp;My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 6:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref171\">[171]<\/a>&nbsp;Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.&nbsp;<sup>33<\/sup>Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:22, 33<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref172\">[172]<\/a>&nbsp;Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Colossians 3:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref173\">[173]<\/a>&nbsp;I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Job 31:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref174\">[174]<\/a>&nbsp;The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth 1:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref175\">[175]<\/a>&nbsp;Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 11:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref176\">[176]<\/a>&nbsp;Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians 4:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref177\">[177]<\/a>&nbsp;But godliness with contentment is great gain.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Timothy 6:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref178\">[178]<\/a>&nbsp;Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Hebrews 13:5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref179\">[179]<\/a>&nbsp;But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Deuteronomy 4:29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref180\">[180]<\/a>&nbsp;work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians 2:12b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref181\">[181]<\/a>&nbsp;If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I John 1:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref182\">[182]<\/a>&nbsp;Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 5:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref183\">[183]<\/a>&nbsp;Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:11a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref184\">[184]<\/a>&nbsp;But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 5:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref185\">[185]<\/a>&nbsp;And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 35:18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref186\">[186]<\/a>&nbsp;And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Samuel 4:20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref187\">[187]<\/a>&nbsp;And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 30:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref188\">[188]<\/a>&nbsp;Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 1:25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref189\">[189]<\/a>&nbsp;Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Revelation 4:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref190\">[190]<\/a>&nbsp;He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 53:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref191\">[191]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 23:37<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref192\">[192]<\/a>&nbsp;O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 13:34<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref193\">[193]<\/a>&nbsp;Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.&nbsp;<sup>29<\/sup>Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 31:28-29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref194\">[194]<\/a>&nbsp;Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John 15:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref195\">[195]<\/a>&nbsp;I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John 10:10b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref196\">[196]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#thinkDifferent\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#thinkDifferent<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref197\">[197]<\/a>&nbsp;Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ecclesiastes 9:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref198\">[198]<\/a>&nbsp;Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 1:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref199\">[199]<\/a>&nbsp;I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song 8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref200\">[200]<\/a>&nbsp;Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 1:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref201\">[201]<\/a>&nbsp;I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother&#8217;s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song 8:2-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref202\">[202]<\/a>&nbsp;A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Timothy&nbsp;3:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref203\">[203]<\/a>&nbsp;And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Timothy 2:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref204\">[204]<\/a>&nbsp;Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 4:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref205\">[205]<\/a>&nbsp;And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Kings 11:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref206\">[206]<\/a>&nbsp;And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled,&nbsp;that I may go in unto her.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 29:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref207\">[207]<\/a>&nbsp;Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;I Peter 5:5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref208\">[208]<\/a>&nbsp;And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 5:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref209\">[209]<\/a>&nbsp;My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Song of Solomon 6:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref210\">[210]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ToldMeBefore\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ToldMeBefore<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref211\">[211]<\/a>&nbsp;For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;&nbsp;<sup>5<\/sup>Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Thessalonians 4:3-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref212\">[212]<\/a>&nbsp;If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I John 1:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref213\">[213]<\/a>&nbsp;Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref214\">[214]<\/a>&nbsp;Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:33<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref215\">[215]<\/a>&nbsp;Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 5:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref216\">[216]<\/a>&nbsp;the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 19:13b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref217\">[217]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 21:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref218\">[218]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 21:19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref219\">[219]<\/a>&nbsp;It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 25:24<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref220\">[220]<\/a>&nbsp;A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 27:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref221\">[221]<\/a>&nbsp;Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref222\">[222]<\/a>&nbsp;Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 18:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref223\">[223]<\/a>&nbsp;a prudent wife is from the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 19:14b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref224\">[224]<\/a>&nbsp;If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 7:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref225\">[225]<\/a>&nbsp;Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 1:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref226\">[226]<\/a>&nbsp;And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 9:35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref227\">[227]<\/a>&nbsp;But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.&nbsp;<sup>43<\/sup>But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:&nbsp;<sup>44<\/sup>And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.&nbsp;<sup>45<\/sup>For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:42-45<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref228\">[228]<\/a>&nbsp;Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 7:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref229\">[229]<\/a>And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;19:5-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref230\">[230]<\/a>&nbsp;And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref231\">[231]<\/a>&nbsp;As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I&nbsp;Peter&nbsp;4:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref232\">[232]<\/a>&nbsp;For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref233\">[233]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2013\/10\/why-johnny-lingo-paid-eight-cows-for.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2013\/10\/why-johnny-lingo-paid-eight-cows-for.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref234\">[234]<\/a>&nbsp;That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 10:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref235\">[235]<\/a>&nbsp;Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 7:1-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref236\">[236]<\/a>&nbsp;And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah&#8217;s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother&#8217;s death.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 24:67<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref237\">[237]<\/a>&nbsp;So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife:&nbsp;<strong>Ruth 4:13a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref238\">[238]<\/a>&nbsp;He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 25:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref239\">[239]<\/a>&nbsp;If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man&#8217;s religion is vain.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 1:26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref240\">[240]<\/a>&nbsp;Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.&nbsp;<sup>4<\/sup>The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 7:3-4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref241\">[241]<\/a>&nbsp;Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref242\">[242]<\/a>&nbsp;And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 29:21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref243\">[243]<\/a>&nbsp;And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref244\">[244]<\/a>&nbsp;But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Peter 3:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref245\">[245]<\/a>&nbsp;For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.&nbsp;<sup>17<\/sup>For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John 3:16-17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref246\">[246]<\/a>&nbsp;And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah&#8217;s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother&#8217;s death.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 24:67<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref247\">[247]<\/a>And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?&nbsp;<sup>6<\/sup>Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew&nbsp;19:5-6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref248\">[248]<\/a>&nbsp;And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref249\">[249]<\/a>&nbsp;Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ&#8217;s stead, be ye reconciled to God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref250\">[250]<\/a>&nbsp;What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 6:19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref251\">[251]<\/a>&nbsp;They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Luke 17:27<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref252\">[252]<\/a>&nbsp;Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref253\">[253]<\/a>&nbsp;Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians 4:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref254\">[254]<\/a>&nbsp;For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref255\">[255]<\/a>&nbsp;For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 2:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref256\">[256]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref257\">[257]<\/a>&nbsp;Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:33<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref258\">[258]<\/a>&nbsp;And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 6:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref259\">[259]<\/a>&nbsp;Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 5:1-2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref260\">[260]<\/a>&nbsp;For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Corinthians 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref261\">[261]<\/a>&nbsp;For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ephesians 2:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref262\">[262]<\/a>&nbsp;Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Philippians 2:4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref263\">[263]<\/a>&nbsp;Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Genesis 3:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref264\">[264]<\/a>&nbsp;The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth 1:9a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref265\">[265]<\/a>&nbsp;But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.&nbsp;<sup>43<\/sup>But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:&nbsp;<sup>44<\/sup>And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.&nbsp;<sup>45<\/sup>For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 10:42-45<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref266\">[266]<\/a>&nbsp;And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Mark 9:35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref267\">[267]<\/a>&nbsp;And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>John 10:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref268\">[268]<\/a>&nbsp;Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?&nbsp;<sup>2<\/sup>For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.&nbsp;<sup>3<\/sup>So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 7:1-3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref269\">[269]<\/a>&nbsp;Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Timothy 3:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref270\">[270]<\/a>&nbsp;For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 23:7a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref271\">[271]<\/a>&nbsp;This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.&nbsp;<sup>27<\/sup>For the&nbsp;LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Isaiah 14:26-27<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref272\">[272]<\/a>&nbsp;For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it,&nbsp;I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Jeremiah 4:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref273\">[273]<\/a>&nbsp;And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called&nbsp;according to his purpose.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Romans 8:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref274\">[274]<\/a>&nbsp;The business of a farmer, comprehending agriculture or tillage of the ground, the raising, managing and fattening of cattle and other domestic animals, the management of the dairy and whatever the land produces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref275\">[275]<\/a>&nbsp;The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?&nbsp;<sup>10<\/sup>I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Jeremiah 17:9-10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref276\">[276]<\/a>&nbsp;And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.&nbsp;<sup>10<\/sup>And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth 3:9-10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref277\">[277]<\/a>&nbsp;And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth 2:7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref278\">[278]<\/a>&nbsp;And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.&nbsp;<sup>12<\/sup>The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ruth 2:11-12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref279\">[279]<\/a>&nbsp;Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 18:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref280\">[280]<\/a>&nbsp;But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>I Corinthians 7:9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref281\">[281]<\/a>&nbsp;Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Proverbs 18:22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref282\">[282]<\/a>&nbsp;If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 7:11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref283\">[283]<\/a>&nbsp;Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>James 1:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref284\">[284]<\/a>&nbsp;And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit [tunnel], and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>II Kings 20:20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref285\">[285]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/test-prep\/lsat\/lsat-lessons\/logical-reasoning\/a\/logical-reasoning--article--getting-started\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/test-prep\/lsat\/lsat-lessons\/logical-reasoning\/a\/logical-reasoning&#8211;article&#8211;getting-started<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref286\">[286]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/10EfwNuJ5CQ1ostJk7TVqQoy1HIqZBb5Y?usp=sharing\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/10EfwNuJ5CQ1ostJk7TVqQoy1HIqZBb5Y?usp=sharing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref287\">[287]<\/a>&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/is-what-i-want-to-do-will-of-god_30.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/is-what-i-want-to-do-will-of-god_30.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html?fbclid=IwAR2AZbvn_x2AOWWHW-0uWQfr5i2pQ-hVLRRKv7E8fLb2uEtePKurhayovOQ#_ftnref288\">[288]<\/a>&nbsp;Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Matthew 18:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/email-post.g?blogID=9739247&amp;postID=430181553833310179\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/resources.blogblog.com\/img\/icon18_email.gif\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>POSTED BY BILL TAYLOR AT&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/hear-voice-of-bridegroom-concerning.html\">7:58 AM<\/a><\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">0 COMMENTS:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/comment.g?blogID=9739247&amp;postID=430181553833310179\">POST A COMMENT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/\">&lt;&lt; Home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ABOUT ME<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/09489513548045455794\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bFvJm0il0FA\/YT0TRf4DooI\/AAAAAAAAAoE\/anKH1qRKDNkYoAgXk4aCAOrePvt_YDEwgCK4BGAYYCw\/s80\/BillTaylor%2Bcrop.jpg\" alt=\"My Photo\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/09489513548045455794\">BILL TAYLOR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/09489513548045455794\">VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PREVIOUS POSTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2023\/02\/what-women-need.html\">What Women Need from their Husbands<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/american-dating-culture-destroys-gods.html\">American Dating Culture Destroys God\u2019s Simple Plan&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/is-what-i-want-to-do-will-of-god_30.html\">Is What I Want To Do The Will Of God?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/handling-offense-disagreement-division.html\">Handling Offense, Disagreement, Division, or Anger&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/what-about-divorce.html\">What About Divorce?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/the-bible-explains-marriage-in-one-verse.html\">The Bible Explains Marriage in One Verse<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/marriage-seminar-for-pastors.html\">Marriage Seminar for Pastors<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/why-we-use-king-james-version-kjv.html\">Why We Use the King James Version (KJV)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/dont-step-in-holes.html\">Don&#8217;t Step in the Holes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/successful-marriage.blogspot.com\/2021\/06\/all-things-are-possible.html\">All Things Are Possible (1977) &#8211; Come Unto Me (1980)<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/blogger_img_proxy\/AByxGDSvEBsB5S23a3lDX4fimPT-7IvKXzvlbrAABQilIkLDoVSvG4vgkmzR6gRWhqdaPNhC66ryhS4xgw3w2hN_-tdegKKdyLn5AooyApq144HX=s0-d\" alt=\"Powered by Blogger\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marriage Under Threat: Hear the Voice of the Bridegroom Concerning Holy Matrimony (successful-marriage.blogspot.com) \u00a0FAMILY 1028 &#8211; 04282023 &#8211; Sound Bite Marriage &#8211; COMPARING MARRIAGE AND SALVATION &#8211; THE NATURAL USE OF WOMEN &#8230; and led in the destruction of the American justice system: &#8211; Masculine Christianity &#8211; Woman\u2019s Sin Can Destroy a Great Nation &#8211;&hellip; <br \/> <a class=\"button small blue\" href=\"https:\/\/awarningministry.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/28\/hear-the-voice-of-the-bridegroom-concerning-holy-matrimony-by-bill-roberta-taylor\/\">Read 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